What does it take to succeed in ministry? Particularly in a cross-cultural context?

As I think about the past twenty years, and my experiences in Europe, Africa, and North America, I remember the faces of the people who took time to invest in me—the national mentors who understood the long road of cross-cultural adaptation that I would face, but were also convinced of the potential and value of collaboration for Kingdom purposes. Caring friends along the way; this is what one needs to succeed in ministry. Jesus was such a friend for his disciples. They wanted to shake the dust off their feet to curse an entire village. Or avoid Samaria because of their prejudice….but Jesus showed them another way. As Sartre reminds us, others are watching. ELAN wants to be all of that—friendships that enable one to succeed in ministry. In Jesus, through Jesus, and for Jesus.