Engaging Our World - Learn

Our Approach to Missions

We use a multi-faceted approach to reach the nations and involve our people where their gifts and talents can be used:

1: A servant-hearted approach

We pursue international partnerships with indigenous ministries that are effectively impacting their own cultures. Our goal in partnering is the development of people and systems, focused on biblical principles that will do more than provide relief of short-term needs.

We seek to meet spiritual needs along with material needs, connecting our “good works” with the Good News of Jesus Christ.

2: Involving our people corporately

Watermark corporately invests deeply in a few regions, rather than scattering our efforts broadly. Our External Focus staff coordinates short-term trips to serve with our various partners in different regions, and our body can be involved from home through prayer, financial support, and specific projects.

Regardless of where our service takes place or the form it takes, we see international involvement as a chance to disciple our own people, even as we seek to impact others.

3: Individual involvement as God leads

As with ministries here in DFW, we encourage our members to discover, research, and build relationships with international ministries beyond our formal partnerships. By investing their time, talents and treasures in ministries as God leads, our people are meeting spiritual and material needs worldwide.

Core Values for Discipleship Trips

• The good news should always accompany good works- as we serve, we want to provide for people’s spiritual needs while meeting many other needs. We want to work through, empower, and support local (indigenous) churches and ministries.
• We focus on developing people and restoring systems- not just on providing relief.
• As we seek to disciple others, international trips are a powerful opportunity to disciple our own people as well.

Why is membership required for trips?

While we encourage anyone to invest in needs around the world, Watermark’s short-term discipleship trips are reserved for those who have chosen to go “all-in” with us through membership. Why?

First, those who go are representatives of both Christ and our local body of believers, and they’re participating in projects and relationships that Watermark has been building for many years.

Second, we know that it’s important for people to have community around them who can help them process this opportunity, help them prepare, and pray for them throughout the process and during the trip.

Third, it’s important for people to get plugged into service locally before they seek to use their gifts and talents overseas.

Finally, we truly want to disciple participants through the preparation, the trip itself, and the follow-up after the trip. Membership is important for the commitment and accountability involved.