Southwestern Ohio Nazarene Missions International. President s Report 2015

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Clare Russell
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1 Southwestern Ohio Nazarene Missions International President s Report 2015 What are you FOR? That was last year s question. What are your passions? If you had an opportunity to stand before this convention and share your heart, your passions, what would you say? Are you FOR family? Are you FOR your children? Your grandchildren? Your neighbors? Your churches? The LORD? Missions? I hope you are FOR all of these. I hope you are passionate about our God Who saves and sharing His message with those people He has placed in your path and even people around the world that you will never cross paths with. I hope you are passionate about passing your love for missions to the younger generation. I hope you are passionate about lost people who desperately need a Savior. What are you FOR? In June, I had the privilege of being in Papua New Guinea for nine days. Spending time on the mission field is always my dream, and I had planned to be a part of our Work & Witness team to PNG long before my re-occurrence of cancer was known. If you know me very well, you know that I am just stubborn enough to go in spite of health challenges. I went to PNG with great prayer support from our church, family, and our friends, and I can t even begin to share with you the blessings of that time. One of the things that our team always tries to do when on a field with multiple missionaries, is to invite each family to dinner and hear their testimony of God s call to serve on the mission field. The mission hospital at Kudjip is rich with missionary families, and we were so blessed to spend time with these missionaries each evening. I sat and basked in God s presence and story. One evening, the Mark Crouch family was our special guest. After our meal, Mark began to share God s call for their family to leave their home in Oklahoma City and move to Papua New Guinea to serve. As Mark and his wife attended a church that they dearly loved, God began to speak to them. He began to realize that often in the United States, when someone accepts Christ, the challenge is, How can you become more like Christ? How will He change your nature, your being? Because we are saved by grace and not works, sometimes our emphasis for the

2 new Christian downplays the necessity of the doing. Mark began to be convicted that perhaps the question we need to ask is, Now that you re a Christian, what are you going to do for Christ? Through prayer, God directed him to leave his medical practice and serve the wonderful people of Papua New Guinea to Do Something for Christ. This thought profoundly impacted me. I have always been a do-er, but what do I actually do each day for Christ? The things or people I am passionate FOR often get my energy my time my finances my heart. But am I obedient to Do Something that perhaps is outside of my comfort zone for the love of Christ? Do I look for opportunities to serve those who cross my path each day? I don t believe we can separate these we must be FOR Christ and we are called to Do Something for His Kingdom as we live day to day. Insert Do Something video Doing is not only a personal challenge, but a corporate challenge as well. Nazarene Missions International provides an opportunity for Southwestern Ohio Nazarenes to do something around the world often without actually being in these far-off places. My report today will outline our district involvement this past year in the four objectives of NMI: Praying, Discipling, Educating, and Giving. It would be impossible to report on all that has been done in each of these areas, however please allow me to highlight a few. PRAYING Southwestern Ohio Nazarenes, what are we doing? I am thankful to report that every church reporting this year prayed for missions. To me, this is THE MOST IMPORTANT THING. God knows the needs of our missionaries even before they do. He has unlimited resources to pour out in situations that are beyond the scope of our limited understanding and assessments. When we pray, we submit to His will and purpose for His Kingdom, calling upon Him to strengthen, empower, protect, provide, encourage, make crooked paths straight, soften hearts of those opposed to the Gospel, to make the difference in a world of hurt.

