Making disciples of all nations is the foundational role of the church. The below framework is an example "values tool" for identifying your mission field, field workers, and sending agencies who are in alignment with building sustainable indigenous church planting movements that transform people and societies. Dr. Harbaugh can help your church identify and implement your own Missions values for Great Commission effectiveness.
Missional Values
Partnership:
The Partner invites our congregation to participate in cross-cultural ministry opportunities.
Legacy:
The Partner trains and equips indigenous leaders to eventually lead the ministry.
Accountability:
The Partner invites theological, spiritual, financial, and relational accountability.
Need:
The Partner has direct gospel influence with indigenous people in spiritual need.
Target:
The Partner maintains presence in regions that are 4% evangelical or less.
Missionary Fieldworker Qualities
Calling
Confirmed by sending agency
Capabilities
Biblical knowledge and cross-cultural communication
Character
Living Christian values among unbelievers
"We can teach what we know, but we reproduce what we are." Character forms the foundation, capabilities build the potential, and calling completes the missionary's preparation.
Mission Field Priorities
Unreached Status
Little or no gospel presence
Bible Access
Limited scripture in local language
Indigenous Church
Few or no local believers
Growth Potential
Opportunity for sustainable movement
Sending Agency Characteristics
Accountability
Adheres to highest financial transparency standards
Partnership
Actively works with sending churches
Indigenous Replacement
Equips local Jesus-followers to lead the ministry
A strong sending agency should be as strong or stronger than the missionary, providing consistent support while holding fieldworkers accountable for meaningful results.
Finding the Best Fit
Field Worker
Character, capabilities, and confirmed calling
Mission Field
Unreached peoples with little gospel access
Sending Agency
Strong support structure and accountability
Alignment
Systemic connection between the church, sending agency, and fieldworker
Feedback from Churches
These are some testimonials about how this framework brings clarity and alignment to a church's missions team.
George P.
"Before this framework, we supported missionaries based on relationship. Now, we base our support on clearly identified values, ensuring our support goes to workers on the field who are in alignment with our priorities."
Former Global Missions Director, Hopevale Church
Linda S.
"Learning about the five filters and implementing the values tool was a big help to our team. It brought clarity around the decisions we had to make about the missionaries we support, whereas before it was hard to reach consensus."
Global Missions Committee, Frankenmuth Bible Church
Ronda G.
"These criteria provide significant value in discerning mission opportunities and help inform ways we can best support international field work. The five filters simplify decision-making as our team assesses global partners, and have enabled sustainable support of indigenous workers leading ministries."
Current Global Missions Director, Hopevale Church
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Global Missions Values Tool