The Problem and a Solution

The Situation

During the past four decades the growth of the church in Latin America has been explosive. These maturing churches are seeking to join the universal church in taking up their share of serving the least reached peoples of the world. In the 1970's and 80's, Latin churches sent out numerous workers, but due to inadequate support structures and funding, most of these workers returned home within less than three years. One solution to this problem was that in the 1980s and 1990s numerous Latin workers joined North American mission organizations and raised their financial support from the wealthier North American churches. However, these workers soon deserted their Latin base. Their furloughs were spent in North America among their donors. Their children went to North American universities. Some even became USA citizens. In discussing this subject Pastor Daniel of Mexico says,
"We (the Latin churches) felt the gringos had stuck it to us again. They took our best workers from us, and we got nothing in return."
Hoping to build up their own mission sending tradition, the Latin church was left in the lurch.
It is now the 21st century and time for a new approach. Pastor Jose of Peru put it,
"EVI is just what the Latin church needs. The Americans are helping us, but letting us lead, letting us do the work."
And Dr. C. a leading Latin missiologist adds, "EVI is exactly what we need. It solves the problems the Latin churches face in sending out long-term workers."

The EVI Solution

  • The countries in greatest need of the Gospel are in the 10/40 Window.
  • There are many servants of Christ in Latin America who wish to reach the unreached, but are unable due to a lack of finances.
  • Therefore, we propose to start strategic businesses in these "closed" countries which will create legal, viable and profitable businesses to enable Latinos, to enter into unreached areas and peoples of God's leading with the objective of establishing the church of Christ.

"We have all seen how North American church money has stymied the ability of our churches to grow. Finally we have an option where you (the North Americanos) are willing to help (with the start-up capital and training) in a practical way (training and creating jobs), without having control."
Violeta, a baptist worker of Venezuela
In creating our own small businesses EVI solves many problems:

  • Long working hours demanded when working for other companies leaves no time for language-learning and church-planting ministry.
    Our clients operate their own businesses, giving them control of their time.
  • Jobs with local firms are often with other expatriates, providing minimal contact with the local people.
    EVI designs businesses and trains the entrepreneurs to fit into the local community hiring at least five locals per business start-up.
  • Traditional business as mission endeavors have limited ministry accountability.
    EVI businesses are made accountable to EVI's experienced overseers.
  • Isolation from locals - many jobs have expats working with expats, not with the local people.
    These profitable businesses create jobs for the locals endearing them to the families who work for them.
  • No long-term visa and lack of identity.
    A job gives the workers a residence visa and a logical reason or identity for living on location.
  • New converts wonder how the missionary earns his money and have no example to follow.
    The EVI worker models living his/her faith in the marketplace.
  • Problems with evangelism.
    Reaching out is more natural in a working environment, where those the worker is witnessing to, the locals, can see their good works on a day to day basis.
  • Problems with finances and Latin (home) church relationships.
    Two thirds of each worker's income will come from the business and one third will come from their home church. This will keep their ties to their sending church strong, while reducing the churches' financial commitment to a level they can maintain.