hands for the harvest serving the world... What a huge harvest he said to his disciples. How few workers! On your knees and pray for harvest hands! Matthew 9:34-38 (The Message) 2007
How do we as Free Methodists respond to the broken of our world: the abandoned in Romania and wherever the young are left to fend for themselves? the poor in Peru and wherever people try to exist with few of life s necessities? the urban masses of India and wherever throngs are drawn by the lure of the city? the unreached in Nigeria and wherever people groups have not heard the gospel? the sick in Haiti and wherever disease devastates bodies and spirits? the war-torn of the Middle East and wherever hatred and conflict are a part of everyday life? the misplaced in Greece and wherever people leave their homeland in search of a better life? This year s annual report reviews how we, as a worldwide Free Methodist family, have attempted to be Jesus to people like these. It also challenges us to adopt the model of Jesus in new ways: our hearts broken in compassion and our eyes turned in prayer to the only One who can provide the harvest workers Christ himself. Join us in the adventure of caring, weeping, reaching and sharing. The Master invites us to be His Hands for the Harvest. Dr. Art Brown, Executive Director... Jesus... healed their diseased bodies, healed their bruised and hurt lives. When he looked out over the crowds, his heart broke. So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd. What a huge harvest! he said to his disciples. How few workers! On your knees and pray for harvest hands! Matthew 9: 34-38 (The Message)
Free Methodists around the world, as their eyes have been opened to great spiritual and physical needs, have become involved in the harvest. In fact, Free Methodist ministry has expanded to 77 countries, with nine out of ten Free Methodists currently living outside the U.S. As the worldwide Free Methodist Church matures, national churches are growing in their passion to reach the lost. In just this last year, the Middle East FMC initiated a new House Church program in a north Africa country; the Taiwan conference sent missionaries to Indianapolis, IN, to plant a church among the Chinese; the Latin America FMC reinforced outreach efforts in Caracas (Venezuela) and Lima (Peru). Churches across Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and North America are sending workers out into the harvest. The Free Methodist Church currently consists of: 14 General and Provisional General Conferences 15 Annual and Provisional Annual Conferences 22 Mission Districts 27 Churches-in-Formation FMWM North American missionaries serve in 30 countries. The North America General Conference also helps to fund FM missions work in 53 of the 77 countries. The 2007 FMWM budget includes support of these ministries: Missionary Support (99) $ 4,035,500 Country Shares (53) $ 889,935 VISA Ministries (approx. 1,000 individuals) $ 180,015 FMWM Administration $ 1,002,719 International Child Care Ministries (ICCM) (approx. 20,000 children) $ 4,052,361 ICCM Administration $ 651,180 Extra Mile Projects $ 1,370,000 Total $12,181,710 (This total does not include expenses to send VISA personnel or money sent directly to the field.) Throughout 2007, FMWM has developed plans and systems to not only ensure that current ministries continue to be funded in the future, but also that God s kingdom work can be expanded, as God directs. As the mission continues to grow and interconnect, Funding the Harvest Warren Hawkins, Director of Development it is harder to manage every facet of missions from a central FMWM location. FMWM s home office can become a bottleneck, making it difficult for funds and information to flow freely. Funding the future is all about connecting local churches directly with missionaries and global ministries. While still providing ministry oversight, training and tools, FMWM will act more as a conduit between the local church and the missionary or global ministry. Starting January 1, 2008, the nearly 1,000 U.S. Free Methodist churches will be empowered to personally and passionately engage directly with ministries all around the world for maximum kingdom impact. With this direct link comes a greater responsibility, but the potential for new and exciting relationships and ministry opportunities is endless, with each local church rising up to have a global impact for Christ. The Worldwide Free Methodist Church Ministry present in 77 world areas Total membership 728,988* 100 North American missionaries serving $12,181,710 raised for FMWM ministries* Almost 9 out of 10 Free Methodists live outside the U.S. *2006 figures
