Church-Centric Sending
One of the themes woven throughout Scripture is that God accomplishes his mission through his people—specifically, the local church. From the church in Antioch in the first century, to faithful congregations throughout church history, to gospel-centered churches across the globe today, God has entrusted the local church with the central role of sending missionaries. This isn’t an optional initiative—it’s by God’s design that the local church serves as the primary initiator and participant in global mission.
Acts 13 gives us a compelling model: the church in Antioch identifies, affirms, and sends Paul and Barnabas out on mission to the world. This work of sending was a Spirit-led, church-driven act of obedience. And it reminds us that sending is not something we delegate out to others—it’s something we take the lead in doing well.
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Global mission should be a core expression of who the church is. When we talk about a church-centric approach to missions, we’re talking about a community that takes responsibility for raising up, equipping, sending, and sustaining those they send. It’s not just about sending money—it’s about sending people, and walking with them before, during, and after their time on the field. It’s about engaging in God’s global mission in a meaningful way.
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Mission agencies are important partners in global missions, but they don’t replace the church. They complement what the local church takes lead in doing. Only the local church has the relational depth, biblical authority, and covenantal care needed to send and sustain well.​
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At Upstream, this conviction runs deep. We’ve built a sending agency that gives the local church a meaningful seat at the table. From initial discernment to the sending process to ministry engagement of the field, we walk closely with both the sending church and the receiving church every step of the way. This church-centered approach to missions isn’t just a value—it’s our distinctive. It’s what sets Upstream apart.
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Join a growing network of churches and church leaders committed to sending well and reaching the nations with the gospel—together.