Six Core Values of GEM Explained

Over the past six months, GEM Canada shifted from producing regular monthly blog posts to producing monthly newsletters focused on our six core values. Now that we’ve concluded the series, we’ve combined our written efforts into this one blog post.  

Let’s dive deeper and explore the heart of our organization.

COMMUNITY 

Imagine having a dream to start something new—perhaps a ministry or home church—and having no support. No encouragement, no advice, no help of any kind. Perhaps God placed this endeavor specifically in your heart to do, and of course nothing is impossible for Him, but could you imagine how valuable it would be to have someone else in your corner?  

After all, God created us to be in community with each other:

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. 
But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. 
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. 

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

As one of Greater Europe Mission’s six core values, community is highly valued. GEM not only ensures that new workers are connected with field leaders and fellow workers but has also created Impact Zones to facilitate collaboration between workers—further equipping them to be more effective in their work. 

“We decided it was time to start Impact Zones because we were aware that there were loads of people who would be helped by some specific coaching, support, connection, and/or resource around the area of ministry they’re focused on,” says GEM CEO Jon Burns. 

Currently, GEM has 14 Impact Zones ranging from Creative Arts to Justice, from Sports & Fitness to Refugee Ministries, and from Business to Education. Such a wide range of zones allow those with similar ministry interests to connect and grow. Having access to that support also promotes more effective disciple-making within the area of our strengths.   

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” 

Hebrews 10:24-25

Romans 12 tells us that although we are all part of the single body of Christ, we each make up many different parts, playing our own unique and different roles to benefit the greater whole (12:4-5). God gave each of us different strengths, interests, and passions, and it’s up to us to use those for His glory.  

While Impact Zones are a great tool for connecting workers around Europe, joining one isn’t a requirement. Some GEM workers find their own community within their area of service, whether through connecting those from other organizations or among local disciple-makers in need of community. Further, nearly all GEM workers live and serve alongside a local GEM team, allowing them an accessible community of support.  

The goal is to not be alone. Community within the body of Christ is vital to our longevity and keeping our passions fueled. 

TRANSFORMATION

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.” 

Romans 12:1-2

We, as believers, are called to represent and demonstrate the values and practices of God’s Kingdom in whatever context we find ourselves. Everything we do should be done out of reverence and worship to our King!  

As one of Greater Europe Mission’s core values, transformation is vital to the effectiveness of our work. We want to see God’s Kingdom expanded through our people, and we know that we can minister best to others out of our ongoing and holistic transformation by the Lord. 

You may have heard the phrase “You will know them by their fruit”, taken from Matthew 7:16. As we represent and demonstrate the values and practices of God’s Kingdom, others will take notice. The transformation we go through in surrendering our lives to God produces this fruit—evidence that we are in a healthy relationship with Him and have forsaken our old, worldly selves.  

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self-control radiate out of us as we allow Him to renew us—gifts that this sinful and desperate world will take notice of! 

This is why GEM prioritizes transformation in its workers. A person with a healthy relationship with God becomes a light in the darkness or a ray of hope for the hopeless. So, if a worker finds themselves struggling in their walk with God, GEM offers help! With ministries including GEM Wellness and the Spiritual Life Team, and with ongoing development opportunities, there is ample support for those on the field, allowing them to continue being a light. 

We want our workers not just ‘talking the talk’, but also ‘walking the walk’. We want to hear stories of people approaching Christians asking why they’re different. 

So, whether we’re parenting, bookkeeping, evangelizing, singing, or whatever it is that we do, when we are transformed through Christ, all that we do should glorify Him—it’s in our very makeup as His children. 

PASSION

Think of a time when you received an amazing gift. Did you have an impulse or desire to tell others about it? That’s how we believe our response should be to receiving the gift of salvation. Once we’ve experienced the life-changing power of God’s love, we want others to know about it, too!  

Passion—one of Greater Europe Mission’s core values—plays an important role in our work. We’re passionate about seeing the lost saved and disciples multiplied. We feel an urgency to see the people of Europe meet Jesus and grow in their personal relationship with Him. 

 As disciples who make disciples, we desire to be used by the Lord to expand His Kingdom in Europe. Our hearts break for those who haven’t yet chosen the path to freedom in Christ, and while we pray for God to move in their lives, we meet them first where they are at.  

In places like the Camino de Santiago in Spain, where visitors come specifically to find answers to life’s hard questions, setting up a food truck that offers rest and refreshment is the perfect location for telling others about God. 

Sharing the Good News isn’t always so straightforward, though. Often it looks like a progressive building-up of trust in a safe place before those conversations can happen.  

Some GEM workers join local sports teams or set up coffee shops to help break barriers, build relationships, and make disciples with those in their community. It takes patience to establish trust and see the fruit of their labour. 

What keeps these efforts going is the diligence and passion in GEM’s workers to persevere, even when hearts remain hard and progress appears slow. Being fuelled by grateful hearts and joy in redemption, our workers press on, knowing that it is ultimately through—and because of—God that their work is accomplished. 

