Missions teams in SEND

SEND believes strongly that teams are a highly effective way to engage unreached people, but just as in sports, not all mission teams are alike.

Here are three kinds of mission teams you may find in SEND ministries:

The Basketball Team — BT
In basketball, five players work very closely together. They have to keep close tabs on each other, hand off the ball, watch each other’s backs, and get that ball down the court to the basket.

Members of a “BT” SEND team work closely together and interact constantly with each other about the goal. They probably live near each other and target the same people or the same neighborhood.

The Track Team — TT
A track team has a common goal, but each individual runs alone. Teammates may do relays where they hand off the baton from one to another, or they may run side by side, jumping hurdles. Their goal is to take the prize, and everyone wins together.

A “TT” SEND team works side by side and each individual is somewhat independent. The team has a common goal: evangelism and discipleship of least-reached people in their area. Teammates gather for team meetings, but may minister more as individuals. In some cases, they work as a tag team, with one team member engaging the unreached, another doing evangelism, another discipling new believers, and others establishing a reproducing church. Each is important to the team and everyone wins together.

Expedition Teams — X-TEAMS
X-Teams have at least two members, a guide and an explorer. Together they learn how to penetrate new areas or find creative ways to uncover new possibilities in places already explored. An X-team is small and nimble, takes calculated risks, and connects deeply with the local culture.

An “X-Team” in SEND is a SEND missionary and an international leader working closely together in ministry. Depending on the situation, the SEND missionary may be the guide or the explorer, but the bottom line is, it doesn’t matter who leads. X-team members understand that comfort and home are secondary in this intense partnership for God’s glory. They know their goal — engaging the least-reached and establishing reproducing churches. Because they come from different backgrounds, it can be risky, but it’s exciting and everyone wins together.

Additional Posts

By SEND media Team August 4, 2026
Choosing a Missions Organization: Why SEND International Stands Out “Why should I be a missionary through SEND International?” Jenna, a new missionary in Eastern Europe, shared with us what she appreciates about working with SEND. The highlights for her are: - Devotion to prayer - Diligence in communication - Commitment to development - Intentionality in accountability Prayer “Back in September of 2022, the Lord reconnected me with SEND after I had met them a year prior at the Moody Bible Institute. However, before he would sign me up for anything, my Missions Coach encouraged me to pray. He said something to the effect of, "I know that you've been praying on your own for a long time. But as the Church, we are not called to walk alone. So, you and I won't talk for about a month unless you have questions. I want you to go pray with 5 or 6 others from your church about where God is calling you." That October, more than 10 friends prayed with me and we saw God answer as He directed me to Romania. From February 2024 to November 2025, I had the pleasure of being a part of team meetings in Romania with my SEND colleagues. Our meetings were four hours long, two for prayer and two for business. This has been the minimum for our team. There are also prayer meetings with the local churches we partner with, among smaller groups within our team, of course prayer with many of you across the pond, including those at our US office. The organization was built, has been sustained, and continues to run on prayer. This is my favorite thing about SEND. Communication As I mentioned above, we have a two hour block for business / ministry details in each of our meetings. This provides consistency across our team which works alongside three different churches and in a variety of ministries. It also helps us to communicate about the need for change or growth, alongside what is working well. In addition, my team director also meets with each of us, allowing us to communicate needs, considerations, and prayer requests. I've also enjoyed getting to work with SEND workers outside of my immediate region . We receive emails with the minutes from the Europe leadership team, Friday communications from our international director, and information regarding projects that affect our work among the unreached. In December of 2024, our international director at the time wrote a note to my parents for the first Christmas that I was gone. If nothing else had convinced my mom yet, this did. He took the time to care for me, but also to care well for the parents that were sending me (What it meant to my dad and mom for him to do this well has been one of the greatest ways I've been supported.). I also have some pretty wonderful regional directors. These people have prayed alongside us (while also serving in their own countries of service), they have taken time to come visit and encourage our team, and they have also taken the time to encourage the people in our churches. Development SEND has provided much in the area of development and care (spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally). At our regional conference (every three years), there have been medical check ups available, counseling options, and time for connecting with others on the field with similar experience. At our conference last October, I connected with a missionary who served overseas for many years, and is now serving on the administrative side of SEND. She has met with me since then for mentorship and has also invested much of her time recently in preparing a retreat for the singles across Europe. Accountability Over the years I have read and heard amazing stories of how God has worked through missionaries. God has done great things and great things He is still doing! However, people who have committed their lives to the Lord in this way are not “super Christians”. We are still humans with the same struggle against flesh that others have . A major challenge is in being isolated -- living in areas with little to no presence of other believers to sharpen them can cause many difficulties. SEND has been a great resource in this area too. Through my team, I have an accountability partner that I meet with monthly. When my regional director came to visit, he and his wife spent a day with me and asked intentional questions about how I lead, handle conflict, and how I am growing in general as a Christian. In addition, my teammates share their wisdom with me on a regular basis. These things and more have assured me that SEND International is a highly valuable organization and I'm excited to partner with them in service to, for, and with our great God! Interested in being sent by SEND?
By SEND Media May 11, 2026
Learn about the spiritual harmony in Vietnam & how missionaries engage with college students. Join us in sharing the gospel!
By SEND Media May 11, 2026
Explore Georgia's spiritual heritage and the impact of SEND International's mission. Join us in fostering authentic relationships today!
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