Overcoming Weird

An excerpt from...

Overcoming Weird

Pointing Girls to God in Ukraine

By Oksana Brower, Missionary, Ukraine, with Rachel Elwood, Support Staff
October-December 2014

It’s considered weird to be a Christian in Ukraine.

When I first started a girls’ discipleship group three years ago, I encouraged the girls to invite their non-Christian friends to come. There was a lot of skepticism at first—was this another crazy cult?

Between inflation, government corruption, and the scars of communism that continue to linger, young people don’t have much hope for the future. This feeling of apathy is almost a disease among them. I can’t “fix” it for everyone, but over time, I’ve built trust with a few girls ages 16 through 20, and we’re starting to see a few glimmers of hope as they are brought into an understanding of God.

We get together once a week and talk about God, life, and the Bible. I don’t have a curriculum or study guide because those kinds of materials aren’t available here. My goal is to show them that God is not all about rules; He’s all about love and acceptance. We talk about what it means to fall in love with God. We talk about how our choices reflect what we value. Some of the girls come from Christian homes and some do not. (I now have two groups who meet separately; one for Christians and one for non-Christians.) But even the girls who come from Christian homes struggle with understanding God. They have few mentors to help them mature in their faith.

I also meet with them one on one, where we can get into more personal discussions. But it’s hard! Sometimes I just don’t see any progress in their lives, and I worry I’m not doing enough. Recently, I prayed that God would help me disciple them better. God just said to me, “Love them.”

I realized that these girls weren’t really being loved, not by their families or even at church. To love people sounds so simple. But it’s not; it gets complicated. It means living with people through their messes and mistakes. I began to understand discipleship on a new level. It was not enough to preach or teach them; I had to love them. God is helping me see that He is working in their hearts, and I hope to simply point them to Him.

How do we point people to God? Through loving them and living our lives with consistency and without hypocrisy. Those girls observe my relationship with Bill. They see how we parent our son, Denis. They know that we are the same, whether at church or at home. No, we’re not perfect. But we are able to show them that walking with God is a journey and that there is hope that can be found.

ACT: Is God calling you to lead a discipleship group? Unlike for Oksana, several resources are available in the United States to use. May we recommend the World GO! Manual for starters.

Teach and Disciple Others

An excerpt from...
Teach and Disciple Others

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By Scott Rambo, Missionary, Congo/Uganda
October-December 2014

I was minding my own business in my office, preparing a Bible story for an upcoming pastor’s training, when the watchman came to say that someone was at the gate to see me. Somewhat reluctantly, I left my desk to see who had come to visit. When I arrived at the gate, I saw a young man I knew I had met but couldn’t quite place. He introduced himself as Ishmael and reminded me how we had met at his uncle’s wedding four months ago.

Ishmael came looking for some Bible study books that he could use at his church where he led the choir and the youth group. I began telling him I didn’t have that kind of resource available and that we didn’t really use those kinds of materials in our ministry but that I would keep him in mind if I came across any. Then God smacked me in the head and reminded me that our ministry was Bible storytelling.

I invited Ishmael in and asked him if I could tell him a story from God’s Word. He said, “Yes,” and I told him the story from Mark 1:14-20 about Jesus calling His first disciples. After I finished telling the story, Ishmael told back as much of it as he remembered, and then we walked through the story together. As we discussed the story, asking and answering questions, I noticed he was struck by the way the disciples left their boats and followed Jesus immediately.

When we came to the point of applying this story to our lives, I asked Ishmael, “We saw how those fishermen left everything to follow Jesus; is there anything in our lives today that we need to leave behind to follow Jesus better?” He began to talk about several things he felt God was asking him to leave behind. After some more discussion, he said he needed to be going and we closed our Bible study in prayer.

When I finished praying, Ishmael said, “This story has touched me. Can I come again to hear another story?” He came back once every week or two to talk about another story, and it was a joy to watch him grow as he engaged God’s Word. But he didn’t stop there; he took what he was learning each week back to his church and used it there to teach and disciple others.

ACT: This month, use WGM’s speaker outline to share with others the ministry of Bible storytelling and invite others to get involved in this important discipleship cause.

Media [June1-7]

Radio Lumière reaches more than 90 percent of Haiti with Christian broadcasting.

“It is evident to me that Radio Lumière is operated under the direction of the Holy Spirit,” shared one station listener. “It goes forth with power and the ability to help in transforming desperate lives into lives for God. I am in prison for kidnapping, condemned to life in prison. Radio Lumière is a prison preacher! Through it, I came to know the unconditional, infinite, and great love of God. I am pleased to tell you that I have turned from my sins and received His forgiveness while incarcerated.”

• Praise God for the gift of media. This tool is reaching the lost, even those in prison, with the gospel.
• Pray for those who serve in media ministries. They often carry multiple responsibilities with keeping equipment operating and working long hours.
• Pray that God will join the hearts of those who understand the importance of media in ministry with those serving to strengthen their roles in the Great Commission through partnership.