2007 Harvest in Africa Art Brown, interim Africa Area Director, and Henry Church, former Africa Area Director New missionaries Ryan and Jen Willson and their family arrived in Malawi in February, becoming our first missionaries in the southern part of the country. New missionaries Ryan and Katie Bartlett and their family began their ministry at Malawi s Great Commission Bible School in May. Missionary Lois Meredith retired after 33 years of extended-term ministry in Africa. She transitioned to a two-year VISA assignment under International Child Care Ministries in Ethiopia. Rev. Dosseh Takpale Hougnada was ordained as Togo s first FM pastor. The Deer Valley Light and Life Church (Phoenix, AZ) became the principal partner with the Cameroon FMC, supporting ministry in that country. The Titusville FMC (Titusville, PA) partnered with the Togo FMC. Kibogora Hospital in Rwanda began an expansion project to construct several new buildings. Church planting began in Swaziland a joint effort of New Covenant Community Church (Clio, MI), the Mozambique General Conference and FMWM. The Mozambique FMC had already begun new work in another African country Angola. Through the leadership of missionaries Phyllis and Jim Sortor, ministry among the Islamic Fulani people group was begun. An ICCM school is being built in the Kogi state to educate Fulani children and share the gospel. Clear Blue Water Project was launched by the Cornerstone FMC (Akron, OH). Wells were drilled in Malawi and Nigeria, in conjunction with FM churches there. The Democratic Republic of Congo FMC has reached out to neighboring Republic of Congo Brazzaville to continue new work already started there. The ministry of Henry and Bonnie Church was celebrated as they concluded their work in Africa, having served more than 30 years with FMWM. In September, new missionary nurse Julie Yerger arrived in Rwanda to minister at Kibogora Hospital. New missionaries John and Melinda Henry began ministry in Liberia in November. 2007 Harvest in Asia David Yardy, Asia Area Director Sixty-five FM missionaries serve in Asia an all time high: 28 extended-term missionaries (FMWM), eight Asian missionaries (APFMMA), five international missionaries, 21 ESL (English as a Second Language) teachers, and three Voyagers (long-term VISA). Michael and Maggie Lee, pastors from Taipei, were sent by the Taiwan conference as missionaries to Indianapolis, IN, to plant a church among the Chinese. They arrived in July and have seen 30 people come to faith in Jesus. Umri Christian Hospital, India, has begun the first phase of renovation of the 56-yearold hospital. Half of a $600,000 goal has been raised through a Butterfield grant and a 2,000 mile bicycle tour through the heart of India by former Bishop Joe James, Pastor John Hay and Bob Yardy. An ESL (English as a Second Language) ministry to creative access countries has organized a new board with professionals from Greenville College, Spring Arbor University, the Free Methodist Foundation and FMWM. Chansouk has been confirmed as an international missionary to be sent from the Rainier Avenue FMC, Seattle, WA, to begin ministry in Laos under Mission Thailand. Superintendent Joe James was named the Asia Facilitator for Church Development in partnership with the Wabash Conference, where he serves as superintendent. The Immanuel Conference and the Agape Conference of India are building Bible college and junior college campuses. The Yavatmal College of Leadership Training has voted to begin an extension urban ministry campus in Mumbai, in connection with the Andheri FMC. Thailand had its first ordination service on September 28 with Superintendent Joe James officiating. Six elders were ordained. The registration of the Thailand church is near completion. An intensive, five week summer evangelistic thrust in Mumbai, India, resulted in the distribution of 400,000 pieces of literature, 21,000 hearing the gospel and more than 4,000 individuals making decisions to serve Christ. The Asia Leadership Team was organized in February. Its members include Tim Kinkead, Jim Nelson, Don Williams, Jim Wilson, Keith Winslow and David Yardy. It serves as a strategy and advisory group for FMWM ministries in Asia. The Ipoh, Malaysia, congregation purchased a large building to serve as a ministry center for the expanding Malaysia ministries. The Bangalore Conference, India, has purchased a building to serve as a ministry and worship center.
