The Path is Waiting

An excerpt from...

The Path is Waiting

By Billy Coppedge, Uganda/South Sudan
October-December 2013

A story* is told about a man who left his village for many years. He returned after accumulating great wealth. While everyone welcomed him, he wanted to know who were his real friends.

After calling together the village, he said, “I have hidden treasures for you along the path down to the river. Whatever you find, you may keep.”

Some of the villagers began racing down the path. “We know this path well,” they said. When they reached the water’s edge, they saw nothing. “There are no treasures; he lied,” they said as they walked away.

A second group became fixated on the soil making up the path. Discussing among themselves, they decided to return to the village and analyze the makeup of the soil. They never continued down the path.

A third group began to slowly move down the path. “We can trust this man,” they said. Sure enough, someone quickly pointed out an overgrown thorn bush had been cut back. They came to where a huge tree had fallen across the way, but it, too, had been removed.

Commenting on how their friend had made the path itself a gift, suddenly there was a shout. Sitting just off the path were several new cooking pots. Then a bag of sugar was discovered, followed shortly by several bags of rice.

By moving slowly and trusting the generosity of their friend, the third group discovered the true gifts the path had to offer.

In Bible Storytelling training, this parable illustrates how every story in the Bible is a path. Many of us race down these familiar stories or get sidetracked. We often miss the gifts waiting to be discovered.

The joy of our work is sharing these paths with African leaders, together discovering the gifts of our Good Friend. Our prayer is that as they share these biblical pathways, their communities will be enabled to discover the treasures that are waiting.

This week in your own walk, what gifts are waiting to be revealed along the pathways of scripture? Or with whom could you walk down a biblical path, enabling them to discover some of God’s awaiting treasures?

As always, the Path awaits.

*The Path Is Waiting story is an illustration taken from the Simply the Story Training. For more information, go to www.simplythestory.org.

Follow the pathway of scripture from the Word and Deed sections of the World GO! Manual this week. And if you have already checked the World GO! Manual off your missions study list, share this article with someone who needs to discover God’s awaiting treasure for them.

Prayer Calendar: November 24-30, 2013

As we enter the week of thanksgiving here is a missions praise point to use in your prayer time:

PRAISE God for His endless provision.

Missions Book Recommendations

An excerpt from...

Missions Book Recommendations

Titles to add to your reading list
October-December 2013

Muslims, Christians, and Jesus
Recommended by Mike Chupp, Kenya

Recommended to me by a fellow WGM missionary working in the Middle East,Muslims, Christians, and Jesus by Carl Medearis has opened my eyes and revolutionized my thinking. This book is the most succinct and informative book I have ever read on Islam and Muslims. As an American missionary from the Midwest who has had little contact with Muslims (even while serving in Africa), this book was a tremendous challenge to me. It is a powerful help to any follower of Christ who desires friendship and fellowship with Muslims in his or her life. Reading this book has made me realize the huge “black hole” that exists in my knowledge base and experience in relation to what Muslims believe and who they are as a people and culture. I challenge you to get a copy and ask God’s Spirit to open your heart and mind to Carl’s message of reaching a huge population in our world that God loves and Jesus died for.

Western Christians in Global Missions: What’s the Role of the North American Church?
Recommended by Todd Eckhardt, Support Staff

If you have a heart for the Great Commission, here’s a book to add your must-read list—Western Christians in Global Missions: What’s the Role of the North American Church? by Paul Borthwick. Don’t let the long, complicated title fool you. The book is not complicated. In fact, it is one of the most helpful books I’ve read in identifying the role you and I play in this changing world.

Today, the Church of Jesus Christ is exploding in Asia, Africa, and South America. Meanwhile, churches in Europe and the United States are closing at an alarming rate. Borthwick honestly identifies the role of the North American Church in this well-written book. Here’s a hint: it is wrapped up in discipleship. After all, isn’t the Great Commission all about making disciples? Grab this book and allow God to redefine your role in your local church and in God’s global Church. 

Woman to Woman: Sharing Jesus with a Muslim Friend
Recommended by Rachel Elwood, Support Staff

You don’t have to go to Saudi Arabia or wear a burka. You don’t have to know the Qur’an inside and out. Ladies, all you have to do to share Jesus with a woman of the Muslim faith is be willing to listen, let down your defenses and fears, and allow the Holy Spirit to move. Author Joy Loewan shares her story openly and honestly, guiding US-based readers to a better understanding of the unique culture of Muslim women. You’ll come away filled with compassion for Muslim women, and you’ll be equipped with practical ideas to engage them in friendship in your own community.

ACT: These books are available for purchase at www.amazon.com.

What to Do to Be a Missionary

An excerpt from...

What to Do to Be a Missionary

By Jared Gleason, Mobilizer
October-December 2013

World Gospel Mission has a great program called Missionary Discipleship for those wanting to serve in long-term missions. This three-year program includes one year of training and fundraising in the U.S. and two years at your ministry location.

Just like the name implies, the MD program intentionally focuses on mentorship and discipleship. Our goal is to give you tools and support so you can have a successful ministry.

