President's Perspective: What Will Make Us Missions-Active Christians?

What Will Make Us Missions-Active Christians?

---

By Hubert Harriman, President
July-September 2015

I heard the story of an exasperated farmer who was talking to another farmer about the lazy fellow he had hired some days before. Pointing in the man’s direction at the end of the field, the farmer said to his friend, “If it moves, it’s a post.”

It is our conviction that every believer is to be missions active. We view this, not as our WGM “thing,” but as a biblical mandate. But sadly, when it comes to real missions activity, some people are about as active as a post. I speak frankly, and with deep concern, when I say there is a terrible inertia that has gripped the American church concerning kingdom work. At best, many of our attempts at stirring up believers result in no more than sputters and stops.

As a young pastor, I had the responsibility of mowing the parsonage and church lawns, and my tool was an old push mower that gave me fits. One hot summer day, needing to mow the lawn in preparation for Sunday, I got the mower out and pulled the cord. It came to life, but within a few seconds it stopped. I did this innumerable times, and each time it would sputter and stop. Dripping with sweat and quite frustrated, I called our head trustee for help. (I’m not a mechanic.) Charlie could fix just about anything. He studied the mower awhile and then did something I had never seen a mechanic do. He turned the mower over and gave it a swift kick. To my shock, the thing ran all day! I started wondering if I could get the same results if I did that with my congregation.

Well, I can guarantee you that won’t work with people! There’s only one thing that will make us missions-active believers. Jesus left us neither doubt nor room for dispute when He said,“but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth” (Acts 1:8 NASB). There’s absolutely no sense trying to yank people’s cords, hoping they’ll get started. The fact is, if we aren’t missions active, we have never been Spirit-filled. That’s all. While we might work ourselves into a sweat trying to get Christians stirred up, Jesus unbendingly calls us to get filled up.

What would happen if we started listening to Jesus? We need go no further than the book of Acts to know the answer to that question. So help me God, I want to be numbered with that crowd. Will you join me?

ACT: Ready to walk deeper into missions activity? The World GO! Manual is a good resource to really challenge and inspire you with practical missions activities. Purchase a copy at www.wgm.org/worldgo.

Prayer Calendar: September 27-30, 2015

Your missions prayer point for the week of September 27–30: 

PRAY that the Holy Spirit will fill the global Church with an unquenchable desire to serve Him.

What would the world be like if this was reality?

Nursing Outside the Box

---

By Carolyn Wade, Missionary, Kenya
July-September 2015

Sometimes when I’m asked what I do, I say, “I’m a missionary nurse.” The next question is, “Where do you work?” That requires a more detailed response.

I’m a nurse who enjoys patient education, and God has given me my heart’s desire. Here are some of the places and ways I minister:

• Women’s Health Information: Preparing and distributing notebooks containing information on pertinent women’s health issues to regional, area, district, and local women leaders of Africa Gospel Church. Packets are sent by mail in response to Facebook requests. Kenyan medical professionals also benefit from copies of health documents and radio presentations.
• Radio: Presenting programs encouraging preventive health practices and early treatment and informing about diseases like ebola, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and meningitis.
• Office: Writing health articles for AGC’s Trumpetmagazine, writing and editing health documents, and doing radio preparation.
• AGC Primary and Secondary Schools:Encouraging good oral and personal hygiene while also focusing on morality and abstinence.
• Liaison with Tenwek Hospital: Facilitating consultations with doctors.
• Village and Urban AGC Sites: Discussing health information at church gatherings, concluded by distributing medication for intestinal parasites; offering medicine to church leaders and students at Kaboson Pastors Training College and Kenya Highlands Evangelical University; and discussing health information at women’s and men’s meetings and marriage seminars.
• Home Visits: Giving a gift of soap as we are washing hands before meals gives validity to proper hand washing and good health, and giving dish soap gives opportunities to stress preventing the spread of diseases.
• Our Home: Assisting the workers and their families at our building with health needs, such as treatment for malaria, typhoid, anemia, vision problems, ulcers, burns, or fractured bones.

The Sunday morning radio health program closing is “Prevention is better than cure. ‘Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well’ (3 John 2, NIV).”

I am one happy missionary, grateful for a Mission and a church that allows the freedom to think outside the box to practice nursing and help meet health needs.

GO: Nursing opportunities, both inside institutional walls and “outside the box,” exist on several of WGM’s locations. To find the nursing opportunity that will work best for you, visit www.wgm.org/go.

Prayer Calendar: September 20-26, 2015

As we begin another week, there is a new missions prayer point to focus on from The Call. If you are unsure what an "outside the box" ministry looks like in missions please take time to read Carolyn Wade's article found on page 4. 

