SAMS OVERVIEW
Foreword
“Christian mission is about being inside out and upside down! It is about change and transformation. It turns individuals and communities inside out. It is about people in every nation discovering and living by the upside down values and priorities of God’s Kingdom.” Bishop Ken Clarke (SAMS Chairman)
Introduction
SAMS is committed to working in partnership with churches in Ireland, UK, Iberia and South America. The history of SAMS can be traced back to the mid 19th century. In the 21st century we passionately believe that the message in mission remains relevant even if a secular and pluralist worldview has become more prominent. We are enthused and thankful for the emerging opportunities and possibilities.
Aim
Resource churches and communities.
Objectives
- Establish new working models in mission
- Facilitate training opportunities
- Support projects through partnership
God calls and sends us into our communities to participate in His mission. It demands identification without loss of identity: mission goes beyond our comfort zones and enters other people’s stories, as Christ entered ours.
SAMS seeks to resource churches and communities through the Listo, FUSION and btn programmes.
Listo
Listo resources local churches as they plan formal and informal gatherings. One of the SAMS team can visit your church or discuss by telephone or email how we can best serve you.
Resourcing the local church through:
- Children’s talks
- Confirmation workshops
- Interactive seminars
- Lent Reflections
- Mission focus talks
- Multi-media presentations
- Youth work evaluation
- Sermons
- Skills assessment programme
Mission is a journey of discovery which can take unexpected twists and turns. We need to abandon any notions of power and embrace an attitude of service. It’s always better when we journey together.
FUSION
FUSION offers placements to people from Iberia and South America within a church setting in Ireland and the UK.
Participants from Spain, Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay have already made considerable contributions throughout Ireland and the UK. Prior to a placement one of the SAMS team will visit your church and work through an informal job description and discuss the relevant details.
The challenge is not to see what lies vaguely at a distance, but to do what lies clearly at hand.
Beyond The Norm
BTN enables individuals and churches to visit and participate within a church community in South America.
Aims and Objectives
- Affirm the work of the church in South America.
- Enable people from Ireland and the UK to participate in a church community in South America.
- Wrestle with issues such as mission, cultural persity and the impact of globalisation.
- Create new experiences, new opportunities and new friendships.
- Develop effective working relationships between the churches here at home and South America.
Conclusion
Mission isn’t an exclusive calling for the few. It’s for everyone! Mission is at the heart of Christian discipleship. It involves and demands all of us as we are called to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength.
SAMS values and prioritises the relational aspect within mission and recognises that well produced strategies and contemporary resources are irrelevant if they are not underpinned by a conscious commitment and respect for all people.
Together let us understand the present without being burdened by the past and may God grant us His wisdom as we accept future challenges.
SAMS Prayer
Dear God,
May the boldness of your Spirit continually transform SAMS as a mission agency.
May the gentleness of your Spirit lead our mission partners in all they do and say.
May the gifts of your Spirit equip us all to serve the wider community.
We worship you, now and always, through Jesus Christ, the Lord of all.
Amen
