WEC has over 1,800 workers from 51 countries working among 90 unreached people groups around the world.

There are some things here worth noting.

First, WEC is big. In terms of the number of long-term, cross-cultural missionaries, we are one of the larger agencies in the world – in the top 10.

You may be thinking, “whoop-dee-doo, you’re big. So what?”

When we send people out for the first time we don’t just hand them a parachute as the plane’s flying over Timbuktu and say, “Take care of yourself down there. You’ll be all alone, but you can always write us if there’s a problem. Someone will then be along to help in, oh, about six months.” No, we send people to join existing teams, so they will have the support, fellowship, and encouragement they need to do what God has called them to. Our size allows us to have a lot of teams in a lot of different places, as can be seen from the fact that we are working among 90 different unreached people groups around the planet.

Of course, if there were some organization called “Gospel for Timbuktu,” they might actually have more people on the ground in that location than we do. So, if you already have a clear calling as to where you are to go, then finding such a specialized agency might be just the thing for you. However, what happens if you aren’t sure yet about where to go? Or what happens if your visa for Timbuktu gets cancelled? Will you have the option of slipping over the border and joining the team in Kookamunga? Having a larger organization can give flexibility of options.

If you’re thinking about a future in missions, this can be important: with size comes a diversity of opportunities. Size also has advantages in terms of variety of ministries. In WEC, besides the typical church-planting teams, there are a lot of people doing a lot of different things. We have work among street children and orphans; among drug addicts; in radio and literature; in training pastors and lay leaders in overseas churches; in training future missionaries for WEC and other agencies, and so many other things We have room for people with a variety of giftings and callings.

Energy, youth, idealism, passion and faith may seem to be the only necessities for success in missions. But once overseas, one begins to appreciate having a few grey hairs around, people who have done it before, who have years of experience to draw on. Unfortunately, missions history is littered with disasters – many of which could be classified as “zeal without knowledge.” The depth and breadth of knowledge and experience within WEC is one of our most valuable organizational assets, one of the advantages of our slow growth to become one of the “big missions.”

If you’re from Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, it might be comforting to be part of a team overseas consisting only of Moose Javians. After all, you would share so much common experience and culture that there would be few barriers to understanding and acceptance. They would “get” all your jokes! They would not only know what the Grey Cup is, but they might actually share your joy that the Roughriders won it in 2007. It would be cozy, a group that would feel as close as family. But it would probably have some big weaknesses.

No matter how educated, how cosmopolitan we may think we are, each of us carries the stamp of our culture in our attitudes and behaviours. For example, folks back home may appreciate how forthright, open, and honest you are, and you may view your “tell it like it is” style as one of your better virtues. Christians are supposed to speak the truth, aren’t they? However, such a manner will create difficulties in many Asian societies, where politeness, respect, and giving honour are held as greater virtues. Cultures have different ways of dealing with difficult, sensitive issues, and doing things the way you did “back home” may cause you to appear rude, disrespectful, arrogant, and condescending. After such an entry into their culture now try telling them how wonderful your religion is. You may get consistently polite smiles and nods, but you’ll wonder why, after so much effort, nobody’s heart is open to you. Now, if there had been a couple of Asians on your team, they would have noticed this blind spot right away, and made you aware of it before any permanent damage was done.

On the other hand, you may have a much easier time adapting to Mongolian winters, say, than someone from Singapore. “Just send me my mukluks!” Our cultures have both strengths and weaknesses. And sometimes our greatest strengths can simultaneously be our greatest weaknesses. Our cultures are much like our temperaments, part of the shape of who we are. In terms of ministry, it makes one person a pair of pliers, and another a wrench. One is not better than another, just different.

WEC International is just that – International – Our teams, at present, have members from over 50 different countries. This diversity increases the breadth of cultural experience within our teams, and helps us to reach out better. Hopefully, we have fewer blind spots than a team of all Moose Javians would. Sure, no one else may care about the Grey Cup, but it sure beats having a toolbox of only pliers.