How do you get started?  Here’s a quick list:

1. Talk to your family, friends, and pastor. These individuals are essential in helping you pursue your calling into missions.
2. Apply with World Gospel Mission. Fill out the preliminary application available at www.wgm.org/md. We’ll then help you through the rest of the application process.
3. Attend a Candidate Review Weekend at WGM headquarters. We’ll meet with you face-to-face and talk about your calling and vision for ministry.
4. Be approved as a missionary disciple. A formal interview is held at the end of the Candidate Review Weekend. You are assigned a staff “coach” to help you the rest of the way.
5. Attend training sessions. Training events focus on mentoring ministry partners, fundraising, cross-cultural ministry and living, language acquisition, and more.
6. Develop your sending team. Talk with friends, family, your church, and others about how God has called you into missions. Help them become more missions-active. We’re all in this together!
7. Receive language training. Language is key in ministry. This usually takes place at your ministry location after you are fully funded.
8. Serve. Do what God has called you to do. You will not be alone; veteran missionaries will be with you to help and encourage you along the way.

I would love to speak with you and hear about how you’d like to use your gifts and talents to make an impact for Christ around the world. Contact me at recruiting@wgm.org or call 765.671.7226.

ACT: Click here to download, print, and share this becoming a missionary checklist with others.

Prayer Calendar: November 17-23, 2013

Your missions prayer point for this week is:

PRAY for men and women who are in the process of following God’s call to become missionaries.

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 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

Checklist for Estate Planning

An excerpt from...

Checklist for Estate Planning

By Mark Moore, Support Staff
October-December 2013

The first step in estate planning is to have a will or living trust agreement that meets your current needs. If you’ve already done that, you can put a big check mark on your list. If it’s been a few years since you had those documents prepared, the next step will be to have your attorney bring those documents up to date. Can you check off the following items?

• My choice for executor (or successor trustee), guardians, and trustees for my minor children, and any alternates, are the best choices under my present circumstances.
• I’ve designated the distribution of any specific property, accounts, or personal items I wish to go to particular family members or friends.
• I’ve stated how the balance of my estate is to be distributed and I’ve considered the inclusion of charitable organizations, such as my church and missions organizations.

So far, so good. Now you need to make sure your documents are stored in a safe place and that you’ve notified your family where they can be located. Keep a current list of assets with your important papers, including bank accounts, investments, property deeds, car titles, etc. That will save your family time and aggravation. We’re making progress!

Next, consider having a durable power of attorney. This will allow your spouse, trusted friend, or family member to sign financial and legal papers on your behalf during your lifetime. That will come in handy if you become incapacitated or if you’re away from home and need someone to care for your financial affairs.

Finally, it would be good to have an advance directive for healthcare, stating your desires regarding important healthcare decisions should you become incapacitated. If you don’t wish for life support to be continued when the end is near, you will also want a living will to be included.

If you have questions about planned giving, please contact Mark Moore at stewardship@wgm.org or 765.661.2803.

Prayer Calendar: November 10-16, 2013

Your missions prayer point this week from The Call is:

ASK God for guidance as you determine how your earthly wealth can be used for Him after you are gone

This request is inspired by the article Checklists for Estate Planning.  If you have questions about planned giving, please contact Mark Moore at stewardship@wgm.org. 

Checklists are Vital

An excerpt from...

Checklists are Vital

By Barbara Pinkley, Kenya
October-December 2013

Nurses are busy! When we don’t want to forget important points in assessment or safety issues, checklists are vital. Checklists are used extensively by nursing instructors and students at Tenwek School of Nursing in Kenya.

Checklists are used to standardize what is done and evaluated during the following: student interviews, admissions procedures, patients’ clinical procedures and surgery preparation, surgery and post-surgery procedures, practical exams and assessments, community diagnoses, research, health teaching to clients and patients, post-birth procedures, home visits, well baby clinics, student and teacher evaluations, student progress reports, weekly clinical evaluations, and discipleship group accountability. Lots of lists!

Checklists are good, but they don’t replace common sense and critical thinking and following God’s promptings to reach out and touch a life. A nurse must be prepared to function without checklists. They must be able to see something and realize that it isn’t what it should be and be able to take action in order to save a life.

PRAY: Discover your part in missions at Tenwek School of Nursing by using the following prayer checklist:

Sunday: Pray for the nursing school staff, students, and graduates—for daily spiritual growth preparing them to be ready to “Care in Christ’s Name.”

Monday: Pray for God’s guidance for our principal and assistant principal as they direct the day-by-day running of the school as well as plan for the future.

Tuesday: Pray for teachers as they teach and interact with students in the classroom and clinical areas—to maintain high standards of excellence in their professional and spiritual lives.

Wednesday: Pray for patients and clients whose lives are touched by our students, teachers, and graduates.

Thursday: Pray for wisdom, strength, and perseverance for our nursing students during their busy three-and-a-half-year course to become triple qualified as nurses, midwives, and community nurses.

Friday: Pray for the nursing school staff as they balance time with family, community, church, and further education along with their teaching responsibilities.

Saturday: Pray for the physical, emotional, and spiritual health of the nursing school staff, students, graduates, and their families.

Prayer Calendar: November 3-9, 2013

This week, The Call magazine offers another missions prayer point inspired by an article in the October/November/December issue:

PRAY that the students and staff at Tenwek School of Nursing will reach out to patients with the love of Jesus.

There are more prayer points available for the Tenwek School of Nursing ministry in the Checklists are Vital article here: http://www.wgm.org/checklistsarevital.