September 20 – 26: PRAISE God for Carolyn Wade and many other missionaries who willingly serve in their area of expertise, but “outside the box.” 

The Quest

An excerpt from...

The Quest: Community Transformation

---

By Joy Phillips, Compassionate Ministries Coordinator
July-September 2015

“No one in my family got sick with malaria this year,” reported Alice, one of the Community Health Evangelism participants in South Sudan. After putting into practice what she’s learned, her family gets sick less often. Yay, that’s what we want to hear! Others are planting banana and papaya trees in their yards, enhancing their families’ diet. Another participant reported that they have formed a prayer group that prays for their community on Tuesdays and Saturdays. All of that must please the Lord, don’t you think?

This process of community transformation didn’t just happen. It took a team and lots of networking. John and Beth Muehleisen, in the role of Africa Regional Transformation Training coordinators, have mentored WGM international missionary Adhanom Hidug as a CHE facilitator. Volunteer CHE Champion Rick Morse joined the Mango Ministries training team and others have helped as well. I’ve also been able to use my experiences from serving with Tenwek Community Health and Development in Kenya to help develop this new ministry in South Sudan.

WGM’s central ministry focus is wholistic transformation. As you can see from the ministry in South Sudan, this is best facilitated when resources, personnel, and ideas are shared. One of my favorite books that has helped me gain a better understanding of transformational development is When Helping Hurts by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert. It’s a great read for anyone interested in missions.

I’ve been connecting with many missionaries in WGM as I take on the role of WGM’s Compassionate Ministries coordinator. It’s been amazing to hear about where God is already at work. From Argentina to Arizona to Africa, WGM missionaries are involved in all kinds of creative ministries that are resulting in transformed lives and communities. I’m excited when I see people following Jesus and reaching their God-given potential.

If you look at the nightly news, it appears that communities in our own neighborhoods as well as around the world are in serious need of transformation. Will you join WGM in our quest to see communities transformed?

ACT: Is God calling you to share a kind word or deed with someone where you live or in a nearby neighborhood? The peoples of the world have come to us; who can you reach out to today?

PRAY: Grab a friend and ask them to join you in praying for the CHE participants from South Sudan this quarter. Pray that God will continue to grant opportunities to get this team involved in His transforming story.

Prayer Calendar: September 13-19, 2015

Community Health Evangelism's approach is community-based, dynamic, and participatory as multidisciplinary and multicultural teams are established to empower communities to live with dignity and hope through Jesus Christ.

Team members concentrate on the areas of health, education, water, agriculture, church leadership, and income generation as they work with communities to identify problems and develop action plans to tackle the issues.


Your missions prayer point this week will support Community Health Evangelism workers. Join readers the week of September 13 – 19: 

PRAY for Community Health Evangelism workers, who are teaching principles of health living and discipleship in their communities. 

Prayer Calendar: August 23-29, 2015

Every issue of The Call offers a prayer calendar that lists mission praises and requests for you to incorporate into your prayer time each quarter. Thank you for partnering with World Gospel Mission in prayer support. Here is your inspired request for the week of August 23–29: 

PRAY for Mark and Serena Dunbar as they teach theological education by extension in Mexico. 

An excerpt from...

The Print Shop

---

By Kenneth Hopson, Missionary, Uganda
July-September 2015

It’s a normal name for a printing ministry, but there is definitely more going on at this place than putting ink on paper. Take a short tour with me of this one-car garage turned into The Print Shop and you’ll discover what I’m talking about.

It started out as a dream; I want to have a place where I could help World Gospel Mission and other ministries in Uganda with their printing needs. I knew that literature was very valuable and hoped that God could use my printing experience that began in a printing class in high school. When God called me to serve Him in Africa, my dream began. Little did I know that long ago, my God could use a printer.

When my family arrived in Uganda in 2004, the ministry started out slowly, printing pastors’ lessons and prayer letters for missionaries. There wasn’t enough printing to keep me busy full time, so I also helped by teaching a little in the pastors’ training ministry. I longed to use my skills in running machines and putting books together, and I waited to see what would happen. Then, one of those God-ordained moments came. You know, when something you never expected to happen, happened. I attended, in place of someone who couldn’t attend, a meeting of several missions agencies. I told the group what we were doing in Uganda. That day, my God, my best friend, opened the door to print for another missions organization. That put in motion a journey that has led me to print for many missions organizations in Uganda and East Africa, reaching to countries well beyond.

