This past year we have been celebrating the 80th anniversary of the foundation of the Bible Churchmen’s Missionary Society on October 27th 1922. God’s faithfulness over the whole of that period has been very marked and is our chief cause for gratitude. We gave thanks in a variety of ways and in different places, not least with visits by overseas church leaders (Bishop Francis Ntiruka of Tabora, Tanzania, Bishop Stephen Kewasis of Kitale, Kenya and Bishop Barnabas Theaung Hawi of Sittwe, Myanmar).

At the same time as looking back with gratitude we are also looking forward as we seek to make Christ known in very different conditions to those that confronted our founding forbears. We hope that you will be as excited, as we are, at the ways Crosslinks is being asked and enabled to continue to work with the same purpose, and that you will feel able in some way to join us in being God’s co-workers in the years ahead.

REAFFIRMING OLD TRUTHS IN NEW LANGUAGE

One of the major policy developments that we have been engaged in over the last year has been in the clarification of who Crosslinks is and what we stand for. It was becoming clear that previous assumptions could no longer be taken for granted and that Crosslinks’ traditionally sharply focused position was no longer so obvious to all.

As a result of this we began a process to re-state our original purpose in a way that expresses where we are now. It was exciting to reach an unanimous conclusion (considering the size of the group) on the following statement of Crosslinks’ distinctive participation in God’s mission:

Crosslinks is an international mission agency with its roots in the Bible and its principal sphere of operations in the worldwide Anglican Communion.

Our prime focus is making Christ known through the proclamation and teaching of God’s Word in the power of the Holy Spirit. We are enthusiasts for creative worldwide mission: our slogan is ‘God’s word to God’s World.’

Crosslinks supports workers across cultural and other boundaries. We co-operate with churches and mission and relief agencies, sponsor students and encourage mission links worldwide – all within our prime focus.

TRENDS IN ENGAGEMENTS

We are still experiencing the phenomenon of a good number of high quality candidates for overseas or other cross-cultural service. Almost without exception they are encouraged to approach Crosslinks because, amongst other reasons, of our Basis and Statement of Faith. Our challenge remains raising enough financial support so that these folk can be properly used.

In the last few years we have changed our policy with regard to the financing of mission partners. No longer are we in a position to be able to tell potential mission partners that they can get on with the work to which they have been assigned whilst we take care of raising their support. That was bankrupting us. Now the ultimate responsibility remains with the mission partner whilst we (the Crosslinks staff teams) seek to provide expertise and help in enabling that to happen for them. Of course, with this change comes a new challenge each time a mission partner returns as financial support is not easily passed from one to another.

Where and how are these mission partners being deployed? Many are now in regions of the world where we have not worked before or where we have not recently worked. We are seeking to respond to new challenges: East and South-East Asia, Serbia, France, South Africa, Togo, Malawi, Mozambique and The Gambia to name some. We are being increasingly challenged in more familiar areas to consider areas we have not previously considered; Southern Tanzania would be a case in point. It would be wonderful to sensitively place people in these areas that have other Christian traditions. One regular request (regardless of the region) is for training, and that remains the case for our more traditional areas of engagement too.

SMILE

Our short-term programme has seen development too (see here). There is a degree of autonomy for ventures with Irish churches and exciting growth in the Holiday Clubs and Camps, as well as short-term placements further afield, in teams and as individuals. In mainland Britain we have sought to make placements more clearly in line with our distinctive as well as giving a more rigorous selection and training. (Click here for Smile section of this web site)

STUDY PARTNERS

We are confident too that our BEST scheme (see here) for training national Christians is more organised and systematic than previously. The interview of one Study Partner for our prayer tape (and on the website) gives an exciting glimpse at what this programme can enable. (Click here for Best section of this web site)

SAMS

Much has been achieved in the last year with regard to co-operation with the South American Mission Society. In terms of active engagement in mission we have enabled an interchange of Bishops between Africa and South America and are actively seeking to help the needy churches of Angola. We have a probable future study partner from Chile preparing to train in South Africa. Closer to hand there has been joint working in selection and orientation as well as other shared services. Planning is underway for a joint Conference in May 2004.

IRELAND

In addition to the exciting developments mentioned above we are carrying out a review of our work in Ireland with the aim of responding better to the current challenges and opportunities presented to us both in the North and the Republic. The appointment of Mel Lacy as Ireland Team Leader is key to a more co-ordinated response across all of Ireland and better integration within Crosslinks as a whole.

THE CHALLENGE

As we were looking at sharpening our focus in 2002 it was educational to review not only God’s faithfulness in the past but the openings that He seems to be providing us with in the present and the future. At the same time there was a clearly observable gap between the opportunities and the resources at the disposal of those opportunities. We have made considerable cuts in staffing in Britain and Ireland and are refocusing staff to meet the requirements of mission today. We are more than ever convinced of the needs for an agency like Crosslinks. Will you help us to face the challenges as we seek to serve local churches in Britain and Ireland and in many other parts of the world?

May 2003 Crosslinks' Annual Review index