MAGAZINE Issue 1, Together we re better. Includes: Education at a distance All for One Would you go on this trip? MECO INTERNATIONAL 1

Transcription

1 meco international MAGAZINE Issue 1, 2014 Together we re better Includes: Education at a distance All for One Would you go on this trip? MECO INTERNATIONAL 1

2 MECO MAGAZINE KEEPING YOU UP-TO -DATE AND AFFIRMING THE IMPORTANCE OF YOUR ROLE IN THE MINISTRY OF MECO GET IN TOUCH AUSTRALIA PO Box 136, Kerrimuir, Victoria 3129 (03) The view from here COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? MECO International is an interdenominational fellowship of evangelical Christians. Our vision is to see the love of Jesus Christ lived and proclaimed in the Middle East. MECO International s mission is to support Middle East Christians in sharing the love of Jesus Christ. This support includes prayer, example, service, partnering with churches, training and development and encouraging church planting. TOGETHER WE RE BETTER Henry Ford, founder of the Ford Motor Company, famously said: Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success. In this issue of our magazine you will read how God has teamed people together to advance His work in the Middle East. You ll find articles about partnerships and partners including you! We hope the stories will inspire you and that they will encourage you to pray for God s work in the Middle East and for the people who carry out that work. INFO@ABOUTMECO.ORG MECO International Magazine is published four times a year and can be read online at Editorial Team: Mike Parker, Chris Grantham, Linda Haist Graphic Design: Eugene Pawczuk Photography: Some photographs are supplied by istockphoto.com and may feature models. Scan with a smart phone to go to our webpage CANADA PO Box 610, Burlington, Ontario L7R 3Y5 (905) canada@aboutmeco.org NEW ZEALAND PO Box 76656, Manukau, Auckland 2241 (09) info@meco.org.nz SOUTH AFRICA PostNet Suite 414, Private Bag X37, Lynnwood Ridge 0040 (084) sa@aboutmeco.org UK & IRELAND 22 Culverden Park Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN4 9RA (01892) uk@aboutmeco.org Registered Charity USA PO Box 14896, Bradenton FL (800) 747 MECO usa@aboutmeco.org FRIENDS IN THE MIDDLE EAST continue to struggle with change and transition. While tensions grow, and pressures increase, our aim is to support and encourage them in their witness to Christ. The churches and agencies we work with are embracing these challenges and treating them as a time of Gospel opportunity. This is the time to let them know we re standing alongside them and praying with them. We also have much to learn from them - especially those whose witness to locals, authorities, majorities and refugees is bold and clear. Partnership is the name of the game. Years ago I benefited from seminars and teaching on moving from dependence to independence. The cycle moves clockwise: Dependence we start an initiative (a school, hospital, business) Counter-dependence nationals take it over and run it their way Independence while nationals continue the work we go on our way to do something else somewhere else Interdependence we recognise each others gifts and strengths and work together I ve used this cycle over many years, in many situations, to help people work out where they are and how to move forward. It helps us face reality and disappointment, deal with false expectations, work out what s our responsibility and what s not, and make good and godly decisions about when to move and when to stay. Here s the thing. In my experience, most organizations don t go beyond the third stage. We think our work is done when schools and hospitals and businesses are up and running and we go on to new things in new places. Yet that way, we haven t reached maturity. That comes with Interdependence, when we become partners together, spurring one another on, covering one another, bringing our complementary gifts to bear as we reach out to people together. Leadership is national, clear and increasingly mature. Our part as internationals is to serve and use our skills as they lead forward. To be partners like this may mean staying longer than we thought. While nationals take the lead, trust is built and new outreach initiatives can be explored together. Our partners are churches and agencies in the Middle East. You re partners too. Through your prayers, insight, wisdom, encouragement, volunteer help and financial giving, you are working with us as we seek our place in such a stretching and uncertain time. May we reach 9 o clock together. Mike Parker International Director MECO INTERNATIONAL 2 03 MECO INTERNATIONAL 3

