Long Term Mobilizers at Congregations
Who are Mobilizers?
Mobilizers are shared staff members on our Long-term Mobilization team under the For the Nations department. They serve as a point of contact for congregation members regarding interest in serving among the nations, and can also help with questions about advocacy teams, short-term trips, associated trainings, and other For the Nations related information. They provide answers where they can or make connections to the person on our For the Nations team who can best help.
What do Mobilizers do in Congregations?
One key way mobilizers serve congregations is through Sunday lobby presence. Mobilizers are 'welcoming experts' and a typical welcome conversation starts with the following model.
- Intro - Welcome
- Spiritual Interest - When did Jesus break into your life?
- Connection - Are you connected to an Austin Stone group?
- Discover Nations Interest (if mature believers)
Of course, this is just a general outline, and every conversation looks different depending on how the Holy Spirit leads and the situation of the person being welcomed. If Jesus has not broken into their life, mobilizers will share the gospel with them and/or connect them to someone who will read the Bible with them. If they are not connected, mobilizers will help connect them to an MC or service team, while also mentioning appropriate and relevant FTN opportunities such as a 10-week DMI or a short-term trip.
Mobilizers are available for congregation staff meetings if needed, but FTN prefers limiting their attendance to key congregation meetings, given the mobilizer's non-strategic role for congregation planning. Mobilizers are also happy to help train Welcome team members on tools to start intentional conversations.
Since lobby presence is a key way mobilizers serve congregations, they are not available to serve on other congregation service teams like production, parking, KIDS, etc.
How Can Congregations Partner With Mobilizers?
Congregations can help mobilizers by letting them know about partners and attendees who share things that might indicate nations interest or involvement. Nations interest could look like interest or involvement in studying overseas, working overseas, or serving overseas.
Please direct people interested in organizations or programs like the World Race, stinting with Campus Crusade (Cru), Student Mobilization (StuMo), Baptist Student Ministry (BSM), Peace Corps, studying abroad, etc., to our team before they pursue those things.
Mobilizers desire to walk with potentially interested people to support and affirm them throughout their discernment of God's leading. Our goal is to help partners thrive in living out their God-given purpose and to see God glorified in their lives. Additionally, mobilizers, elders, and For the Nations leadership all care deeply that people serve amongst healthy teams or communities. Due to our experience in partnering with various organizations and teams across the globe, we have the unique ability to evaluate health, strategy, and viability in ministries working cross-culturally.
For the Nations Mobilization Key Contacts
Long-Term Mobilization Leaders
Point of contact for long-term mobilization and ministry pipeline conversations. These are your contacts for any partners preparing for or interested in the field.
- Brad Ashby: brad.ashby@austinstone.org
- Abby Hoey: abby.hoey@austinstone.org
For the Nations Director
Point of Contact for congregation leaders regarding equipping opportunities, training classes, FTN promotions, FTN speakers, and goer-related data or specific goer information.
- Cheryl Barrett: cheryl@austinstone.org