Know Their Story is Live!
What is an Advocacy Team?
It is a small group of people who are committed to caring for our sent partners in various ways. Sent partners are those who have been commissioned by Bethany to go out from among us in order to serve Christ locally or globally.
What does an Advocacy Team do?
An advocacy team meets together at least once a month to pray and care for their sent partner. Ideally, their sent partner will be available to meet with the team virtually. But the team should be committed to meeting and collaborating together even if time zones and schedules make it challenging for their sent partner to consistently join their meetings.
What is the purpose of an Advocacy Team?
An advocacy team seeks to help our church maintain a true sense of partnership with our sent workers. The team serves Bethany by staying informed and engaged with the lives and the ministries sent partners. The team serves our sent partners by caring for their spiritual, physical, and emotional needs in a variety of ways.
What might care actually look like?
A much larger list is available by request, but the following represent some ideas for an advocacy team:
- Pray often and pray in an informed way.
- Give gift packages, birthday gifts, anniversary gifts, and meet other tangible needs as they might arise.
- Correspond regularly through emails, virtual calls, and social media.
- Help with transportation to and from the airport.
- Host them when they are here in the United States.
- Possibly join a mission trip to visit them in their field of service.
- Research and learn about their host country and their ministry.
- Look for opportunities to share with the rest of the church about prayer needs, physical needs, and important updates.
How is an Advocacy Team structured?
Each advocacy team is assigned to one sent partner. They should have an assigned leader and will include six to twelve other adults. The advocacy team is an action team under the oversight of Bethany’s Sending Team and ultimately our elder team.
How can someone join an Advocacy Team?
Currently, there is a great need for both advocacy team leaders and members. If you are interested in this ministry, please reach out to the church office or contact our sending team (globaloutreach@bethanycentral.org). Someone will contact you and help you discern where you might find the best fit.
