What we do
We provide services for Christians who have been sent out from their own churches and are working overseas in support of some aspect of Christian mission. These services range from the practical to administrative and academic, and are limited only by the fact that everything is done by volunteers working from their own homes. Occasionally, our volunteers will travel abroad themselves to carry out some tasks but this is the exception rather than the rule. To see more details about what we provide, click on "Our Services".
To achieve all this, we use Christian volunteers, mostly based in the UK, who have a wide range of skills, experience and different abilities. These volunteers also contribute to the bulk of the financial support that we need to run these services. We are a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (number 1162807) with a board of trustees and various administrative staff, none of whom receives any salary, up to and including the Chief Executive Officer. We are always on the lookout for more volunteers to expand our range of services. To see more details about this, click on "Our Volunteers".
Our members
We encourage all those who are keen to assist in our work projects as volunteers to become members of MissionAssist. This involves confirming your agreement with our policies and statement of belief. We also invite you to support us financially at whatever level is most appropriate for you. When you become a member, it also ensures that we can keep you up to date with all the latest news and initiatives through our magazine and newsletters, with prayer bulletins, and through our annual conference.
If you are interested in becoming a member, please click on "Our Volunteers" above and choose the tab headed "Membership". We depend entirely on our volunteers and are always keen to welcome new people to join us!
Our values
Above all else, at MissionAssist we value people.
People who are Christians
We are a group of Christians from many churches and denominations that hold to the basic beliefs of the Christian Faith as expressed in the creeds and confessions. We need to work together to help bring the good news about Jesus Christ to all the world, so we expect all our members to be in agreement with our Statement of Belief.
"The eye cannot say to the hand, 'I don't need you!'". (I Corinthians 12:21)
People who are servants
We are looking for those with a servant heart and a real desire to help in the best way that we can. It means going the extra mile, doing quality work to the best of our ability, providing just that bit more than people might expect, listening carefully to what they need; all so that we can serve them well and without complaint. We are looking for people who have the spiritual gift of service.
"The greatest among you will be your servant." (Matthew 23:11)
People with dedication
Some of our members have physical difficulties that confine them to their houses but, what they may lack in mobility, they make up for in persistence, perseverance and determination. Some of our keyboarders can only type with one finger at a time and with great difficulty but they keep going. They see this work as an opportunity for service to God and His people, which they never had before. They overcome obstacles in life. We need people with that kind of determined spirit. We want to show perseverance and dedication to finish the job well and with excellence.
"Let us not become weary in doing good... let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." (Galatians 6:9-10)
People with a skill
God has given all of His people talents and abilities. Whether you consider yourself super-talented or very ordinary, you definitely have something to give. MissionAssist offers an opportunity for Christians to use their talents. What's more, we are looking for a wide range of abilities and gifts.
"Whatever you do... do it all in the Name of the Lord Jesus." (Colossians 3:17)
People with a heart for mission
We use our gifts to help those serving Christ overseas with their work. This enables all of us to contribute to this work, even if we cannot go overseas ourselves. In this way, we can use our time and our energy to help bring the good news to the whole world.
"The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few." (Matthew 9:37)
People who will sacrifice
Some of our work takes:
- a lot of time
- a lot of energy
- a lot of thought
- a lot of effort
"Those who would come after me must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me." (Luke 9:23)
People who are generous
Most people get paid for their work but members of MissionAssist give to support their own work. All of the work we do is supported by our own members.
"Give, and it will be given to you." (Luke 6:38)
People who are creative
MissionAssist has an innovative and creative approach. We look for new solutions to problems and we don't mind making mistakes in order to find a better way.
"God created human beings in His own image." (Genesis 1:27)
People who take responsibility
Our members are scattered around the UK and various other countries so we depend on individual members being willing to take on significant responsibility to get the work done. In addition to the leadership team, we appoint coordinators and team leaders to ensure that individuals don't become isolated in their work, but we look for people who are happy to get on with work on their own.
"You entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more." (Matthew 25:20)
People who encourage
Many people rarely get told when they have done something well. MissionAssist wants to recognise and appreciate the service and the work that people do.
"Well done, good and faithful servant!" (Matthew 25:21)
If you have the same values, why not join us?
Our belief
The Statement of Belief, contained in our articles of incorporation, is as follows:
- We believe the Bible, the inspired Word of God, is completely trustworthy, speaking with supreme authority in all matters of belief and practice.
- We believe in one God, who exists eternally in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
- We believe all people, being created in the image of God, have intrinsic value, but as a result of sin are alienated from God and each other, and therefore in need of reconciliation.
