When John and Beth began searching for a mission organization to partner with in cross-cultural ministry, SIM USA’s commitment to living by prayer, supporting missionaries, and partnering with local churches immediately stood out.
John and Beth now serve with SIM USA in the Middle East, living as Christian witnesses in a least-reached community and meeting tangible needs.
“At SIM USA, I see what you read in Scripture—meeting needs like Christ and His disciples,” John said. “There are lots of organizations that do good things, but at SIM we meet needs in order to proclaim the gospel.”
How Does SIM USA Live “By Prayer”?
Living “by prayer” at SIM USA means that prayer shapes everything we do—our decisions, our ministries, and our daily lives. It reflects our dependence on God for guidance, provision, and fruitfulness.
“By Prayer” is not just our motto at SIM; it is how we live and serve. This happens through individual prayer, corporate prayer, and the prayers of supporters around the world.
When trials arise, SIM office workers and remote teams come together in devoted prayer, seeking God as one unified body. Each week, we hold regular departmental prayer meetings where we lift up both SIM-wide and personal prayer requests, interceding for one another, our ministries, and the people we serve. These moments of collective prayer strengthen our community, deepen our reliance on God, and remind us that we are never alone in this work.
SIM USA has a dedicated Prayer and Celebration team—a passionate group of workers who intentionally read and respond to every prayer letter from our missionaries. They faithfully lift up these requests in prayer, celebrating answered prayers and walking alongside our missionaries through every challenge.
“Everybody is so appreciative when we write and say we’re praying for them, and to know that the organization cares, and that their God cares,” Susan, the SIM USA Prayer Coordinator said.
Prayer shapes not only what we do, but who we are.
How Does SIM USA Send Missionaries?
SIM USA partners with individuals who are sent by their churches. Our workers remain connected to their sending churches, which support and pray for them, while receiving SIM’s specialized training, guidance, and long-term care.
This partnership reflects our belief that strong local churches are central to God’s work. Rather than replacing the church’s role, we support missionaries and their churches as they journey together in global ministry. This partnership is illustrated beautifully in Sam and Amanda’s story.
When Sam and Amanda began looking for a mission organization to partner with them in ministry in Angola, they were led to SIM USA. Through conversations with our staff, they gained a clearer understanding of how the church and the mission agency work together, each fulfilling a distinct and complementary role.
The local church sends and spiritually supports missionaries, while the mission agency provides the practical training and expertise needed for cross-cultural life and ministry.
When Sam and Amanda approached their church about being sent, the congregation responded with joy and a willingness to learn. Though new to sending missionaries, they embraced the opportunity to walk alongside the couple as their sending church.
Today, Sam and Amanda serve in Angola, sent by their church and supported by SIM USA. Through this partnership, the church has grown more engaged in global missions, and Sam and Amanda are deeply loved, prayed for, and supported as they serve.
As SIM USA missionaries serve in teams around the world, they are nurtured and sustained by their sending churches. This works hand in hand with the expert training and guidance provided by our U.S. office.
What Makes SIM USA’s Home Office Support Unique?
SIM USA’s home office support is unique because it surrounds workers with care, guidance, and practical assistance at every stage of their journey—from early discernment through application, preparation, and long-term overseas service.
This approach is one of the distinctives that make SIM USA a place where missionaries can thrive. Our mobilizers help workers navigate overseas service by providing personalized training, cultural and language preparation, and long-term care.
- Missional Coaches walk alongside believers who are exploring missions, helping them discern where God may be leading.
- Application Coordinators guide individuals through the application process, helping them identify the right ministry opportunities and locations for their gifts.
- Integration Coordinators partner with approved applicants to create personalized training and preparation plans, support their transition overseas, and provide guidance during the first years of service.
- Care Facilitators maintain long-term relationships with workers, offering ongoing support as they serve abroad for many years, even decades.
- Additional Support Staff, including Personnel Deputies, Budget Managers, and Field Administrators, manage the logistics and practical details so workers can focus on ministry.
Together, this team ensures that every worker is supported, reflecting SIM USA’s commitment to effective ministry.
“I love the way SIM USA cares for its people,” Matilda, who serves in the Middle East, said. “I know they have really great member care, and that’s what drew me to them.”
John and his wife, Beth, noticed this same culture of care during their visits to the SIM USA office.
“Just rubbing shoulders with all the people in the office, hearing their stories of where they served, and seeing that it was not just on a coaster or coffee mug. It was being lived out,” John said.
Home-based workers Jose and Janeen even noticed this support from online interactions.
“A lot of organizations we looked at didn’t have good online information. SIM had so much,” Jose said. “Other organizations didn’t answer us when we reached out. But SIM responded to all of our questions.”
From practical guidance to long-term care and support, SIM USA’s home office ensures that every person feels ready to serve. Whether through in-person encouragement, long-term mentorship, or even a simple online exchange, we are committed to journeying with you.
Why Does SIM USA Emphasize Discipling Local Churches?
SIM USA prioritizes discipling the local church because we recognize that strong, healthy churches are central to carrying out God’s Great Commission.
For John and Beth, this distinction was central to their decision to serve with SIM USA.
“The thing that really solidified it for us was SIM’s focus on equipping the local church, and their understanding that the local church is the bride of Christ,” John said. “Ultimately, the goal is to see a thriving local church. That was crucial for us. And when we heard that was a heavy emphasis of SIM—partnering with existing churches and planting indigenous churches—that was a huge aspect.”
This focus is rooted in Scripture, which calls the church to make disciples who can advance God’s work. As Ephesians 4:11–12 reminds us, leaders are given to prepare Christians for ministry, for building up the body of Christ. Likewise, Acts 2:42–47 shows that ministry rooted in the local church, through teaching, fellowship, prayer, and community, produces lasting growth as God adds to His church.
Equipping the local church and meeting real needs layer the foundation for enduring ministry. By investing in local believers and communities, SIM USA ensures that the ministry of the gospel continues long after a project is completed or a worker leaves the country.
This commitment to lasting transformation is at the heart of another key SIM USA distinctive: long-term impact. We place a strong emphasis on serving churches and meeting real needs because lasting ministry happens in the local church.
How Can I Serve with SIM USA?
If God is leading you to serve cross-culturally, SIM USA can help you find a pathway to use your gifts, skills, and experience for His glory. The first step is prayerfully considering what He wants you to do and where your passions and abilities intersect with needs around the world.
This phase is about exploring the many ways to serve, whether through traditional ministry roles, Alternate Pathways, or short-term opportunities.
Consider attending our Connect event, designed for potential workers and churches to learn more about global missions. Here, you’ll spend time in worship and reflection with others discerning overseas service, learn more about the journey from experienced workers, and seek God’s will for your future.
Learn more about serving with SIM USA here.
Names have been changed for the privacy and safety of our workers, ministry partners, and those we serve.
Maggie Watts
Content Creator
I am a Content Creator with SIM USA. It is a joy to use writing and multimedia to glorify God and tell stories about how He is working around the world.