Making Disciples of All Nations for Nineteen Years
In 1989, Ralph and Cheri Brune began NMSI with a vision, zeal for the Lord, and a group of wonderful support partners. Within the first five years, several foundational values emerged:
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A deep and abiding love for the Lord and concern for those without a chance to hear about Him.
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A realization that God desires all people to come to Him.
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An understanding that if God desires all people to come to repentance and commands us to go to them, there must be a way to accomplish His command.
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A desire to be effective in ministry while being appropriate within the specific context.
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The belief that a fluid organizational structure, intentionally decentralized, could best deliver the Gospel in today's world.
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The knowledge that true accountability is attainable and that it flows out of trust.
Phil and Gwen Hudson were recruited by Ralph into NMSI upon their return from Kenya in 1993. The Brunes and Hudsons were friends and co-workers in Kenya in the 1980’s.
On November 1, 1998, the NMSI board accepted Ralph’s resignation from the board and from his position as President of NMSI. After Ralph’s resignation, the Board appointed Phil Hudson as President and CEO of NMSI. Phil led the mission through the leadership transition and the move of the office from California to Florida. He continues now to guide the mission in its growth, to maintain a vision for new ways of building Christian community among Jesus’ followers globally and to facilitate those disciples to Biblical, holistic outreach.
Ralph’s initiating vision and the enthusiasm of those who have since carried out this vision has produced a mission with significant work in 27 different countries. Striving to have each person grow spiritually into Christ-likeness, NMSI has remained relevant and effective in the midst of a rapidly changing world. A foundational belief within NMSI is that God envisions Christians globally with the desire to reach their neighbors with the Gospel. NMSI sees its calling as helping Christians globally put ‘feet’ on their dreams. NMSI works with local churches or believers and will only accept a call to places where we can add value or freshness to their ministry that is not otherwise available to them.
In the past nineteen years, NMSI has ministered in 28 countries on six continents. We currently have full time missionaries residing in 27 countries. These missionaries, while predominantly Americans, are from 18 nationalities.