3 Syrian refugee appeal update In their own words... One of our partners leads an Arab network, with over 70 workers in 11 countries. Here s a summary of the devotion he brought during a recent conference: In a world of skills and strategy and technology, what really matters? After all Jesus has done for us, what can we do for him? In Mark 3:13-15 we read: Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to Him those He wanted, and they came to Him. He appointed twelve that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons. The world needs to see Jesus, and we are to be salt and light in His name. The Arab world boasts some of the best and most passionate and fiery speakers. Yet the key to communication is to focus on our relationship with Jesus. There is a pastor who often uses a magnet to magnetise a rusty nail; the nail in turn becomes a magnet drawing iron filings to it. Just so for us: as we focus on intimacy with Jesus, and as that intimacy produces holiness, we find ourselves involved in attracting others as Jesus power transforms us. There s a word here to Western partners. Let s go back to the basics. We look for the latest in leadership style and strategy. Instead, we need to learn to be obedient to the call and commission of Jesus. Choose to stay with Him, allow Him to make us what He wants. Two stories make the point. I have a friend called Mokles (which means faithful). He made this M E CO I N T E R N AT I O N A L his priority. People said to me, If your Jesus is like Mokles, I will receive Him. In China, a mango seller tried to sell all day, without success. He had no money for a lunchtime sandwich. So he cut open a mango and ate it. And the aroma spread around, so others came to buy. People need to smell the beautiful aroma of Christ, to see His power at work in us. To put it another way, we are mirrors, reflecting Christ to others. Let us repent and confess and go back to this. Our first calling is not to preach the Gospel, but to be with Him. He will change our priorities as we walk with Him. 4 As the crisis in Syria continues, so does the opportunity to hold out the word of life to people on the move and in need. In August 2012 MECO launched its Syrian Refugee Crisis Appeal and supporters around the world generously responded. To date, we ve received GB 72,000 (US$119,000) which we ve used to distribute relief to refugees through churches and agencies working in Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt and Syria. As we pray for peace, reconciliation and rebuilding, we know refugees are going to be with us for a long time. For that reason, we need to put the appeal on pause at the end of March so we can re-evaluate the relief effort with our partners. In the meantime, we offer the following 21% information from our people on the ground as a snapshot of how donations have been used... I partner with the local 10% church to provide aid to Syrians fleeing the conflict. Mostly I visit Syrians in their homes, giving out packs 5% of basic foods, nappies and powdered milk, establishing relationships with the women in the family and sharing with them on a deeper level. I try to visit 3 or 4 houses a day and spend at least an hour in each. I have a list of 30 houses (about 45 families, as often more than one family live in a house) and try to get to each house once a month. We visit more if we are discipling them (without bringing extra aid). Food and nappies are stored in the church for all the workers to use for their visits. This especially helps Arab workers who have fewer overseas avenues to raise finance for aid. Visiting is an important part of the ministry. In one home we met a 16 year old pregnant girl who was having pains and feeling tired all the time. She had not seen a doctor for a long time and a gynaecologist friend of the team agreed to see her. The girl was worried about local news stories of Syrians being kidnapped. She asked one of our team members, Can I really trust you? Everyone in my family is telling me not to. You are Christian but I feel that you are good people. After assuring her, the team member took her to the clinic, where the doctor was very attentive, gave her an ultrasound scan and vitamins. She was very happy and on the way back said, My sister never treated me like this or called a doctor for me. I m a nobody at home, no one notices me. I ll be so excited to go with you again. LEBANESE CHURCH PARTNERSHIPS 62% LEBANESE EVANGELICAL SOCIETY 5% CHURCH-LED AID PROGRAMMES 10% JORDANIAN CHURCH PARTNERSHIPS 21% % OVERHEAD COSTS 2% 2 Half the $3000 we received went to buy clothes for about 45 children. We gave vouchers to families, and shops exchanged them for clothes. The other half went on school materi62% als and practical items. People were invited to a number of church activity days for children. An appropriately-aimed Christian program meant we worked hard to communicate the love of God to the men. Social therapy was provided for the women. As refugees, Syrian women have very little opportunity to go on outings. Thanks to a MECO donation one church was able to take a group of women and children into the countryside for a day away. They played games, walked a trail, had lunch, watched a Jesus film and heard a clear gospel message from the church s pastor. One of the women asked for a copy of the film and wants to attend more church events. M E CO I N T E R N AT I O N A L 5

