Missions
Missionaries We Support
Through General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM)
Our congregation has a covenant relationship with 3 missionaries through the General Board of Global Ministries. This means that we’ve pledged $1,000 per year toward their support. Below is a list of the missionaries that we sponsor through GBGM and where they are currently assigned or in ministry.
1) Diane Allen is assigned to serve as China Program Associate with the United Methodist China Program. Her responsibilities include working with ecumenical China Programs; managing the United Methodist China Program Oral History Project; contributing articles for publication in church magazines and on websites; working with church-related study opportunities with China; and traveling to and liaising with church leaders and colleagues in China.
2) a second missionary family
3) Dennis and DeeDee Heffner’s ministry is in Espanola, New Mexico. Their senior care program, Amigos del Valle Board, is in the midst of providing vital services each day. Of special concern is the rising cost of fuel in light of the limited income of the majority of their clients. Our support helps the Heffners assure their clients that they will have help when they need it.
Another program, The Shared Table, offers basic foods and other necessities twice each month.
John and Kendra Enright
After only 6 years at the Kafakumba Training Center in Zambia, the Enrights are seeing impoverished peasants discover a new life. They have jobs, income, and are learning to conduct profitable business ventures. The Pastors’ School trains leaders who go back to their villages in 5 south central African countries and train their people how to provide for their families and live an abundant Christian life. Women are learning ways to better care for their families as well as how to share these skills and their faith with other women. The Enrights have a web page, so if you would like to know more about them and their ministry the address is www.kafakumba.org If you’d like to give a special offering to this work, designate money for Kafakumba Pastors’ School, Advance #11438A.
Please pray for God’s continued guidance and blessing on this ministry, as the Enrights endeavor to share the abundant life that comes from following Christ with people in Africa.
“The Crossing” Youth Center
Matt and Angela Lutz want to thank you for continuing to support The Crossing in Thailand with your contributions and prayers. Waan, one of the first teens to come to know Christ through this ministry, currently runs The Crossing youth center. He is a tremendous leader. The teens respect him and he truly exemplifies Christ in all he does. Matt and Angela recently learned that he is engaged to be married to a wonderful Christian girl, who has a heart for serving the Lord just as Waan does. The Crossing has been the site of multiple skateboard competitions during the past year. These events have been great opportunities to share Christ with all of the teens in attendance. God is truly glorified!
It is exciting to hear about what God is doing in a country where there is such a small number of believers. Friday night is a time of worship and Bible study at The Crossing. Some of the original youth, who are now in their mid-twenties, are still coming to worship on Friday nights along with many who are new. A Thai believer named Yo-Yo has begun attending the service. He is an older gentleman who has taught the young men a lot about the Bible and has encouraged Waan, the leader of The Crossing, and others in their walk with the Lord.
Please pray that the Lord continues to use The Crossing Youth Ministry to help others meet, know, and follow Jesus. Pray for the Lord to give Waan boldness to speak when he has opportunities and strength to be faithful in the many responsibilities that he has in this ministry.
Even though Matt and Angela are back in the states, they are totally responsible for the monthly expenses of operating The Crossing. A minimum of $1,000 a month is needed to support the work financially. If you would like to help The Crossing with a one-time gift or with a monthly donation, please indicate “Thailand-Lutz” on your offering envelope or write it in the memo of your check. Thank you!
Sierra Leone Initiative Update
Our church has pledged $2000 to the Sierra Leone Initiative for 2010. This money will be used to provide for pastors’ salaries and materials for the churches in the poorest country in Africa. When two representatives of the Sierra Leone Annual Conference visited our area this past fall, they shared how much hope this support has brought into the lives of the pastors and their families. Because of our conference’s support, pastors in Sierra Leone receive a salary of about $115 per quarter. With this money they can now afford a bag of rice every time they are paid, pay school fees and buy texts for their children.
Our church has a partnership with the United Methodist Churches in the Njaagbwema Circuit. It includes nine preaching points and 5 schools. Rev. Sahr K. Karku is responsible for this entire circuit. Please check the bulletin board in the Welcome Area to see photos and a letter we received from the Njaagbwema Circuit. Our prayers and financial support are vital to the Sierra Leone Initiative.
Mission Giving for 2010
Our congregation has pledged to support the following missionaries and/or mission projects in 2010. If you wish to donate money toward these individuals or ministries, please designate amounts for “Missions” on your envelope or check.
* John and Kendra Enright, missionaries in Zambia ($1,000)
* a second missionary family ($1,000)
* Dennis and DeeDee Heffner, Espanola Valley Group Ministry, New Mexico ($1,000)
* Diane Allen, The United Methodist China Program ($1,000)
* The Crossing Youth Center in Thailand ($1,000)
* Sierra Leone Initiative ($2,000)
When we receive reports and newsletters from our missionaries, they all thank us for our support and prayers. Please continue to pray for the ministries going on around the globe.
Mission Central
Mission Central is a distribution center for supplies and materials for missions locally and globally. Our church regularly contributes to this important ministry. If you would like to read about their latest activities, check out their website at http://www.missioncentral.org/
