OUR HISTORY

“For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” – Habakkuk 2:14

Habakkuk 2:14, that’s what we’ve been working towards since e3 Partners began in 1987; filling the earth with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord. It started with a vision God placed on the heart of Mike Downey to help nationals plant churches, and over the last few decades, God has used this ministry to do just that. He’s guided us through challenges and growth, and through it all, the vision has stayed the same. e3 Partners remains focused on helping nationals plant healthy, multiplying, transformative churches all across the world, and we will continue to do so until there is a local church accessible to every person, everywhere.

The Early Years

In 1985, Mike Downey led a group from his church in Oklahoma to Mexico for a mission trip. While there, they saw over 100 people accept Christ into their lives, and when they returned the next year, a church had been planted! Mike called it, “accidental church planting.” He was moved by the passion of these Mexican believers, and as he returned from that second trip, God gave him a vision. He founded Global Missions Fellowship (GMF) with the intent to serve nationals and plant churches in Mexico (on purpose), and it wasn’t long before God expanded that vision further.

In 1990, the collapse of the Soviet Union opened doors that allowed GMF to expand into Eastern Europe, and four years after that, we expanded to Africa as well.

In 1996, God expanded our vision to the entire world, and GMF began taking trips to areas within the 10/40 window.

Over the next two years, God revealed to us the concept of church planting movements (CPMs), which we began incorporating into our short-term trips strategy. There then became a clear need for some scalable evangelism and discipleship tools, which led to the development of the EvangeCube.

The EvangeCube provided our trip participants and national partners with a simple, easily comprehendible way of sharing the gospel. We began using it on all of our trips, and we’d train those who came to accept Christ on how to use it as well, encouraging them to go share the Good News with others.

The 2000s

In 2002, God revealed to us another idea that we refer to as “initiatives”. Essentially, the idea was to combine the evangelistic aspects of our short-term trips with an aid/relief aspect as well.

Medical church planting was our first initiative.

We began taking these types of trips to areas that were severely lacking in accessible medical care, and God used our medical service to open doors to countless families and individuals who had not yet heard the gospel. It was amazing to see how God could use the medical expertise and service of our teams to ultimately lead people to Him.

In 2006, we became e3 Partners Ministry.

Equip God’s people, evangelize His world, establish His church. Those are the three “e’s”, perfectly aligned with the original vision God gave Mike Downey in 1987.

Two years later, the I Am Second brand launched in Dallas, TX, focused on reaching people with powerful Gospel-centered stories through the ever-growing presence of digital media. It quickly became a national brand, and has now grown internationally as well, allowing us to spread the gospel to many people and places we may not be able to get to physically.

That same year, e3 Partners started its “Orality” initiative in Ethiopia. Many communities across Ethiopia speak languages that the Bible has not been translated into yet. The orality initiative focuses on developing strategies and scripts to share the gospel and other Biblical stories with these people through oral storytelling.

By the end of 2008, e3 was taking trips to dozens of countries around the world, and we’d organized the ministry into regional and country teams.

Recent Years

In 2014, we added a more focused training element to the ministry. Training new believers and Christian leaders had always been a part of what we did on our trips, but now there was an added emphasis on training outside of our church planting trips as well. Both domestically and internationally, through one on one meetings, discipleship groups, church gatherings, and other opportunities, we began training new believers how to share their testimonies and the gospel, and training more mature believers on how to disciple others and plant churches.

Then, in 2017, through God’s guidance we employed an integrated Four Fields strategy locally and globally to create something we call the “Great Commission Pipeline”.

The Great Commission Pipeline connects our trips, trainings, international workers, national partners and church partnerships all together to increase the effectiveness and speed at which we reach people far from God.

Looking back on the last 30+ years, it’s amazing to see how God has been at work the whole time. The expansion of our vision from Mexico to the whole world, the addition of initiatives and scalable evangelism tools like the EvangeCube, and now 3-Circles, the added training element, the 4 Fields strategy, the Great Commission Pipeline, it’s all been from God. He’s led this ministry the whole time and has allowed us to do some amazing work for His Kingdom.

In recent years, through our 4 Fields strategy and the implementation of the Great Commission Pipeline, we’ve seen the Gospel reach further and spread faster than ever before. We truly live in an unprecedented time in history. God is moving all across the world.

Come join us as we work to make Habakkuk 2:14 a reality!

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Acts 20:24 24 But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.

At the moment of salvation we become Ambassadors of Christ, endowed with the incalculable, priceless 'Message of Reconciliation' ~ to share what has been shared with us to a lost and hurting world!

SERVING ON OUR e3 ORAL STRATEGY TEAM - Telling God's Story to change Their Story!

Sharing TRUTH the way Jesus did - through stories!
Jesus met people where they were and related to them through stories: the woman at the well, the possessed man living in a graveyard cutting himself; the bleeding woman, Nicodemus, the crippled man carried by his friends, the adulterous woman and so many others. Jesus shared TRUTH touching hearts and changing lives through stories.

I have the incredible privilege of serving as hands and feet for Jesus on our Orality Team. Through our e3 Oral Strategy we take the TRUTH of Jesus to the nations, including ours, through story-telling the Bible; and we train our national partners and ministry leaders across the world and our nation to do the same, to accurately story the Bible in their language for their people group.

