The Power of Changed Lives

Debbie Cartwright, Missionary, American Indian Field
The Call, October-December 2016

There was a time when Mike and Delia weren’t very good parents or very good citizens of their community. Their lives were wrapped up in their addictions. But Jesus changed that in a powerful way, thanks to the fervent prayers of Mike’s mother and her church family. Suddenly, Mike and Delia became the parents their children had needed for years. But, even more than that, they became surrogate parents to many other youth in the community needing love and support. They brought children to church, fed them when they were hungry, and became attentive to their needs and prayer concerns.

However, one thing held them back; they had never been legally married. They hadn’t been following Christ for very long when they sensed that this was something they had to make right. They could have quietly held a private ceremony with a few family members, but that wasn’t the call they felt from God. No, their wedding was to be a witness to the community and an act of worship with their church family. They asked for their vows to be completed as part of a Sunday morning church service.

On that special day, we sang hymns together and prayed for the needs of the community. Then my husband, Steve’s, weekly “sermon” was a Christian wedding ceremony, celebrating the commitment of these two people and their new lives in Christ. The bride and groom made their promises to one another before church family and many, many friends from their “old lives.” Their wedding attendants and ring bearers were their own precious children, beaming with pride.

It was a powerful testimony that reached into many hearts. One young man came to Steve after the ceremony and said, with tears in his eyes, “I can’t get over the change in their lives. If God can do this for them, do you think He can do this for me?” He received the assurance that God’s mighty power could work in his life, too. There at the wedding, he prayed for Christ to change his heart and life. 

What an exciting moment! Steve was anxious to tell Mike and Delia what had happened but had to wait a while to share the good news because they, too, were praying with friends and loved ones touched by their story of life change. Their wedding became more than a celebration on the Gila River Indian Community; it became a party in heaven, welcoming prodigals home!

GIVE: Is God asking you to partner with Steve and Debbie Cartwright in welcoming more prodigals home? Click here to support them financially.

Prayer Calendar October 9-15,2016

It was a powerful testimony that reached into many hearts. One young man came to Steve after the ceremony and said, with tears in his eyes, “I can’t get over the change in their lives. If God can do this for them, do you think He can do this for me?” 

Praise God for the powerful testimony of lives changed on the American Indian Field. 

We Are in This Together!

Dr. Dan Schafer, president
The Call, October-December 2016

“In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now” (Philippians 1:4-5 NIV). As you sat down to read these wonderful accounts of how God is impacting the world, you likely situated yourself in some setting that will limit your interruptions, allowing you a moment to yourself to focus on the actions of God.

However, you are not really alone. Many others are doing the same thing. Others in this large World Gospel Mission community are reading and rejoicing in what God is doing. Others are joining you in prayer for the requests outlined within these articles and are planning their response to the calls to action throughout the magazine. 

That’s the beauty of WGM. It is a large community of believers, each committed to doing his or her part to proclaim the power of the cross that will fully and completely change the lives of people. It’s a community of missionaries, sacrificing their lives to bring the hope in Christ of a complete restoration to the image of God and a deliverance from personal sin, the bondage of false religions, and the consequences of evil on entire communities.

It is a large community of financial supporters, champions participating personally in the Great Commission. It is a large community of prayer warriors, poring through these articles to find information so they can pray specifically, effectively, and fervently. It is a large community of work team members who have sacrificed vacation time, finances, and other plans to build a church, drill a well, or teach a Vacation Bible School.  

Community has defined WGM from its very first days. WGM is still built on community, and you are a very important part of the team. So, I say thank you “because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.”

Thank you for being a missionary right where you are. Thank you for going to the field to support and encourage our missionaries. Thank you for praying for WGM leaders, missionaries, and the harvest. Thank you for praying that God will send additional workers for the harvest field. Thank you for speaking words of encouragement to a missionary. Thank you for being obedient to God’s call upon your life. Thank you for your commitment to be part of a community that is daily changing lives. You’re not alone; we are in this together! 

PRAY: Is God calling you to grow your community? Beyond being a reader of The Call, is God asking you to expand your missions impact? Prayerfully consider what else God is asking you to do as you read through this issue.

