Foundational Philosophy

1.  We focus on the eleven countries of South East Asia.

The world is a big place full of people, more than 5.5 billion of them!  No person or organization short of the whole Church of Jesus Christ can reach them all.  We humbly accept that we are just a small part of the whole.  SEAMIST leadership has long been convinced that South East Asia is the part of the world God is sending us to.   With over 500 million people and at least 500 unreached people groups, South East Asia is enough, already! 

Without criticizing those ministries that don't seem to know their place in the body of Christ but try to be everything for everyone, we know who we are and what we are called to do.   SEAMIST gladly blesses what God is doing with all kinds of other ministries throughout the world, but we keep our energy and resources focused on South East Asia.   By doing this we expect, by His power and in His time, to actually plant reproducing churches that out live us and go on to fulfill the great commission themselves.

2.  We focus on the least-reached people groups.

Keith Green has been quoted as saying that, "It is just not fair that anyone on this earth should hear the gospel twice until everyone has heard it once."   SEAMIST is not afraid to go where no one has gone before or to work where no one has yet been successful.  It may not be easy, but we know it pleases God when we obey his command to reach to the uttermost parts. 

In the early 1980's it was popular to point out that 6% of the people (mostly in the US and Europe) were receiving 95% of the churches resources.   The statistic hasn't changed very much, although the 10-40 Window and AD 2000 programs have helped.  God willing, SEAMIST will do its part and spend our energy and resources in an area where the needs are among the greatest on earth.

3.  We work in teams as much as possible.

Jesus sent them out two by two.  Why?  Could it be that the work was hard, the fields unfriendly, and the temptations too big for one man?  Teams often survive and thrive in the most difficult circumstances.  Teamwork brings relational stresses that produce unity and spiritual growth in all the members.  Unity brings not only His Presence but His Power.

No one has all the gifts, all the ideas, or all the answers.  While we believe every team will have just one leader, we recognize that "one hand can't clap"!   A powerful team develops when each person's gifts and callings are maximized to accomplish the team's vision. When each member owns the team's vision and does his or her part, the job will get done and all will be satisfied and successful.  The team will accomplish what was impossible for anyone to accomplish alone. 

4.  We plant churches.

Far too often, ministries adopt a "McDonald's Mentality" and hang out their signs that say "thousands saved".  Okay, but how many were discipled and churched?  How many were trained to lead?  How many ministries were developed and are at work today?  There is only one scriptural plan for continuing discipleship and leadership development, and that is the local church.  When it is firmly planted and thriving locally, the missionary can go home.  Until then, the job is just not done.

SEAMIST teams plan from day one to complete the job and to leave behind a local church or churches that are self supporting, self governing, and self propagating.  The form that church may take will vary from culture to culture, but it will always be complete in these three aspects.

5. We work together in accountable relationships.

Sadly, it is often true that no one really knows what a missionary is doing day in and day out, especially when his main methodology is "friendship evangelism".  How do you measure that?  However, you can be sure his wife knows how hard he works...  SEAMIST teams are accountable.  Teams working together invariably have confrontations that bring out both the best and the worst in the members.  Mutual submission isn't easy, but it is scriptural and provides accountability.

SEAMIST teams work together under a "team agreement" that clearly states the vision and goals of the team, as well as describing the roles of different kinds of members.   Everyone knows what is expected, and answer to each other for their part.   Monthly reports provide a vehicle to evaluate performance and adjust expectations.  

It is never easy to write down God's will, state numerical goals that can be measured, or to declare before our peers what we believe God is going to do in us or through us.  As much as we all dread criticism, confrontation, and evaluation, all these things can help us to be even more mature in Christ.  The wise man listens in the same way he eats fish...  eating the meat and spitting out the bones.

6.  We press on to finish the race and receive the prize.

In the wilderness, the Israelites soon learned that you had to keep moving.  The shade of the cloud and the warmth of the pillar of fire didn't stay in one place very long.  God is doing something new in our world every day.  The wise ones among us keep themselves tuned to what He is doing and keep moving in step with Him.  The rest eventually get left behind!

SEAMIST missionaries are eager to learn and get more training if it will help them to do their work more effectively.  They believe in books, seminars, courses, and coaching.  They look for opportunities to discuss, contemplate, and question.   They especially keep themselves informed and stay in touch with each other and with other missionaries of other organizations so that their perspectives get broader.   They utilize every opportunity to "cross-pollinate" with others that relate to the work we do, and to share their own experiences and knowledge with others.