A View From the Country

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Ezra Anderson
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A View From the Country with Brian Wechsler, Executive Director New Churches & Familiar Stories In 2016, eight new churches asked us to send them a Village Missionary.

While each of these churches came to Village Missions with their own unique story, there seem to be two themes that run true with every congregation. First, many rural churches cannot find a pastor.

The second theme is more positive. Although in most cases new to our ministry, these churches have a rich and faithful history.

Congregations are holding fast to Paul s words in Philippians 1:6. Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.

2 A View From the Country with Brian Wechsler, Executive Director New Churches & Familiar Stories In 2016, eight new churches asked us to send them a Village Missionary. These calls for help came from across our country, ranging from California to Iowa to Pennsylvania! While each of these churches came to Village Missions with their own unique story, there seem to be two themes that run true with every congregation. First, many rural churches cannot find a pastor. Congregations are often small and some can barely pay general upkeep. Other congregations simply are unable to attract someone that is willing to pastor a small, country church. The second theme is more positive. Although in most cases new to our ministry, these churches have a rich and faithful history. Despite waiting for a shepherd for years, or even decades, churches reaching out to Village Missions stay faithfully dedicated to the Gospel! Congregations are holding fast to Paul s words in Philippians 1:6. Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. The church in Philippi started small, but the believers in that city were faithful, and Paul was confident that God would continue to bless their ministry. I know that God will complete the work He has begun in these new churches! In this issue, you will learn more about these eight churches, how Village Missions ministers to the needs of churches that ask us for help, and how you can be a part of this ministry! Standing with the Country Church, Brian Wechsler Executive Director

Revitalizing the Local Church The locations are different, but the story is often the same.

One such church is a new field in Dunsmuir, California, a historic town dating back to the gold rush of the 1850s.

They found a diverse community and a congregation burdened to reach their neighbors for Jesus.

3 Revitalizing the Local Church The locations are different, but the story is often the same. A country church that once thrived with a vibrant congregation now finds itself struggling to keep the doors open. One such church is a new field in Dunsmuir, California, a historic town dating back to the gold rush of the 1850s. First-time Village Missionaries Dan and Cynthia Reagan and their six children arrived at Cascade Community Church in August of They found a diverse community and a congregation burdened to reach their neighbors for Jesus. There are people from all walks of life that call this city home. This really keeps us on our toes in translating the Gospel to many people groups all in the same place. That same diversity bleeds into religious beliefs as well. There are many spiritual people in Dunsmuir who have various thoughts about Jesus but often the Jesus they believe in is not the Jesus of Scripture. It is common here

for people to mix various philosophies and religions to suit themselves.

community events. Dunsmuir is a great example of how Village Missions helps struggling churches.

Supporting Churches in Need Another example of this kind of revitalization is our new field in Atlanta, Michigan, another church that waited decades for pastoral

After waiting decades for their first pastor, Atlanta Bible Church received its first Village Missionaries, Ron and Lynette Larsen, in May, 2016.

4 for people to mix various philosophies and religions to suit themselves. Despite these mixed religious beliefs, the church in Dunsmuir has good relations with the community in Dunsmuir, finding many opportunities to present the Gospel at community events. Dunsmuir is a great example of how Village Missions helps struggling churches. Village Missions helps revitalize churches that already have a heart for reaching their communities, yet lack the leadership to do so effectively. Supporting Churches in Need Another example of this kind of revitalization is our new field in Atlanta, Michigan, another church that waited decades for pastoral leadership. Far from the West Coast, Atlanta, Michigan is in the northern Lower Peninsula and has a population of about 800. After waiting decades for their first pastor, Atlanta Bible Church received its first Village Missionaries, Ron and Lynette Larsen, in May, Ron spoke of the uniqueness of Atlanta, as well as some of the town s struggles. Atlanta and the surrounding areas are economically depressed. It seems that young people think they have to get out. It s too bad, because it is a beautiful place and it would be sad for it to totally die out. Even in what seems to be a dying town, people are there that need the life of the Gospel! That is why we send Village Missionaries to churches

in need, no matter what their financial situation might be. People, even in rural communities, need the Lord!

