We didn't chose World Team.

It's more accurate to

say that we chose each other. Our paths crossed on several
The third of four letters occasions. Eventually we realized it was no accident. We are now
explaining our decision to convinced that working with World Team is also our best path to France.
choose World Team as
our sending agency.
We are no strangers to missions, or to missions agencies. In our first letter we
gave you some of that history. It's made us careful in our choices. We are older and
Vision: wiser, with a better understanding of our own capabilities and calling.
Our first introduction to World Team came in 2000, in France. While there on
Innovative teams a paid vacation, we spent a couple of days with World Team missionaries from our
multiplying disciples home church. They had been a church for over a decade and were still meeting in a
hotel because the govenment wouldn't al-
and communities of low them to have their own building. They
believers, bringing the invited us to return and attend the annual
Paris Prayer Conference.
Gospel within reach In 2005, we flew back to Paris for the
of lost people Praying over the town of Cergy-le-Haut
conference. We met the rest of the team of
church planters and what struck us about
everywhere in the outskirts of Paris.
them was their authenticity. Their pas-
we go. sion for God and heart for the people of France created a willingness to lock arms
with other missions agencies in France and confront spiritual darkness head on.
And they knew how to pray!

(R.A.C.E.) Reciprocal Assessment & Candidate Evaluation

In October of that year we attended ten days of candidate evaluation at World
Team headquarters. It was there we realized the French team wasn't alone in its
passion, or in its mission. World Team exists to glorify God by working
together to establish reproducing churches focusing on the unreached
peoples of the world. Theirs is a mission statement we resonate with.

Core Values
For a comprehensive
In our dealings with World Team over the last few years we've seen the
look at our sending following core values taught clearly—and lived out consistently:
agency, including
their rich history, • The Gospel – is the message we are called to share. It directs and shapes every aspect
please visit: of our lives and ministry.
www.worldteam.org Easy to say—harder to do. During our visits to France we witnessed the purposeful
way in which our future teammates lived their lives. Their homes were open and
their lives were on display. Carol and I want that kind of home, and welcome the
chance to follow their lead and come alongside the culture, living the Gospel in
such a way that curiosity eventually drives our unbelieving friends and neighbors
to ask, "What is it about you…?"
 Devote yourselves • Pdependency
rayer and Worship – are the expressions of our dedication to God and our total
upon Him to intervene in our lives and work.
to prayer, being We are at our most productive when our focus is on a relationship with God,
watchful and thankful. and His glory, rather than on each other—or even on the needs of the world.
World Team's focus on prayer and worship will help keep us on the straight
And pray for us, too, path to productivity.
that God may open a • Interdependence – is the essence of our working together within the Body of Christ
door for our message… expressed in teamwork and partnerships to extend God’s Kingdom.
"Team" isn't in their name by accident. We were confronted personally with
Pray that I may their emphasis on interdependence during R.A.C.E.. Those of us attending were
set a task and given four days to accomplish it. The goal was primarily to deter-
proclaim it clearly, mine how well we functioned as a group, and what specific giftedness we brought
as I should. to the table. The results determined whether we were invited to join with them.
– Colossians In France, they are not a bit bashful about partnering with other missions
agencies, and when we move to France, we will be employees of the government
4:2-4 approved corporation, France VIE., a collaboration between World Team and
others who share their passion for the unreached.
• Developing and Releasing Leaders – is the most effective and biblical means
of preparing national leaders and missionaries.
One of the passions we share with World Team is mentoring. One of our goals
as church planters will be to start churches that start churches. This will
not happen without a purposeful attempt to grow local leaders to eventually do
without us. One of the joys awaiting us is the opportunity
World Team's current to work alongside young French church planters that are,
focus is church planting themselves, the fruit of World Team's efforts in France!
in unreached areas in 28
countries and 59 people We are honored beyond words to be given the oppor-
groups around tunity to work alongside these people of faith, commit-
the world. ment and vision. We are eager to join in
the church planting work taking place in France.

One More to Come!

In our next (and last) letter we will share with you several ways you can become a
part of what World Team is doing in France. Watch your mailbox! But, you don't have to
800-967-7109 wait to receive the last letter. Check out our blog: www.parisbarrs.blogspot.com.
1431 Stuckert Rd. Better yet, we'd love to sit down over coffee or talk with you over Skype. Give us
Warrington, PA 18976 a call! For now, we thank you for your interest and hope to talk to you soon.
www.worldteam.org
Until next time!
Russell & Carol Barr
913-393-1373 • parisbarrs@gmail.com
www.parisbarrs.blogspot.com