SHARE: You can share with others what God is doing through Media Ministries in Haiti and Uganda. Speaker outlines are available, with ideas on how others can be involved in these important ministries. 

PODCAST: Enjoy interviews with missionaries who serve in key missions causes. Listen to this week’s podcast!

CALL: Call WGM’s Prayer Lifeline at 671.7232 (Marion, Indiana, area) or 1.800.426.0846 (toll free) to join other concert-goers in hearing this week’s recorded prayer.

SHARE: Invite others to pray with you during the concert. We depend on your prayers! Email us at thecall@wgm.org and tell us who you are praying with so we can encourage our staff.

These Are Our Visitors

An excerpt from...

These Are Our Visitors

Putting down roots in South Sudan
By Jen Lavery, Volunteer, Kenya
January-March 2014

“These are our visitors, Joy and Jen. They are from the group that brought the gospel to my people in Kenya.” This was our introduction by Africa Gospel Church missionary Brian Mutai to the village administrator in Nyinbule, South Sudan. Brian is the fruit of the seeds that WGM planted among the Kipsigis people 80 years ago. Generations later, we get to share in the legacy.

Brian’s wife, Debbie, has been working in South Sudan for five years, serving as a clinical officer in the village clinic she helped build. After they married, Brian joined her to work with local church pastors and community leaders. When it was suggested they expand their work to target children and youth in the community, they agreed with the need but didn’t feel they had the expertise or skills necessary. They conveyed their concerns to Mango Ministries. What started as a simple conversation and prayer has developed into a working partnership.

I don’t speak Dinka. I am only beginning to scratch the surface of the culture. Because Brian and Debbie have been living among the Dinka for several years, they understand the culture more deeply, have some grasp of the language, have relationships, and see the needs more closely. They knew that churches needed more than just children’s choir directors; they needed leaders who could effectively teach the Bible and practical health lessons to children to reach the community. But they needed help to train the leaders. I can do that. We, in Mango Ministries, are gifted medically and educationally as well as in community health to help meet some of the vast needs of this new nation, but we recognize how much we need other’s vocational gifts and gifts of relationships, language, and cultural knowledge and sensitivity.

Mango Ministries’ motto is:  “Putting down roots, bearing fruit, and multiplying the harvest.” We are privileged to join in multiplying the harvest of WGM’s early efforts and putting down roots in South Sudan. None of us can do it alone.

ACT: Invite others to join the partnership of Mango Ministries through sharing. The WGM website offers you a free speaker outline that will give the details of sharing the impact and needs of this ministry. Download your outline at www.wgm.org/outlines.

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.

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.

God has Blessed Us

An excerpt from...

God has Blessed Us

By Debbie McKelvey, Texas/Mexico Border Ministries
October-December 2013

During one of my training meetings at World Gospel Mission, the group was asked to think of a champion who took real ownership in our ministry. My head began to spin because so many people have played an important role in what I did on the Tohono O’odham Reservation on the American Indian Field and in what I am currently doing on the Texas/Mexico border.

(The) one I thought of was Mary Jane Richards. At the time of the meeting, Mary Jane (she’s on my left in the picture) had not only been a prayer and financial supporter but also one who had scheduled three church services and one AWANA group and tried to get me into a high school social studies class. She also provided a place for me to stay with Ruth (the lady to my right).

Thank you to WGM’s many champions who have done so much, from mailing used clothes to visiting our mission fields. When you get to heaven, you’re going to be so surprised at how God has used you to bring others to heaven with you!

Debbie McKelvey mentions several practical missions-active ideas that her ministry partners have done to encourage her in ministry. Learning by their example, here is a monthly checklist that you and your family can do this year to be more intentional about your missions activities.

January: Spend this month praying for your missionary partner.

February: Encourage a missionary partner by sending a handwritten note to them, letting them know you have been thinking of them.

March: Planning an upcoming family vacation? Think about using this time to serve on the mission field together. Contact Noritta Carter at wgmteams@wgm.org or 765.671.7204 to find out what teams would be available for you to join.

April: In the article “The Path Is Waiting,” you are challenged to consider completing the World GO! Manual Bible study. Ask someone to do the study with you and complete chapter one on prayer this month.

May: A new Kids’ World article is released bimonthly, offering ways you can help kids get involved in missions. As you begin to plan your summer activities, visit the Kids’ World page to print out a few of the fun activities your family can do together for missions at www.wgm.org/kidsworld.

June: It’s Vacation Bible School time for many churches. How does your church plan to use the offering they receive from these boys and girls? Perhaps your church could donate a percentage of that offering to help children in need around the world. Find projects for kids at www.wgm.org/kidscatalog.

