Free Methodist World Missions. for. His

Transcription

1 Free Methodist World Missions for His 2003

2 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8) In the end, nothing we do means anything unless it is done for God s glory. In my best moments and sometimes in my worst He reminds me of that fact. For the last three years, Free Methodist World Missions has been reshaping our strategy to follow Jesus and assist Him as He transforms a broken world. In our annual report two years ago, we reviewed the world around us broken and lost and the state of the church as we now experience it. Our question was: How Shall We Respond? Last year s annual report, Responding with Purpose, reviewed our mission, vision, core values and goals. This year we share our strategy to realize this vision. It is a working strategy, one that will develop further as we address the challenges around us and discover where Jesus is specifically calling us to join Him in world transformation. In all, we purpose to keep this fact in mind everything we do must be done ultimately for His glory. Our strategy to serve the North American church as together we make disciples among the peoples of the world is twofold. First, we will mobilize the church through intercessory prayer, global vision, resource empowerment, and missionary deployment. The second part of our strategy focuses on the peoples of our world. We will first evaluate, through research and prayer, each opportunity God presents through His prevenient grace. We will then apply, as appropriate, one or more of the following approaches: intentional evangelism, compassionate ministries, leadership development, servant partnerships, urban priorities, and unreached people groups initiatives. A few months ago, a Free Methodist prayer team with members from across North America gathered in Asia to pray for the outpouring of God s Spirit on our work there. Many powerful images from that time live in my mind. One particularly compelling image is of an upholstered chair seat, stained with the tears of an international missionary who knelt there. Her emotions overwhelmed her as we prayed for God s blessing on her work. Her tears testified to her earnest commitment to live for His glory. This woman s tears are a challenge to me. What price am I willing to pay that Christ Jesus may be glorified through Free Methodist World Missions? Perhaps the image of her tears can challenge your heart too. for His Free Methodist World Missions

3 for His Free Methodist World Missions will Mobilize the North American Free Methodist Church for mission through Intercessory Prayer Global Vision Resource Empowerment Missionary Deployment Make disciples of Jesus Christ among the peoples of the world through Intentional Evangelism Compassionate Ministries Leadership Development Servant Partnerships Urban Priorities Unreached People Groups Initiatives The intent of this twofold strategy is to plant churches establishing healthy, biblical, reproducing communities of believers around the world. Free Methodist World Missions

4 for His Glory Mobilization Eric Spangler, Director of Mobilization Af-flu-en-za n 1 the bloated, sluggish and unfulfilled feeling that results from efforts to keep up with the Joneses 2 an epidemic of stress, overwork, waste and indebtedness caused by dogged pursuit of the American Dream 3 an unsustainable addiction to economic growth (according to the PBS television program and Web site of the same name) FMWM Mo-bil-i-za-tion n 1 v to mobilize the intentional effort to stimulate and focus missional vision and energy within the FMC of North America 2 a deliberate effort to serve as a conduit for Free Methodists to find God s best to serve abroad cross-culturally 3 a calculated plan to counter the effects of affluenza The Lord of the Harvest has heard our prayers please keep praying! In the last year, as many of you have diligently prayed, God has graciously entrusted to us a growing number of contacts and potential extended-term missionary candidates. I believe that premeditative prayer stirs not only the hearts of individuals but also the heart of the church itself. And we need to be stirred. The Great Commission is still an imperative command. We must respond with purpose so we can offer glory to our God! Since the spring of 2003, 14 missionaries have been appointed for extended-term missionary service: Gary and Jann Allen Mexico Cathy Bushnell Tanzania Greg and Brenda Hendrick Ukraine Kevin and Natelle Austin Thailand A couple Asian creative access country Chris Wilkins Cambodia Ken and Letty Myers Mexico Joel and Janette Miller Mexico To help mobilize churches, resources and individual believers, these forms of communication have been implemented in the past year: Two monthly letters: (1.) Missionlift reflects on and encourages mission in general and (2.) Are You the One? connects monthly with potential missionaries (and others interested in praying for missions) a companion Web site to the Free Methodist World Missions site, intended to ramp up mobilization and provide an online resource tool that can be used by missions-minded mobilizers everywhere C. S. Lewis said, There are two kinds of people: those who say to God Thy will be done and those to whom God says, Alright then, have it your way. May many more people in this world say Yes to the Savior this next year because more Free Methodists have willingly given themselves to an eternal purpose. Africa Henry Church, Africa Area Director In a peaceful sitting of the General Conference of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rev. W Elongo Luhe ya was elected the second bishop of the church. Rev. W Elongo follows retiring Bishop Bya ene Akulu Ilangyi, who led the church for 40 years. Rev. W Elongo has served as the Assistant Legal Representative (assistant to the bishop) for the past 20 years. Training classes to develop a good understanding of Free Methodism began in August 2003 in Accra (Ghana) and Douala (Cameroon) for about a dozen new leaders in each country. These classes included a week of intensive study in Wesleyan Doctrine of the Holy Spirit, Practical Free Methodism, Stewardship and Bookkeeping, and Bible Studies on Prayer.