2007 Harvest in Europe Jerry Coleman, Europe Area Director, and Larry Winckles, Europe Area Administrator The UK Conference held its first-ever summer gathering, called Wellspring. There was good participation from churches throughout the conference, and renewed interest in supporting the work of FMWM on the continent was expressed. Partnerships between UK churches and churches on the continent are being explored. The Iglesia Emanuel of Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain, officially affiliated with the Free Methodist Church in January 2007. Pastor Vito Suarez leads this dynamic congregation. Renewal Christian Centre of Solihull, England, is partnering with the Bulgaria FM mission to assist with church development, leadership training and compassionate ministries. Two new extended-term missionary couples were sent to Europe during 2007. Al and Diane Mellinger are working in Petrich, Bulgaria, and Michael and Carrie Hamley joined the ministry team in Madrid, Spain. Brazilian missionary Tania Gonçalves began ministry in Rome, Italy. In July 2007, the loan for the Budapest Ministry Center was repaid in full. A third church has been established in Lisbon, Portugal, under the direction of Brazilian missionaries Cindi and Eduardo Angelo. Missionary Marcie Huson began to serve as the Europe Area Education Coordinator to help resource leaders and churches on the European continent. Missionary Lynette Sykora began member care responsibilities for FM missionaries working in Europe. Missionary Scott Dunn served as construction manager for the new Shalom House of the Oaza Children s Homes in Arad, Romania. The children and their house parents were able to occupy the home in July. In March, missions representatives from Asia, Continental Europe, Brazil, the U.S., Canada and the U.K. gathered in Budapest for a Missions Network Consultation. The goal of these meetings was to improve cooperation and communication between Free Methodist missionary sending agencies that have particular interest in Europe. 2007 Reports of the Harvest in Latin America David Roller, Bishop David Roller, former Latin America Director, was elected as one of three bishops at the North American General Conference in July. As bishop, David s oversight responsibilities will include Latin America Area annual conferences. Dr. Delia Nüesch-Olver was appointed as Area Director for Latin American Ministries. The Missions Executive Leadership Team also approved her as a FMWM extended-term missionary. She will begin her duties August 1, 2008. New missionaries Ricardo and Beth Gomez are in the final stages of raising support to begin ministry based out of Latin America. There they will utilize computer and video technology, as well as face-toface instruction, to coordinate and unify the theological training of Latin American pastors and leaders. The Brazilian Provisional General Conference was recognized as a General Conference in November. Brazil also hosted the World Conference in São Paulo in November. A mentoring program was started. Sergio Loyola in Bolivia, Mercedes Reynoso in Puerto Rico, and Ricardo Flores in Mexico each mentor emerging leaders from other countries. The FM Venezuela Bible Institute in Maturín has grown from 30 students in 2005 to 130 in 2007. Some of the students have already begun planting FM churches. The leadership of the FMC in El Salvador has passed to the second generation as founding pastor Jose Rauda moved back to Texas. New leader Nelson Rodriguez requests prayer for this next phase of the work. The church in Central Mexico expanded to León, a city of three million. Director Jorge Guarello has moved to León to pastor this new ministry. The churches in Latin America reached a total membership of 60,007. Wholistic ministries continue to be developed across the area, with shoe making in Argentina and a sewing project in Chile. The Latin America FMC continues its outreach emphasis on major cities, reinforcing efforts in Caracas (Venezuela) and Lima (Peru).
2007 Reports of the Harvest in the Middle East and North Africa Pastor B.W., Middle East/North Africa Area Director The Middle East/North Africa was established as a new FMWM world area, and Pastor B.W. was appointed Area Director. Four of 11 modules were completed in the new Masters in Ministry program in Cairo, Egypt. Ten key FM pastors are involved in the program. Instructors thus far have included Drs. Joe Culumber, Henry Church, Pastor B.W. and Howard Olver. Five Iraqis were ordained to work in Jordan, Iraq and beyond. A new House Church program has been initiated in a north African country. Resources are in the process of being translated, and a national director has been appointed. The Third Annual FMC of Jordan Spiritual Life Conference was a tremendous success with 115 persons in attendance, including members from three ministry centers (2 organized churches and 1 church plant) in Amman, Jordan. Pastor Howard Olver of Toronto and Dr. Hany Rizkalla of Cairo were keynote speakers. A bridge is forming between FM ministries in Spain, the Dominican Republic and two north African countries. The second FM church of Amman, Jordan, opened a health clinic to minister to hundreds of Iraqi refugees living near the church. The pastor of the Baghdad FM church reports the church there is growing and maturing. He now has a pastor-in-training who is ready to take over the Baghdad church or plant a second church in Baghdad or in a different Iraqi city if instability continues in Baghdad. (The church in Baghdad suffered greatly when the first pastor fled Iraq to Syria in 2006 after continued threats against his family by local militias. For about one year, the church was very weak and in danger of closing. It has recovered and is stronger than ever, despite the chaos and trouble in Baghdad.) In early October, 10 new believers were baptized, four from northern Iraq and six from Baghdad. In addition to strong churches in Baghdad and Dahuk, people or plans are in place to establish churches in Mosul, Kirkuk and As Sulaymaniyah all large, strategic cities in northern Iraq. The FMC hosted a five-day spiritual life conference in Iraq in October 2007, with 100 in attendance. During this conference, the Lord clarified His calling on four couples to serve Him in fulltime ministry. 2007 Harvest through International Child Care Ministries (ICCM) Ann Van Valin, Director ICCM opened sponsorship in Myanmar (Burma). Funds were provided for children of house pastors in China who are being trained by FM leaders. Classroom buildings were constructed for Fulani children in Nigeria. Plans are also in place to sponsor these Muslim clan children by mid-2008. Preliminary work is being conducted for opening ICCM sponsorship in Thailand. The ICCM Director made an observation trip to the Dominican Republic in September. ICCM provided additional assistance to the Burundi Food Fund to help famine victims. Twenty FMWM schools, which were taken from the church in 1979 by the Burundi government, were returned to be run by the church. ICCM provided funds for a leadership development youth camp in the Philippines and a youth camp in Kenya. Fifty high school students were assisted by ICCM as they participated in Harvest Mumbai (Bombay), India. The Anandpuram Home (India) for 50 tsunami orphans was dedicated on December 29, 2006. The Bangalore (India) hostel for boys was dedicated on August 24, 2007. Missionary Cathy Bushnell transitioned from Tanzania to Kenya to be the regional coordinator for east and central Africa ICCM. Ipoh FMC in Malaysia began to sponsor three children.
