A new kingdom partnership

East-West and NEXT Worldwide Pursue the Great Commission Together

How can we multiply our efforts to glorify God among the nations? It is this strategic question that has led to an official partnership between East-West Ministries International and NEXT Worldwide. 

Both East-West and NEXT exist to glorify God by making disciples among the nations. This shared calling cultivated discussions surrounding potentially joining together starting in the spring of 2018. After eight months of prayerful consideration and diligence in exploring the potential impact of working together, this partnership is effective January 15, 2019. 

 

East West East WestNEXT Logo

“Our partnership with NEXT Worldwide has impressed upon me God’s heart for unity among His body. We are excited to join in ministry together with our brothers and sisters in the family of God. With great prayer, I eagerly expect the Lord to leverage both the strengths of East-West and NEXT for God’s great glory in the spiritually darkest areas of the world!”

-Kurt Nelson, President and CEO of East-West

“It has always been my desire for NEXT to have a deep commitment to kingdom partnerships. I truly believe we get more done for God’s glory working together toward the same aim, and I am convinced that laboring with East-West is our most strategic and unified kingdom partnership to date. To God be all the glory for the eternal fruit resulting from our joint pursuit of the Great Commission!”

-Wes Searcy, President of NEXT Worldwide 

FAQs

Why are East-West and NEXT Worldwide coming together?

Since each their inceptions, both East-West and NEXT Worldwide have desired to work in tandem with likeminded ministries for the expansion of God’s kingdom. As conversations around this partnership began in 2018, it became clear that working together would accomplish two shared aspirations. First, our partnership will honor Jesus Christ’s prayer in John 17 that his disciples would be unified for the Father’s glory. Second, it will foster more strategic opportunities to reach the unreached, a shared vision and hope of both East-West and NEXT Worldwide.

How was this decision made?

Since the start of conversations in spring 2018, East-West and NEXT Worldwide leadership have bathed this partnership opportunity in prayer. Additionally, we’ve engaged in multiple conversations, weighed the pros and cons of working together, hired an outside firm to assess the partnership, and brought the opportunity to both of our Boards of Directors for their wisdom and final vote.

All of these steps have confirmed the Lord’s leading in partnering together in pursuit of making disciples of all nations.

Where is the home office?

The partnership will operate as East-West Ministries International with headquarters at The Hope Center in Plano, Texas. Our physical address is 2001 West Plano Parkway, Suite 3000, Plano, TX 75075.

What happens to NEXT Worldwide missionaries?

All NEXT Worldwide missionaries are fully integrated into East-West. As such, they are now referred to as East-West missionaries.

Can I still support a former NEXT Worldwide missionary?

Yes! All former NEXT Worldwide missionaries will continue in their ministry as East-West missionaries. Beginning January 15, 2019, their ministry accounts will move from NEXT to East-West. To continue supporting their gospel work, it is crucial for you to update your giving information at www.eastwest.org/give by March 1, 2019.

How do I continue my recurring support of a former NEXT Worldwide missionary?

We’ve made it easy for you to continue supporting your former NEXT Worldwide missionary with a recurring donation! Simply follow the steps below to update your giving information with East-West by March 1, 2019

  • Visit eastwest.org/give or use the direct link to your missionary’s donation page. Your missionary can provide you with this information.
  • Fill out your gift amount information and include your missionary’s name in the “Special Instructions” box unless you are using their direct donation page link.
  • Select “Monthly Gift” as your donation option and select the exact day of the month you would like your monthly gift to be processed.
  • Select “Continue as a Guest” and enter your email address. You will receive an email from East-West with instructions on how to set up your giving account.
  • Complete the Contact Info, Billing Information and Payment Method sections. Once completed, click “Submit” to process your gift.
  • Once your gift is submitted and you follow the steps to set up your giving account, you can visit eastwest.org/donor-portal to manage your gift, communication preferences, and contact information and to view your giving history.

If you have any questions about your recurring gift, please call our donor care line at 972.941.4484.

Will my recurring gift automatically be transferred to East-West?

For legal reasons, we are not able to automatically transfer your gift. By March 1, 2019, you will need to follow the steps below to set up your recurring gift with East-West to continue your monthly support of former NEXT Worldwide missionaries. If you have any questions about your gift, please call our donor care line at 972.941.4484.

  • Visit eastwest.org/give or use the direct link to your missionary’s donation page. Your missionary can provide you with this information.
  • Fill out your gift amount information and include your missionary’s name in the “Special Instructions” box unless you are using their direct donation page link.
  • Select “Monthly Gift” as your donation option and select the exact day of the month you would like your monthly gift to be processed.
  • Select “Continue as a Guest” and enter your email address. You will receive an email from East-West with instructions on how to set up your giving account.
  • Complete the Contact Info, Billing Information and Payment Method sections. Once completed, click “Submit” to process your gift.
  • Once your gift is submitted and you follow the steps to set up your giving account, you can visit eastwest.org/donor-portal to manage your gift, communication preferences, and contact information and to view your giving history.

How do I make a gift to a NEXT Worldwide mission trip participant?

While NEXT Worldwide is integrating into East-West Ministries International, you will be able to continue to register for 2019 NEXT trips and donate to trip participants through the NEXT Worldwide/Pure Charity websites for this trip season. (For donations to mission staff transitioning from NEXT Worldwide to East-West, follow the directions in the section above and donate through the East-West website.)

How do I make a one-time gift to a former NEXT Worldwide missionary or to their general ministry?

  • Online: You can visit eastwest.org/give and follow the above steps to make a one-time donation by simply replacing the “Monthly Gift” selection with the “One-time Gift” selection.
  • By mail: You can mail a check to 2001 W. Plano Parkway, Ste. 3000, Plano, TX 75075. To designate for the mission of NEXT, in the memo line, please list: For the ministry of NEXT; to designate for a missionary, in the memo line, please list: For the ministry of .
  • Stock: To make a gift of stock, please contact our Financial Services department at 972.941.4470.

I’ve recently given to NEXT Worldwide. What happens with those funds?

The intent of your gift will be honored as the organization continues with the same vision of making and multiplying disciples of the next generation through the vehicles of church planting missions and missional leadership training.

Will East-West continue focusing on ministry to the unreached?

East-West’s vision and mission has not changed as a result of this new partnership with NEXT Worldwide. We still exist to glorify God by multiplying followers of Jesus in the spiritually darkest areas of the world and will leverage NEXT’s strengths in raising up future generations of missions leaders to reach the unreached with gospel hope.

Contact Us

Please complete and submit the form below to contact us about the new partnership between East-West and NEXT Worldwide. We look forward to hearing from you and answering any of your questions!