How Can You Support Orbis Ministries, Inc.TM?

Since 2010, Orbis Ministries, Inc.TM has grown and now works in over 50 countries on six continents with widening groups of people across many denominations and movements far beyond its original home base of the Vineyard Movement. Of course, some of these countries do not enjoy the economic blessings of what have traditionally been called, “Western” nations.

As we travel, we continue to see all of the miracles of the Bible. Although some struggle with this concept, many blind people either see for the first time or have regained their vision after being healed of cataracts, injuries, or strokes. Many deaf people have removed their hearing aids, and many with speech impediments or muteness have begun to speak normally. Even paralytics and cripples have walked. About a year ago (at the time of this writing), a man with cerebral palsy who had NEVER walked in all of his 56 years got out of his chair and walked about 50 meters. Moreover, many with sexual brokenness of varying types find true and lasting freedom from life-long bondage. Additionally, we continue to see breakthrough for those tormented with various forms of mental illness.

Many know the Old Testament story of Gideon (Jud. 6:1-8:35). Gideon was a man who, improbably, was called by the Lord to defeat the Midianites about 200 years after the death of Joshua. When the Lord called Gideon, he had serious doubts about his calling, but more than 30,000 men rallied to his cause. It was then that the Lord downsized the army, lest Gideon and his men (and Israel by extension) take credit for their victory rather than giving honor to the Lord. God selected 300 men, a mere one percent of the original army, to carry out the work. Although the Midianite army outnumbered Gideon and his army by 450:1, his group of 300 won a victory for the Lord that persisted for a generation.

Looking Ahead

The incoming email and calendar are filled with opportunities. Many doors are open and invitations are increasing. Discerning the timing of where when to go is particularly important in all of this.

On the challenge side, some of these invitations – especially in the lesser developed nations – are purely “missions” ventures with no expectation of honoraria or love offerings. Often, even airfares to and from those countries are not covered. Since Orbis Ministries does not have a backing organization, we rely on committed prayer and financial partners, whom we call “Gideon’s 300” partners to help us sustain the ministry.

Unlike most itinerant ministries, we do not charge fixed fees for time or services, principally because Jesus sent out his disciples with this commandment, “Freely you received, freely give” (Mt. 10:8). For the last several years, we have lived “by faith,” i.e., on donations from individuals, along with financial gifts from churches where we have ministered, and sales of training materials. This has admittedly been a challenging way to live, although one which has had its own peculiar rewards as well.

The Request

Nearly all Christian ministries have a cadre of supporters who donate regularly. For the larger, established ministries, such giving provides from 1/3 to ¾ of their total income (depending upon the size of the ministry… for the larger ones, it is at the low end of that range, for the smaller ones, it is at the upper end of that range). This time-tested method allows them to visit where they feel led to go, rather than simply where they will be paid the most. It also allows them the flexibility not to travel continually, which creates opportunity to concentrate on longer-term projects such as writing articles, books and broadcast material.

In light of the growing opportunities, Orbis Ministries, Inc.TM needs partners just as Gideon did. Gideon could not defeat the Midianites alone, and Orbis Ministries needs its own “Gideon’s 300.” Despite the name, there are still not yet 300 partners, so I have asked the Lord to send more partners who will commit 1) to praying for my family and for me based on my monthly prayer letter, 2) to traveling with me (as time and budget allow) to train and learn to minister more effectively in the Holy Spirit, while expanding the effectiveness of this kind of ministry by also bringing it back to their local churches, and 3) to giving monthly.

If you have been touched by Orbis Ministries, Inc.TM, or if you have seen the impact of this type of ministry, or if you believe in the value of this kind of ministry even without firsthand contact, I would ask you to consider prayerfully whether you should become one of those 300 Gideon partners. I have occasionally sent fundraising letters in the past, but as I contemplate the future, I feel an urgency I have not felt before. Making a financial commitment each month can be challenging, but God gives grace to the giver so that you may have sufficiency in all things (II Cor. 9:8). With 300 partners, no one person or family need bear an outsized share of the burden, and all should be able to sustain their commitments for the long term.

Conclusion

I have tried to write in such a way that you understand both the opportunity and the challenges, without feeling manipulated. With that in mind, I hope you will take the time to seek the Lord about whether you should become one of “Gideon’s 300.”

If you decide to become a Gideon’s 300 partner, please let me know by sending an email to info@orbisministries.org and by going here (additional account creation required) to sign up to become a Gideon’s 300 partner. Thank you for considering this request.

Tax-deductible checks written on US banks, and payable to Connect the World, may be sent to:

Connect the World – Account 1212
PO Box 463
Camp Hill, PA 17001 USA

Online Giving including from overseas may be done here: Paypal (please be sure to designate account 1212 where indicated in the supplemental information section) or Via Website.

Orbis Ministries, Inc.TM is founded on the belief that the suffering of Jesus Christ will ultimately result in the manifold wisdom of God being displayed to the world through his people, the Church, which is the body of Christ (Eph. 3:10).

RENEWAL

Renewal begins when an individual or a group of individuals awakens to God. Often a malaise or a dullness has settled over an individual, a church, or a community. Sometimes, renewal is marked by obvious and profound moves of the Holy Spirit …

REVIVAL

As renewal accelerates, it becomes revival by spreading outside of the church. This could involve a local church in a community or a region, or many churches that are simultaneously impacted. As experiences with God proliferate, “God stories” become commonplace …

REFORMATION

As a revival spreads in a society, people change. As they grow into discipleship, they begin thinking and living biblically, following the principles and practices of the kingdom of God in their own lives. In the process, like leaven working through a lump of dough, the mores and customs of society …