Partnering



Partnering In The Gospel
By Karen Jensen

The world is on the heart of God. The world is on the lips of Jesus when He prays, "I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world . . . My prayer is not for them alone, I pray also for those who will believe me through their message" (John 17: 6, 20). Jesus left the future of the kingdom of God in the hands of a few men and women who would reproduce their lives spiritually.

In 1996, my husband and I drove to the windswept mesas of Northeast Arizona to visit a Navajo church. Delphina Bedonie Johnson, a young Native woman, extended a warm welcome and openly shared her desire to grow in Christ. From that early connection, Delphina and I developed a mentoring friendship. For over six years we have grown closer to the Lord and to each other.

Delphina and I are partners in the Gospel, sisters in Christ, and kingdom builders! The circle of influence from Delphina's witness on the reservation has transformed her family and many students in her church and community.

What are the lessons I am learning about cross-cultural partnering? The acrostic "p-a-r-t-n-e-r" may help focus on some important elements.
  • Participate-Leave your "comfort zone" and enter another culture to observe, listen, learn, serve, and love.
  • Affirm-Acknowledge by attitude and action the dignity and value of every person.
  • Reflect-Process seriously what you are learning, seek wisdom and understanding.
  • Trust-Submit to another's care and influence with confidence and hope.
  • Need-Acknowledge that something required and desired is lacking without this relationship.
  • Envision-See a compelling image of an achievable future that is possible in God's power and grace.
  • Release-Give others "roots" but also "wings" to fly on their own and fulfill God's purposes.
Open yourself to the world.
Karen Jensen and her husband, Hal, serve with The Navigators' Native American Ministry. Karen is a Women's Director in her local church and mentors cross-culturally among the Navajo and Apache. Karen loves to travel, study, teach God's Word, and mentor one on one. Her greatest desire is to be "a sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place" (2 Cor. 2:14).