Argentina, You Changed Me Forever: Tales From a College Ministry Team

Andrea Williamson, former Student Involvement Director at Ohio Christian University
The Call, October-December 2016

Last year, a missionary couple serving in Argentina came to Ohio Christian University’s Global Café and shared their vision for reaching young adults. (Due to the sensitive nature of their work, we will not use their names.) Their ministry was so exciting to our students that the missionaries were invited to OCU on the following Monday and Tuesday to speak in a few classes.

This couple has discovered a unique way to implement a program similar to what has been called Community Health Evangelism. This outreach seeks to meet the felt needs of non-believers in ways that open the door to sharing the gospel.

University leaders in Argentina tend to be resistant to evangelical Christians and the Bible. Even so, they desire to see their students get involved as volunteers in humanitarian efforts within their local communities. The students themselves are also very interested in volunteering. The struggle they face is how to make that happen in a meaningful, ongoing way. 

WGM’s vision is to help the university and its students by facilitating opportunities for students to do volunteer work alongside individuals and local organizations in need of assistance and to provide the necessary tools for the university to promote this program. They need the help of ministry teams to help open these doors.

During the 2016 spring break, OCU sent a ministry team of six to Argentina. Professor Jamey Gremillion, OCU’s Intercultural Ministries director, led the team of university students: Liliana Burgos, Ben Caplan, Andrew DeMint, and Lindsey Lawler. The team was rounded out by Jammie Wilhelm, who serves as an AGS (Adult and Graduate Studies) director and professor.

The team had the privilege of remodeling a kitchen for an elderly lady who feeds nearly 60 neighborhood children every weekday. They lovingly refered to her as the Argentinian version of Mother Teresa. In two days, the team removed the old cabinets, storage area, and counter tops, replacing them with a custom-built eight-foot-high locking storage cabinet for food, multiple 12-foot shelves to hold pans and supplies, and an island so the children can be served their food. The team also cleaned, painted, and installed four ceiling fans along with an exhaust fan for the stove. 

Lindsey was the first to test out the quality of their work by climbing onto the large storage unit. The whole team joined her for a unique team photo. “That I’m in awe of what God is doing in Argentina doesn't begin to describe it,” said Lindsey. “This was my first international mission trip. I left a huge part of my heart with the 75-year-old woman who cooks meals…out of her own home.” 

The team also visited an education and therapy center that serves children with disabilities, a one-of-a-kind ministry to needy families in the area. Lindsey noted that because of this ministry, “the children see hope, see love, and see Christ.” She continued, “So many wonderful relationships were built, and I hope to see them continue to grow. Even though some of us had a little language barrier, they felt like family! I hope to make a trip back in the future.”

On one day, the team’s plans were canceled due to heavy rains. Instead, they gathered together for a special time of worship and prayer. Jamey commented, “This unexpected time to focus on prayer deeply encouraged our missionary hosts; the wife told me that they were in need of our fellowship. They are ministering on the front lines to a people who don’t see a need for Christ. They have a difficult task. It was so beautiful to watch our OCU students lead this service. I was so proud of them!”

“Although I have traveled to many countries, this was my first missions trip,” said Jammie. “It was an experience that helped energize my life and ministry. There are no words to describe what I learned from the interaction with the Argentine people and also the OCU students. There truly is a movement of God to use young people to encourage the world. I am blessed to be a part of this team and look forward to the next trip.” Andrew said that his heart was full of mixed emotions as he left Argentina, adding, “Yes, I will be happy to see my familia y amigos again, but a large part of my heart will remain here ‘in the land where there are no strangers.’ God has moved in mighty ways. Argentina, you have changed me forever, and for that, te amo.” 

Liliana posted on her Facebook page:

“‘I touch the sky when my knees hit the ground.’–Hillsong

“As we get ready to head back, I leave you with this:

Pray continuously.
Persevere in prayer.
God has His timing for everything.
Keep trusting in Him.”

GO: Serving on a ministry team bonds you with that group as you serve the kingdom of God. Is God calling you to serve in community on a short-term missions trip? Apply at www.wgm.org/teams. 

Prayer Calendar Oct 1-8,2016

Last year, a missionary couple serving in Argentina came to Ohio Christian University’s Global Café and shared their vision for reaching young adults. (Due to the sensitive nature of their work, we will not use their names.) Their ministry was so exciting to our students that the missionaries were invited to OCU on the following Monday and Tuesday to speak in a few classes.

Pray for college students who have gone on missions trips to be called by God for His service.