Global
Welcome to the RCF Overseas Missions web page. Thank you for taking an interest in the work we do.
We desire to see the whole church (all ages) reaching the whole world (all nations) with the full gospel (in both word and deed). We have a holistic approach to mission believing that God’s concern is for the whole person. We have confidence in the transforming power of the good news of Jesus Christ in individual lives and in the values and structures of society. We consider it our privilege and responsibility to be involved in the sending and receiving, the giving and accepting, of the body of Christ in mission throughout the world. Being mission-minded is to walk in step with the heart beat of a loving God for a broken world.
Mission Matters at RCF
Mission is understanding and participating in God’s eternal purposes for his world. Amazingly God chooses to bring hope to a hurting world through the Church empowered by the Holy Spirit proclaiming and demonstrating Christ’s love in practical ways.
Consequently we believe:
• it is important to help Christians discover their mission in life and live whole-heartedly for it counting the cost of discipleship
• in sending people into the missions fields of the UK and the world
• in planting and transforming churches
Involvement in mission finds expression in specific ways:
1) Praying
We believe the truth of Jesus' words in John 15 that ‘Apart from me you can do nothing’. Prayer is a vital pre-requisite to world mission. Prayer for world missions, especially for those sent from RCF, is a regular feature of prayer meetings, Small Groups, youth and children’s groups. Prayer groups also operate to support specific ministries.
2) Giving
We believe that giving from the material wealth which God has given to us is fundamental to involvement in world mission. In this way, those whom we have sent from RCF receive regular support, as do agreed mission organisations. Some receive support directly, whilst others receive this indirectly through mission agencies.
When crises occur across the world, funds are channelled through Christian relief organisations such as Elim International Missions and Tear Fund.
3) Sending (see below for more information)
We believe that God, the Lord of the harvest, is still calling workers to go into all the world and make disciples of all nations. Some from our present congregation are currently involved in mission locally and globally.
We also believe in sending teams on short term missions to experience God at work in other cultures and serve in practical ways demonstrating the love of Christ for all peoples. (See our Short Term Missions page).
4) Receiving
We believe that God is calling those from His church worldwide, to go into all the world. We recognise that in the last century the traditional sending base has changed and that God is raising up His church in Africa, Asia and South America. There has been exponential growth of the global church in certain parts of the world and with it a desire to send missionaries to the West. We thank God for the mutuality in mission that this brings and enriches our understanding of a merciful loving God who is calling people to Himself.
We have missionaries sent from RCF serving in various nations:
Historically the church has had significant links with:
- Elim, other denominations and NGO work in the nation of Romania. We currently have missionaries working here bringing training, education and relieving poverty amongst the marginilised and the elderly. Many in our church have a heart for this nation. Consequently, several short term teams have been involved in construction and community work over the years.
- the Elim Church of Tanzania. We have had short term teams go out to serve in practical ways such as facilitating medical and building projects.
- Charities working amongst disadvantaged women in India teaching and training textile skills, thus creating opportunities for these women to sustain themselves.
- The Elim Church in Tauranga, New Zealand where a member from our church and her husband are reaching out to this community with the love of Christ.
Now we are also developing links with:
- A Church in Manila in the Philippines, where one of our members will be using her teacher training and experience to help provide an education for children from very deprived backgrounds.
Through various Organisations
Elim International Missions
http://www.elim.org.uk/Groups/112257/International_Missions.aspx
CMJ
Sharing the gospel with Jewish People,
Encouraging Messianic Believers and
Educating the church on its Jewish Roots
Open Doors
Open Doors serves the persecuted church worldwide in a variety of ways.
Hebrews 13v3 ‘Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners and those who are ill-treated as if you yourselves were suffering.’
We have highlighted the needs of persecuted Christians in North Korea, the Middle East, Nigeria, India and China this year.
“SOON” Ministries - a worldwide literature and web outreach.
To send out the Gospel of Jesus Christ into all the world by literature. To help people build their faith in Jesus Christ and to enable them to study the Word of God and become mature Christians
Tear Fund
“Be part of a miracle. Save lives.”
Fair Trade:
Tear Fund shop http://www.traidcraftshop.co.uk/?gclid=CK7r8qv_-6cCFQoZ4QodrDujqg and
Tear Fund Projects http://www.livinggifts.org.uk/
OSCAR
