Receive someone from Latin America

Why invite a Latin American?

Mission is changing. In the last few decades it has become apparent that the church in the UK and Europe has decreased in size and influence in our multi-cultural, multi-ethnic and multi-religious societies. In this climate the church in the UK and Europe is becoming more aware of its need for help and is much more open to receive others from outside.

At the same time, the Church in Latin America has grown. Among its characteristics are vibrant faith and love, enthusiastic worship, spontaneous evangelism and expectation, and a passion for world mission. The Global South (including Latin America) has become the powerhouse of sending mission workers across the world.

In Britain and Ireland there is an increasing need to communicate our faith effectively within the context of our relationships. Latin Americans are naturals at cross-cultural personal evangelism, and find considerable rapport with ethnic minorities through shared values such as hospitality and emphasis on extended family.

The role of Incoming Mission

Incoming Mission is the ministry of Latin Link that connects and supports Latin Americans with receiving churches in the UK and Europe. We have been doing this since 1999. Over these years we have been excited by the growth of the ministry and the impact these people have had where they have served.

Through our Incoming Mission ministry, we accept Latin Americans who love God and are passionate to see lives changed by the Gospel. They will be of different ages and life experience, with different gifts and qualifications.

Latin Americans come to the UK for various reasons and for different lengths of time, for example:

• Some are committed to working alongside a local church and taking part in its outreach and/or regular activities.
• Some sense God’s call to evangelise among ethnic minorities in the UK – this could include caring for and reaching out to refugees or asylum seekers.
• Others come to improve their English, and gain cross-cultural experience before moving on to mission in another country.

Latin Link offers Latin Americans the opportunity to participate in two of our programmes – Stride (placements between 6 months and 24 months) or Stay (placements over 2 years).

Rather than set up its own projects, Latin Link places selected people within the ministry teams of local churches or church projects.

What Latin Link looks for in a receiving church or project

• a welcoming and caring church fellowship which values workers from another culture and respects their professional training and strengths;
• cooperation in providing a job description and other documents necessary for visa applications;
• help in drawing up a realistic budget;
• appropriate opportunities for ministry with supervision;
• accommodation: either board and lodging with a church family or inexpensive rented accommodation ;
• local orientation: transport, banks, registration with a doctor and dentist, finding English classes at the appropriate level where necessary, registration of children in suitable local schools if applicable;
• designated local pastoral care and line management. Incoming Mission staff will keep in contact with the local leadership.

What Latin Link provides

• contact with Latin American churches and mission agencies in the recruitment of suitable personnel;
• consultation with interested churches;
• a realistic budget;
• advice and supervision of the visa application process. Most candidates will need a Certificate of Sponsorship from Latin Link to apply for a visa;
• reception and initial orientation;
• support in supervision and pastoral care in Portuguese or Spanish. The Incoming Mission ministry will arrange a mentor for Striders or those in their first two years of ministry;
• opportunities for contact with other Latin American members of Latin Link;
• prayer support through Latin Link’s prayer network.