Internationalization Or “Anglonization” of Missions by Federico A

Internationalization or “Anglonization” of Missions by Federico A. Bertuzzi

Wal-Mart came to my city was born and still live in the city of Santa Fe, Argentina. A city of some four hundred thousand inhabitants, Santa Fe is surrounded by Iwater, with a river and lagoons to the north, south and east. This is the original location of the city that Don Juan de Garay founded over 400 years ago, which is on the banks of the great Paraná river that descends, majesti- cally, from Brazil and Paraguay, passing through the extensive humid pampa of my country. Some time ago, an enormous area that was generally covered with brown river water began to be filled up. Night and day, a huge dredger extracted thousands of cubic meters of sand from the river bed and deposited it in between large steel tubes on the site.

Slowly but surely, the flooded area was raised to over three meters above its original height. The water dried up, the sand was compacted, and the builders started construction on, what was for us at that time, an enormous complex. It was a huge commercial center, with parking lots, shops, cinemas, etc. In record time (less than a year) and backed by a multimillion dollar Federico Bertuzzi is president of PM investment, the terrain was won back from the river and a sleepy town in the Internacional, a Latin American mission agency that cooperates with the interior of Argentina had its own branch of the North American department churches of Latin America to help them store giant: Wal-Mart. plant the church of Jesus Christ among Muslims through holistic mission. The businessmen of my town were terrified. This multinational, with the This paper was originally presented backing of politicians (you never know whose side they are on!), had moved by the author during the Seminar on in right under their noses, and came to compete with them, offering subsi- “Crosscultural Mission” at CLADE IV, the Latin American Congress on dized prices with which they could never compete. In the middle of a very Evangelization, sponsored by the difficult recession, the local businesses didn’t have much chance of surviving Latin America Theological Fraternity and would be forced to close. The people would lose already scarce sources (Quito, Ecuador, September 2-  8, 2000). Reprinted in: “Misión of employment. Dark clouds were filling the skyline of a city that had never transcultural”, Biblioteca misionera, been seen as very prosperous. fascículo 3, Comibam Internacional, Guatemala, November 2000, 78 The Sudden Emergence of North Atlantic Missions pages. The original version in This illustration serves to open the theme we have before us: the interna- Spanish can be downloaded from: http://www.comibam.org/ponencias/ tionalization or “anglonization” of mission. In the very moment that we are cladeIV/ponencia6.htm experiencing a time of real awakening (a truly indigenous awakening) for International Journal of Frontier Missions 22:1 Spring 2005•13 14 Internationalization or “Anglonization” of Missions Federico A. Bertuzzi 15 World Mission in the churches of American missionaries that work in Commission. Nonetheless, it is nec- Latin America, a significant number our continent, there was not even one essary to analyze the models that are of missionary initiatives from the that was officially designated to work being used, since, as good stewards, North are arriving on our shores. on the development of missions out- we desire to optimize their potential Dozens of mission organizations and reach from the Baptist Churches! as well as our own, for the benefit North Atlantic initiatives have been Why did they not teach us about of the unreached. We also desire to established among us, all with the mission before? When they were avoid repeating mistakes. History aim of “collaborating” with Latin sent from their countries (USA, has shown how easily mistakes repeat Americans in world evangelization, Canada, Great Britain, Germany, themselves ad nauseam. particularly in the 10/40 window. Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, It seems to us that there are models This is a relatively new phenomenon, Australia or New Zealand) many that contribute healthily to the perhaps less than five years old. were preaching about missions, and strengthening of our young Latin As Latin American evangelicals, we when they returned on home-leave, missionary movement, and there are owe an enormous debt of gratitude they spent time preaching about others that seem to be weakening or towards our dear blond brethren who missions. But why, until now, have fragmenting it. they not spoken to us about missions. for more than a century brought us In a rather simplified way, there Did they think we were not ready? the gospel and blessed us with their seem to be three different models Or that we weren’t able? Or that presence. They helped us with the that, with their variations, typify this missions was not part of the “whole translation of the Bible so that our recent upsurge in North Atlantic counsel of God”? (Acts 20.27). indigenous peoples can have the missionary efforts in Latin America. Bible in their own language. They Two further elements were missing 1. The first is the “anglophile” helped establish congregations and from their preaching: they didn’t model, in which the Northern built thousands of Church buildings teach us stewardship or civic involve- and chapels, numerous theological Organization opens a “branch” ment. The first failure they remedied in the South that becomes a and educational institutions, radio thirty years ago. That is why we now and television studios, orphanages, faithful reflection of all she actively practice tithing and make is and does in the country of children’s and old people’s homes, regular offerings. With respect to origin. This overseas local office printing works, hospitals, dispen- the other, they did not teach us to has the same brand, “trade saries, etc., in numbers to large too participate actively in society (not to mark”, statutes, operative prin- count. To God be the glory for all this mention participation in politics!), ciples, direction, etc. The upper effort, and for the many who left their even though in their homes in the leaders are all from the North mortal remains in our beloved soil! North it is common to find civil Atlantic and they recruit Latins This paper is not about the long his- servants and politicians of note who according to the same practices tory of missionaries from the North declare themselves Evangelicals and and procedures that they use in Atlantic to Latin America, for whom “Born Again”. the North. The responsibility for we are so thankful. We are writing the financial and logistic support Fortunately, it seems that things are of the missionaries that are sent about something that is totally new. changing and the hour has come Once, European and Americans saw under this model belongs funda- (despite arriving one hundred years mentally to the “Gringo” agency. us Latin Americans as needy and, for late!): The South is now ready to The people in the missionary’s that reason, brought us the gospel; now take on the world! church of origin say: “The for- they see us “useful” and want to take eigners took our people away to us all over the world. They are making The Model of work with them!” us into participants in what they have International Missions 2. The second model is the “par- been doing for over a century! As we were saying, this paper is ticipatory” model, in which the Over four years ago, a mission leader not about North Atlantic mission- Northern Organization sets commented that the Assemblies ary organizations and the classical up shop among us, in a more of God, which has over 450 North missionary work they carried out in or less close relationship with American missionaries in Latin Latin America. In this paper we are the locals. Work agreements America, had assigned only two mis- considering the ministry of those are signed and the local church sionaries to supporting the growth North Atlantic missionaries who participates some in the process of the missionary movement in his are working in Latin America, all of sending its missionaries, but denomination. Recently, at a conclave the while focusing their vision on everybody is very clear that the of Southern Baptist leaders “for the sending Latin Americans to other foreign organization has the final say in the sending process. acceleration of World Evangelization”, areas of the world. How should we The people in the missionary’s we talked with one of the principle relate to them? In general the author church of origin say: “It’s great World directors from Richmond, who is grateful for their participation and that we can count on the sup- informed us that of the 1,000 North involvement with us in the Great port of the foreigners!”