In 2014 alone, we printed in many different languages, including Mitto, Collo, Fur, Baka, Lugwere, Tennet, Lubwisi, Lugungu, Madi’ Okollo, Ik, and Thur. The Gospel of Luke and the book of Ruth were printed in the last three languages listed, making them the first books of God’s Word ever printed in these languages! God has been so good to The Print Shop, to be used in such a small way for His glory.

I have enough work now to have a helper, a young Ugandan man named Leonard. Together, we print words on sheets of paper that disciple and bring people to Jesus; many of these people we can’t communicate with or may never know, and it’s all for Jesus. The profits that are received from The Print Shop go to purchase supplies and maintain equipment and also help to financially support vital WGM ministries, such as pastors’ training, Community Health Empowerment, university ministries, scholarships for higher education for Ugandan pastors, and more. That’s one of the best parts of serving in The Print Shop.

PRAY: Have you asked God how He can use your dreams and skills in missions? Take time this month to pray for God to reveal His plan for your life.

MORE: God used Kenneth’s experience as a printer on the mission field. There’s a good chance we are looking for someone willing to serve with your skill set. Learn more about WGM’s ministry opportunities at www.wgm.org/go.

An excerpt from...

Purposeful Responsibilities

---

By Ann Seaney, Missionary, Bolivia
July-September 2015

Aren’t you glad God gave us purposeful responsibilities that He has gifted us to fulfill? After finishing my teaching career, the Lord gave me the opportunity to learn how to be an accountant. It began as on-the-job training while I was part of the missionary team in Cusco, Peru. The training continued when I returned to Santa Cruz, Bolivia, to serve as treasurer for both Peru and Bolivia. It hasn’t always been easy, but I have enjoyed the opportunity and am grateful for colleagues who have been patient and kind in the process.

Routine and clear expectations are part of my comfort zone. These characteristics also fit well in the treasurer’s office. (Not that the unexpected never happens!) The normal routine includes paying the bills, disbursing money to missionaries and nationals, processing expense reports, and compiling financial reports at the end of the month. It could all sound very mundane except for the people behind the receipts. People like:

• Matilde, a faithful Christian lady whose suffering was eased by the gift of an oxygen machine
• A local pastor who received funds to pay for his young children’s schooling
• University students whose lives will be enriched by living in the new university residence under construction in Sucre
• Hundreds of individuals in northern Bolivia who were comforted as they received food and other staples following a devastating flood
• Teenagers whose lives have been changed after attending youth camp in Tarija
• Lawyers and accountants from whom we seek counsel so we may honor our host country by faithfully complying with the laws for non-profit organizations

What a joy it is to see what God is doing through the money that has been entrusted to us to administer.

I thoroughly enjoy my routine time in the office, but I also enjoy times “outside the walls” to keep my life in balance. It brings me great pleasure to make home visits to the elderly and to visit ladies in their homes, encouraging them in their walks with Jesus. Participating in the women’s ministry at church gives me an opportunity to both serve Jesus and grow in my relationship with Him.

GO: Treasurers and accountants are a vital part of the mission field team. Opportunities to serve in this capacity are available in multiple locations. To find out more, contact Jared Gleason at recruiting@wgm.org or 765.671.7226.

Prayer Calendar: August 9-15, 2015

Support Ministries...those crucial ministries that often happen behind the scenes are the focus of this week's prayer calendar. Join us August 9–15 as we pray for continued wisdom for Ann Seaney and others serving in accounting on the mission field.

Learn more about this important role in this issue of The Call.

Committed to Christ-centered Care

---

By Kacey Heinlein, Volunteer, with Mike Chupp, Missionary,Kenya
July-September 2015

Located in Bomet, Kenya,Tenwek Hospital is one of the most advanced mission hospitals in Africa. It has open heart and joint replacement surgery capabilities as well as comprehensive eye care services, sophisticated endoscopy, dedicated GI cancer research, a busy HIV/AIDS clinic, complex pediatrics resources, and family care medicine. But according to Dr. Mike Chupp, long-term medical director at Tenwek, two particular aspects make Tenwek stand out: its commitment to compassionate, Christ-centered healthcare, and its medical personnel’s focus on teamwork.

Christian doctors, nurses, and clinical officers provide primary care for half a million local people and referral care for over 5 million people in the region. Dr. Chupp considers the staff’s spiritual ministry focus the number one reason Tenwek has been blessed, saying that “a doctor is in an incredible position to address spiritual needs as well as physical ones.”

