The magnitude of this challenge is so great,
most believers just shrug their shoulders and
say, “There is really very little I can do to meet
a challenge that is so big.” But in One Mission
Society, we look at things differently. We are
inspired by the same vision that the apostle
John recorded in Revelation 7:9.
many gifts to the partnership. Many of our
Every Community for Christ (ECC) partners
around the world have been so effective in
their church multiplication efforts that leaders of other churches are calling on them,
asking, “Can you train our people to do
what you have done to multiply disciples,
leaders, and churches in your denomination?” When an OMS Every Community
for Christ partner says, “Yes,” in response
to that question, a value-adding network
is born. So far, at least nine partners, (four
in Latin America, one in Europe and four in
Asia) have started value-adding networks.
One Mission Society’s ECC partners are
doing for others what ECC has done for
them. This means our partners are:
After this I looked, and behold a great
multitude that no one could number, from
every nation, all tribes and peoples and
languages, standing before the throne and
before the Lamb …
John had a vision of a reality that has
not yet been accomplished. But because
of what John saw and described to us, we
know that one day people from every nation, tribe, people, and language will be
before the throne of God. And it won’t be
just a few; there will be a great multitude. In
OMS, we understand that every follower of
Christ is to be his ambassador. God wants
to make his appeal to the nations through
each one of us.
One of the ways that OMS has chosen
to empower believers is through the development of value-adding networks (VANs) or
coalitions of like-minded partners that bring
6
Characteristics of a
Value-Adding Network (VAN)
What is OMS’ role in all of this? We want
to do all we can to encourage the growth
of value-adding networks. We are delighted
when our partners pray with, encourage,
train, and coach people, teaching them
how to obey Jesus and make disciples. In
this way, our efforts are multiplied, and together, we make significant headway into
truly fulfilling the Great Commission in our
generation.
VANs are led by a trusted, well-liked top leader.
These leaders and their people:
• Are willing and able to share what they
have experienced in church multiplication
beyond their own denominational
boundaries.
• Are being asked by others to help them
multiply disciples, leaders, and churches.
• Empower both men and women for
church planting.
• Have asked OMS to help them help their
partners with church multiplication.
Some VANs are large, relating to tens of thousands of worshiping groups. Some VANs are
small with only a few dozen churches. Some
VANS start with a national church denomination,
and some start with a pro-church organization
that is passionate about church planting.
• Praying for their new partners.
• Encouraging them to act in faith
and love to help fulfill the Great
Commission.
• Training them with practical tools
like Train & Multiply.
• Coaching them as they work to equip
Christians to start new cell groups
and chu