4 FOR 31 YEARS, more than 2,500 men and women in the Middle East have been equipped for leadership in their church communities through a unique educational opportunity. The Program for Theological Education by Extension, better known by its acronym, PTEE, was created by a partnership of Middle Eastern churches and Christian agencies, including MECO. Coming from six evangelical denominations, the partners began meeting together in 1979 and established the PTEE in From the beginning, PTEE founders wanted to offer education not only at a graduate level but also by extension (distance learning) because they believed in the importance of training people where they live rather than having them attend a seminary away from home. R.J.*, a MECO worker serving in PTEE s administration, says this approach is important because history shows when people go away to study in another city or country they tend not to return to their communities where they are needed. Offering education by extension also makes seminary training affordable. Accredited by the Asia Theological Association and the Middle East Association for Theological Education, the PTEE also prefers to train people in real-world environments. Its overall educational objective is to provide biblical, theological, societal and practical training in Arabic. Its educational curricula have been developed in response to the identified needs of local communities and churches, which are seen as PTEE s stakeholders. PTEE Partnership produces unique seminary where textbooks are teachers R.J. notes that in extension education, the text book functions as the primary teacher. As a result, PTEE students spend six to eight hours weekly in self-study. Students are also required to meet in local learning groups led by a trained tutor. Two-hour weekly seminars provide opportunity for discussion of the materials being studied, including how what is being studied applies to each person s life and community. In addition to their studies, students are required to do practical, supervised ministry in their churches and communities. PTEE calls this ministry action learning. Although the Arab Spring and the ongoing civil war in Syria have inhibited enrolment, PTEE currently has 100 students studying in 12 Middle Eastern countries. Some of these countries would never allow the establishment of a campus-based seminary. In addition, people attending Arab churches located in Australia, Canada, Germany, Sweden and the United States are also studying through the PTEE. PTEE s graduates include women and men who serve in the region as para-church leaders, local pastors and church leaders. PTEE currently has 100 students studying in 12 Middle Eastern countries. MECO INTERNATIONAL 6 youth workers, religious instruction and school teachers, and as Christian workers in many fields. One graduate has served in his country s government, another on a national television program, but many simply serve their local communities as better equipped followers of Jesus Christ. PTEE s Ministry Centre has a team of 11 full-time and part-time staff members. R.J. notes that the staff of the Ministry Centre has always been a partnership made up of nationals and westerners, but with a few exceptions the PTEE country deans, coordinators and tutors have been nationals. MECO members have served in administration, written curricula, sat on PTEE s executive committee, and continue to sit on the governing board. One MECO HOW CAN YOU HELP Pray for the wider PTEE team and its ministry in the region Help Christian trusts and foundations become aware of the PTEE Encourage Middle Easterners who have at least a Masters Degree in Theology or Education to return to the region to serve with the PTEE Find out more on the PTEE website: member was also responsible for setting up the PTEE program in a Middle Eastern country, which now has the largest student enrolment of any country. In November 2013, Rev Jiries Habash, became the first Arab Executive Director of the PTEE, a role he will carry out for the next three years. R.J. says Rev Habash s main priority for the coming three years is to grow class and student numbers throughout the region. He adds that PTEE s 20/20 Vision is to see classes operating in 22 Arab countries by the year To do this new sources of funding are needed to help recruit new Arab staff. He notes that there are a number of projects that need funding, including an online learning project. There is also a need to provide scholarships for students. MECO INTERNATIONAL 7

5 All for One The sphere of Christian work around the world has always depended on partners and partnership. Today, many agencies like MECO describe their personnel as partners. The term reflects sharing together, and drawing on the Lausanne Covenant, the whole church taking the whole gospel to the whole world. The person who leaves home to serve cross-culturally over there is the most visible component of MECO but there s a huge band of essential partners behind that person. People like: You. You re likely reading this magazine because you re keen to see and learn more about God s work and the people He s using to carry out that work. You again. If you are one of those who pray about what you read and hear, asking God to do good and bring the love and hope of Jesus through