3 Last year in this convention, during this report, as I spoke about the importance of prayer, we stopped and Sue Call prayed for Dr. Jim Radcliffe, our surgeon in Papua New Guinea who was facing heart surgery within a few days. God miraculously intervened, and Dr. Jim returned to the field and once again brings healing and the hope of Christ. I believe in the power of prayer. The highlight of my trip to Papua New Guinea last month involves prayer. Several weeks before leaving for my trip, I felt impressed to ask Margaret, Dr. Jim s scrub nurse, to pray over me while I was there. Margaret serves as district NMI president, and has a wonderful prayer ministry. She had a prayer hut built behind her house, and is known as a great prayer warrior. I have met her on several occasions, and once while she was in the states with the Radcliffes, she attended the wedding of our son Alex. I have great respect for her. I saw Margaret early Friday morning as we toured the hospital, but with all of the people around, I hesitated to make my request known. I wanted this prayer time to be God-orchestrated. On Tuesday morning, Kathy Radcliffe called the mission house that we were staying in and asked if I would be able to attend a ladies prayer meeting that evening. Several of the ladies that had been praying for me had asked if I could come and pray with them. I had no idea how many ladies or who would be present. Quite honestly, when the time for the prayer meeting had come, I was pretty tired. It would have been easier to claim fatigue and just rest. But I am so glad that I went! By the time our dinner guests of the evening departed, Kathy had already gone to the prayer time, so Dr. Jim came to pick me up and take me to meet the group. Guess what! It was in Margaret s prayer hut. It was raining hard, so with umbrella in hand, we made our way toward the hut. Kathy came out to meet us. The setting seemed surreal. Rain darkness just enough light to make our way into the hut, ducking under branches along the way. As I entered the hut, lit by only two candles, with coals burning in a fire pit in the floor, I knew I was in for the experience of a lifetime.

4 There sat Margaret and another Papua New Guinean lady named Melvin. Melvin is the head nurse on the post-op floor in the hospital. Melvin gave a devotional from the book of Esther in Pidgin. Her half-hour synopsis of the book was interspersed with many smiles. She had prepared well and spoke with assurance of God s message. When she finished, I shared with the others my desires for their prayers. I explained that for thirty years I had prayed for the people of Papua New Guinea, and that several weeks before I left, I felt specifically that I should have them pray over me. Tears freely flowed as Margaret and Melvin were humbled that I desired and needed their prayers. The ladies then asked me to move into the middle of their circle and they began praying. As Margaret prayed, calling out to Papa God, I was truly humbled. The powerful prayer time was something I will never forget. I believe God took me to Papua New Guinea for such a time as this. The body of Christ a lady from West Chester, Ohio connecting together in prayer with a missionary and two Papua New Guinean ladies I believe this is the essence of prayer for Nazarene Missions International. Our global church joins together, calling upon God to move and act according to His will lifting each other up to the Father connecting in the power of God Almighty We pray for our 702 missionaries, our national workers, the ministries God has given us, our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world and through prayer we experience a connection like no other and answers to prayer that are beyond the scope of our limited vision. Pastors missionary presidents delegates keep praying. It is the power of Nazarene Missions International and a lifeline for the work of Christ around the world.

5 Discipling Southwestern Ohio Nazarenes, what are we doing? Southwestern Ohio is committed to involvement of children and youth in Nazarene Missions International. This past year, Pam Carroll coordinated our children s Pump It Up event during our district tour with Larry and Addie Garman. This event very quickly filled to capacity, and we actually had to close registrations the week before the event. One hundred (plus) children enjoyed jumping, sliding, and bouncing for an hour, consumed LOTS of pizza, and sat mesmerized by the Garmans as they told stories of Smokey and Bandit (their pet monkeys), and a little boy in the jungle who led his family to Christ through his illness. Attention was focused on jungle life and seeds of the gospel and God s mission were planted in those young hearts. Thank you for bringing your children! Jay and Teanna Sunberg were our missionaries in residence for our children and youth camps in June. Their daughters were an added treat, participating in the camps side by side with our young people. Your district NMI budget provides an honorarium for these missionaries. I am thankful that Higher Ground camp board is committed to provide housing and food so that our children and youth will have this opportunity. Involvement of children and youth is vital to the future of the mission program of the church. We must pass our passion to the younger generation. Educating Southwestern Ohio Nazarenes, what are we doing? At least one-half of Southwestern Ohio district churches had a missionary this past year. You supported two district tours. In October, Mike and Julie Shalley, missionaries to Namibia for forty years, toured our district. In March, we enjoyed hearing from Dr. Larry and Addie Garman. You gave generously to our missionaries this past year, giving over $48,658 in deputation. Our zone rallies were well attended, and I was encouraged as I have begun to see more children and teens at these special services.

