Leading Through Volatility: Embracing the Beauty and Benefits of Global Partnerships

In life, there are some benefits and beauties that we do not see until they are uncovered by tragedy. Curfew was ten minutes away, and I was still minutes from home. I was alone in my car with a song playing on the radio when I began my left-hand turn across an intersection. Thinking I had the right of way, I pulled out in front of an oncoming car. I was wrong. We collided. When the tire screeching stopped, I found myself in a crumbled mess of a car. Walking away from the chaos of the car crash awakened an appreciation for wearing a seatbelt. I would never have described a seat belt as beautiful, but what it did that night for me was beyond beautiful. Hardship and pain have a way of uncovering beauty we have never seen or appreciated before. 

“Under the pressure of this cultural moment and a sense of upheaval, I am finding the beauty and benefits of global partnerships shining all the brighter.”

Chicago, where I am a pastor, recently made the news because there has been debate around sending the National Guard to assist with immigration enforcement. As you can imagine this raised tensions in our city. This was only intensified with the assassination of Charlie Kirk. As this unsettling predicament of volatility and divisiveness sets in, I look for wisdom and strength to lead with clarity and conviction. Under the pressure of this cultural moment and a sense of upheaval, I am finding the beauty and benefits of global partnerships shining all the brighter. 

My aim is to encourage you to invest in global partnerships before turmoil strikes. We live in an age of what feels like constant uncertainty. Building global partnerships seems great, and you have on your list to prioritize once “things” settle down for you. The truth is “things” rarely ever settle down, and if they do, it does not last for long. So let me show you three beautiful benefits of global partnerships that should propel us toward growing and deepening our relationships with global ministry partners.

Prayers That Comfort

As a pastor, I have grown to realize that sometimes the most comforting words I can speak are not the words I speak to a brother or sister in crisis, but the words I speak to God for my brother and sister in crisis. 

Like a tulip that closes up in the cool of the night, we have a tendency to close up when difficult seasons come upon us. The most visceral experience of the true distance between our global partners and ourselves can be in the midst of a trial. We come up with all sorts of excuses to neglect global partnerships in the midst of a crisis or challenge. There may be a shepherding issue that has been all-consuming or a church budget shortfall that requires all of your time and attention. We do not share our burdens with others because we do not want to add to someone else’s burdens. Or we may think that we simply do not have time to share because the crisis requires all of you. We may not share with our global partners because our problems seem trivial, or they may seem so enormous that it seems foolish to even talk about circumstances ever changing. Asking for prayer is an act of faith and trust.

The prayer of another brother or sister can be the balm the soul needs in the midst of a trial. An entire congregation praying for another congregation can do more healing than any amount of money or time could accomplish. We should, therefore, respond to Paul’s exhortation to pray and ask for prayer: “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison” (Col 4:2–3).

Learn to covet the prayers of your brothers and sisters around the world. Learn to share boldly and let others into your situation because they have the words to pray that you have not found the faith to pray yourself. 

Perspective That Calibrates 

Historical and theological perspectives are both benefits of global relationships. Our global partnerships with churches around the world have great insight into theological truths that have brought them clarity, wisdom, and help during similar seasons of tribulation. They may also have warnings to heed from their own missteps and challenges. Similarly, Scriptures instruct us to learn from previous experiences and truths: “Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. Therefore, let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor 11:11–12).

It can sometimes feel like we are the first to ever experience the trial we are experiencing, but most likely, the church in another part of the world has already navigated the waters we are now navigating. It is a temptation to respond with panic and fear, but hearing from global partners can help calibrate our response to the difficult circumstances we face. 

Provision That Catalyzes 

It is a blessing to be on either side of generosity. It has been humbling to be in a position where our church has been able to send aid to other churches facing persecution or responding to a natural disaster. What I have often witnessed is that the meager provisions we send are used to catalyze the church’s mission. Such was the example of the Macedonians, supporting the Jerusalem church in their affliction (cf. Rom 15:26–27; 2 Cor 9:2). 

Chaos can be catalytic. Provisions of equipment or funds from a partner can be the match that starts a fire of mission in the church. When we hear of war and disaster abroad, we may want to help, but if we have not already built bridges, our response will be delayed and may not get to the most strategic places. 

The Opportunity 

The military uses a term VUCA to describe the battlefield as volatile, uncertain, chaotic, and ambiguous. These are apt descriptions of our world today. Global partnerships have a way of steadying us during these moments. Do not wait until you are in turmoil to start building global relationships. Start small and focus on the relationships you already have. Create rhythms of regular communication, take time to visit them, and trust that God will open doors for new partnerships.