July: Take this month to put your “Yard Sale for Missions” checklist to good work and clean out some items you have in storage.

August: Consider sending a little piece of home to a missionary serving overseas. Many simple everyday items are not available in all areas of the world. Write to your missionary partner this month asking them for a wish list of items. Then go shopping! Mail this to your missionary family as a special care package.

September: This time of year often brings drought and famine to our brothers and sisters in Africa. WGM assists with caring for the physical and spiritual needs of others in crisis through the President’s Crisis Relief fund. Join this team by giving a financial gift at www.wgm.org/crisisrelief.

October: The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Pray over the list of ministry opportunities WGM has globally (www.wgm.org/go) and ask God to call more workers to the mission field.

November: This month reminds us of God’s richest blessings on our lives. Have you been blessed by The Call magazine? You can share this resource with others. Sign them up for a free subscription at www.wgm.org/callsubscribe.

December: It’s the season of giving! Consider a special gift to WGM as a year-end gift. You can donate online at www.wgm.org/donate.

If You Have a Family Camp

An excerpt from...

If You Have a Family Camp

You Can Organize a Fantastic Missionary Day!
By Rachel Elwood, Support Staff
April-June 2013

David Grissom had a problem. He had been attending his beloved Camp Sychar, a family camp located in Mount Vernon, Ohio, since he was 10 years old. After David had gone on his first missions trip to Haiti in 2003, God gave him a passion for missions. But as he looked at the Missionary Day events at Camp Sychar, it was obvious that something was missing.

“It was a total snoozer,” David said, who self-admittedly calls things out for what they truly are. He knew that God had given him an interest in missions and he wanted to transfer that love to others. Overall, Camp Sychar was amazing—filled with godly evangelists, Spirit-filled worship, and great fellowship. But that Missionary Day needed a serious upgrade.

David was invited to join the Camp Sychar board and served as secretary of missions. David realized that the key to getting people excited about missions was through relationships—actually having time to meet and interact with missionaries in a low-key environment.

So he took over the cafeteria, the one building in the camp with air conditioning (this is Ohio in August, after all) and had missionaries set up their display tables, bring along some fun foods from their areas of service, and have an open house. People came for the Nutella fry bread and a respite from the heat and stayed for the conversations with real people doing real missionary service.

Earlier in the day, the teens—over 100 of them—went into the nearby town and handed out fliers advertising a Missions Festival for later that afternoon. After the open house ended, the action moved outside to the dunk tank, games, throw-a-pie-in-someone’s-face, food vendors, handicrafts, and much more. All proceeds, of course, went to missions. The crowning glory of last year’s Missions Festival was when one man who had come after being invited by the teens was so affected by the love he experienced at Camp Sychar that he gave his life to Jesus Christ that day. 

With over 1,000 attendees, Camp Sychar celebrated its 142nd anniversary last year. Over 60 missionaries and ministries are supported by the camp, including many from WGM.

Are you a part of a family camp like Camp Sychar? Is your Missionary Day a “snoozer”? Think about ways you can make this day impactful for all generations. Check out www.campsychar.org to see how one camp makes Missionary Day something special.

Not part of a family camp but have other missions events that you are a part of, such as at church, school, etc.? The Camp Sychar missions day model can be duplicated various places. Take the lead for your event and keep missions day from being a “snoozer.”

GPS: Give So They Can Play—It’s Simple!

An excerpt from GPS: Give So They Can Play--It's Simple!

Kids helping kids be kids
By Rachel Elwood, Support Staff
October-December 2012

When the group of kids from Indian Springs Holiness Camp in Georgia decided to give their offering to a missions project, they knew it had to be for something special. When they heard from missionaries Billy Wayne and Jenny Fuller that kids living in Samfya, Zambia, had no safe place to play, the children decided that they needed to have a playground.

The only problem? Gym sets aren’t easy to find in the remote town of Samfya, where Billy Wayne and Jenny serve at Samfya Bible School. Although they never dreamed that the skill “can design playground equipment” would be added to their resumés, they were up for the challenge! After drawing diagrams of a slide, swings, a sandbox, and monkey bars, the Fullers hired local craftsmen to construct the pieces, using what materials were available. The children’s offering covered all construction costs. Swings were attached to a huge tree that offers great shade, and a fence around the area completed the playground.

WEB: Kids really can make a missions impact. WGM’s Kids Helping Kids catalog lists specific missions projects that kids can get involved with to help other children around the world. Gather your Vacation Bible School or Sunday School class and download a free copy of the catalog at www.wgm.org/kidscatalog.

Pure Love

An excerpt from Pure Love
By Larry Overholt, Honduras

July-September 2012

Throughout our years of ministry in Honduras, my wife, Angie, and I have witnessed a vast outpouring of love, both from the Hondurans with whom we work and from people in the U.S. who encourage and support us in ministry. I cannot imagine getting through the tough times without the encouragement of fellow missionaries, work teams, family, and the local church. There is no scale with which to measure the depth of love that springs from a genuine heart.