Orality reaches unreached people groups, and the oral-based cultures that prefer 'stories' such as the Middle East, Jewish and American cultures. Yes - America is definitely a story-based culture. We prefer stories as showcased by our ever expanding movie and media industry; and in God's power our I am Second 'story-based' Ministry has expanded to a movement of its own with its own branding.

2015 e3 Orality Initiatives include USA projects to train church and ministry leaders in orality methods to accurately story the Bible, and serving in defined initiatives across the world training our national leaders and partners in oral strategies and helping them develop Bible Story Sets for their culture and language to share stories from God's Word – and modeling it to lost souls - telling God's Story to change their story!

MY STORY - Seeking a difference, finding a Savior!

In November 2005 I walked into church for the first time in 39 years. Desperate for impact, depressed from shattered dreams, and empty with life, I hoped there was more to life than this! In that visit I heard about a Medical Mission Trip leaving in April 2006 to the Amazon and I signed to go!

I was determined to make a difference if it killed me ..... and it did!
That began the 'death of my old life to self;' ... and the 'rebirth of my new life in Christ' to make a difference for others.

You are never too old, too dirty, or too damaged for Jesus Christ! Come as you are - cry out where you are - to Jesus! Ask Him to be your Lord and Savior! He will answer you - and your life will never be the same!

AN 'S.O.S' LIFE:

Before knowing Jesus I sought fulfillment through Stuff, Others and Self! It was a true 'SOS' life that left me feeling empty, lost and inadequate. Stuff did not satisfy, no matter how much. Others left disappointment and broken bonds in the reality of imperfect relationships. Self-reliance and gratification proved to reveal it was not enough and there was still an empty hole inside.

I AM ALL ABOUT MISSIONS BECAUSE I KNOW THEY WORK!

God used an Amazon Medical Mission to open my heart to Him and a meaningful life for something greater than myself.

Despair, depression and emptiness turned to joy, fulfillment and purpose. Now I proclaim the 'Truth' of God's love, mercy and grace, ...that 'forgiveness and eternal salvation awaits with a new life in Jesus Christ.

If you think accepting Jesus will take the 'FUN' out your life – rest assured it’s the complete opposite! Jesus is the author of everything, including FUN!

Called to 'GO' ~ in the Name of Jesus Christ

Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.” Isaiah 6:8 (NLT)

Since that April day when I returned from the Amazon and made a decision to change my mind and direction about God and accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior, my life has never been the same. I like to say that 'Jesus has given me the world,' pairing my love of adventure with a desire to share His transforming gift with others ~ here, there and everywhere across the world.

Over 6 years ago God opened the door to e3 Partners Ministry and I am privileged to serve alongside amazing brothers and sisters in Christ.

e3 Orality - Storying the Bible. In 2013 God called me to serve full-time as a Missionary (originally I started in an HR leadership role), and in the course of that time revealed to me it would be on our e3 Oral Strategy Team. e3 Orality serves in combined efforts with other e3 Strategies, including e3 Medical, Community Transformation, and our Priceless Initiative, while implementing our ST4T (Story Training-for-Trainers) Model in the field.

Our e3 Medical initiatives take medical professionals across the world to share the love of Jesus in a physical way to sick and hurting people while sharing the eternal gift of healing that can only be found in the power of Jesus.

Our Priceless Initiative educates people about the real and growing danger human trafficking imposes on adults and children who are imprisoned and forced into a horrific world of abuse and slavery for sex and profit.

Our I am Second Ministry takes Jesus to unexpected places and reaches across the world and across the street.

Sharing Christ Jesus, planting churches and 'making disciples that make disciples' to the 4th generation and beyond is our foremost goal, because no matter how healthy someone is we all die; no matter how great our vision is, if we miss Jesus we've missed seeing the most important thing.
Eternity is only a breath away - we just don't know which breath!
Make an impact with me!

From the USA to South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East, I am 'called' to GO and share the message of 'Truth' ....until the whole world hears!

I am blessed with prayer and financial partners who undergird by ministry and enable me to go in the name of Jesus. Come join my team ... and together we can change lives eternally!

ABOUT YOUR MONTHLY FINANCIAL SUPPORT:
It provides for my pay, and all my ministry expenses including trip costs. Your dollars represent souls who will be impacted forever - as you sustain me to go - and you go in spirit and stewardship making a lasting difference that will follow you into eternity.
AMEN & HALLELUJAH!

All gifts are truly appreciated and tax-deductible!

e3 Giving Day is September 12, 2019.

Posted a week ago

It's the one day annually when your donation will be increased by a bonus fund! This day helps set the foundational base for my forthcoming year ministry (2020 ministry expenses). Please consider giving an online donation (or an additional gift if you're a recurring monthly partner) on this day!