6 This year our mission education focus for NMI is based on the Scripture, Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20 The final command of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, is to go and make disciples of all the nations. This is our Great Commission, to go Where The Church is Not Yet! Within Living Mission Where the Church is Not Yet, you will find 12 lessons and 2 CAUSEs (each with 9 sessions) filled with incredible stories, testimonies, and video segments of how the church has crossed closed borders, entered closed communities, impacted lives, and brought the hope and love of Christ to those who were searching. These resources can be previewed on our education table in the foyer. I encourage you to purchase and use these materials. Think outside the box these can be used for NMI meetings, Sunday school classes, connection groups, and many other venues. Don t get hung up on traditional use of these be creative and disseminate this information in a variety of ways! One of the best avenues of mission education happens on the mission field! This past year, Work & Witness teams have served in England, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Peru, Haiti, Papua New Guinea, Guatemala, and Benin. Countryside church leaves this Friday for Honduras. Thirty-five teens and twentysix adults returned from Cherokee, North Carolina several weeks ago. What wonderful opportunities for first-hand mission education! Locally, you have served in food and clothing pantries, and served at Target Dayton and Cincinnati Urban Promise. You work at pregnancy care centers, with orphans and widows, in prisons, and with the homeless. Thank you! It is wonderful to serve alongside such a committed people. Southwestern Ohio you have been busy DOING SOMETHING!

7 Giving Southwestern Ohio Nazarenes, what are we doing? You have given generously to the World Evangelism Fund. Your offerings support 702 missionaries sent from 35 world areas, serving in 159 world areas. As of July 9 th, Southwestern Ohio Nazarenes had given over $736,453 to the World Evangelism Fund over 98% of our goal! I trust that in the next few weeks, we will be a 100% district in paying this vital part of our mission endeavor. The World Evangelism Fund keeps our missionaries on the field! In addition to giving for the World Evangelism Fund, you gave over $811,361 for mission specials. This includes deputation, compassionate ministries, missionary health care, alabaster, LINKS, World Mission Broadcast, Work & Witness, the Jesus Film Project, child sponsorship, and other areas. Wow! Thank you! That means that over $1,547,814 has been given this year for our global mission outreach. I praise God that you have been faithful to His calling to make Christlike disciples in the nations. You have also given to your local communities, providing food, clothing, counseling, and many other compassionate ministries. These monetary gifts and gifts of time would be hard to measure, yet they do not go unseen by the Father. Thank you for being the hands and feet of Christ where you live. As we celebrate 100 years of Nazarene missions, you made an amazing commitment last year to give above and beyond. With Dr. Jim and Kathy Radcliffe representing our district as missionaries in Papua New Guinea these past 30 years, you accepted the challenge to provide funds for housing for their son Ben and his family as they serve alongside their parents. This $70, th anniversary NMI project was not too big for Southwestern Ohio Nazarenes. You have given generously, and we have exceeded our goal! I praise the LORD! We have reason to celebrate! Many of you have heard of the extent of your gift. If Nazarenes give $100,000 to Papua New Guinea this year, several grants received from USAID and Aussie AID totaling 2.2 million dollars will be received. Nazarene Health Ministries will be able to provide 29 housing units for staff on our hospital property in Kudjip. Some of these housing units will replace units that have lasted beyond their years, and others will enable the hospital to bring in more staff. God is doing an amazing