Generally, each mission has a certain focus or way of advancing the kingdom. Reaching the nations for Christ is an immense assignment, so missions tend to focus on subtasks. Some do Bible translation. Some do radio ministry. Others focus on specific geographical areas like China or the Middle East. Still others specialize in unique methods. Some simply seek to reproduce their particular flavour of theology and practice. WEC has a lot of different ministries that we are involved in and with. The best way to find out more is to contact us.

Theology

WEC is solidly evangelical. Our Core document includes our Statement of Faith. However, while we all agree on the essentials, there is, in fact, a great diversity of belief within WEC on other issues. For example, we have widely diverging opinions and practice when it comes to the charismatic issue. So, how do we work together?

WEC plants its theological tent in the centre of evangelical theology, and extends it widely within the evangelical world. This allows people with many differing views to come in. However, and here’s the main point, before we let someone come into the tent we make sure that they are comfortable working together with others they will find there. If someone speaking in tongues brings about cries of heresy, then WEC is not for that person. Conversely, if one looks at someone who never speaks in tongues and begins to question their closeness to Christ, or even their salvation, then, again, WEC is not for that person.

So, while WEC doesn’t tightly specify exactly what one must believe to be a part of us, we do insist on a certain judgment about what’s essential and what isn’t. We can work together, not because we agree on every issue, but because we agree on the essentials, and what they are. Differing views on the organization of churches are fine. Differing views on whether the lost are really lost are not.

Four core principles

And there really isn’t that much more to say. From the 1920’s through to the present, WEC missionaries have been writing and speaking, often very powerfully, about their beliefs and experience. Some of their convictions have found their way into the way we do things. However, it would be difficult to distill from any of this rich heritage a particular “WEC theology.” And that’s the way we want it. We don’t want to narrowly define what we believe. We want to be firm on the fundamentals, but be open to working together with those who disagree on less important issues.

As well as our Statement of Faith WEC Has 4 Core Principles.

God provides.

Throughout the history of WEC, money has never been the issue. We believe that if we seek the things of God first, He will provide the finances. God has proved to be faithful, time and time again.
We know God wants the whole world saved. After all, He gave His only Son to the cause. At WEC our hearts are burdened for what He wants, the salvation of the lost. We ask others to join us in the circle of prayer as we look to God to reach millions lost in darkness in far-off lands. We seek to have others share our inward groaning for the souls that have yet to hear the Good News of Christ. We lay the needs of the lost before God, asking for His mercy and grace. That’s it. When our hearts are tuned to God’s heart, He brings the provision.
This has been the experience of WEC. God touches someone’s heart, they see the need, what they can do to meet the need, and gladly come forward to give of what they have, so that they too can partner with Jesus in His work.
When someone with a partnering heart comes forward asking how they may give financially, we openly explain the needs of the work. However, we strive never to look at people as sources of supply. We look at people only as potential heart-partners in our passion for the lost. We ask them to pray, laying before them the great work that lies before us. We trust God to move hearts to give.
It is freeing and energizing to see God provide for our needs as we focus solely on sharing our passion for the lost. We like that people are free to partner with us in prayer, and other ways, without the issue of money being raised.

Prayer Dependency

A single image that sums up the core of how we do things is a circle people bowed in prayer. All the linguistic fluency, eloquence, and earnestness in the world cannot, by itself, bring human hearts from death to life. Only God’s Spirit can do that. And God’s Spirit can still change hearts even when the human means are terribly flawed. The work is God’s; the glory is God’s alone. And so, openly confessing our own inability, we seek God in prayer to do what only He can do.

Know God’s Mind

And when we need to know God’s mind about what to do next, we do the same. We believe very strongly that God gives guidance to the fellowship of missionaries out in the field as they seek Him in prayer. At WEC there are no head office directives, no charismatic leader whose word is law. We don’t go forward in any major decision until there is an agreement that the will of God is known. Nobody moves ahead until the fellowship believes it’s what God wants. We are all on the same level. God may speak through any one of us. When there is no consensus, we take that as a sign that we need to pray and wait on the Lord more. Since the early days WEC has had a tradition of “praying through” divisions and obstacles, and we have seen countless times how divisions have been resolved and obstacles to the work removed.