You can donate by clicking the 'DONATE TO THIS FUNDRAISER' button - OR HERE! You can also send a check - BUT it must be postmarked 9/12/2019 and noted: 'e3 Giving Day-J Cook. Make checks payable to e3 Partners Ministry!
- Send checks to me at: Jenanna Cook, e3 Partners Ministry, 2001 W. Plano Pkwy, Ste 2600, Plano, TX 75075. Thank you for your generosity, prayers and support.
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Jenanna Cook
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2014 - A Great Year of Loving Like Jesus

Posted a week ago

Missions & More - Ukraine, USA and 2014 Recap
This update, though belated, shares brief details on some of my amazing journey from e3 HR Director to e3 Missionary. Through much ground-work in support raising, mission trips and training, I’ve seen God work in amazing ways!

Missions - Proclaiming Jesus, Teaching English & Sharing Christ thru ‘shoebox love’: Sharing Jesus through missions in the US in Dallas & Birmingham, AND across the world in the war-torn country of Ukraine has changed lives.

Shoebox Love: Blessings abounded in Ukraine as we had the privilege to participate in the distribution of Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes. If you’ve never seen the receiving end – of a child’s face touched by this – it’s incredible. I’ve included photos–a picture IS worth a thousand words!

Door-to-door blessings in Dallas: Special blessings came as a co-worker and I shared the Gospel Message in Dallas and a young woman found forgiveness and eternal salvation through Jesus. We have been meeting weekly as schedules allow to disciple her using our IamSecond Discipleship Model. It’s wonderful to be used of God to help someone grow in Christ.

Grace House: I’ve been blessed to connect with a faith-based transition home in San Antonio; a live-in group home instilled with love, nurturing and structured adult leadership guiding young women coming out of jail, prison, abusive relationships or troubled addictions to walk a new path of changed living; learning to love Jesus, love themselves, and know they are forgiven and a new person in Christ looking forward, not back.

Drive-thru Prayer & Other Prayer Ministry: Prayer is powerful – because of ‘who we are praying to.’ AMEN! God has called me to prayer and I’ve been honored to serve with KCBI Christian Radio Station’s Prayer Station Ministry, and one unique opportunity was ‘Drive-thru Prayer’ during Thanksgiving Turkey Distribution Ministry at St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Plano. It’s so up-lifting to pray and share hope and encouragement with people.

Training & Orality Team: I’ve been blessed to receive much training; including church planting/trip leader training, medical mission clinic training, T4T training for trainers certification and Orality training & certification. In this process, God called me to join our e3 Orality Team which shares TRUTH the way Jesus did – through stories – reaching unreached people groups and oral-based cultures across the world that prefer stories – including America. Our ever-expanding movie/media industries reflect that America is a story-based culture, and through God’s power our IamSecond Ministry (story-based) echoes it, impacting lives here and globally!

Please pray and consider becoming a financial partner; part of my team, and together we’ll share Christ and change lives for eternity – because eternity is but a breath away for someone today!

Merry, Merry Christmas & may 2015 find us working together for HIM!
God Bless, Jenanna

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Jenanna Cook
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Update Part 1 - on Ukraine Mission-From Jenanna

Posted a week ago

Hearing about the war-torn country of Ukraine on CNN - it was an unfamiliar place halfway across the world unknown to me until Russia brought it to news headlines – and honestly, I had to look it up on a world map to get a perspective. Going to Ukraine (which was never in my plans - but God had other plans) and spending time with the people, it's now a familiar place grafted into my heart, because the people reside in my heart.
ENGLISH CLASSES DRAW MASSES:
Unique to this trip were the English Lessons and spending all the days with the same people, seeing them change day after day to the outreach of love and care shown through the power of Christ in us. So many people showed up on 'day one' to see these Americans that came to spend time with them - even in war, and they continued to come faithfully each day to learn English, to sing American Worship Songs, to discuss the Bible (using our IamSecond Discipleship Model), and to just be with us.
Initially skeptical of our smiles and outward enthusiasm (what's wrong with these crazy Americans), in the end skepticism turned to laughter and reserved demeanors turned to smiles and hugs - they did not want us to leave and their tears mirrored their hearts.

THE FAITH OF YOUR FRIENDS:

Meet Jana, confined to a wheel chair. Our first day was spent assessing the English level of those who came to learn. During this time Mark (our country leader) and I were told that a lady wanted to meet with us, but she could not get upstairs. We went outside and met Jana, waiting in her wheel chair in the dirt parking lot. We thanked her for coming and her guarded uncertainty evident on her face changed as she lit up at our enthusiasm and encouragement. She was eager to learn and we encouraged her! Jana and I bonded immediately.

Each day four or more of our men lifted Jana and another lady and carried them up and down narrow stairs leading to the second floor of the building where our events and classes were held. Each day it reminded me of the story in Mark 2, (also told in Matt 9, & Luke 5) of the men that carried the crippled man to Jesus.

May the faith of these men who carried Jana and her friend each day to 'hear' about Jesus be a catalyst to bring both of them to the foot of the Cross, to forgiveness and to salvation! AMEN!
- Mark 2:3-5 (NIV) 3 Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. 4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, "Son,your sins are forgiven."
- Matt 9:2 (NIV) 2 Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, "Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven."
- Luke 5:19-20 (NIV) 19 When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. 20 When Jesus saw their faith, he said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven."
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Jenanna Cook
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