Growing for the Next 120 Years of Ministry
By Jeff Edwards , Executive Director , OMS Global Ministries
God has graciously used One Mission Society ( OMS ) since 1901 to help fulfill his plan to share the love of Jesus with all nations .
Since 1901 , the guiding principles that directed OMS ministry for his kingdom purposes have not changed . However , the phrases we use to define our ministry priorities have been adapted with the times . Today , we refer to our core priorities as our OMS ministry strategy .
Traditional Focus Evangelism Church planting Leadership training Partnership
Updated OMS Ministry Strategy Multiplying disciples Multiplying churches Multiplying leaders Multiplying missionaries
Two words that you do not see in the updated OMS ministry strategy are “ evangelism ” and “ partnership .” That is because both of these key ministry elements are implicitly woven into every ministry we do . Evangelism remains a core focus of OMS . Evangelism and partnership are intertwined in all ministries , at every level , as we intentionally serve alongside church leaders in each country .
Multiplying disciples could be considered our foundational engine . However , our goal is larger than discipleship . Our resolve and objective is to make disciple-makers . This is a significant difference that leads toward consistent multiplication . We believe that the power of the Gospel in the hands of disciple-makers will transform the nations .
Our traditional focus on church planting and leadership training remains intact . However , our desire is to be specific about the need to reproduce , and we want to reflect that ideal in our strategy .
Since the value of partnership already permeates how we serve with leaders in each country , our fourth emphasis in the OMS ministry strategy is new . It is about helping global churches live out the Great Commission by establishing missionary-sending movements from countries that have traditionally only received missionaries ... mission fields becoming mission forces .
Our updated OMS ministry strategy helps us move toward greater global alignment . We can be more effective for God ’ s kingdom if we work collaboratively worldwide . As all missionaries , partners , and ministries work intentionally toward the same goal of engaging the one to reach the many through making disciple-makers , planting churches that reproduce , training leaders at various levels , and sending missionaries from many countries , we will be more useful to his kingdom .
When considering how God can best use OMS over the next several years , we believe that this strategy will help us continue to faithfully fulfill the calling that we have had since 1901 .
3