About Us
We travel the most difficult roads, communicating the finished work of the Gospel, knowing the message of Jesus will transform forgotten people into life-long disciples and leaders.
Meet Phil & Sharon Smethurst
In 1999, Dr. Phil and Sharon Smethurst founded Overland Missions with a vision to spread the Gospel to the most remote and neglected people around the globe. At first, the majority of their time was spent traversing across Africa in 4x4 vehicles, leading the first ever Overland MIssions expeditions. Today, Phil and Sharon travel internationally and have teams of people working alongside them to sustain long-term movements. Through their beginnings and continual efforts, we see the Church mobilized and the Gospel proclaimed in nations all around the world.
Our Strategy
Reconnaissance
Locate remote or neglected people in nations with limited or no Gospel presence. Once found, a team of our missionaries are sent to not only gather logistical information, but to identify individuals who are hungry for the Gospel and passionate about reaching the lost in their nation. These connections are often the door into an entire nation.
Expeditions
These short-term trips are Overland’s strategy for widespread evangelism, focusing on introducing the Gospel message, and connecting new believers with long-term missionaries.
Sector Management
After an expedition, it is the job of a sector missionary to disciple and transform communities with sustainable work. Through learning the native language, establishing themselves within the local community, and believing in the new creation reality of every person, sector missionaries are able to create a viral move of God.
Indigenous Leadership
Local leaders are the answer to creating a lasting move of God in their communities. In Overland we are committed to empowering indigenous leaders, knowing that they will operate in the fullness of Christ, and that we will see them fulfill the work of the Great Commission.
Transformational Development
By addressing felt needs through biblical instruction and the voice of the Holy Spirit, we utilize various sustainable techniques to approach the economic and physical needs of people throughout the world, without compromising the strategy of the Great Commission. This allows our indigenous leaders to not only move unhindered in the ministry, but to fund and expand the vision for the nation.
Our Team's Footprint
It has never been about impressive statistics, but about on-the-ground movement. In our End of Year Report we highlight some of the greater movements of our team.
