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One of the most meaningful ways that you as a Casas Bible Fellowship can “close the gap” and join God in expanding His kingdom is through what we call Partner With A Pro. This booklet outlines the details of what it means to Partner With A Pro and how to make it happen.
At its core Partner With A Pro is a relationship between your Bible Fellowship and Casas missionaries, whom we call our Pros. This is really a dynamic and Biblical relationship dating back to the ministry of the apostle Paul. He said in Philippians 1:3-5, “I thank my God every time I remember you . . . because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.” This will give your Bible Fellowship an opportunity to keep Casas connected to the edge of God’s kingdom as He expands it through our Pros.
Partner With A Pro will also allow your Bible Fellowship to keep Casas Pros connected to Casas in a way that very few missionaries are in most churches. You will be ensuring them a level of prayer and relational support that will allow them to carry on the work God has called them too with greater strength and resolve.
Partner With A Pro will also help you to grow spiritually as a Bible Fellowship as you experience God and the life of faith through your relationship with a Casas Pro. You will also be living out the principles of spiritual growth by reproducing spiritually among those who need it most. This booklet is intended as a guide to help you take this ministry to the next level.
We look forward to serving you as you serve Jesus.
The Casas Global Outreach Team
Steps Toward Partnering With A Pro
1. Step One
Call or e-mail Global Outreach team 878-1116 outreach@casaschurch.org to set up a Sunday morning where Global Outreach staff can visit your Bible Fellowship for 10 minutes and explain what it looks like to Partner With A Pro.
2. Step Two
GO staff visit with your class and explain how to Partner With A Pro.
3. Step Three
GO staff introduce your class to a Casas Pro while they’re visiting (if possible). Your class will get to hear about them and the work they do.
4. Step Four
You and your Bible Fellowship pray and discuss if this is the Pro that God is leading You to partner with.
5. Step Five
GO staff again visit your Bible Fellowship one week after your Bible Fellowship has met the Casas Pro or discussed partnering with this Casas Pro. GO staff will then make the partnership official or begin the process of finding a new Casas Pro for your Bible Fellowship to partner with (10 minutes).
1. Pray
Individuals from the class pray for their Casas Pro everyday on their own and the class prays for them together weekly.
2. Write
Someone from the class writes the Casas Pro once a week. You can pass around a sign up sheet to coordinate this.
3. Call
Once a quarter the class calls your Casas Pro’s home from your Bible Fellowship on a speakerphone provided by Casas Global Outreach.
4. Receive
When your Casas Pro is home in Tucson receive them by welcoming them to your class. Send them a card or postcard inviting them to come to your Bible Fellowship and share stories.
5. Visit
Send a delegation from your Bible Fellowship to help your Casas Pro in a ministry project in the next two years.
You as the contact person are the connecting point between your Bible Fellowship and Casas Pros. You play a vital part in keeping Casas connected to God’s ever-expanding kingdom and keeping our Casas workers connected to Casas. Your role is to:
Remind:
Always keep the workers before the Bible Fellowship. It’s easy to forget out about people in our “out of sight out of mind” culture. Your job is to remind the class of the partnership with your adopted Casas Pros.
Write:
Coordinate the class writing to your Casas Pro. Pass around a sign up sheet every two or three months and have members of the Bible Fellowship choose a week on a calendar during which they will write your worker. (See sample e-mail for ideas about what and how to write your Casas Pro.)
Call:
Coordinate your class calling your adopted Casas Pro. Set up a time convenient with your Casas Pro for the class to call them. Verify this time with your class, and arrange with GO team to have the phone that Sunday. Often the phone can be picked up from the church office on Sunday morning. (See sample calling sheet for suggestions on how to call your Casas Pro.)
Decide:
Annually help the class decide if they want to renew the partnership with your Casas Pro.
Improve:
Use your imagination to think up ways to better establish the
connection between your class and your Casas Pro.
Keeping Your Pro in the Line of Sight
In sight, in mind
One of the best ways to remember something is to keep it in front of you, to have it visible. This is true whether it be a string on your finger to help you to remember to pick up groceries on your way home or a magnet on your refrigerator to help you remember the phone number for your favorite take-out service. Your Bible Fellowship needs your help to have a tangible, visible reminder of the pro they have partnered with. Specifically:
Who is your Pro - i.e. their family, their connection to Casas, their profession?
Where do they serve - what country do they serve in, and what people group(s) are they serving?
