Frequently Asked Questions

The focus of Serving Workers for the Harvest is to serve God’s workers, who are actively serving the Lord in their specific ministry. While each ministry is unique in where they work, how and to whom they minister, each ministry's focus is intentional in their message of evangelizing/reaching people for Christ, discipling/equipping believers, and encouraging growth to multiply/reproduce.

While SWH  was officially organized in January 2022, the ministry background and a number of key leadership and field staff go back many years to a ministry of training church leaders in the Soviet Union and the Soviet bloc countries of Eastern Europe in the 1980’s and 1990’s.

SWH is a rapidly growing organization with numerous ministry staff in the USA and overseas, and a host of Joint Ministry Partnerships in various countries.

Domestically, we work with established grass-roots ministries who are seeking support and guidance from a 501(c)3 organization that is able to help them grow their ministry, hold them accountable and will provide the legal and administrative support for financial management.  We also work with individuals who are in the process of establishing a local ministry.

On an international level, a typical scenario is that we work together under a Joint Ministry Partnership Agreement with a national church, group of churches, NGO or a denomination. Generally the assistance they need is help in strategizing for evangelism/church planting, equipping/training for this work and help in financing the training and ministry.

SWH’s executive team all are qualified and committed to serving the Lord.  Our President has dedicated 40+ years of his life to the ministry both on and off the field. Our Chief Executive Officer also has 10+ years of on and off the field experience working both with ministries and business, and our Chief Financial Officer/Office Manager has spent 23+ years in the non-profit sector, focused on financial and legal compliance while working with domestic and international ministries.

SWH has established formal Joint Ministry Agreements (JMA) with NGOs in Ukraine, India, Nepal, Latvia, Kenya, Chad and in West Africa. SWH also collaborates and interacts with many mission organizations whenever necessary.

SWH's ministries are Decentralized or "field driven", with each ministry having considerable autonomy in planning, funding and implementing their respective ministries (with the assistance and oversight of the 'SWH Ministry Link').   However, our business office is Centralized, providing administration, financial management, ministry reporting and accountability.

We are committed to being good stewards of God's resources, practicing financial accountability and transparency in all of our activities.

SWH is a member in good standing with Evangelical Council for Accountability (ECFA), adheres to the stringent membership of ECFA’s Integrity Standards for nonprofits, and holds each of its partner ministries to the same high standards.

SWH is required to have an annual audit performed by an independent CPA, who also prepares and submits our 990 tax return annually. SWH is also in full compliance with Federal and State government regulations.

SWH has adopted an Accountable Expense Reimbursement Plan (AERP) which details the requirements and responsibilities that allow for reimbursement of monthly ministry expenses. Requests for distribution of funds are evaluated and compared to budgets, approved and distributed to ministry partners according to pre-arranged instructions. Ministry partners are required to substantiate all expenditures according to IRS, ECFA and the AERP. SWH leadership and/or its representatives will also perform periodic field audits.

All ministry leaders and missionaries are required to attend and participate in a scheduled orientation session at the beginning of their time serving with SWH.  Follow up sessions are then conducted during the following year.  These are meant to address such things as evaluating fund raising strategies, discussing ministry progress and challenges, and answering questions or concerns regarding processes and procedures.

We do not have our own formal missionary training/cross cultural ministry training program as we are simply too small. Therefore, we seek to work with ministry leaders and missionaries who already have experience, and we generally link them up with a mature national ministry leader who can help them in their orientation process. If needed and appropriate we help missionary candidates to attend a training program offered by a larger or specialized mission.  For those returning from the field, we strongly encourage attending a formal debriefing seminar conducted by organizations that specialize in this area.  We recommend working with Mission Training Int'l (MTI) of Colorado.

Language proficiency varies greatly from one ministry field to another.  When a high level of proficiency is needed we advise missionaries to connect to organizations and programs that specialize in language training.

Our goal and desire is to assist the local churches in sending their people out into the fields – whether they are a local ministry or as international missionaries. We encourage the sending churches to be very much involved with their missionaries and ministries.

The answer to this question varies from one ministry setting to another.   Generally, however, we expect our missionaries to work with the local or national church, assisting them in carrying out 'The Great Commission' where they are serving.

Each ministry has a Field Ministry Director who oversees that ministry and also serves as team leader.  The Field Ministry Director makes job assignments (considering the desires and abilities of the team members, along with the ministry's needs).  If there are disagreements within the team, or with a team leader, the SWH Ministry Link for that ministry is called upon to help resolve the disagreement.

The ministry activities of SWH's ministries are not proprietary or exclusive to SWH.  While we are all working for the purpose of reaching the world with the Gospel, whenever the opportunity occurs to collaborate with other missions or ministries, we must consider the following: agreement on basic points of doctrine, and like-mindedness or common ministry interests.

We expect that our missionaries will continue studying and growing, but not necessarily through formal education. We do accommodate staff that require additional and or formal education to increase the effectiveness of their ministry.

Ministries and potential ministries submit a Ministry Partner application, are interviewed and evaluated for compatibility with SWH’s purpose and programs, and required to attend Orientation where they learn the fundamental elements of accountability and integrity and their relationship with SWH.

SWH ministries are required to present an annual ministry plan and budget, which are then reviewed and approved by the Executive team.  Accountability is maintained through periodic ministry and financial reports, prayer/newsletters, field visits as possible and reports from the national ministry leaders. Wherever security is not an issue, the SWH Ministry Link corresponds regularly via email and monthly phone calls.

Serving Workers for the Harvest adheres to the stringent membership standards of the ECFA and holds each of its ministry partners to the same high standards.