Missions sending from Brazil: Spotlight on Crossover Communications International (CCI-Brasil)

Following posts on Missão Antioquia and PM International, we'll consider one more Brazilian missions organization committed to sending laborers to the Arab world--Crossover Communications International. The following is taken from pp. 186-88 of Brazilian Evangelical Missions in the Arab World:

In 1987, Crossover Communications International was founded in the United States by Bill Jones and João Mordomo with a vision to “see God glorified among all peoples.” Initially focusing on short-term missions from North America, CCI began to emphasize sending long-term workers to Eastern Europe and to the former Soviet Union in 1990. In 1995, CCI began work in Moldova and, after a successful decade of church planting efforts, CCI Moldova was established in 2006 in order to send Moldovans in mission. Currently, CCI has offices in the United States, Australia, Moldova, and Brazil.

Recognizing the great missions-sending potential of the Brazilian church, CCI-Brasil was founded in 1996 by Mordomo and a Brazilian pastor. In 1999, the group sent its first Brazilian workers to Turkey and, presently, CCI-Brasil’s sole focus is mobilizing Brazilians for ministry in the Muslim world. Driven by the motto “we love God; we love God’s global glory,” CCI-Brasil’s core values include authentic Christian living, biblical authority, and world evangelization. Also, the group emphasizes reaching Muslim people groups, pioneering church planting, and establishing local ministries out of those churches.

What does CCI-Brasil offer in the way of pre-field training? Mordomo shared, “We do not have a formal training program. Rather, we assess where a candidate is and seek to fill the gaps of their training. Given the needs, we can offer training in Bible, spiritual life, and professional
business-type training. Some of these needs can be met through partnering organizations closer to the candidate’s home city.” He continues, “If needed, we may ask a candidate to come to Curitiba for two years and be a part of a two-year program that includes Biblical training, missiology, church planting experience (inside of Brazil), and business and professional training. We have started a business consultancy to meet this [latter] need.” Also, twice a year, CCI sponsors a Muslim ministry training week in the Southern city of Foz do Iguaçu in which participants receive classroom training on Islamic theology and culture as well as practical training in meeting Muslims at the local mosque and in the community

[As of 2009] CCI-Brasil [had] sent eight Brazilian workers to serve in five different Arab-Muslim countries. Also, there is a team in Foz do Iguaçu that ministers to Arabs locally, but also facilitates the Muslim ministry training just mentioned. In terms of ministry strategy, CCI’s priority is on church planting movements among Muslims—a ministry that implies a great emphasis on evangelism and discipleship. They’re also committed to prayer and partnering with other existing mission efforts in a region. Finally, in light of its convictions concerning tentmaking and transformation in mission, CCI-Brasil has been quite innovative in developing
Business as Mission strategies.