At the Upstream Collective, our mission is to help churches send well.
We do this in two ways:
​
By EQUIPPING the church with practical tools and relational support—resources, books, cohorts, coaching, and training that develop a culture of sending.
By SENDING the church as a missions agency that prioritizes relationships, keeping the local church central in every step of sending and missions engagement.
Our Core Values
Church-Centric Missions
We’re committed to keeping the local church at the center of all we do.
We believe God gave the Great Commission to the church and therefore missions should happen in and through local churches. Because of this conviction, we are committed to church-centric missiology in our teaching, coaching, writing, and sending. Serving the local church in missions is why we exist and we are determined to do it well.
Relationship
We’re committed to meaningful relationships and excellent service.
Relationships are at the core of all we do. Therefore we see our sending churches, missionaries, and field leaders as valued co-workers, dear friends, and brothers and sisters in the family of God. Out of this commitment to meaningful relationships, we provide excellent service by going above and beyond for those within the Upstream family.
Innovation
We’re committed to courageous innovation.
Being innovative and forward-thinking in missiology and missions practice is in our DNA and our name. As an organization—and as mission practitioners—we are committed to continual learning and ongoing innovation in the world of missions and missions sending. While we root ourselves in the richness of missions past and present, we desire to push “upstream” in our missiological thinking and practice.
Gospel Renewal
We’re committed to serving out of the overflow of our life with God.
As Christians, our primary call is not to mission activity but to life with Jesus. As we root our identity in God and abide with him, we can then serve out of the overflow. Our renewal in Jesus drives us to more mission and our engagement in mission draws us back into our deep need for him. This commitment to gospel renewal also allows us to value the spiritual life and overall health of the missions leaders and missionaries whom we serve.