His people serving over there. You again. If you are one of the many who helps provide the necessary financial resources to help carry out the work. You again. When you write/ /skype/tweet/phone/ visit MECO personnel when they are away and when they return home. You again. If you are a MECO volunteer helping in any capacity. MECO staff. The people in national offices who among other things are responsible for the daily administrative work that needs to be done. MECO Boards. National and international trustees who have the recognized stewardship of MECO personnel and resources. In 1 Corinthians 3: 6-9 Paul wrote: I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labour. For we are God s co-workers... Theologian Roger S. Greenway has written that the efforts of divine and human co-workers result in God s harvest being brought in. According to Greenway, it is one of the mysteries of God s wisdom that in the building of His house and the harvesting of His fields, the outcome of His sovereign plan depends on your labour and mine. MECO INTERNATIONAL 8 The following prayers, written by two MECO personnel, beautifully reflect our partnership with the Lord and with you: Partners with the Lord Our God, our Master Builder, made his Son the cornerstone, setting north and south direction, east and west from him alone. Designer, skilled in woodwork, make us patient students here, and guide our hands and eyes until our finished craft is clear. We want to fashion beauty just as you do, who create within us and around us every curve and every straight till we resemble you, and all can tell who made each thing, With paper, paint or woodwork, anything that we can bring. As we encourage others, some are fast and some are slow, Like us, who try to follow you, to speak of you or show Your master craftsmanship not just in things, but people too So may we demonstrate your love, our total trust in you. - H.P. A Partner s Prayer for Friends All glory to you, Our Almighty Father, who sent your Son to save us. And praise to you, Jesus, who willingly laid aside your majesty and came as a baby, grew as a normal lad and learnt obedience to our Father all the way to the cross and beyond. Thank you Father for your precious gift to us of a Saviour, not because we deserve it but because of your amazing grace in opening the way for us to be reconciled to you. Thank you that we can rejoice in knowing the good news. I pray for all my friends, that as they celebrate your coming they will have a renewed sense of awe and appreciation for what you did for us and for your continual love and service to us. During 2014 I pray that they will know and understand more deeply the breadth, depth and height of your unconditional love for us, this love which surpasses all knowledge, and that they may be filled to over-flowing with your Spirit and have such joy in their salvation that it bubbles over to those around. For those facing trials and hard times I pray that this joy of their salvation will be their strength and you will enable them to endure with wisdom and patience. And to stand firm! Father may others come to know you too because of their examples. Thank you so much for their love and prayers over the years for me. Bless them and continue to make them a blessing to others. All for your glory. - E.M. Amen. MECO INTERNATIONAL 9

6 Like lambs among wolves... Heal the sick; tell them the Kingdom of God is near; no luggage allowed. Participants will not be provided with or allowed to spend money. Food and accommodation to be arranged, as and when required. No mobile phones or other electronic devices will be permitted. Participants should be prepared for harassment, assault and possibly death. The programme is currently short on numbers so please pray for more. Having read the small print would you sign up for this (trip)? Would you want your son or daughter to go? This is how Jesus describes the short-term trip He sends the 72 disciples on in Luke 10. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. If we re going on a short-term trip because we think it will be fun or an adventure, we re missing the point. It might be (both) but our focus must be on our witness and obedience to Jesus. This is a serious business. These 72 were appointed by Jesus what a great privilege and responsibility. So are we! They were sent ahead of Jesus to places He planned to visit keeping that perspective in mind will bring a new dimension to our trip. We re all familiar with opposition to the gospel from our fumbling attempts to share our faith, but we mustn t underestimate how severe this opposition can be. We need to be prepared to face it with wisdom and grace and the strength of knowing we are serving the Lord. He told them, The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field. Jesus sees the harvest of those who are ready to hear and respond to the message. Even before He sent them out He asked them to pray for others to be sent out too. The team in Luke 10 went to northern Galilee, so it was not cross-cultural. But ultimately the harvest Jesus sees is the whole world, and the challenge