Relief and Development: A Holistic Approach to Transforming Communities

Since our ministry began in 1991, we have made it our mission to build deep-level relationships of trust with missionaries who are serving communities in their own cultural contexts. Our goal in doing so is to partner together in walking alongside entire communities for the long term, transforming them to look more like the Kingdom of God through the power of the gospel.

At Mission ONE, there are multiple reasons why we believe holistic community transformation is a long-term investment. Generally speaking, our desire isn’t to facilitate quick fixes that only perpetuate dependance rather than resilience. Instead, we want to provide creative solutions that foster local ownership and community-sustained development. We see this as an avenue to create a lasting impact—one that surpasses this generation and creates positive, gospel-centered change throughout future generations.

A Flexible Approach to Ministry

Though our model for ministry remains the same, which is to empower missionaries serving in their own cultural contexts to transform communities through the impact of the local church, there is still no one-size-fits-all approach to ministry.

Partnering alongside same or near-culture missionaries allows us to gain a deeper understanding of a community’s needs, both physical and spiritual. So in some places, we may launch a small business to generate income that sustains local missionaries, leading to more churches planted where none exist. In others, the most pressing need may be a school or medical clinic, which opens doors to share the love of Christ in impactful ways. Sometimes, when crisis strikes—whether natural disaster, conflict, or economic collapse—the most loving way we can serve a community is by providing lifesaving relief.

Responding to Crisis Through Relationship

Relief is intended to be short-term, specific, and urgent. However, it’s our long-term efforts and trusting connections with missionaries already serving on the ground that best position us to respond both immediately and intentionally.

South Sudan: A Real-Time Example

In 2024, our missionaries in South Sudan were already feeling the strain of economic downfall in their community when the situation intensified, making daily life even more challenging. The war taking place in Sudan at the time was resulting in a huge influx of people seeking safety in South Sudan. With already limited resources, thousands were without food, shelter, medical supplies, and access to jobs to provide for their families.

Our faithful supporters stepped in. Together, we empowered our missionaries to purchase food and supplies and distribute them to those in need. Because our leaders are already trusted members of their communities and connected to the local church, these efforts provided an opportunity to build trust in a unique way.

Our missionary (center) in 2024 distributing food to those facing the crisis in South Sudan

The Role of the Local Church in Transformation

Our desire is for the communities we serve to see the local church as an agent of change—invested in the holistic well-being of people and bringing about transformation through the hope of the gospel, both individually and communally.

So even though our vision is set on long-term, community-wide sustainability, providing immediate relief in times of crisis is a crucial opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus. In this process, our missionaries are able to build relationships with those they bring relief to, offering prayer and an invitation to both the hope of the gospel and the community found in the local church.

All of this points back to the lasting impact of making communities look more like the Kingdom. When one life is saved—when one life is turned towards Jesus on the cross and his redeeming hope—this makes an impact not just in the here and now, but in future generations as well.

India: Rebuilding After Devastating Floods

More recently, rural villages in India were submerged by seven-foot floodwaters. Homes, food, and livelihoods were all destroyed. Some families lost loved ones, and many have been unable to provide basic needs for their children to survive. In response, local missionaries have been providing what resources they can to save lives and offer support. In the process, they’ve been praying with those affected and sharing the hope of the gospel, the only true comfort amidst so much loss.

However, their resources have run out and thousands are still currently in need of food and supplies for survival. Last month, we launched a campaign to provide critical resources in the face of this crisis. Our hope, again, is to equip our missionaries, who are leaders in the local church, to tangibly share the love of Jesus. We want these communities to know they are cared for by their Creator, and they can find hope and support through the church and a community of believers.

We’re grateful to our faithful donors who have chosen to stand with India during this time and give towards these efforts. We couldn’t do this work without the impact of our own community of Kingdom builders.

If you haven’t contributed towards this relief but would like to, there’s still time! Click here to give today.

In conclusion, relief may be a step in the process of walking alongside communities, but it isn’t the destination. True transformation takes place when relationships are built on trust, and the local church is established and equipped to serve its community with the love and hope of the gospel. This is the foundation for transforming communities to look more like the Kingdom.