Matthew Martin, Communications Manager explains how we are connecting our mission family with the UFM portal
I am an unapologetic Apple enthusiast. Twice a year, during Apple’s highly anticipated launch events, I find myself filled with excitement. It’s the moment when Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, accompanied by his team of sun-kissed Californian executives, takes the stage to unveil the latest in mobile and computer technology.
Tuning into the live-stream on my trusty, four-year-old iPhone, I eagerly await the big reveal, often followed by the iconic phrase, “This is the best iPhone we’ve ever made.”
As I comfort my aging but still capable device, it’s clear that Apple’s consistent messaging has served them well, leading them towards a staggering $3 trillion valuation.
It’s about gospel progress
This year at Summer Conference, something arguably more exciting unfolded. We took to the stage to introduce the UFM Portal. Although our audience wasn’t comprised of millions of global fans, we were joined by an enthusiastic group of mission partners and supporters, eager to see how UFM plans to enhance practical support for those spreading the gospel worldwide.
God has equipped us with the tools, vision, and know-how to communicate more effectively with our mission family. This way, they can focus more on building his kingdom and less on administrative minutiae. Similar to Tim Cook’s annual declaration about iPhones, we too want to demonstrate that, by God’s grace, we continually seek to improve on equipping and empowering our mission family with the best viable technology while stewarding our resources wisely. Our aim is to return to each Summer Conference with the phrase, “We are supporting you better.”
The road ahead
We don’t have Apple’s vast resources. We rely on faith in God and the evolving digital landscape to create the UFM Portal without complex, expensive in-house development. Initially, the portal will offer basic financial reporting, expense requests, directories of mission partners and staff. In the coming months, we’ll expand its features, including enhanced financial reporting, administrative functionality, prayer requests and various resources.
Our vision is to expand the UFM Portal into a comprehensive tool that efficiently manages the financial, resource administrative aspects of cross-cultural mission. This tool, supported by a dedicated support team, benefits mission workers worldwide by connecting them with a broader mission network, offering adaptable, scalable, and costeffective software for their ministry.
This potential extends beyond mission partners. UFM’s core aim is to assist gospel-hearted churches in identifying, training, sending, and supporting cross-cultural mission workers. Greater visibility of mission work not only fosters accountability but also enhances engagement between partner churches and their mission workers, as well as with crosscultural missions in general.
Please continue to pray for us as we explore our role in majority world mission sending including the digital infrastructure required for this purpose.