Meet an Agency: One Challenge

We heart this new, ongoing series–a little cup o’ joe with organizations to help you go there, serve Him, and love them even better. (For more thoughts about why you might join an agency–and a handful of reasons you might not–make sure to check out He Said/She Said/You Say? “Should I go overseas with an organization?”, both the pros and the cons.)

Today, we’re grabbing a green tea frap with One Challenge. (They’ve got a blog, too, where they’re posting weekly.) Grab a chair.

TELL US WHAT YOUR AGENCY SPECIALIZES IN. WHAT ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT?

We specialize in helping people follow where God is leading them, from church leaders and pastors, to people of influence, to students and children, to people at risk. We want to see the body of Christ, in all its forms, impact and transform its nation for the kingdom and send workers to other nations to do the same.

That vision is what we mean by “Transforming nations together.” It is a huge task–God-sized, really–and it can only be done by working together.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN AROUND, AND HOW LARGE ARE YOU GUYS? IN WHAT COUNTRIES ARE YOUR GLOBAL WORKERS LOCATED?

One Challenge was formed in 1951 by Dick Hillis. So we’ve been around nearly 70 years. A few stats:

• We’re now part of the OC Global Alliance which includes 13 sending entities, three in the US and the rest in other countries around the world. We have about 300 workers from the US and about 400 workers from other countries like Brazil, the Philippines, the UK, India, and Singapore.
• We do ministry in over 60 countries and have resident teams in about 30.
• We do have many specialized groups partnering with many others around the globe including Sports Ambassadors, Lifeworkx, our Global Research team and our Global Membercare team.

TELL US ONE STORY THAT EXCITES YOU FROM WHAT YOUR ORGANIZATION IS DOING.

After the earthquakes in an Asian country, a ton of relief materials were made available to us from donors around the world. It’s tempting to pass those out ourselves and be the hero! But we opted to spread the materials around to many rural churches who then gave them to their communities. Read: The church became the hero–and in many cases the center of the community as those locales moved forward.

5 WORDS TO DESCRIBE YOUR ORGANIZATION’S CULTURE. GO.

• Humble
• Servants
• Innovative
• Family
• Fun

WHAT’S DISTINCTIVE ABOUT YOU GUYS?

Actually…we don’t believe that any agency is unique today. What might set us apart in a smaller group? We’re completely committed to serve others. In many countries people don’t even know who we are. The people that are “seen” are the people we are helping and serving.

LET’S TALK BRASS TACKS. GIVE US THE 411 ON YOUR APPLICATION AND TRAINING PROCESS.

1. Our acceptance process starts with an online orientation called OC Worldview.
2. Following WV the candidate may request an application and target an interview date. Interviews are held in Colorado Springs five times during the year.
3. Once accepted, and applicant attends three training events in the US–and one once the missionary gets to their country of service.
4. Ongoing learning is one of our key values, so training doesn’t stop once the missionary is released to engage in ministry.

WHAT KIND OF GLOBAL WORKERS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? PAINT US A WORD PICTURE.

The things our people get involved with are many and broad, so we really are looking for people with an OC heart. If you have read to this point you know that one of the key things we look for is a person who sees themselves as a servant. Creativity and a passion for learning along with a willingness to work in community and partnership are also important.

WHAT WOULD YOU CONSIDER “RED FLAGS” IN THE APPLICATION PROCESS?

Lone rangers don’t do well in OC. People that struggle to expand their vision to include a city, a country or a continent will struggle.

Biblical education isn’t necessary (unless required for the type of ministry projected). But those who have little knowledge or experience of the Word of God lived out in their lives will need to work on that before they join us, or acquire that along the way.

People who show a resistance to being a learner and willing to change? This probably isn’t their gig.

WHAT’D WE MISS? TELL US ANYTHING YOU’D LIKE TO MENTION ABOUT YOUR AGENCY.

We are completely interdenominational and want to see the body of Christ work together in any given situation. As such, our doctrinal statement very general. We don’t tend to take organizational stands on divisive issues but choose rather to center on Christ and allow the Holy Spirit to lead through the local church in those areas.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE LOOKING IN AN OVERSEAS DIRECTION?

First, be certain that this is what God wants for you. It’s a difficult road. You’ll need the foundation of that certainty to get you through the tough times.

Second, prepare well for what you anticipate is ahead. Failure to prepare often ends ministry prematurely.

Third, if you are married, make sure that both you and your spouse are all in for this. If you have older children, make sure they are okay with the transition as well.

Finally, always remind yourself that you only have to take one step at a time and trust that God will give you light, courage and peace for the next step.

Got more questions for One Challenge? Contact their Director of Mobilization, Jeff, at jeffboesel@oci.org.

Heads up: One Challenge is starting a podcast in February! Like their podcast Facebook page to stay connected.

Like this post? You might like

• Meet an Agency: Christ for the City International
• Meet an Agency: Christar
• Meet an Agency: WorldVenture
• Snapshots of North American Missions: Urbana 2019
• He Said/She Said/You Say? Should I go overseas with an organization? Part I and Part II
• Hands-on Adventures