Our most recent encounter with unreserved love has come from our grandchildren, Quinn and Colin. As grandparents, we wanted this trip to have a positive impact on their young lives. We were concerned that they might be turned off by the heat in Choluteca, get bored, or wouldn’t like the food. We wondered, “How will they act around the Honduran children?” Upon their arrival, we quickly realized that we had no reason to fear. Quinn and Colin immediately became new little short-term missionaries. (Quinn had accepted the Lord when he was 4 years old and later led Colin to the Lord.)


But all too soon, the end came. Goodbyes, I have found, are the hardest part of missionary life. Upon leaving, Quinn said, “I sure am going to miss my best friend, Marvin.”  Even now, however, we realize they will impact children in the U.S. by sharing about their experience here and their new “best” friends.

MORE: You can teach your kids more about missions through WGM Kids’ World. Visit the activity pages at www.wgm.org/kidsworld.

The Business of Miracles

An excerpt from The Business of Miracles

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Jesus revealing His love to His people

By Dr. Jan Grzeszkowiak, Volunteer, with Lizz Bramble, Volunteer
July-September 2012

Have you ever thought about how God uses His supernatural powers of conversion and healing to go hand-in-hand with the wonders of modern medicine? Let me tell you the miraculous story of Tapnyonbi Kipkemoi Borowo and how the Lord provided her with whole-patient care.

After arriving at Tenwek, we traveled with a mobile eye clinic to the village of Dikirr, about two hours away. More than 70 people were already lined up, waiting for us outside the local health center, which was nothing more than a rough concrete block house. These people were eager to receive the medical help we could give.

Earlier that morning, before we arrived in Dikirr, the Lord spoke to my heart and revealed He wanted to heal a deaf person that day. After sharing the gospel message, I asked the large group if anyone among them was deaf. All fingers pointed to an elderly lady sitting under a tree. She was known to many in the village because of her deafness. Richard and I laid hands on Tapnyonbi Kipkemoi Borowo and commanded the spirit of deafness to leave her body and asked God to completely restore her hearing.

As soon as the prayer was finished, a surprised Tapnyonbi announced with joy that she could hear again. Everyone who witnessed the miracle was astonished at what the Lord had done. Jesus came once again and revealed His love and power to His people.

Our God is in the business of miracles. He performs them every day and everywhere; we just aren’t always looking for them. Praise to the One who healed a woman’s deafness and poor vision and her soul in the same moment! May we not forget to look for God’s daily miracles in our lives.

ACT: Share with others the amazing ministries and miracles that are happening at Tenwek Hospital. Go to www.wgm.org/outlines for a speaker outline about Tenwek and other WGM ministries.

How a game of ISpy can change everything...

An excerpt from View Your World Differently
How a game of ISpy can change everything
By Shushan Richardson, Ukraine
April-June 2012

While on homeland ministry assignment this past fall, I had the privilege of speaking at my alma mater, Kentucky Mountain Bible College, for its fall recruiting event/missions conference. The theme was “I Spy…Seeing the World through God’s Eyes.” The premise of the event was Matthew 14:14, where Jesus was with the people and He looked on them with compassion, seeing their real needs and the need for laborers. This is a special verse to me, because God clearly spoke to me through it as I began to understand He was calling me to missions, calling me to see the world differently.

A game was set up on the KMBC Facebook page, challenging people to come and to play every day. Challenges were posted with an activity that would encourage players to see their world differently. Things like “ISpy the work of the Holy Spirit,” “ISpy a prayer warrior,” or “ISpy someone who needs to be encouraged.”

ACT: Create your own ISpy game for missions with your network of friends and family or with your Sunday School class. Look for the examples Shushan listed in this article and create a few of your own. You may just see the world differently too.

The Gift of Investing in Others

An excerpt from The Gift of Investing in Others
By Rachel Pyle, Volunteer, with Jonny Adkins, Missionary Kid and Volunteer
November/December 2010

In Kenya, Jonny found that he changed the way he used his energy by investing the time to see more of the culture and understand the people. Jonny reminisced fondly about a Kenyan coworker, “I was able to spend a lot of time working with (him) and building up his talents.”

The progression from short-term trips to a year-long VIA experience allowed Jonny to give more of himself. He invested more time, worked alongside fellow missionaries and nationals, and gained a different insight than that of his childhood.

“Any missions experience is different from the experience of growing up on the field.” However, Jonny stated about all his missionary experiences, “Every trip presents its own challenges and opportunities to draw you closer to God.”

ACT: Can you offer yourself as a gift, investing in the lives of others? Or maybe someone came to mind while reading this story. Pass this article on and together find out more about the VIA program at www.wgm.org/via.