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Developing Sister Church Partnerships
through the Sister Church Program!
Definition of the Sister Church Program
Two churches from different cultures joining
together in a dynamic Sister Church relationship to minister to one another
and together to the world.
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These forever relationships and strategic
partnerships are...
 Reciprocal- Warm relationship and collaboration in ministry bring mutual
benefit to both Sister Churches.
Cross-cultural- We
believe in the church coming together across all cultural bounds.
Intimate- Language, cultural, racial and
economic barriers are broken as each congregation sees, feels, experiences
and embraces the needs of their Sister Church.
In-depth- These relationships involve
the discussing of felt needs (as opposed to assumed needs). Then the
two churches pray, plan, create and work out solutions to these physical and
spiritual concerns together.
Ongoing- Relationships continue to
deepen between the bodies and individuals in the context of worshipping,
witnessing and working together.
Practical- Where there is economic need,
the Sister Church aids in a variety of self-help programs.
Spiritual- The ultimate goal of all
endeavors is spiritual enrichment of all involved to the honor of the Lord
Jesus Christ.
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Opportunities for Reciprocal Ministry in the form of...
Evangelistic teams, church planting, women's
and men's retreats, training seminars, musical teams, medical teams,
self-help projects, youth outreach, prayer, child sponsorship, pulpit exchange,
construction, agriculture, etc...
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Cross-Cultural Bridge team
Upon arrival on the foreign field, the US
Sister Church visiting team will be met by RMI's Cross-Cultural team,
consisting of both American and Nationals. This team will provide
everything during your stay. They will be a continual bridge between
the two churches. Before your visit, the cross-cultural team provides
training to the National churches. During your visit, this
cross-cultural team arranges and/or provides food, housing, transportation,
language and cultural interpretation and translation, assistance in
ministry, ongoing guidance and support. After your trip this team
supports and facilitates the relationship by overseeing ongoing projects,
collaboration, and communication.
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Sample Haiti Trip
(This is just a sample! Your schedule
may be slightly different.) Your trip will be one week. Upon arrival
in Haiti on Friday, you will take a short flight to Les Cayes (Southern Peninsula)
(Google Earth).
You will spend the evening and following morning at the Missions Center
reflecting, preparing, and resting. You will then spend 4 nights with your Sister Church. You will sleep on their church property,
eat their food, and spend lots of time fellowshipping with the people.
You will attend services and hold gatherings (youth, children, women, men).
There will be opportunity for a variety of ministries, both physical and spiritual.
The church will provide all the food and lodging during your stay. The RMI
Cross-Cultural Team ensures you have healthy and reasonably comfortable
living conditions. You will then drive back and spend 2 nights and a
day at Zanglais Retreat Center for reflection, debriefing, time with career
missionaries, and rest. You will then fly back home on Friday.
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Sample Guatemala Trip
(This is just a sample! Your schedule
may be slightly different.) Your trip will be one week. Upon
arrival in Guatemala City, you will drive about 6 hours through urban and
rural landscape in the mountainous and volcanic highlands. You will
spend your first evening in Xela (Quetzaltenango) (Google
Earth). The following
morning you will drive 2 hours to your sister church, in the general area
of Comitancillo. You will spend 3/4 nights and 3/4 days out in the aldea (village) with
your Sister Church. You will sleep on their church property, eat
their food, and spend lots of time fellowshipping with the people.
You will attend services and hold gatherings (youth, children, women,
men). There will be opportunity for a variety of ministry, both physical
and spiritual. The church will provide all your food and lodging during your
stay. The RMI Cross-Cultural Team ensures you have healthy and
reasonably comfortable living conditions. You will then drive back
to Xela, spending time there in reflection, debriefing, and relaxation with
our career missionaries.
You may have opportunity to go swimming at the Hot Springs. Next you will drive the 6 hours to Guatemala City to Depart.
You may spend an overnight in Guatemala City.
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Benefits
Everybody in both churches can be involved and
serve as they use their spiritual gifts, skills, abilities, and professional
knowledge.
Spiritual growth is experienced.
A career in missions becomes an option as
Sister Church Program team members observe missions first hand.
Entire missions programs are revitalized.
National churches receive and give
encouragement and support.
Creative and innovative ministries are
limitless.
Both churches are renewed. Many of our
churches tell us that the growth of their church is directly related to
their involvement with their Sister Church.
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Brochures
There are currently 3 brochures available.
RMI- the Lay
Persons Mission
(Overview of RMI)
The Sister
Church Program
(Overview of RMI's Core Ministry)
Nuts and Bolts
(Details about RMI)
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So
you want to become a Sister Church?
Click here for information on becoming
a Sister Church.
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