The Great Commission Jesus gave us requires that we make disciples both locally and among the nations. Over the past 7 years, Citylight has sent over 20 mission teams to partner with discipleship and church planting efforts around the world and see first hand what Jesus is doing among the nations. In these early years of our church, our “strategy” has been to PRAY for the Spirit’s leading, PARTNER with opportunities that come our way, and begin to discern which opportunities God would have us PICK to focus on moving forward.
Some of the criteria we took into account when discerning which partnerships to focus on have been:
Vision Alignment
Does the field focus on multiplying disciples and churches?
Need
Are there legitimate needs that our church can step into and add value?
Access
We desired at least 1 location that is close and relatively easy to access for youth and family involvement.
Strategic Relationships
Are there field workers that we feel a strong connection to and will be a joy to partner with?
After this process, our pastoral team would like to propose the following international partnerships for a 5 year commitment (2022-2027):
SOUTHEAST ASIA
Global Focus
Spiritual darkness is widespread and deep in Cambodia. The violent Khmer Rouge regime (1975-1979) destroyed millions of Cambodian lives, crippling the country and leaving deep-seeded, generational wounds. With only 1% of the country being Evangelical, the gospel is desperately needed to bring hope to these people.
Strategic Partnership
The C&MA has been working in Cambodia since 1920. They have successfully evangelized and raised up a number of national pastors and leaders, establishing a national church. Their ongoing ministry focus is to continue to educate and equip Cambodian pastors and church planters to multiply healthy churches across the country. We have sent several teams to Cambodia to support the C&MA’s efforts of theological education and leadership development. In 2018, our congregation donated $25,000 to help fund the completion of the “Urban Ministry Training Center” in Phnom Pen.
Relationships
Dave and Chris are the field directors of the Alliance effort in Cambodia. They have served there 26 years. Jeff and Heather are the directors of the “Urban Ministry Training Center” and have served in Cambodia for over 20 years, as well.They are well connected to Citylight and are eager to continue partnering and receiving teams.
CENTRAL EUROPE
Global Focus
Central Europe is growing region with a desperate need for the gospel. Young nationals are flocking in because of its strategic influence through Europe. Less than 1% of people in the region have a relationship with Jesus and it has been called the "Atheist Capitol of the World". In addition, an estimated 400,000 Muslims live in Central Europe from a variety of countries, many being refugees from closed access countries.
Strategic Partnership
This sending organization has been working in Europe for 72 years. They partner with churches to mobilize global workers throughout Europe for the work of church planting, discipleship multiplication, and Biblical education.
Relationship
Jon and Rachael have been active members of Citylight since 2016. They are City Group leaders and have recently joined our staff team as Global Residents. They have been called by God to reach unreached people groups in Central Europe. Email Jon and Rachael for more information.
CARIBBEAN
Global Focus
Jamaica is a close and inexpensive destination with tremendous needs and opportunities for gospel ministry. It is largely considered a “reached” country, with a majority of its citizens claiming to be Christian, making it a strategic hub for raising up disciple-makers and church planters to reach less-reached parts of the Caribbean.
There are roughly 73,000 orphans on the small island nation of less than 3 million people. The practical need for orphan care is also an open door to disciple the next generation and raise up disciple-makers and church planters.
Strategic Partnership
Over the past several years we have sent teams to partner with the City Of Refuge GT Children's Home, a home for children 6 months to 18 years who have been abused, neglected, or abandoned. The Christ-centered home seeks to not only care for these children, but disciple them and send them into the region as life-long followers of Jesus and Kingdom laborers.
Relationships
Dave and Robin have been key leaders and laborers at Citylight for 8 years. Dave serves currently as an elder and Robin served on staff as our Global Director. They have been called by God to move to Jamaica and are currently going through an interview process to become the directors of the City of Refuge GT Children's Home and plan to move to the home in the summer of 2022.
Pray for Global Partners
Pray regularly for our partners by joining Citylight’s Global Partner Prayer Feed! Receive live updates on all of Citylight’s global partners, set prayer reminders, and be notified for future prayer updates! In respect to our global partners, none of the info on this feed may be shared on any outside media.
Citylight Global Prayer Feed