1 March 2007

We can no longer speak exclusively of “sending countries” and “field countries.” Those who send missionaries are recognizing that their “going” can be in all directions. Various kinds of partnerships are emerging between historic SIM sending offices and mission agencies in many other nations.

	DMG Director Detlef Blocher

DMG--Germany

Of the missionaries sent out by SIM-UK/Europe, 31 percent are from partner missions; the majority (40) come from DMG (Deutsche Missionsgemeinschaft, German Missionary Fellowship). With dual DMG-SIM membership, they integrate into SIM ministry teams wherever they serve. Detlef Bloecher, Director of DMG, (pictured at right) will serve as the guest member of the 2007 SIM Board of Governors. Every year this Board recognizes the value of SIM’s partners by seating one of them as guest member with full rights of voice and vote.

Project 50:15—Nigeria

The Nigeria Evangelical Missions Association (NEMA) has announced its vision to send 50,000 missionaries in the next 15 years; they will be sent both within Nigeria and to 45 other nations between Nigeria and the Middle East. NEMA recently dedicated its new Nigeria Missions Centre for Global Harvest. The Evangelical Church of West Africa (ECWA) is a member of NEMA, and some SIM missionaries have been involved in teaching and encouraging NEMA missionaries.

East Asia Partners

There are millions of Christian believers throughout Asia, many of them with a strong call to serve the Lord in mission. Often they have ties to SIM but feel called to countries where SIM does not have a presence. Many of those countries require very creative sensitivity. SIM East Asia is pleased to work with applicants for such locations and then link them to appropriate partner agencies.

Senders in Latin America

	Left to right: Obed Cruz, Guatemala; Juanita Cruz, Ecuador; Steve Strauss, USA; Rafael Portillo, El Salvador; Wilson Franco, Colombia; Paula Wong, Jamaica; Abel Morales, Guatemala; Cristian Castro, Costa Rica; and Les Unruh, USA

SIM partners with several mission agencies in Latin America, some of them represented by the delegates in this photo. They share a common purpose—to send out missionaries.