Leaders

Yes, we do have leaders. They are chosen by the fellowship to do all the necessary background tasks that help the rest to keep doing their work. Important decisions, however, are only made when the whole fellowship is together.
New missionaries are approved for service only if the fellowship as a whole, having seen them living in community for four months, believes they are called by God for service in WEC.

Our Practices

The wisdom gained from our experience over the years has been codified into a little book, the CORE of WEC which describes the foundation of what holds us together as an international and intercultural organization and we all agree to live as described in this document. Knowing how large, old institutions can become rule-bound, we strive to keep our policies short and founded on principles rather than rules, to preserve both the freedom and the necessity of each fellowship of missionaries looking to God in prayer.

Balance

And so we strive to maintain that biblical balance, learning from experience, yet giving God a free hand to lead us any way He wants.

Relationship

People come to put their faith in Jesus in many ways. Most often, someone close, someone trusted and respected, a believer, mirrors the beauty and grace of Christ. A casual acquaintance becomes a deep friendship through understanding and caring. Open and honest relationship develops. Masks fall away. The power of forgiveness, love, and hope becomes evident. A desire for a relationship with God arises in the heart of the unbeliever. And so, another lost sheep finds its way home to the Shepherd. If anyone is to find salvation in Christ, outsiders must come and become one of those friends who can bring Jesus near.

Becoming a friend

So what about people who live in places with no Christian friends to be found? Many places have no churches, no Christian witness whatsoever. Many live where faith in Jesus is outlawed, or considered a betrayal of one’s people. “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?” Romans 10:14 (ESV)

Unfortunately, one can’t just step off a plane in a far-off land and instantly have deep trusting relationships. It takes years to learn enough language and culture to understand the nuances. It takes time for the barriers of foreignness to drop, and for people to see the outsider as someone they can trust. Those first few believers, wrestling with how to live out their faith in the midst of their families and workplaces – how will they be shepherded along by someone who doesn’t understand how things work? How can a foreigner without competence in their language and culture mentor the first few leaders of the budding church? The new believers will need help maturing in their faith, theology, and working out how church should be done in their particular setting. Nurturing a church that will survive requires a long-term investment.

The Goal

Our goal in entering a foreign land is to work ourselves out of a job. We work toward a widespread, strong fellowships of believers, with their own leaders, growing and maturing in their faith and walking with Christ, reaching out to their own people. What we usually think of as “evangelism” is really just one part of the larger task. New believers must be discipled. Budding leaders need to be taught, encouraged and strengthened. In most cases, when it comes to reaching his or her own people, a solid, mature national believer is worth ten missionaries. As soon as there are enough nationals working together, it’s time for the foreign missionaries to move on.

The hard job

All in all, it’s a long, hard job: culture shock; language lessons; feeling like an idiot when you can’t remember some basic word; being easily tricked and then laughed at because you’re the “stupid foreigner”; getting to finally see the depths of darkness behind all the outside smiles; going for years, with little fruit from all one’s labours.

But then, there are those moments of joy when cultural barriers drop, when one can finally relate human being to human being, and one discovers that deep inside we are really all the same. And most wonderful of all, if God grants it, there is the joy of seeing the lives of others transformed by the power of the Gospel, and faith spread from those first few to tens, hundreds, and thousands of others.

While this hard job is the core of what we do, there is much more. There are needs for people with all kinds of skills, both simple and highly technical. We can use people who have as little as a few months to give. We need people who will pray regularly for some aspect of the work. If your heart resonates with the core of what we do, and you want to somehow get involved, don’t count yourself out because you don’t fit the stereotype.

If you don’t find what you are looking for in these pages, just start talking to us. If there’s no fit for you within WEC, we might be able to direct you elsewhere. See Contact for email and phone information. All it takes is a few minutes to get things started. If God is stirring your heart, don’t let the opportunity slip by.

No matter your training or what skills and talents you have they can be used for God’s Kingdom!

WEC church-planting teams are reaching people and planting churches among 130 people groups in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Central Asia, the South Pacific and Latin America. Check links for the various places WEC works – the ones we can name – on WEC’s International website. Choose ‘Where is WEC’ (in the top menu) on that website.