One example of this is our new field in Rock, MI. Rock sits in the Upper Peninsula and experiences warm, humid summers and very cold, snowy winters.

In September, 2016, Rock Bible Chapel received its first ever full-time pastor, as Village Missionaries Adam and Tamara Hamill were assigned to the church.

5 in need, no matter what their financial situation might be. People, even in rural communities, need the Lord! Village Missions asks that churches pay what they can towards the Village Missionaries health benefits and salary, but Village Missions will supplement whatever the church cannot afford. Often, churches like Atlanta become self-supporting down the road, but Village Missions will continue to supplement finances even if the church never becomes selfsupporting. Reaching the Next Generation One of the most common themes we see in churches asking for leadership is an enormous spiritual need in the lives of children. One example of this is our new field in Rock, MI. Rock sits in the Upper Peninsula and experiences warm, humid summers and very cold, snowy winters. The area is known for farming, fishing and forestry. In September, 2016, Rock Bible Chapel received its first ever full-time pastor, as Village Missionaries Adam and Tamara Hamill were assigned to the church. There is such a need in Rock, not only for the continued spiritual development of the believers, but for the youth who don t have significant ministries to join without traveling many miles to another town s church. We are excited for the opportunity to work with church leadership to develop children s and youth ministries, some from the ground up. Many Village Missions churches are found near country schools, creating outstanding opportunities for reaching children with the Gospel. In fact, many Village Missionaries serve as school board members, teachers, or

Missionaries. Associates are couples who go to churches in need until we can place a full-time Village Missionary.

Amargosa Christian Fellowship lies between U.S.

There are people here who need the Lord, said Mick. Some move to the desert to get away from the crowds and traffic.

6 coaches at the local school. Even Village Missionaries who don t live near schools find ways to reach children through programs such as AWANA or Vacation Bible School. Short Term Solutions Another way Village Missions helps churches in need is by offering Associate Village Missionaries. Associates are couples who go to churches in need until we can place a full-time Village Missionary. One example of this is Amargosa Valley, NV, where Wayne and Ruth Mick now serve. Amargosa Christian Fellowship lies between U.S. 95 and the California border and is about 90 miles from Las Vegas, where some of its residents commute. There are people here who need the Lord, said Mick. Some move to the desert to get away from the crowds and traffic. The local church is seeking to reach out to them. As Associate Village Missionaries, Wayne and Ruth are a temporary solution in Amargosa Valley. Until we can place full-time missionaries in Amargosa, they help the church continue in ministry in their community. We have many Associates across the country serving in the same way, helping keep country churches open and thriving until we can place fulltime missionaries.

Other New Fields These are just four of the eight churches that joined Village Missions last

Breezewood, PA Breezewood, PA, is an unincorporated town off the PA Turnpike and I-70.

The church has not yet received a Village Missionary, but the congregation has a strong

Paskenta, CA The small town of Paskenta, CA, which sits at the foothills of the Sierra

These include ranchers, retired folks, and some commuters.

7 Other New Fields These are just four of the eight churches that joined Village Missions last year. Here are a few paragraphs about the other four churches. Breezewood, PA Breezewood, PA, is an unincorporated town off the PA Turnpike and I-70. While the area surrounding Breezewood is rural farmland, the town itself is full of motels and restaurants for travelers. Breezewood Community Church is one of the only Bible-preaching churches in miles. The church has not yet received a Village Missionary, but the congregation has a strong desire to become a spiritual rock in the community. Paskenta, CA The small town of Paskenta, CA, which sits at the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, is home to just over a hundred people. These include ranchers, retired folks, and some commuters. Village Missions once served the Paskenta Flournoy Bible Church until After supplying its own pastor for many years, the church has once again asked for Village Missionaries. Paskenta will be served by Joe and Jenny Murrell, who have a long history with Village Missions, serving both as Village Missionaries and District Representatives.

