Here’s the backstory to these words that comes from rugby, which shapes the culture of GTP.

Rugby is a rough team sport. Players must work together to move forward. When a player runs down the field with the ball, so that he knows he can toss the ball to a teammate, that person runs behind and shouts, “With you!”

Board chair, René Palacio, loves the “With you!” focus of GTP. In his first meeting as chair, he recounted how it matches the famous African proverb: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

Hoag adds that these two words also appear in many famous verses of Scripture, most notably in the Great Commission text quoted above.

So, this “With you!” culture has two dimensions. Vertically with God, we remind one another regularly that Christ is with us and we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength.

Horizontally with each other, we remind each other that we are running together with these words. When we send emails to each other, we respond, “With you!” though miles and time zones separate us.

After the Global Gathering, the staff, board, and regional facilitators determined that it was time to invite the world to join us in this global work. We pray everyone responds: “With you!”

Our vision is faithful stewardship and peer accountability increasing local support for God’s work in every nation. But we can’t do it alone. The next chapter in our history may include you.

Be the gatekeeper for your country. Engage your regional facilitator. Join the global movement. Confess, pray, and fast with us. Take the step and hear our Lord whisper, “With you!”