the upstream collective

As a young church plant, it was difficult to imagine investing time, energy and resources anywhere except on our local mission. While our desire was to invest somewhere internationally, it seemed impractical and impossible to even think about ministry beyond our local context. Larry helped us take those first baby steps to begin thinking and acting internationally as a young church. Our exposure to God at work in Spain opened our eyes to more effective ways to minister right here at home. I highly recommend Larry and his team to any new church seeking to expand their vision and mobilize their congregation toward an international vision.

Recently  I received a skype call from a gentlemen in Europe of east Asian descent. He and his wife feel a burden to return home to reach their nation with the Gospel.  As director of Mobilization my first reaction was to respond with, "We don't have an established field in that country.", and I would have responded that way had it not been for our training time with Larry McCrary of the Upstream Collective last week.  During our time with Upstream, they talked about the importance of being "possibility thinkers".  As Mobilizers Larry shared that our primary role is to be facilitators within the Great Commission and that if someone should call about a place where we are not, we need to pray for open doors that aren't yet open.  Could this be the very couple who could open the doors for us among the Urdu Muslims and Jat people groups?  Imagine the possibilities! Larry, our time with you continues to have renewable echoes

A lot of the planters and pastors I talk to think that involvement in global missions is something that has to wait until the church is more established, but shouldn’t international missions be part of a church’s DNA from day one? That’s the vision of The Upstream Collective – and I think it is a good one. Having served or currently serving as missionaries in Europe, The Upstream Collective’s founders have a common heart and vision for the post-Christian societies of the continent. They also realize that North American churches have a unique opportunity to make an impact on both sides of the ocean as they explore more incarnational approaches to ministry. I would encourage you to get connected with the guys at The Upstream Collective and see what innovative things God might have you do among the nations and in your own community.

Larry is a passionate follower of Jesus who cares about the world. Combine Larry’s heart for the world with his experience as a mission leader, missionary, church planter and pastor and you have a unique kind of missional leader who is committed and competent in leading our churches into the world for greater impact.