5 for His Glory Property has been acquired for a new four-story women s business training school in Accra, Ghana. The main floor will be a church auditorium that will seat around 500. VISA construction teams are preparing to work on the new structure. The Free Methodist Bible School in Tanzania has just completed its first year of operation under the direction of Henry Church and Gerald Baraza. The school has approximately 30 ministerial students and is progressing very well. The Free Methodist Church in Zimbabwe has submitted its Book of Discipline and expects to become a full, independent General Conference by early This will bring the number of independent General Conferences in Africa to seven. Work has begun in Iraq, as well as in some other countries in that region, under the direction of our Middle Eastern mission representative. The first services of our church were recently held in both Iraq and one of its neighbors. Asia David Yardy, Asia Area Director The Philippine Free Methodist Church became a General Conference on November 2. Bishop Jim Tuan leads the 150 churches and 18,732 members. The Bangalore (India) Provisional Annual Conference was organized in February with 900 members. Dyanand Sagar was elected superintendent. Agape Church Fellowship in India, with a membership of 17,000 adults and 267 churches, affiliated with the FMC as an annual conference. Golapali John was elected superintendent. The Western India Annual Conference (Mumbai) observed its 25th anniversary with 2,000 celebrants from 35 churches in attendance. The Taiwan Free Methodist Church celebrated its 50th anniversary in April. FM work began there in the early 1950s when missionaries joined the massive migration from China. The Umri Christian Hospital s nursing program graduated its first class in July. The state of Maharashtra (India) recognized the school as the best of its kind in the state. These graduates will work closely with indigenous missionaries. The Global China Consultation was held in Taipei (Taiwan). It linked multiple Free Methodist ministries to more effectively reach Chinese around the world for Christ. An All India Evangelism Consultation was held in September. This meeting of 45 leaders from annual conferences and affiliated mission organizations brings the Free Methodist Church a step closer to having ministries throughout the whole subcontinent. Vietnam and Sri Lanka were the subjects of two exploratory trips. The Free Methodist Church in Canada sponsored the trip to begin new ministries in Sri Lanka. A follow-up pastor s retreat was held in August. The Mumbai Child Care hostel, the first of six new hostels to be built in India, was dedicated in September. Europe Jerry Coleman, Europe Area Coordinator The number of missionaries in Europe has grown to 24. Thirteen extended-term and 11 VISA missionaries serve in five different countries. The work in France received a boost when Marvin and Lisa Klein and their three children joined the FM mission as VISA affiliates. In addition to seven organized churches in Europe, church plants have been started in six other countries: Hungary, Greece, Portugal, Spain, Belgium and Ukraine. The 2004 Olympics in Athens (Greece) will bring focus from around the world to one geographic area. Preparations are now under way for Free Methodists from five different countries to share the good news of Jesus with athletes and spectators from around the world.

6 for His Glory The Free Methodist Church has purchased its first property on the continent of Europe. An old shoe factory, located just one block from the main train station in Thessaloniki, Greece, has been transformed into a guest house and meeting place. Under the leadership of Cindi and Eduardo Angelo and Cida Matos, our churches in Portugal continue to see dramatic growth and new spiritual life. Among those converted in 2003 was a famous musician who has committed himself to serve in the Portugal FMC. Our first members in Spain, Nito and Liliana Vilariño, are preparing to lead the first church planting team in Madrid. The FMC in Hungary is a member of the newly formed Wesleyan Alliance. After the first joint effort of publishing the 52 standard sermons of John Wesley in Hungarian, the six Wesleyan groups formed an official alliance for further collaboration in publication and education. Under the leadership of missionary Greg Hendrick and Pastor Viktor Zaichuk, 10 people from the Rivne FMC (Ukraine) were baptized in the Horeen River in September. As of March 2003, the FMC is officially registered in Belgium. Three churches are being planted under the direction of missionaries Lucien and Molly Behar. Latin America David Roller, Latin America Area Director Wayfinder Team 1 to the Caribbean reports great ministry opportunities on the island countries of Antigua and Dominica. A combined business plan/church planting effort has been proposed that would provide entrepreneurial opportunities together with spiritual ministry. Wayfinder Team 2 to the Caribbean reports a strong Cuban FMC of approximately 20 churches. The churches have a clear Free Methodist identity and are deeply spiritual. We need to focus prayer on their attempts to receive government recognition. We celebrate Number 9400! That s the registration number we received on July 23, 2003, as the Free Methodist Church was officially registered in Uruguay. This has been a five-year process, and we re thankful to finally be official. With the return of missionaries Dan and Paula Bonney to the U.S. in June, we celebrate 100-plus years of Free Methodist missionaries in the Dominican Republic. Dozens of missionaries labored tirelessly and faithfully in this country and were rewarded with the establishment of a strong national church. In a joint effort with Free Methodist World Missions, the Chilean church has sent a Chilean pastor to minister to the Mapuche people in southern Chile. Pastor Henry and Ruth Riquelme have moved to the city of Temuco and begun a number of ministries. The Mapuche are a large group of indigenous people who live both in the country and the city but maintain a strong ethnic identity and present unique challenges to evangelism. The Riquelmes are already installing wells, working with two schools for Mapuche children and developing plans, in conjunction with SIM (Serving In Mission), for a boarding home in Temuco for Mapuche children. The August consultation with Dan Sheffield, urban ministry facilitator, helped the Santiago (Chile) and Buenos Aires (Argentina) church planters define and focus their efforts. The second Central American encounter for Free Methodist leaders was held in Panama City in September This continues efforts to deepen the Central American churches identification with key Free Methodist themes. Venezuelan pastor Camilo Mora and David Roller were the teachers. Growing strength in the Mexican Free Methodists missionary effort is perhaps best exemplified by the missionary training camp held in Mexico City in July. The first week consisted of training by a team from Spring Arbor FMC, MI. During the second week, the Mexican young adults put into practice what they had learned by interacting with the community. Missionary Kay Stotts began a new ministry, traveling to the various countries to train church leaders in effective

