Mobilising Latin American Christians for East Asia
Latin America is not just a mission field; it is increasingly sending Christian workers all over the world. The church there is growing and maturing and developing a vision for reaching parts of the world which have not heard the name of Jesus.
Church planting work in Bangkok has seen increasing numbers of workers from Latin America. Last week OMF Thailand installed a new Director from Brazil who will be supervising the church planting work of over 70 workers from all over the world in different corners of Thailand.
In recent years, OMF has intentionally expanded its mobilisation efforts in Latin America, seeking to involve Latin American Christians in cross-cultural mission work among East Asians126.
In Latin America, our mobilisation strategy is centred on vision and collaboration. It’s leaders deliberately did not set up OMF offices in Latin American countries. The New Horizons team is building new partnerships directly with churches and mission agencies. Together, they are prayerfully identifying, equipping, and sending out Latin American believers to serve among East Asian people groups.
These efforts are not simply about sending individuals overseas; they are about bringing Latin American Christians into a vibrant, global network of sending partners. Even though OMF’s roots are in Europe, North America, and parts of Asia, today’s vision is far broader: to see Latin American believers fully engaged in God’s work among East Asians, bringing their unique gifts, perspectives, and sense of fun to the mission field.
There are practical things that we do to encourage this vision. OMF participates in mission mobilisation conferences throughout Latin America, such as those organised by the Ibero-American Mission Mobilisers. These gatherings are more than events—they are catalysts, sparking conversations about the gaps in mission mobilisation and inspiring churches to embrace their role in global missions. Through these initiatives, OMF offers resources, training, and clear pathways for involvement, helping Latin American Christians discover the needs and opportunities for ministry among East Asian peoples.
At the heart of OMF’s approach is a spirit of partnership and mutual benefit. Rather than viewing Latin America as a new “sending base,” we recognize the profound strengths and fresh perspectives that Latin American Christians bring to global mission work. Together, they are shaping a future where the whole church, from every nation, is reaching out to the whole world—especially to the peoples of East Asia.
Vision and Impact
Our vision is to see a truly global church—“the whole church to reach the whole world”—where believers from Latin America, alongside those from Africa, Europe, and Asia, are actively involved in reaching East Asia’s peoples with the gospel26.
The ultimate goal is to see indigenous biblical church movements among every East Asian people group, with Latin American Christians contributing through prayer, financial support, and direct missionary service6. OMF International’s work in Latin America represents a significant shift toward a more inclusive, global mission movement, empowering Latin American Christians to play a vital role in reaching East Asia’s unreached people groups126.
Citations: