What are Sending Teams?

A Sending Team is a group of people who are committed to connect, pray, and minister to HBC missionaries who are serving overseas.

Sending Teams:

• Maintain intentional communication with the missionary so that they never feel that they are “out of sight, out of mind.”
• Meet regularly to pray corporately for their missionary.
• Facilitate communication for prayer and care, especially with the urgent and crisis potentials of the locations where our missionaries serve.
• Are the first line of hospitality for the missionary when they are in the area, being available to help in their re-entry of the area.
• Provide care support such as sending birthday, anniversary, and holiday cards; emails; videos; and care packages.

Do you have to be a member of HBC to serve on a Sending Team?

Because of the security measures we take to protect our missionaries, as well as the expected level of commitment, Sending Team membership is for regular attenders and members (having gone through New Connections) of HBC. Team membership is limited to HBC members only for teams of missionaries in restricted access countries.

What are the expectations of a Sending Team member?

When you join a sending team, you are committing to: pray regularly for the team’s missionary and their work; make attendance to team meetings a priority; and participate when possible in your team’s ministry to the missionary through prayer, ongoing communication, and other means of encouragement.

In what ways do Sending Teams provide opportunities for individuals to serve our missionaries?

When you are part of a Sending Team, you will receive the latest information and developments on what is going on with our missionaries (even more current than what is published in their newsletters), which will enable you to practice regular, informed prayer. Sending Team meetings provide opportunities to join with others and pray corporately for the missionaries, and they will often do a video call or phone call during the meeting.

Teams will often find other ways to encourage the missionaries while they are overseas. They may send cards and other communications from the team or may send a care package in which team members are invited (but never required) to contribute.

When missionaries visit the U.S., Sending Teams take up the role of making sure the missionaries’ needs are met—from loaning car seats and providing transportation to/from the airport to setting up the missions house with a few food items until they have a chance to go shopping.

There are several roles within the Sending Teams ministry for which you can also volunteer, including hospitality, communications, newsletter mailings, and technology help. Speak with Sending Team leaders about specific needs within their team. Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you are interested in serving as a tech volunteer for any Sending Teams that may have a need, or to find out more about this role.

Are Sending Team members required to give financially to their missionary?

Sending teams are created specifically to meet the needs of the missionaries both spiritually and emotionally, but not financially. Their financial needs are met appropriately by fiscal decisions of the church leadership and by budget vote of the church congregation.

How do I join a Sending Team?

Click on this link to visit our sign-up form. Once you have submitted your request to join a team, you will be contacted by the Sending Team leader to confirm that you have been added to the Sending Team’s roll. You will then receive emails about meeting schedules and prayer needs for the missionary.

How long is the membership commitment for a Sending Team?

Sending Team membership is a one-year commitment to a particular team rather than an indefinite time commitment. After this one-year commitment, an individual is welcome to stay on the same team or join another team. This enables HBC members to come into contact with more missionaries and learn about a variety of exciting ministries all around the world.

The “one-year commitment” is considered to end during the annual Missions Conference, which typically takes place in October. Therefore, all changes and renewals normally happen during Conference. However, new members to Sending Teams can join at any time.

How many Sending Teams is someone allowed to serve on at one time?

You may join as many teams as you are able to faithfully commit to serve on at one time.

What can I expect at a Sending Team meeting?

These meetings will provide an opportunity for you to engage in corporate activities you could not duplicate at home. There may be opportunities to video chat with your missionary, cook international foods that reflect your missionary's favorite cuisine in their ministry context, or even bombard your missionary's email inbox with prayers and words of encouragement while overseas.

How often do Sending Teams meet?

Sending Teams usually meet four times a year, and some meet more often. To find out about a specific team’s meeting schedule, connect with the Sending Team leader by clicking here.

How do Sending Teams benefit our missionaries?

• Sending Teams promote direct contact with the church body.
• Sending Teams prevent missionaries from “falling through the cracks.”
• Sending Teams provide for many of their (non-financial) needs.

How do Sending Teams benefit our church?

• Sending Teams create a greater focus on missions.
• Sending Teams get more people involved with missions at HBC.
• Sending Teams emphasize sent missionaries.
• Sending Teams help shoulder some of the burden on the staff to meet the needs of our missionaries.

How can I find out more about HBC Sent Missionaries?

Each of our missionaries (sent and supported) has a display in the Hall of Faith (near the library) that tells about their field and ministry. They also provide newsletters that are printed and added to their displays. Contact their Sending Team leader to find out how to request to be added to a missionary’s email list.

Why don’t all HBC missionaries have Sending Teams?

Along with the missionaries sent out from our church we have chosen to strategically partner with missionaries sent out from other churches. These are our “supported missionaries.” We stay in touch with them, love them, and pray for them but we do not want to try to take the place of their own sending church. We trust and pray that their sending church will head up the role of caring for their sent missionaries’ needs as we do ours. You can visit our Missionary Hall of Faith to find update letters with the most recent information and prayer requests for all our missionaries.