The Focus on the Church

"Now in the church that was at Antioch....the Holy Spirit said, ‘Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.'" (Acts 13:1-2)

"And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all." (Colossians 1:22-23)

"On this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:18)

"EBM exists to help churches around the world take the lead in global ministry." Nowhere in the Bible has God given mission agencies the authority or responsibility to lead the way in global ministry. EBM recognizes the church as having that role of leadership and our goal will be to model that in our policies and vision, i.e., EBM will work hard to grow its fruit on the church's tree.

EBM's goal will be to serve churches both in America as well as churches globally. We will provide churches here in America with services that develop their own missions programs and strategies as well as services to prepare their missionaries for cross-cultural ministries. Internationally we will listen to national pastors and leaders and build partnerships with indigenous ministries, helping them succeed in their own vision to reach their people and develop their own churches.

As a result, EBM's goal will be to adhere to the following:

1. EBM will consider a missionary as continuing under the authority and accountability to his/her commissioning church.
   
2. A candidate who seeks membership with EBM shall be advised to first seek the counsel of his/her commissioning church and pastor, or to help them create that kind of relationship if it does not exist.
   
3. A tri-lateral agreement will be signed by the commissioning church, the missionary, and EBM that protects the leadership role of the commissioning church and clarifies the role of the agency.
   
4. Global strategies will be developed in partnership with the vision and strategies of indigenous churches and leaders.
   
5. Problem-solving relating to the life and ministry of an EBM missionary will be done in concert with the counsel of the commissioning church(s).
   
6. When ministry involves cooperation between more than one church (e.g. a team of missionaries or a partnership with indigenous churches), EBM will serve as a liaison among the churches, helping to form a trusting consensus of agreement in strategy and direction.
   
7. EBM will provide consulting services to churches who desire to take a greater leadership role in global ministry.