What do they do - what is their professional platform, what is their strategy?
The following are a couple of ways that you can keep your Pro in front of your Bible Fellowship.
1. A Partner With A Pro Bulletin Board: This is sort of a substitute for a refrigerator which you might find in the home of a missionary’s friend plastered with missionary magnets, pictures, prayer requests and such. The same would apply to the class bulletin board; on it would be pictures, birthdays, prayer requests and other things that would constantly keep your Pro and their ministry in front of the Bible Fellowship.
2. Show the class a video of your Pro Perhaps your Pro has video of their home on the field or of the people group they are working with that you can show to your Bible Fellowship. The best way to find out whether or not they do have video is to ask.
3. Pro’s emails It’s not a bad idea to have copies of your Pro’s most recent emails or prayer requests available for pick up on or near the bulletin board.
A note on security- For security reasons you will want to check with your Pro as to what can and cannot be posted or published about them, their family, or their work.
If you have any questions please contact the Global Outreach team at 878-1116 or outreach@casaschurch.org.
E-mail Guidelines & Sample Emails
Things to keep in mind
Your Pro probably receives a lot of e-mails on a daily basis. They will really appreciate your note but out of understanding write brief but meaningful emails. Don’t necessarily expect a response; maybe even let them know they don’t need to respond, that you are just saying hi. However, when you have specific questions and do need a response please ask and let them know that you are awaiting their response.
Your Pro may not yet know everyone from your Bible Fellowship Class by name, so introduce yourself and mention which Bible Fellowship you are writing from.
Your Pro may be in an area where their e-mail is monitored so keep in mind which words to use and which words to stay away from when writing to your Pro.
They know Tucson and are curious as to what’s going on in Tucson. So mention local news and weather and other Tucson related topics. This is also true for new developments at Casas.
Language
In restrictive areas do not use words like: Jesus, God, Church, Christian, Muslim, Pray, Bible, baptize(ism), gospel, evangelical(ism), Theology and most of all do not use the word missionary!
Alternative words
Jesus= CEO, boss, greatest/best friend
Christian= follower, brother/sister, family
God= Father/your Father, Boss, etc.
Church= Club, our group, Roger’s office, etc.
Bible= books, the book, the manual
Pray= yarp, lift up, request, make mention etc.
Evangelism= sharing, sharing good words, introducing them to my Father, etc.
Missionary= Pro, worker, global worker, etc.
Sample e-mail to worker in non restrictive country
Dear _____,
Hi I am _____ from the _____ class at Casas. I just wanted to drop you a line and let you know I have been praying during my quiet time for you, your family and the work you are a part of. We have as a class been lifting up the needs you made us aware of on Sunday mornings. How are those things going? You know the story you shared with us has really impacted my life\thinking \praying in this certain way (be specific and honest) Thank you for sharing it.
In Tucson its about a 150 degrees out today and they have finally built a freeway system here, (we can hope can’t we). Roger had a great message on Sunday it was about expanding God’s kingdom to the farthest ends of the world and it made me think of you and the work you are doing. I am so glad that our class can be connected with you in this way. Please let us know if there are any new things we can be praying about with you.
The Lord bless you,
_____ from _____ Sunday morning Bible Fellowship
Sample e-mail to worker in restrictive country
Dear _____,
Hi I am _____ from the _____ class at Casas. I just wanted to drop you a line and let you know I have been lifting up during my quiet time you, your family and the work you are a part of. We have as a class been lifting up the needs you made us aware of when we met together. How are those things going? You know the story you shared with us has really impacted my life\thinking \talking to my Father in this certain way (be specific and honest) Thank you for sharing it.
In Tucson it’s about a 150 degrees out today and they have finally built a freeway system here, (we can hope can’t we). Roger had a great talk when our club met. It was about expanding Your Father’s Business to the farthest ends of the world and it made me think of you and the work you are doing. I am so glad that our class can be connected with you in this way. Please let us know if there are any new things we can be making mention of with you.
Peace to you,
Blank from blank class
An important way for your class to keep Casas connected to God’s expanding kingdom and to keep our Pro’s connected to Casas is through phone calls.
The GO Team has a speakerphone that your class can use to call your Pro on a Sunday morning. Your class should call your Casas Pro once a quarter from your Bible Fellowship Class.