numerically to reach the world is greater than ever. To send out means to throw or push out Jesus uses ordinary, weak, reluctant, hesitant people who often need to be pushed! Let s pray for more to be thrown out by the Lord into His work. Do not take a purse or bag or sandals It can seem like a very fine line between being poorly prepared and relying on God. I wouldn t recommend sending 72 people on a trip to Central Asia with no luggage, money or footwear! However, we need to be looking for ways to strip away our dependence on ourselves, our team leader or our sending organisation / church, to live simply, make sacrifices, and truly put our trust in God. Heal those there who are ill and tell them, The kingdom of God has come near to you. While we may debate what forms it might take, as disciples of Jesus we should all expect God to do amazing things through us. However, regardless of the help that we are able to offer, or how much compassion we show, we must never forget the need for people to hear and respond to the gospel. These disciples also brought a message of judgment. Our task is to care for the sick and share the good news, to show the love of God in action and share the love of God for the world. As we do this we know that we are playing a part in the downfall of Satan. How do you think of short-term trips? A fun teambuilding experience? A chance to meet people different from ourselves? A time for personal growth and spiritual reflection? An opportunity to offer help to people in need? It may be all of those things, but first and foremost is must be a heartfelt response to Jesus command to work in His harvest field so that His name may be glorified in all the Earth as His kingdom comes. This article appeared in Global Connections Sphere magazine, April 2013 and has been used with permission. ENCOUNTER TEAM 2014 MECO s Encounter Team isn t for everyone. But it is for 18 to 35 yearolds who want to: Broaden their understanding of the Church and the people and culture of the Middle East See and share in Christian ministries in the Middle East and learn from those serving there Provide encouragement to Middle Eastern Christians through their presence and practical help It s also for those who: Know ministry can be hard work Don t mind long hours Are team players Put others first This year s Encounter Team trip will be held July 9 August 7. Applications and more information are available from your MECO office and online at: The deadline for applications is April 30, 2014 Would you want to sign up for this trip? MECO INTERNATIONAL 10 MECO INTERNATIONAL 11

7 The opportunities listed on this page are samples of how people can serve churches and ministries in the Middle East. If you sense God calling you to this part of the world you can be sure He has work for you to do. Although opportunities for service in the Middle East usually require professional qualifications, we are as concerned about God s call on people s lives as their professional abilities For more information about these opportunities call your local MECO Office or visit: Please note that MECO volunteers raise their support in order to serve. Teachers All Grades and for Special Education (Blind & Deaf) Numerous Christian schools throughout the Middle East need teachers for full-time positions, as well as part-time positions for extra-curricular programs in July and August. Qualifications: Internationally recognized with experience Minimum service: 1 2 years (full-time), 1 2 months July and August Language: English, willingness to learn Arabic Rehabilitation Worker Qualifications: Appropriate degree/diploma Minimum service: 2 years Language: English and willingness to learn Sorani Kurdish Location: Iraqi Kurdistan Opportunities to Serve Qualifications: International law, human rights, public policy Minimum Service: 4 years minimum Language: English, Arabic Theological Trainer Qualifications: Post Graduate Degree in Theology Minimum service: 3 years Language needed: English. Arabic required if tutoring Location: Jordan Day Care Worker/Trainer Helping to start a day care centre for children of migrant workers Qualifications: Any qualification in pre-school care Minimum Service: 3 months 1 year Language needed: English Location: Lebanon Physiotherapists, Speech, Language and Occupational Therapists Qualifications: Experience preferred Minimum Service: 1 year Language: English and willingness to learn Arabic Location: Various countries English Teacher for Adults Qualifications: TOEFL or CELTA and willingness to learn Arabic Minimum service: 1 year Religious Freedom Advocacy Worker Providing support for persecuted Christians meco international Doctors, Nurses, Midwives for Hospitals, Clinics Qualifications: Internationally recognized with experience Minimum service: 1 2 years Language: English, willingness to learn Arabic Location: Various countries Teacher Teaching English, computer awareness and any subjects useful in a developing country Qualifications: TOEFL/CELTA Minimum Service: 1 year Language needed: English and basic Arabic Location: Remote area JANUARY 2014 MECO INTERNATIONAL 12