How We Work

While there is no one specific role in which GEM missionaries work, there are several values and principles that color how we work. GEM is primarily a relational, discipleship, and church-planting mission. Missionaries are expected to spread the Gospel through their lives and personal connections. This can take many forms, but the goal of multiplying disciples who rapidly reproduce churches drives all we do. Here are some of our distinctives and values:

• We believe the Gospel is spread through personal relationships—our lives poured out as an offering for those among whom we serve and live.
• We believe "church" is a gathering of believers and nonbelievers working out their salvation in close community.
• We believe "church" is about people, and not a building or infrastructure. As such, the church can be rapidly reproduced through relationships. As people come to Christ, we immediately encourage them to share the Good News with those they know.
• We believe that before we can preach the Gospel, we must live the Gospel. Every missionary must be a disciple as well as make disciples by living out personal transformation.
• We believe a heart of service is a key element in the Gospel message—more than 2,500 Bible verses speak of God’s heart for the poor—therefore, we must be servants and advocates for the downtrodden in Europe.
• We believe missionaries can play many roles, from trainers to businesspeople. Being a missionary is more about how we live than what we do.
• We believe the hope is in the harvest: the hope for multiplying churches in Europe rests in the hands of God and those we disciple, not with us. Missionaries need to be relational and catalytic, always seeking the next disciple.
• We are not a denominationally funded mission agency, and we believe that the God who owns all the resources in the world will provide for missionaries. We see self-support as ministry: it allows you to meet more people and draw them into the worldwide missions endeavor.
• We believe the Great Commission in Matthew 28 is for every Christ-follower. The role of missionary is not something sacred and reserved for a chosen few; God expects it of everyone. That is why we are looking for ordinary people doing extraordinary things for the Kingdom of God.

If these points resonate with God’s call on your life, please pray and consider taking the challenge to serve the Lord cross-culturally in Europe and pour out your life for a continent that desperately needs to experience Christ’s love.