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Isaiah 40:31

HUMILITY

At Greater Europe Mission (GEM), we believe humility is more than a virtue—it’s a calling. As followers of Christ and workers in His Kingdom, we are called to follow His example and serve others, honouring them above ourselves. This disposition is foundational to how we engage with the Body of Christ and the communities we serve across cultures. 

“For the Son of Man came not to be cared for. He came to care for others.”  

Matthew 20:27

Humility—one of GEM’s six core values—characterizes how we need to relate cross-culturally. Whether we’re working with partners, teammates, or the communities we hope to reach, our approach should stem from humility. It enables us to listen, to learn, and to lead through love rather than authority. 

Understanding others is an important aspect of humility. There’s a saying that GEM appointees often hear when preparing to serve overseas: “It’s not wrong… it’s just different.” Stepping into a country with a completely different culture can be a shock, and we can inadvertently fall to judgment when viewing unfamiliar customs or behaviours. But humility teaches us to pause, ask questions, and recognize that our way isn’t the only way—or even the best way. 

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”

Ephesians 4:2

It’s important for new workers to dedicate their first year to cultural adjustment and language learning before diving into ministry. This period of watching and learning is a powerful act of humility. By choosing to learn first, our workers build a foundation of understanding and respect that will help establish any future relationships. As trust grows, so does the opportunity to share the hope of Christ in ways that resonate deeply. 

“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge in the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” 

Galatians 5:13

Humility is the way of Jesus—He washed feet; He welcomed outsiders; He laid down His life. As GEM workers, we aim to follow in His footsteps. We recognize that humility opens doors that pride would keep shut. It allows God’s love to shine through us. 

Whether we are navigating cultural differences, serving on a team, or walking alongside someone on their faith journey, we choose to serve humbly in love. Not because it’s easy, but because it’s Christlike. 

LEADERSHIP

How can we encourage our global workers to stay motivated and effective in their work? 

When GEM workers are sent to their serving nation, we not only ensure they aren’t alone in their work, but that there are leaders in place to encourage growth and accountability.  

“For lack of guidance, a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers.” 

Proverbs 11:14

GEM has different tiers of leadership, all to offer help, encouragement, and, if needed, guidance and correction. We strive to lead people to fulfill our mission and vision and reach their maximum individual God-given potential. The goal is to ensure our workers are doing well in the task God has led them to carry out—thriving as individuals, families, and GEM workers.  

This is why leadership is one of GEM’s core values. 

When someone chooses to follow God’s call to serve missionally, it doesn’t mean they have all the answers—none of us do! However, through leadership and collaboration, they can deepen their faith, become more effective in their efforts, and cultivate greater wisdom.  

We are all continually growing in our faith and obedience to God, whether we remain in our ‘passport nation’ or serve missionally overseas. We’re all familiar with the seasons of ambition and progress but also seasons of fatigue or unproductive efforts.  

Our hope is to increase our workers’ motivation and endurance. We want them to see the fruit they’ve been praying and preparing for. Global workers are human, so of course there will be dry or difficult seasons. GEM leaders are passionate about walking through these seasons with them, hoping to bring them back to their shining potential. 

STEWARDSHIP

We believe God is our ultimate provider and that everything comes from Him. Most often, we see His provision through the generosity of people.  

At Greater Europe Mission, we are committed to stewarding these gifts wisely and responsibly. 

First, let’s define provision. It’s easy to assume that it refers only to finances, but that’s not the case. It can be a person offering their skills to meet a need, or food being donated to those in need, or even a rental space that has become available for an oversized home group. 

How do we steward these spheres of provision well?  

GEM Workers: 

One of the main areas of GEM’s provision is its people. God has provided workers willing to devote their lives to the furthering of His Kingdom in Europe. We steward this provision by helping them discover and maximize their unique contributions to this effort. We ask hard questions and encourage one another. We don’t want our workers becoming complacent or straying from where God wants them. 

Offering services like GEM Wellness for their overall wellbeing and Impact Zones catered to their giftings/interests, we strive to see our workers thriving and not just surviving in their countries of service.

Finances: 

Keeping our ministry active is its financial provision. Knowing that each monetary contribution given in confidence to our organization is given from a place of sacrifice and generosity, we understand the importance of stewarding it well. 

We intentionally handle these funds to the best of our ability, with as much as possible going toward their intended purpose. We are transparent in how our money is spent—our financial statements can be found directly on our website.  

Community: 

Our relationships with other organizations are not something we take for granted. We humbly understand that there may be areas of weakness or strength that we can share with others, helping us, and others, to grow as organizations. Ultimately, we are all working toward the same goal—to advance the Kingdom of God here on earth, and He has called us to be in community with others.   

We are grateful for every sacrificial gift provided to help further God’s Kingdom. By continuing to manage our time, finances, relationships, and responsibilities entrusted to us and our workers transparently, we endeavor to steward the trust of supporters to the best of our ability.