Tenwek is also a means for God to take care of people in Africa beyond Kenya. Baby Elah is the daughter of a pastor in Ghana. She was named after the valley in the Bible where David faced Goliath. Soon after her birth, Elah’s parents found that she had a severe heart defect. Her parents learned of the care available at Tenwek. They were able to fly Elah to Kenya to have the operation, where Dr. Agneta Odera, a future pediatric surgeon who advanced from a medical intern to chief surgery resident while training at Tenwek, performed the surgery. The heart defect was closed during open heart surgery, and Elah had an amazing recovery.

“God got her all the way to Kenya, and she had open heart surgery to the glory of God,” Dr. Chupp said.

The medical staff at Tenwek is made up of roughly equal numbers of Kenyan and American doctors, a ratio that has evened out in recent years due to Tenwek’s focus on training. Where in America one doctor will make rounds to check on patients, doctors at Tenwek work in teams of four to six with experienced doctors instructing the less experienced. Even though Kenya has long been affected by intertribal struggles, Tenwek is a place where many different professionals come together to serve and learn.

Some medical staff come to Tenwek for the opportunity to learn, and others come in response to God’s calling. Dr. Chupp shared that he is “absolutely amazed and humbled” to work with both the American and national doctors at Tenwek.

“These,” he said, “are some of God’s very blessed servants.”

GO: Tenwek Hospital receives many volunteers each year. Are you looking for a hands-on experience in medical missions? Contactrecruiting@wgm.org to learn more.

Prayer Calendar: August 2 - 8, 2015

Tenwek Hospital stands out for more than being one of the most advanced mission hospitals in Africa. It is committed to compassionate, Christ-centered healthcare, and the medical staff care deeply about teamwork.

August 2 – August 8: Praise God for showering His blessings on Tenwek Hospital in Kenya.

The Ministry of Being Mom

---

By Veronica Porter, Missionary, Papua New Guinea
July-September 2015

“Mama! I’m thirsty!” “Mama! I need help!” “Mama, will you read to me?” “Mama, I love you so much!” Crying, screaming, fighting, playing, hugging, kissing, cleaning, reading, homeschooling; someone always needs me, and these are just some of the things that make up my days. This is to be expected; I am a stay-at-home missionary-mom with three little ones ages 5, 3, and 1; and baby number four is on the way.

God has given my family the task of serving Him in Papua New Guinea, and I have the privilege of being Mama to missionary kids, which is a full-time job! However, I often struggle on homeland ministry assignment when people ask me what my ministry is. I always feel that being wife, mama, and teacher, and making friends with nationals is never a good enough answer. How have I truly impacted God’s kingdom with these roles?

I have really wrestled with this during our time on the field and here in the U.S. on HMA as we prepare to return home to PNG. Is what I am doing truly “ministry”? I have not yet decided if the answer is yes or no, but I have at least decided that it is necessary. Over and over, Scripture states how our children are a blessing and priority and that we have a responsibility to raise them in the Lord. My husband and I have decided that our kids must come before ministry. How can we effectively minister if we as a family are unhealthy? So, for now, keeping us healthy looks like me staying in the home without a lot of other official “ministry.”

And you know what? I am happy with that because everyday life can be exhausting in a remote country like PNG. Power outages, little or no water at times, cooking everything from scratch, kids that are always filthy, and bouts of unexplained illness are just some normal daily occurrences. I also get to pour myself into my children. Missionary kids have some special challenges that many other kids don’t face: not knowing where they belong, saying goodbyes constantly, dealing with cultural challenges, and more. But they are also blessed in ways other kids aren’t, like growing up cross-culturally, being bilingual, having crazy pets, and many more amazing experiences. I get to be a part of every one of them, good or bad, and point our kids to the Lord through it all.

Another reality of ministering in PNG is that homeschooling is the only option for our kids’ education. The responsibility of their schooling falls on my shoulders. When we return to PNG, I will have my plate even more full with homeschooling my crew.

Since I focus on our house and kids, my husband is truly able to take part in some amazing ministry opportunities. Seth has done many building projects, taught classes, traveled into the bush to preach, and built deep friendships with young men in the area. And I don’t stay home all the time either. We go out as a family and fellowship with the amazing people we have been called to serve. I sit and visit with other mamas, and we watch our kids play together. I play sports with some of the youth while others watch our kids. We try to be a part of the Papua New Guineans’ community and live everyday life with them, as a family.

Is being a stay-at-home missionary-mom a ministry? I don’t know, but I am pretty blessed to be one.

PRAY: Raising kids is not for the weak. Take time to pray this quarter for those stay-at-home missionary-mamas who are balancing homeschooling, home responsibilities, and building relationships with others in their community. Pray that God will grant them small, still moments where He can continue to reveal Himself to them.