International Journal of Frontier Missions 22:1 Spring 2005 14 Internationalization or “Anglonization” of Missions Federico A. Bertuzzi 15 3. The third model is that of “ser- The whole theme of missionary everything else will run like clock- vice”, in which the Northern cooperation is one of the aims of work. Some mission agencies make Organization comes to us with COMIBAM Internacional (the their Latin workers learn English so a real attitude of service, willing very name means Ibero-American that they can communicate with the to work under the authority of Missionary Cooperation). From the fellow members of their team on the Latin pastors and leaders, and middle of the eighties, it has been mission field. In addition, they must offer “disinterestedly” its service “plodding away” with the unity of the also learn the local language, which and resources, without impos- church and missions (John 17.21), is the real tool that they must use ing conditions and methods. and I don’t believe it is an exaggera- if they are to be true to God’s call. Sometimes, their name appears tion to say that no other issue has publicly, and the people in the The local language is fundamental united the church in Latin America missionary’s church of origin, for cross-cultural ministry. To be as much as missions has. Coming noting that the foreigners are forced to learn two new languages not taking advantage of us, say: from a wide variety of theological when one is no longer a child can be “These people, even though and liturgical traditions, brothers and an excessive burden for the worker they don’t speak good Spanish, sisters are united, participating in who comes from a monolingual they are one of us!” innumerable missionary congresses, culture such as the Hispanic cultures of Latin America. One thing is to Some “Holy” Temptations learn to communicate in a foreign There are many weary mission language so as not to die of hunger, mobilizers in Latin America who another is to share the gospel, and have battled in a difficult area of yet more is needed if one is to deal ministry—that of mission—one in The struggle is even with subjects that are more abstract, which the arid soil does not always subjective, and intimate. One must respond readily to the process of greater for Latin develop sufficient vocabulary in each sowing and reaping. They have of these areas. The struggle is even battled to see changes in a church missionaries on multi- greater for Latin missionaries on that is enmeshed, distracted by national teams . . . multi-national teams when they are other emphases, and apathetic to the deeply frustrated by not being able missionary vision. Not surprisingly, to communicate with their mission- they are attracted to whatever offer of ary team-mates at a level of feelings help and cooperation might facilitate that he or she might have done had their missionary objectives. And it they been able to do so in their own is precisely here, that it would be consultations and conferences, car- mother tongue. good to stop and consider that “not ried out over the length and breadth all that glitters is gold.” Some offers of our vast continent. The issue of Moreover, every international mis- of assistance might, at first, seem to Missions unites. sionary team living together must take into account non-verbal aspects of be attractive. They could, in the long In this missiological environment run, end up being a stumbling block. communication (such as patterns of there are new winds of international behavior, habits, cultural values, ways It is not necessary, at this point in the cooperation blowing, strategic process, to speak about those things doing things, ways of making deci- alliances and a coming together by sions, etc.) that can cause friction. that continue to trouble the work of North and South. (It would be worth God, such as Gringo paternalism, further analysis, to discern whether or even Latino opportunism, with What is the best model? behind this newness there is not the A complaint that has been heard in which we have tried to “fleece” the influence, however unconscious it gringos more than once. For the  the continent is: “They brought us may be, of the globalizing business the gospel but they also brought their dignity of the Holy Gospel: “neither world, in which the multinationals one nor the other!” party spirit!” Now, when missions and world-wide banking institutions is uniting us, missionaries return In the best spirit of current inter- establish networks and work together to Latin America, and instead of ecclesial and inter-missiological with aim of insuring their capital and “helping us”, their competing mis- cooperation, when we see barriers making fat profits.) sion agencies, once again, divide us. once seemed insurmountable coming Surprises of living together Is that so bad? In a Latin America down, we are led to envision a day When it comes to North–South made up of thousands of churches when, together as never before, we cooperative efforts in mission, it is and hundreds of evangelical institu- can bring together and maximize sometimes assumed, rather naively, tions, and to which Gringos want to the human, economic and logistical that apart from the language issue come and collaborate with us to reach resources that the Lord has (which means that the Latino unreached people groups, what is the given us and complete the task of inevitably must end up learning the most acceptable way for them to carry world evangelization! “universal” language: English!), forward their intentions? Would it