Gabbs, NV Gabbs, NV, lies in a high desert region and has

Gabbs Community Church is the only Gospel-preaching church

a thriving church that can effectively reach the community.

8 Gabbs, NV Gabbs, NV, lies in a high desert region and has a population of 269. Gabbs Community Church is the only Gospel-preaching church in the town, but they have been without a pastor for over 20 years. The congregation loves their small town and wants to have a thriving church that can effectively reach the community. Audubon, IA Audubon, IA, is in western Iowa and has a population of 2,176. Faith Evangelical Free Church began in the early 2000s as a church plant. Their first Village Missionaries, Chris and Beth Bozzo, arrived in January of Audubon is home to many unchurched kids and families, and the congregation hopes to continue growing and reaching these families with the Gospel.

9 2016 Annual Report Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over...for with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you. Luke 6:38 Purpose Statement: Village Missions exists to glorify Jesus Christ by developing spiritually vital churches in rural North America. Combined U.S. & Canada statistics: (as reported monthly by Village Missionaries) Salvation decisions in 2016: Adult: 116 Children: 343 Baptisms: Adult: 179 Children: 127 Median Sunday morning attendance (per church): U.S.: 45 Canada 32 United States (as of June, 2016): 180 fields served by Village Missions with 69 or 38% in need of help from Village Missions for the missionary s salary/health insurance. 17 additional fields are served by 4 Associate Missionaries or waiting for a Village Missionary. 183 couples serving as Village Missionaries, 5 interns, 6 District Representative Couples; 4 Administrators (Executive Director, Assistant Director, Director of Stewardship and C.F.O.); 4 full-time office staff and 3 part-time staff. Canada (as of June, 2015): 21 fields served by Village Missions with 9 or 38% in need of help from Village Missions for the missionary s salary/healthy insurance. 13 additional fields are served by 4 Associate Missionaries or waiting for a Village Missionary. 22 couples serving as Village Missionaries, 2 interns, 4 Associate Missionaries; 1 District Representative Couple, and 1 Executive Director.

2016 General Fund Income & Expenses for the year ended June,

) As a part of our longstanding commitment to honor missionaries

spans, lower interest rates, and low investment returns.

a large debt is retired over a long period of time.

10 2016 General Fund Income & Expenses for the year ended June, 2016 (U.S.) As a part of our longstanding commitment to honor missionaries in retirement, Village Missions has had a defined benefit pension plan since Like many pension plans, we have been affected by increased life spans, lower interest rates, and low investment returns. Despite the magnitude of these changes on paper, our daily ministry continues unhindered. The pension obligation can be likened to a home mortgage, where a large debt is retired over a long period of time. Village Missions is blessed with adequate resources to meet our ongoing ministry needs. For more information, see our full financial statement at villagemissions.org/annual-report, or call our CFO, Jim Cross at x 120. Village Missions Board of Directors Roy Bell Sheldon Blattner Peter Corak Chairman Glenn Daman Gil Doelber District Representative

11 Annual Report Income by Source: $6,179,525 Operating Expenses $6,341,900 Glenn Faxon Glen Hanson Retired Fall 2016 Ken Moore Bill Nicholson Keith Walker

This is only possible because of people, like you, who have a heart for these small churches and communities.

12 Unfinished Stories Each of these eight new churches has a story one that almost ended. Village Missions exists to help those stories go on by supplying the missionaries and finances necessary to keep the church open. This is only possible because of people, like you, who have a heart for these small churches and communities. Because of those who have given to Village Missions, churches have remained open, lives have been touched by the Gospel of Jesus, children have found hope they never knew existed P.O. Box 197 Dallas, OR Keeping Country Churches Alive and entire communities have been changed forever. Because of individuals like you, these eight new churches are beginning a new chapter in their story. Will you be a part of their story? If you would like to play a role in the story of a new church, please visit villagemissions.org/adopt today.

A View From the Country

A View From the Country with Brian Wechsler, Executive Director The Bottom Line Most of us have had the experience lately of watching our financial investments take a nosedive. Whether it s an IRA, a 401(k)