Engagement of Locals is a priority for EMAS Canada. Our goal is to walk alongside our local partners in ways that honor their leadership and support their initiatives for ownership and long-term sustainability. Fostering respectful and meaningful relationships with them is important to us.
The Apostle Paul and his team walked alongside the Colossian believers, respecting existing leadership and responding to an urgent need, while giving the local leadership the leeway to apply the message about Jesus in their own context. A delegation had traveled far to seek advice and assistance from Paul’s team now living in Rome. The issue was weighty; the uniqueness of Jesus Christ was being challenged in a church who had no scriptures, and whose members had not met Jesus’ inner circle of leaders. After much deliberation, it was decided to respond by a letter to be hand-delivered by a team tactfully chosen to include one member of the receiving community from the diaspora.
The letter not only contains some of the best information for the study of the person, and work of Jesus Christ, it also gives practical guidance on domestic and workplace relationships. While being respectful towards and affirming local leadership, the advice was both personal and ex-cathedra. An associated, but more personal letter to the same community, illustrates how strong relationships with local leaders are critical to demonstrating the gospel. By including Onesimus in the team to Colossae and Philemon, Paul challenged the prevailing worldview on slavery, but left the details of application to Philemon and the local believers. (You can read about it in the book of Colossians and Philemon)
When our partners in Asia wanted to start an apprenticeship program, they reached out to us with an idea. Our Canadian team listened carefully, and agreed to honor their leadership giving them a free hand to manage resources trusting their knowledge of the local context. The success story is shared in May 2026 EMASSARY. By investing in the marginalized, our partners in Asia are inviting their neighbours to scrutinize the gospel.
Our two Haiti programs are under local leadership providing essential support for much needed healthcare services. We invite you to help support them by donating today.
Peter Agwa is the Executive Director of EMAS Canada. A physician and surgeon in his native Kenya, Peter has a passion for Christ-centred healthcare and has a wealth of experience both hosting and sending short-term mission teams. Subscribe to Executive Director's Blog
Feature Image: Gambade Medical Clinic Staff, Haiti
This blog highlights the alignment of EMAS’ strategic plan with Paul’s relationship with local church leaders in the Colossae and Laodicea.