This is the opening phrase of Camino's vision statement, as well as the attitude and approach for field ministries and strategic initiatives. We serve the Church with a capital C, meaning the North American Church, the Spanish-speaking Church, the global Church. Everything we do is filtered through this lens.

When we talk of a shared journey, we're referring to the fact that Camino sees Spanish speakers not merely as a target of ministry, but as co-laborers for global transformation and impact.

All Camino missionaries serve on a team, typically with a minimum of three and a maximum of six missionary units (singles or couples). Specific team functions depend on the team’s assignment and location. 

Camino teams are called "T2 Teams" (or Transformation Teams) because of the two types of transformation that team life seeks to emphasize. In order to DO the work of disciple making for our context (making disciples among and with Spanish speakers globally), we first need to BE disciples committed to an intentional process of formation. This team-based field structure emphasizes community, spiritual formation, care for “one another”, and a local level of responsibility for the majority of decision making on the field. In essence each member seeks to become a mature disciple of Christ while making disciples through their life and ministry.

Each T2 Team has a leader who is directly accountable to the Director of Field Ministries. The Team Leader is chosen by the team and approved by the Director of Field Ministries. The Team Leader facilitates the delegation of the various team responsibilities in consultation with team members, and according to their gifting and ability. All team members actively participate in the continual care and development of one another through frequent communication, peer mentoring, mutual accountability, and prayer.

In Latin America, the term cancha is translated as a sports field (in Spain the word used is campo). And of course, for the culture, what sport would it be other than futbol (soccer)?

Camino missionaries use the soccer field as a simple visual to help frame their ministries. The illustration serves to emphasize that every missionary plays a key position on their team in achieving the mission and vision (goals). They have the freedom to operate creatively from their gifts and strengths on a large "playing field," while at the same time constrained by the clarity of mission, vision, core values and organizational culture.

In order to catalyze the Church toward global mission, Camino is committed to developing and deploying the resources necessary to effectively equip local churches to transform their communities and reach the world.

Camino's research, training and resourcing initiatives will be a globally coordinated effort of online and off-line strategies, infused with innovation and new tools, to equip the Church for maximum impact among and with Spanish speakers globally.

Camino's core value of compassion drives us to approach the needs of a broken world holistically as a practical expression of discipleship. Compelled by the compassion of Christ, we will see and care for the needs of the whole person, loving unconditionally and giving of ourselves for others.

Yet, while the word holistic is a great word, used extensively in missions today, it can sometimes relegate our understanding of practical application to a subcategory of support ministries, or ministries that focus primarily or exclusively on physical needs. Camino uses the word integral to convey the completeness of our focus on the needs of the whole person.

Additionally, the word holistic does not have a great direct translation in Spanish. Better for our ministry context is the idea of ministerio integral (integral ministry).

Luke 10:25-37; James 2:15-17; Mic. 6:8

Camino is committed to the overall well-being of its missionaries and teams. Member Care is mutually living out God’s love to us and through us, and occurs through normative, proactive, crisis and restorative care. 

T2 Teams are responsible to provide pastoral care for their team members. Camino supports team leaders in this responsibility by providing training and specialized help through the Director of Member Care and a global Missionary Care Team.

The Missionary Care Team provides:

• Missionary candidate assessment
• Pre-field training and coaching
• On-field pastoral care
• Services for missionary children (MK's) including retreats and transition counseling
• Personal coaching and counseling
• Referrals for missionaries who experience crisis or need professional counseling