In 2006 Frontier Fellowship (formerly Presbyterian Frontier Fellowship) and The Outreach Foundation, two mission organizations that have been serving Presbyterian congregations for many years, established a strategic alliance for the purpose of creating a new missionary-sending structure. This strategic alliance was subsequently named The Antioch Partners (TAP) and became operational in 2007.  Though TAP is now a separate 501(c)(3), TAP continues to work closely with both Frontier Fellowship and The Outreach Foundation.

In this rapidly changing world and in our rapidly changing Presbyterian context, the leadership of both Frontier Fellowship and The Outreach Foundation believed more was required to facilitate those being called to serve in global mission than could be done by any one national church structure – more leadership, more flexibility, and more creativity. Thus, TAP was launched to expand opportunities for Presbyterians (and others) in long-term, cross-cultural, incarnational mission service.

TAP partners with local churches in the recruiting, assessing, training, sending, and supporting of long-term mission personnel. As people are being discipled in local churches, learning about God’s global purpose in Christ and experiencing what it means to serve Jesus in the world, TAP comes alongside and helps send those who are being called by God to long-term, cross-cultural, incarnational ministry. As this call is confirmed and affirmed by their local churches, TAP provides expertise to help these servants get from where they are now, to where God is calling them to be.

No.  There have always been TAP Partners who are not from Presbyterian churches and we welcome this (about 25% of the TAP Partners are not from Presbyterian churches).  Furthermore, as we engage in the world, we engage first and foremost as followers of Jesus, as citizens of God’s kingdom, not as representatives of any denomination. 

The Antioch Partners works with many PCUSA congregations, is a mission partner of ECO (the Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians), and an approved agency of the EPC (Evangelical Presbyterian Church). 

Missionaries are serving in Latin America, Africa, Europe and Asia, as well as in the U.S. among not-yet Christian immigrant communities.

Decisions about who should serve and where are made in consultation with global partners, the missionaries themselves, supporting/sending churches, and appropriate mission leaders. Two important priorities for TAP are working among unreached and least-reached peoples and strengthening the missional capacity of global partners. In terms of working among unreached and least-reached people groups, we are just as open to working among such people groups in North America and Europe as we are in the 10/40 Window.

Missionaries serving through TAP are responsible for developing their own support teams, including prayer and financial support. TAP is committed to assisting in this process, and TAP actively works with local churches who are interested in partnering with missionaries as a part of their witness in the world.

Most of all, we need people praying with us. Join us in holding the TAP Partners up in prayer, and ask God for wisdom and so strength so we, the TAP Support Team, can serve the Partners well. You can also join the support team of a specific TAP Partner. Some existing Partners need additional support, and there are new TAP Partners raising their support who would be blessed to have you join with them. If you are interested in supporting a Partner prayerfully and financially, contact us and we will help you do this. Finally, you can give to the operating budget of TAP (this is what enables us to serve the Partners). Contributions can be sent to The Antioch Partners and marked “TAP Operating Fund,” or visit the “Giving” section to see how to give online. 

Why did we choose this name? Glad you asked! The church at Antioch was the place where the gospel first exploded among the Gentiles, and through the power of the Holy Spirit the church at Antioch had a significant impact on the city (which was amazing in and of itself, because Antioch was notorious for its immorality). In fact, it was at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians (Acts 11:26), literally “Christ-ones” or “Christ-persons” (apparently, because their lives reflected Christ so clearly!). But, the church at Antioch didn’t just impact its own city, they had a vision for the world. As the missionary statesman Dr. Ken Bailey has expressed, “Antioch is the spiritual home of the Pauline apostolic band that sees visions and dreams dreams and follows the guidance of the Spirit to the ends of the earth.” Not surprisingly, the church at Antioch became the base for Paul’s three missionary journeys. You can probably see why we are excited to have this name!