2007 Harvest through VISA (Volunteers in Service Abroad) Ministries Deb Miller, Director Since its inception 43 years ago, 19,000 people have served through VISA, participating in team or individual assignment ministry. Global Positioning Services (GPS) was launched as a way to connect Christians to secular employment in countries where missionaries are not allowed. There are presently 25 strategically-positioned people teaching English. A conference was held in Asia to bring spiritual refreshment and support to those serving under-the-radar through GPS. An English as a Second Language (ESL) advisory group, made up of professionals (some from FM colleges and universities), was formed to help guide further creative ministry endeavors. VISA connected people to ministry: 50 teams (sponsored by churches, conferences and colleges) 134 Fast Track and Voyager assignments (Voyager assignments are for 6 months or longer; Fast Track assignments are shorter.) Kamp Kono Voyager Training was hosted in Spring Arbor, MI, during the July 2007 General Conference. Twenty-five individuals participated as 11 FM missionaries shared from their expertise. VISA now offers expanded travel services for VISA participants, including competitive international air fares and help with travel documents. Area Directors Named Dr. Delia Nüesch-Olver has accepted the position of Latin America Area Director. She will begin her duties August 1, 2008, after finishing her current commitment to Seattle Pacific University. The Missions Executive Leadership Team has approved her as a FMWM extended-term missionary and she has been appointed as Area Director for Latin American Ministries. Delia has served on the faculty of SPU and presently serves as the Director of Global and Urban Ministries program. She has been a church planter, pastor, translator (English/Spanish/Portuguese), lecturer, denominational executive (Director for Social, Urban and Ethnic Ministries). Most of all, Delia has a great desire to bring people to Jesus and to use today s multiple global networks to do it more effectively. Delia is married to Dr. Paul Olver, who is pastor of Rainier Avenue FMC in Seattle, WA. Rev. Michael Reynen has accepted the position of Africa Area Director. He will begin his duties in late 2008. Mike and his wife, Vickie, have previously served as missionaries in Nigeria for ten years (1992-2002) focusing on leadership development ministries and overseeing the establishment of the FMC in other West African countries. Vickie also led in the development of Hope Academy. Most recently Mike has served as senior pastor at John Wesley FMC, Indianapolis, IN. Vickie has worked in the FMWM home office in SEED and VISA Ministries. When they return to active missionary service, Vickie will be returning to work in International Child Care Ministries. The Reynens have three children. Kelly will graduate from university next spring. Kenzie will graduate from high school about the same time, and Kyle is in middle school.
hands for the harvest Our Mission To serve Free Methodists as together we make disciples of Jesus Christ among the peoples of the world Our Vision Multitudes becoming disciples of Jesus Christ as Free Methodists plant hundreds of healthy reproducing churches around the world 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 Our Goals By the grace of God and in partnership with the worldwide Free Methodist Church: 1. There will be one million Free Methodists in the world by 2015. 2. We will help mobilize 300 new Free Methodist missionaries by 2010. 3. There will be Free Methodist churches in 250 of the nearly 500 million-plus cities of our world by 2010. 4. 125 new Free Methodist churches will be established each year worldwide.