A small team of church planters and Bible translators has been working hard for many years. They finish the Bible translation. They ordain leaders in the local church. They leave a maturing church that can continue to grow in the Word. They return to their home congregation and receive recognition for a task well done. But who all contributed to the work in this hypothetical situation? Let’s take a look at a few people that are “behind the scenes” when an All-Nations team goes to the field.
Every organization needs structure. At All-Nations, the Executive Committee is made up of three men who work from the office in State College, PA. They are providing the backbone of the organization and are guiding the various initiatives within All-Nations. Perhaps it’s researching training opportunities for the members, or maybe it’s developing protocols for missionary security, or perhaps it is doing a presentation for a church. The Executive Committee takes the brunt of the workload and decision-making within the organization.
Working alongside the Executive Committee are also several people that provide general assistance such as processing donations, planning events, or other office tasks. Without their labor, many important tasks would be left undone.
All-Nations Board members get little attention for the amount of work that they do. The Board of Directors meet regularly to provide oversight to the organization as a whole. They especially speak into the work of the Executive Committee. Beyond that, a group of advisors meets with the Board once a year to give the Board and Executive Committee additional perspectives. Both advisors and Board members bring greater focus as we strive towards our vision while maintaining accountability to the Anabaptist churches that we represent.
Every field member is connected to a sending church. This church has agreed to work with All-Nations in sending a team to a specific people group. You know how it is to work a job, raise a family, and try to take care of every other pressing thing in your life. But these people are also picking up the phone and checking in on their field members. They are taking a week or two off work to visit and encourage the team in their labors. They are getting together to discuss logistics and to pray for the team on the field. The sending church is another example of ordinary people who assist an All-Nations team.
Our family has been blessed with several single ladies that have helped us while we are on the field. Living in a third-world setting and learning one or more new languages has a way of using a lot of time. These family-helpers have lived with us and encouraged us. They folded our laundry, taught our children, and cleaned our kitchen. May God bless many who are willing to humbly serve others for the sake of the kingdom.
There are probably many more people that I haven’t mentioned that are busy working behind the scenes. The family that picked up a prayer card and is now regularly praying for a team. The consultant from a different organization who is willing to give some advice. The person who lends a car for a team member during a home visit. The list goes on and on.
May God get the glory for the work that is being done! May the weaker parts of the body get the more abundant honor from the rest of the body. May the hand never say, “I have no need of you.” May we all be like Aaron and Hur who held up the arms of Moses until the battle was won, no matter if we are recognized or not.
— David S, Tarahumara team