Steps to making the call
1. E-mail your Pro and set up an appropriate date and time to make the call.
2. Confirm that the time will work for your class
3. Check with the GO Team by calling Stacy Brice to confirm the phone is available at that time. Stacy can be reached at 878-1116 or stacyb@casaschurch.org (Often the phone can be made available for pick up from the church office)
4. Take the phone to class early and test that the call will work
5. Make the call at the appropriate time with the class
6. 6. Involve everyone in the class in the call
Things to keep in mind
· Make the call brief but long enough to establish a relational connection
· Use appropriate language. Remember: the call may be monitored
· Let your Pro know that you pray for them and ask for prayer requests
Language guidelines for Pro’s in sensitive areas:
In restrictive areas do not use words like: Jesus, God, church, Christian, pray, Bible, baptize(ism), gospel, evangelical(ism), theology and most of all do not use the word missionary!
Alternative words:
Jesus= CEO, boss, greatest/best friend
God= Father/your Father, Boss, etc.
Church= Club, our group, Roger’s office, etc.
Christian= follower, brother/sister, family
Pray= yarp, lift up, request, make mention etc.
Bible= books, the book, the manual
Evangelism= sharing, sharing good words, introducing them to my Father, etc.
Missionary= Pro, worker, global worker, etc.
Sample phone call script
Hi _______ this is the ________ class,
How are you doing? What time is it there? It’s so good to hear your voice. We will be lifting you up today. Is there anything specific on your heart right now that we could lift up? This morning Roger talked about… Today in class we will be exploring…. Do you have any stories that you think would illustrate our lesson? How is your family? In Tucson today it’s 109 degrees outside and the latest news is…
We are so grateful to be connected with you. Thank you for taking the time to allow us to call you; we will be lifting you up to the Father today. Remember the blank class loves you.
Goodbye.
Get everyone involved:
Of course you won’t use this script word for word, it is meant to be a guideline. One of the most important things to do in making the call is to get everyone in the class involved. You can do this by assigning members of the class questions to ask your Pro or something to tell them about the class. Even if you get Joe Shmoe to say to your Pro, “Hi Pro I am Joe and my shoes are brown,” you have succeeded.
Now you are part of a team supporting a professional on the field. You pray for them, send them cards and emails, talk to them on the phone and even chip in for Christmas gifts and anniversary greetings. Now you’re class is ready to send class members to be part of the ministry by going to visit your Pro. What’s the next step?
Pray!
Ask God to lead your Bible Fellowship in this endeavor.
Contact your Pro.
Check to see if one time is better than another or if the field is appropriate for you to visit.
Contact Global Outreach.
Claudia Mann and the GO Team will be able to help you plan your journey so it can be effective and fit under Casas’ umbrella (claudiam@casaschurch.org or 878-1189).
Fill out a Global Teams Application.
Casas wants to bless you as you go to represent us in the world. (Download yours at GoCasas.com/GT.htm.)
Attend the two Team Trainings offered in the spring.
The trainings will help you learn to , interact in an appropriate way with your Pro and their culture, stay safe with food and travel, and include others in prayer and financial investment in your trip.
Our church as a large body seeks to be good senders.
On a church level, Casas directly financially contributes to the support package of your Pro. As each of us as give and designate on our checks Casas Global Outreach, those funds help support your Pro.
On an individual level, some of you support your Pro directly as well.
On a Bible Fellowship level, you do not have a direct financial commitment to your Pro. Many missionaries have ongoing financial needs and will communicate those needs in their regular newsletters, but the church is not expecting you to give financially to your Pro. Casas is trusting that your Bible Fellowship will pledge and give to the church’s Global Outreach ministry which is how Casas supports your Pro.
Top Ten Ways to Show Love to Your Casas Pro
1. Prayer
2. Letters
3. Two way communication
4. Care packages
5. Personal visits
6. Sermon and music tapes or CDs
7. Short-term teams
8. Christmas and birthday gifts
9. Inviting them to share in your class when they are home
10. Helping them rest and relax while they are on Stateside Assignment
Ray and Patti Cossette’s Bible Fellowship Partnered with a Pro
The Outside Your Box Bible Fellowship has the privilege of being in relationship with Doug and Cheryl Derbyshire, Casas Pros serving in Thailand. Doug went to the U of A Medical School and attended Casas before following God’s call to serve Him in Thailand as a medical doctor.