8 thing there, and YOU ARE AN IMPORTANT PART OF HIS WORK in Papua New Guinea. Thank you for rising to the challenge! To God be the Glory! Nazarene Missions International celebrates 100 years on October 15 th. I am not sure that Susan Fitken had any idea as the first Women s Missionary Society was formed that the scope of this ministry would be so far reaching and so blessed by God. Through the years, dreams have taken feet and visions have been fulfilled. Millions of lives have been touched through the various programs of NMI, the generous giving of Nazarenes around the world, and the prayers that have been answered. You are part of that history. Lola Brickey, our new global NMI director, will speak about the 100 years of NMI at our luncheon following our morning session. We will celebrate together what God has done! Deciding on a theme for convention this year for me was a difficult task. I wanted to celebrate 100 years, yet I want even more to focus on the future. I must confess that I was tempted to use the theme ALL-STAR NMI, in light of our city s recent festivities, yet I was afraid you might be tired of hearing the words All star by now! But I would like to introduce you to your ALL-STAR NMI council: Vice-President/Work & Witness Coordinator Kurt Johnson Secretary (and definitely my right-hand co-hort!) Lana Roe Treasurer Mark Emerson Lots of hours! Giving Coordinator Education Coordinator Compassionate Ministries SE Zone Chair NW Zone Chair SW Zone Chair NE Zone Chair Children Joyce Campbell Ted Collins Edie Baker Denna Pence Phyllis Davis Joyce Campbell Carolyn Hamilton Pam Carroll

9 LINKS Mission Call Coordinator Paige Graves Dan McLean and joining us just recently, Web/Technical Director Katie Sabo Your district council members are so supportive and they want to DO SOMETHING to help you promote missions in your local church. Please feel free to call upon them anytime. They are committed to serving Christ and our district, and are a wonderful support to me. Dr. Doug Van Nest and Chriss Cox are also very supportive to NMI and I thank them for being such wonderful servants and their willingness to help. Other than my salvation, my husband Bob is my greatest gift from the Lord and I thank the Lord for him every day. Celebrating 100 years and All Star NMI were wonderful theme possibilities, but I felt led to focus on a different theme. Celebrating 100 years will do us no good if our focus is to only look back. I want to look forward I believe the best could still be to come if we are faithful to rise to the challenge and obediently, sacrificially, follow His leading. I believe we are called to Do Something for Christ every day for those we meet along the path and for those we will never see. This past January, I received news that my cancer had metastasized to my left leg. Bob was in the middle of a Sabbatical while I was visiting doctors, going through testing, and all that goes with such a diagnosis. He came home to be with me for some of those appointments and ultimately ended his sabbatical early, but there was one appointment that he couldn t make. That morning, I was on the way to see the orthopedic oncologist for a confirmation of my diagnosis. I decided to stop at a Starbucks for a treat Chai Tea Latte and a cranberry orange scone! The drive-thru was too crowded and I would have been late for my appointment, so I parked and went in to the Starbucks. I placed my order, pulled out my money to pay, and the lady just looked at me and said, This one s on me. I was quite

10 surprised, and honestly was taken aback. I mumbled a thank you, walked out with my treat, and proceeded to drive to Five-Mile to meet with the doctor. As I was driving, the Lord said to me, See I will take care of you. It was as simple as that. I decided that I needed to return after my appointment to thank the lady, and hoped that she would still be there. She had no idea that the lady she had blessed was on the way to an oncologist s appointment and would that day receive the news that her cancer had returned. She didn t know me, but for some reason, I was the person she chose to bless that day. I went back and thanked her and explained why her random act of kindness had meant so much to me. By that time, a number of people in the Starbucks had tuned in and were listening the Starbucks employee and I were both crying it was one of those divine appointments that I am glad I didn t miss. By Doing Something God had used this lady to affirm His presence and promise in my life. I don t even know her spiritual status, but she did say she would pray for me. Every day we have opportunities to bless others. It may be a smile, or a kind word, or paying it forward, or a hug. Celebrating 100 years of missions will mean nothing if we don t continue to pray, disciple, educate, and give to a needy world. I believe the next 100 years can be better than the past. I challenge you to DO SOMETHING special for Christ this next year. I know God will be glorified, you will be blessed, and others will see the love of Christ through you. In this way, we will make Christ-like disciples in the nations. Respectfully submitted, Elaine Mahaffey

SWO NMI NEWSLETTER JANUARY-MARCH

SWO NMI NEWSLETTER JANUARY-MARCH 100 th Anniversary Project Don t forget your offering for the 100 th Anniversary Project! We are providing funds for the house that Ben and Katherine Radcliffe will move