7 for His Glory children s ministries. It is both wise and fruitful to dedicate a missionary to helping our national churches minister to their huge populations of children. The Brazilian Conference was accepted as a Provisional General Conference. Approximately 60 years after the first missionaries went to Brazil, we rejoice with the Brazilian conference in this step that affirms their leadership, growth and institutional strength. International Child Care Ministries Ann Van Valin, Director The Clarkston FMC, MI, work team returned to expand the school in Monte Santo (Brazil). This Child Care school has 150 students and is an integral part of the church. For two years, the ministry to street children in Davao (Philippines) has included Hope Street School, a portable school on a cart. The cart is brought to the same park every night, and the children who have gathered to study have come to know Christ. A new ministry began when the Ferndale FMC, MI, provided the funds for a hostel serving the Ata-Matigsalug tribal children in Betan (Philippines). This hostel of 45 children from seven FM churches makes it possible for the first children in this tribe to be educated. A work team from Shoreline FMC, WA, built the House of Joy at Gor Sachalia in Cambodia. The children on this island of 5,000 now have access to the gospel on a daily basis, and their lives are changing remarkably. Dr. Valerie Hall, Indianapolis, IN, and various volunteer team members have led teacher training in Haiti for the last five years. They have now completed training 500 teachers there. Our office in Port-Au-Prince has added four Haitian teacher trainers. A financial gift from the Wenatchee FMC, WA, and a pledge from Timberlake Christian Fellowship, Redmond, WA, along with the sacrificial gifts of many sponsors, is making possible the building of six new hostels in India. The new hostel in Mumbai (Bombay) has just been completed and is already housing children. The dedication was held September 20, As of August 30, 2003, 17,900 children were sponsored through International Child Care Ministries. VISA Ministries (Volunteers In Service Abroad) Deb Miller, Director VISA Ministries processed 120 adult and family assignments this year, representing 154 people. Five of these assignments (10 individuals) joined as VISA Affiliates. Affiliates are vocational missionaries serving with other organizations, but they also connect with Free Methodist ministry. Counting individuals and families each as a missionary unit, 47 units are currently serving one-to two-year assignments. VISA assisted 73 teams to minister cross-culturally this year. Teams consisted of a total of 830 people (214 teens and 616 adults). Missionary retention is at the heart of VISA Ministries. This past year, five VISA missionary families transitioned into FMWM extended-term service. VISA University, the educational component of VISA Ministries, held a successful Boot Camp in Cuiabá, Brazil, December 28, 2002, to January 10, Seventy-five people attended, representing seven nations. Due to increased worldwide political sensitivity to military terms and mission strategies, Missions Boot Camp has been renamed Global Studies Intensive. VISA University Team Leader Training was held at the World Ministries Center in April with 24 people attending. VISA Ministries attended IYC (International Youth Conference) as a crucial opportunity to promote missions and encourage Free Methodist young people to serve overseas. Julie Wimberley and Celeste Carlson held workshops for 150 students and over a dozen leaders.

8 Mission To serve Free Methodists as together we make disciples of Jesus Christ among the peoples of the world Vision Multitudes becoming disciples of Jesus Christ as Free Methodists plant hundreds of healthy reproducing churches around the world Core Values for By the grace of God and in partnership with the worldwide Free Methodist Church: Free Methodist World Missions 1. Every local church sending to the ends of the earth 2. Every disciple ministering in God s chosen place 3. Every missionary supported financially, emotionally and spiritually 4. Every ministry interconnected for maximum Kingdom impact We fully support the mission, vision and values of the Free Methodist Church. We are committed to every Free Methodist s privilege to give radically, pray fervently and serve sacrificially in our global mission. We are committed to developing indigenous, culturally relevant, reproducing, missionary-sending churches. We are committed to full obedience to Jesus Christ, disregarding personal comfort and security. We believe fully devoted disciples of Christ develop best in healthy local congregations; therefore, we seek to plant churches through evangelism, leadership development, and ministries of compassion and community transformation. Goals There will be one million Free Methodists in the world by His We will help mobilize 300 new Free Methodist missionaries by There will be Free Methodist churches in 250 of the nearly 500 million-plus cities of our world by new Free Methodist churches will be established each year worldwide FM world membership: 602, missions giving (including International Child Care Ministries): $9,721,236