We are committed to developing strong, self-sustaining national churches. The pastor and his family live among their people at the standard of living of their community. We provide a full-time salary the first year and then gradually decrease the amount each year as the local church of new believers takes on the responsibility of their pastor’s salary.
We support indigenous pastors in their own countries working among their own people. In this way, language and cultural barriers are non-existent and the message of the Gospel can spread more quickly. The ministry continues even during a political upheaval or natural disaster. Our focus is global; we do not support church planters in North America.
Visits to the pastors by our Director Steve Wheeler is an important part of the accountability provided by White Fields.
We choose men who work with the accountability, oversight, and encouragement provided by a local sending church, denomination, or missionary team. We work through committees composed of an indigenous field director, missionaries, and local pastors and businessmen. These committees review, personally interview, and select pastors who are already trained and ready to begin planting a church. Our Executive Director and International Board give final approval for all support.
Our vision is that the White Fields approach will be recognized and embraced as an efficient way for North American Christians to personally participate in advancing the Great Commission.
White Fields supports pastors who already know the language and have grown up in the culture where they will serve. This alley in Japan illustrates how trying to share the gospel in a foreign language can be tough.
The neighborhoods and locations served by pastors sometimes require them to live among the people in very difficult situations.