International Journal of Frontier Missions 22:1 Spring 2005 16 Internationalization or “Anglonization” of Missions be wise to establish themselves as they had come to cooperate (and we the missionary, asked for help from indigenous missions, start their own don’t doubt their motives) but they the capital (Rome) for sponsorship offi ces, do good marketing with brought with them more problems in order to reach the utmost parts of multicolored brochures, and begin than blessings. How can a small mis- the Mediterranean (Spain), his new aggressive recruitment campaigns? sion from the Third World compete unreached fi eld (Romans 15.25-31). When all is said and done, there is with their vast experience, institu- Young churches helped an old church. freedom and everyone will have to tional prestige, fi nancial stability, Christians, who didn’t know one answer to the Lord for the talents international connections, latest tech- another, were knit together in frater- given to them. But where a national nology, and contagious enthusiasm? nal links of love and solidarity. Poor church is already taking its fi rst steps Would it not be easier to abandon our helped poor; they did mission; they in missions, wouldn’t it be better efforts and unite with these experts? came from different races; they made to relate to her fi rst and offer your Is it worth continuing reaching for plans, and got off to a good start. And services to her? an ideal, if “others” with much less all this without, even remotely, the The power difference between the sacrifi ce can achieve far more? means of communication, transport, insurance, bank transfers, etc., that we North and South is “abysmal”. I have All these issues deserve to be consid- have available in our century! heard of some terrible cases of incipi- ered in a frank and mature way, with- ent Latin missionary organizations, out prejudice. The New Testament Conclusion that can just barely support their mis- model shows us that those Christians In 2 Corinthians 8.13-15, it says: sionaries overseas (without mention- participated together in world mis- ing their mission sending offi ces), that sions, crossing frontiers of hundreds 13Our desire is not that others might had to go through the diffi cult and and thousands of kilometers that sep- be relieved while you are hard destabilizing experiences caused by pressed, but that there might be arated them. Macedonia and Achaia equality. 14At the present time your certain big initiatives from the North (two nations in the Roman Empire) plenty will supply what they need, that had been established in their own went out to help the poor brethren so that in turn their plenty will backyard. The northerners said that of Judea (another nation), and Paul, supply what you need. Then there will be equality, 15as it is written: “He who gathered much did not �� have too much, and he who gath- �� ered little did not have too little. The church is the body of Christ, and �� each member is a part of the whole. We need one another and we are � �� indebted one to another. The same � conditions are imposed on all of us in a way that goes beyond ideology �� or our level of economic privilege or �� scarcity. If inequalities exist, these should be put right. We must work so �� that the inequalities that do exist are �� eliminated. There are large quantities �� of human and fi nancial resources in �� the North and in the South that have �� not joined hands with each other. �� The internationalization of mission is �� biblical, and it should be our ambi- �� tion to effectively unite the marvelous �� resources that the Holy Spirit has �� distributed generously in the Body of �� Christ, in order to carry out the Great �� Commission that our Lord has given �� us: “Make disciples of all nations” �� (Matthew 28.19). IJFM �� Note: The author can be reached by e-maile-mail aatt [email protected]@pminternacional.org �� International Journal of Frontier Missions