Nationals in Missions

One of the foundational principles of AFCI is Nationals in Ministry. That is, people impacting their own nations with the Gospel. This article is extracted from a longer document created by Allan Gardner, former AFCI International Director, explaining the reasons why AFCI is built around nationals.

Focusing on nationals in missions is not an either/or proposition. We are not suggesting that national workers should replace cross-cultural missionaries. Missionaries are still needed for the simple fact that in many parts of the world there is no church in existence and, therefore, no national workers are available. Both missionaries and nationals are needed as long as the Great Commission remains incomplete.

Enabling nationals is also not a new idea. Over 220 years ago, William Carey realized the impact that nationals can have and advocated for involving them in the furtherance of the Gospel.

Having said that, let me share some of the reasons why we as an organization have placed an emphasis on using nationals in missionary work around the word.

Stewardship of Resources

It costs less to keep a national in ministry than to keep a foreign missionary on the field. The cross-cultural missionary has to generate more support in order to survive, let alone exercise, his ministry.

Stewardship of Time

Today, it takes on average two to three years for a missionary candidate to reach the field. National workers are usually ready to go to work immediately. National workers do not have to spend time learning the language or the culture. They are familiar with the customs and know what is acceptable behavior and conduct. They also have natural contacts that have been formed over the years through family, business, friends, tribal relationships, church contacts, etc., that the missionary from outside has to develop.

Stewardship of Talent

There are a great many highly qualified and gifted nationals – both men and women – who are ready if we can provide the resources for them to do their job.  Training is often necessary and frequently requested. We as an organization can offer insights into church life, preaching, study methods, and Biblical training that can equip these men and women for greater service. We have learned to ask them what they need, and not to prepare training based on what we think is needed. Our best servcie can be to provide the training and let the national pastor and church leader loose to reach their own people which they will usually do better than we can.