The Mandate
Some of the last words of Jesus were "Go with the Gospel to all parts of the world". Initially the leadership who took the church to the "uttermost parts" came from Western Europe. For the last century both the financial resources and the personnel have primarily come from North America.

God's remarkable redemptive plan has taken root around the globe. In some areas a significant proportion of the population now testify to being Christian. In others there is only a trace of commitment. But, in all areas there continues to be an emotional and economic dependence on "the west" to provide resources for church growth.

Unless the church in every location can eventually fund its own future, there will always be a severe limit on its potential for outreach. International Steward is designed to educate and train Christian leaders in the Biblically-based design for comprehensive ministries of stewardship.

The Beginnings
In the mid-nineties opportunity was granted through Youth for Christ International to teach small segments of fund development principles to nationals giving leadership to reaching young people around the globe. The consistent message heard from these dynamic leaders was, " We have unparalleled opportunity for ministry growth but can't do it unless you folks from North America help us more financially". This resounding chorus prompted the birth of International Steward in the heart and mind of Dr. Charles Roost.

The Challenge
The dependency reality has been true since day one of modern missions. The church in "the west" has funded the birth of the emerging church around the world. Now that new church struggles to grow with the limitations of "birth funding". Remarkable talented leaders from "every nation and tribe" are frustrated by the lack of financial resources.

Can "the west" fund more? Probably! But is that a realistic and desirable solution? Probably not...it only continues the limiting dependency!

Unless the emerging church begins to fund itself, there will always be the limitation of "birth funding." More importantly, unless God's people in every city, hamlet and tribe experience the joy of stewardship and the grace of giving they will live a fractured Christian experience.