Our desire at International Missions Support (I.M.S.) is to utilize the training and experience that we have to instruct, develop and assist others to minister more effectively. 

VISION

 The vision of IMS is to see emerging leaders raised up to successful ministry, to see missionaries and indigenous leaders equipped and encouraged in their ministries and to see strong, biblically-based congregations developed for engaging their unreached friends, neighbors and communities.

MISSION STATEMENT

Our purpose is to equip and support both experienced leaders and emerging leaders to enable them to minister more effectively, utilizing their giftedness, fulfilling their calling and developing other leaders.  Our primary emphasis is to minister to those leaders who otherwise lack the opportunity or the ability to obtain the quality leadership training, encouragement and support that they need to fulfill their ministries (Ephesians 4:11-16; Proverbs 13:23). 

Our desire at IMS is to utiilize our past experiences combined with our attitude of being life-long learners to provide the most effective instruction to those we serve. In keeping with this, Leon is finishing a MA in Global Leadership and the Missional Church at Fuller Theological Seminary. They have also networked with Chesapeake, Virginia, based Leadership Training International, which has developed an extensive training curriculum consisting of twelve modules for training leaders worldwide.  Leon and Teresa are certified L.T.I. trainers and have taught various modules in India and throughout Mexico.  They also do personalized and specialized seminars for churches and leadership.

ENCOURAGE

We firmly believe in relational ministry and our heart is to become personally involved with the pastors, missionaries, and leadership to whom we minister.  This enables us to encourage them effectively through prayer, counsel, and just being a listening ear.  On numerous trips, we have returned feeling that while God was gracious and blessed the public ministry done during the trip, the most important work was done in listening and encouraging the leaders whether it be in their personal ministry challenges, their marriages, difficulties with their children, financial strain, or problems back home.  

SUPPORT

The support aspect of I.M.S. can be realized in physical, emotional, and financial ways.  We desire to assist pastors and missionaries with hands-on help in every aspect of their ministries. We see numerous ways of doing this. For example, we went and temporarily supervised a local church in Mexico so that their missionary/pastors could return to the United for their son’s wedding and be at peace knowing their ministry was in good hands during their absence.  Another practical example would be to visit a ministry and be present when a pastor announces a major change in the leadership or vision.  This type of support offers stability that missionaries do not always feel, being separated geographically from family and familiarity. Emotionally, support comes through visits, phone calls, ongoing prayer, and counsel when there are particular difficulties going on within a ministry.  And financially, as a non-profit corporation, I.M.S. serves by channeling designated funds in their entirety to missionaries and by personally helping selected missionaries financially as well as by soliciting funds for them.

VALUES

There are certain core factors that we anticipate will be the foundation for our ministry effectiveness, stability and consistency.   It is our desire to be an example of the kind of leadership we hope to instill and inspire in those we serve, based upon these core values:

• Integrity: living our lives as authentically as possible, adhering to the highest moral principles and professional excellence.  Honesty, truthfulness and reliability are essential pillars to our integrity and our desire is to be "an example by doing what is good.  "In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us" (Titus 2:7-8, NIV).
• Humility: living our lives transparently and modestly carefully avoiding the temptations of pride and taking the credit for what God alone deserves, as he is working in and through us. "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves."
• (Philippians 2:3).
• Sacrifice: extending our lives to serve these leaders by surrendering our lives to the Lord, laying aside our own ambitions and inconveniencing ourselves for the benefit of others.  "I beseech you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, pleasing to God, which is your reasonable service" (Romans 12:1, NKJV).
• Love: demonstrating in our words and our deeds the love, the affection and the passion that our heavenly Father has for each one of his children.  We are especially sensitive to both the younger, less experienced leaders and more experienced, hurting leaders and desire to be a part of their maturing, healing and walking in the fullness of what the Lord has for them. "You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature ; rather, serve one another in love.  The entire law is summed up in a single command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself'" (Galatians 5:13-14, NIV).
• Generosity: as much as is possible we will serve the under-privileged leaders without charge for our services.  We believe the Lord who has commissioned us will provide the support we need through those who are also captured with our passion and support our work.  We are called to give in the same spirit with which Jesus served. "One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.  A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed" (Proverbs 11:24-25).
• Faith: walking in faith, we will strive to remain faithful to the Lord and what he has called us to do and we will trust his faithfulness in taking care of us and watching over all our affairs.  "But rather seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you. Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom" (Luke 12:31-32, NKJV).
• Interdependence: we will pursue networking with other ministries and organizations, appreciating and collaborating cross-culturally with indigenous leaders, partnering in ministry endeavors and building the unity of the church whenever and wherever possible, as is appropriate for the covenant community of the Body of Christ.  "Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,  so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.  We have different gifts, according to the grace given us" (Romans 12:4-6, NIV).
• Dependence: our experience has taught us that we must always be dependent upon the Holy Spirit to accomplish what we have been called to do, to have any meaningful impact in advancing the kingdom of God and to leave a legacy worthy of serving the Lord.  "And may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope through the power of the Holy Spirit" (Romans 15:13, NKJV).