- We believe that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, born of the virgin Mary, is fully God and fully human. He demonstrated God's love for sinners by suffering the penalty of death in their place, rose bodily from the dead, and ascended to heaven where He intercedes for His people.
- We believe all who repent and trust in Jesus Christ alone as Lord and Saviour are, by the grace of God, declared to be right with Him, receiving forgiveness and eternal life.
- We believe the Lord Jesus Christ will return personally in glory, raise the dead, and judge the world.
- We believe all people will rise from the dead, those who are in Christ to enjoy eternal life with God, and those who are lost to suffer eternal separation from Him.
- We believe in the Holy Spirit who imparts new life to those who believe in Christ. Through His indwelling presence and transforming power, He gives assurance and equips believers for holy living and effective service.
- We believe the Church is the body of Christ, the fellowship of all believers, and is commissioned to make disciples of all nations.
Our finances
MissionAssist is funded by donations from its members. It is an opportunity for Christians to use their time, talents and skills for God. If they can afford it, we ask members to make an annual gift of £25. This is used to cover office expenses such as postage and telephone calls but not salaries. (No one who works for us receives a salary.)
Apart from these gifts from members, we have no external source of funds. All our efforts are entirely supported by members' contributions. We offer our work freely to those working abroad in Christian service. If any additional expense is involved, we ask the person making the request to reimburse us for that. For example, if we are asked to purchase a book or other item that is unavailable abroad, the cost of that item would be considered an additional expense but the service involved in getting it is entirely free of cost.
How is MissionAssist financially regulated?
MissionAssist is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (number 1162807). All British charities are regulated by the strict requirements of the British Government's Charities Commission. The Commission ensures that British charities use their funds as the donors have requested and that charities fulfil the requirements of their trust deed. You can see our details on the Charities Commission website if you click here.
A Board of Trustees administers the affairs of the charity. The trustees do not receive any salary but are personally liable if the charity is not run properly. This means that the personal assets of the trustees are at risk if they do not administer the affairs of the charity prudently.
How can I make a donation to MissionAssist?
If you would like to make a donation to the work of MissionAssist, you can do so in several ways: by cheque, online banking, or through a direct donation using PayPal.
UK Donors
If you are a British tax payer, we are also able to reclaim the tax element of your donation when you provide the appropriate details. Please complete a gift aid form and send it to us by post (to the address in the blue box at the bottom of this page) or by email to our administrator.
If you use online banking, these are the relevant details for making a donation through our Charities Aid Foundation bank account:
Sort code: 40-52-40
Account Number: 00028650
Please include your name or MA membership number in the description, and don't forget to complete a gift aid form and send that to us separately if you are a British tax payer!
If you would prefer to send a cheque, please make it payable to "MissionAssist" and post it to:
MissionAssist
PO Box 257
Evesham
WR11 9AW
You can also support us through "GIVE AS YOU LIVE". For more details, click on the button below:
Give as you Live
Overseas Donors
For anyone who lives outside of the UK, you can use the link below to make a direct donation through PayPal. Thank you!
Our links
MissionAssist and its sister organisation, Wycliffe Bible Translators, are both linked to the Wycliffe Global Alliance. These organisations exist to further the work of translating the Bible into every living language in the world today. There are currently some fifty-three national organisations around the world that support this work.
In half a dozen or so of these countries, there are also similar associations to MissionAssist called "Wycliffe Associates" that exist purely to support their main, national organisation in the Wycliffe network. Each group of Wycliffe Associates tends to have its own special activities. So, for example, the WA group in the United States carries out a lot of construction work around the world as well as fund-raising. In the UK, we offer a variety of services that are not available in other countries.
What Other Links Do We Have?
When we were first formed as Wycliffe Associates (UK), we only served Wycliffe UK. Gradually, however, our trustees came to adopt a wider vision. The services that we offer can be of use to people working with a variety of other mission organisations as well as Wycliffe. Accordingly, although we still do most of our work for Wycliffe UK, we now co-operate with many other missions and Bible Societies including WEC, Operation Mobilisation, the United Bible Societies and many other individuals and organisations. We are glad to serve each of these groups and we are always ready to serve others too.
For further details about these and other organizations with which we have links, please click on the button below.
External Links
Our policies
These policy statements have been developed to ensure that we conform to the requirements of the Articles of Incorporation under which we operate. They are reviewed annually by our leadership team and trustees. Please click on the button below to select and read each policy.
Our Policies