Doug, who is an excellent teacher joined them in their Bible Fellowship and led them through a heart-wrenching, eye-opening teaching series. Doug was able to share with them eyewitness accounts of God’s work in Thailand and through him they were able to experience just how Christ is pouring out is love on the Thai people. They were able to come to deeper intimacy with Christ as a community. As a result, people from their class are putting together a trip to visit the Derbyshires and experience Gods amazing love for Thai people themselves. They see this as one way they can bless the Derbyshires who have so greatly blessed their Bible Fellowship. They have a sense that they have taken the next steps to becoming spiritual mothers and fathers through being able to Partner with Pros Doug and Cheryl Derbyshire.
Jim and Sally Knipe’s Bible Fellowship has partnered with Curtis and Evelyn Lee
The Knipe’s Bible Fellowship is blessed to be in relationship with Casas Pros Curtis and Evelyn Lee who are serving Christ in Papua New Guinea. Curtis and Evelyn are long time members of this Bible Fellowship and were even sent to the field by their Bible Fellowship community. Curtis, a helicopter pilot for New Tribes Mission, used to fly the med-evac helicopter here in Tucson. He now helps to get church planters into the remotest parts of the globe. Curtis and Evelyn love their Bible Fellowship community so much that they wondered how on earth they would be able to stay connected while following God’s call so far away. Through much prayer and determination to stay connected, the Lees feel like somehow they have not only managed to stay connected to
their Bible Fellowship but have also blessed it.
Jim Knipe said they are so well connected to the Lees that even though Curtis and Evelyn are in Papua New Guinea they feel like they are right there with them in class every Sunday. They are so much apart of this community that Kent and Judy Wonders went to Papua New Guinea to visit Curtis and Evelyn just as they would any of their other friend from class who moved into a new home. David Shade, another member of the Knipe’s Bible Fellowship, also visited the Lees in their new surroundings. Kent, Judy and Dave all returned and shared wonderful stories with their Bible Fellowship that blessed the socks off their community. The Knipe’s Bible Fellowship, feel like they are a part of Curtis and Evelyn’s ministry and Curtis and Evelyn know that they are a part of this Bible Fellowship community and that they have wonderful partners in ministry.
S.A.L.S.A. Partnered with a Pro
Janelle Wonders who teaches at a school in Africa is a part of the S.A.L.S.A. Bible Fellowship community. Community was also an important part of Janelle’s life and the kind of community she sought was found in the S.A.L.S.A. Bible Fellowship. God called Janelle to come join Him in His work in Africa. Janelle wondered how her community would support her in this. Not only did they support her and encourage her to follow God’s calling, this community commissioned her like the church in Antioch did for the apostles Paul and Barnabas in Acts chapter 13! Janelle recently visited her Bible Fellowship community and was able to share with them stories of what God is doing in the lives of children accepting the Lord in Africa. Janelle’s sharing with her Bible Fellowship blessed the S.A.L.S.A. class. The S.A.L.S.A. Bible Fellowship even includes Janelle on their events update e-mail though, she confesses, she sometimes finds it hard to make volleyball or game night, with the long trip and all.
Ackleys’ Bible Fellowship Partnered with a Pro
Ackleys’ class has also partnered with Tom and Diane Terry who are serving in Mongolia. Tom and Diane had a need for computers to assist in their ministry of television broadcast in Mongolia. The Terrys didn’t know where to turn. The Ackleys’ Bible Fellowship got wind of this need, took up an offering and was able to partner with Tom and Diane by providing them with—not one—but two computers!
Bill, South America—Providing technology to help workers translate the Scriptures into the indigenous languages of the Amazon
Doug & Cheryl, Southeast Asia—serving Asia's rural poor by providing medical care and sharing Christ
Doug & Karen, Mediterranean—Coaching & developing national ministry leaders in 31 countries
Fred & Gracia, Mediterranean—Sharing God's love through culturally-sensitive media
Janelle, Africa—Sharing Jesus’ love by teaching school children from many cultures & backgrounds
Jason & Shelly, South America—helping tribal people form indigenous faith communities
Jim & Evonn, Mediterranean - learning language and sharing God's love
John & Valerie, Arctic—Sharing God’s love and strengthening churches with indigenous people of Siberia through aviation
Kevin & Lisa, South America—Helping tribal people form indigenous faith communities
Sherrek & Dannon, Mediterranean—Sharing Jesus with seekers in sensitive countries
Tom & Diane, East Asia—Developing culturally-appropriate television ministry in sensitive cultures