Advantages
More than 100 years ago, Baptist Mid-Missions’ founder, William Haas, tried to serve in Africa without a mission agency. The difficulties of going it alone led him to establish Baptist Mid-Missions.
But things are different today, right? Yes—serving without an agency has become even more difficult:
- Finances: IRS regulations for foreign residents have become extremely complicated in managing finances and in preparing taxes. Correctly receipting tax-exempt gifts requires specialized knowledge.
- Governmental requirements: Many governments require missionaries to have sponsorship from a recognized agency. They also require extensive paperwork to live in-country. Serving in Creative Access Nations is difficult and potentially dangerous without an agency’s expertise and assistance.
- Team ministry: Worldwide inflation and higher standards of living increasingly demand that missionaries pool resources and personnel for efforts such as large-scale evangelistic campaigns, church construction in metropolitan areas, Bible colleges and camps, and disaster relief. A team unified under common leadership holds a strong advantage.
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Missions trips: Without knowing the requirements and risks of serving in a specific country, teens, young adults, and church groups may experience an unproductive or even dangerous trip.
