Discover Your Calling

Jared Gleason, Director of Mobilization
The Call, April-June 2017

Are they waiting for you?

God is doing so much around the world, which you have learned as you have prayed through the many available ministry opportunities highlighted in this issue of The Call. So many exciting ministries are happening, and only God knows what He has in store for the future. 

As you prayed through these ministries and opportunities, asking God to send more workers, did you feel God calling you to be the one who goes? Perhaps that brings feelings of excitement and joy but also feelings of apprehension and fear. That is all right. If God is calling you, He will make a way; and our team is here to help you.

If you do feel God speaking into your heart, asking you to answer His call and serve on His mission field, here are two ways you can do that:

1. SHORT-TERM SERVICE

Maybe your availability is limited or you don’t feel God calling you to serve for a long period of time. There are many ministry opportunities that ask for short-term commitments—one month to a year. We can customize a shorter experience for you that will enable you to invest in a ministry, experience missions life firsthand, and serve in a vital way. WGM has great volunteer programs for individuals, couples, and families. Visitwww.wgm.org/serve for more information.

2. LONG-TERM SERVICE

Perhaps God is calling you to explore a career in missions. I encourage you to consider the Missionary Discipleship Program, which consists of two years of service. It is designed to equip you to serve in long-term, cross-cultural ministry, focusing on discipleship and training. You will have a team of people who will work together to prepare you for service as an individual, couple, or family. Learn more at www.wgm.org/md. 

GO: Are you ready to take that next step now? Want to talk to someone about your calling, or what you wonder may be your calling? Contact mobilization@wgm.org to get started. 

Is It Worth Investing in the Lives of Students Cross-culturally?

Cynthia Zimmerman, Missionary, Bolivia
The Call, January-March 2017

Throughout our years at Santa Cruz Christian Learning Center, we have seen the Lord work beautifully in the lives of our students.

• A second grader leading his parents to the Lord
• The mother of a kindergartner coming to Christ as she studied her child’s weekly Bible verses
• A third grader praying persistently for the salvation of her grandparents in China
• Seventh and eighth graders taking a clear stand for Christ and leading worship among the upperclassmen
• High schoolers confessing that nothing satisfies but Jesus
• Former students returning, excitedly sharing their acceptance of the Word of Truth that they first heard at SCCLC
• Alumni—now parents themselves—enrolling their children in SCCLC and thanking God for transforming their lives through His Spirit, at work in and through the school
• Graduates serving Christ literally around the globe; redeemed lives who received a quality education and are now being used by God to transform society

Remembering what God has done makes it easy to affirm that being a part of His work here has been worth it all!

However, sometimes we don’t see how God is moving. In 22 years of teaching in Bolivia, there have been many normal days as well as a few discouraging, bewildering, seemingly fruitless days—days when Satan tempts us to question if it is still worth it.  

Just as some days seem more fruitful than others, the “price” also seems to vary in the changing seasons of our lives. There is the sting of rising emotional costs each time one of our children leaves home to attend college in the U.S. Yet, God holds them in His hands and guards us all in His peace that truly is beyond our comprehension. There are times when the costs skyrocket, as they did for me in 2016. My father passed away unexpectedly, leaving behind my mother for whom he had been the sole caregiver in her struggle with Parkinson’s disease. For me, Mom’s only daughter, the emotional cost of teaching math in Bolivia increased exponentially.

Is it still worth it to continue serving Christ in Bolivia? What makes it worth it?  Favorable results? A reasonable cost? Simply the fact that it is what God has asked us to do?

It is interesting to consider that God undoubtedly knew that many would never choose to accept His gift of salvation. However, it was still worth it to Him to send His only Son to be the Savior of all who would believe. Likewise, it was worth it to Christ, who knew no sin, to bear the sins of all mankind—even the sins of those whom He knew would never accept the redemption that He provided for them—in His body on the cross. He paid an extravagant price, but it was worth it all because that was the Father’s will.  

SCCLC is a field ripe unto harvest. Though not every student will readily turn to Him, Christ came for each of them! It is our privilege to share the great news of the redemption and transformation that He freely offers. God still works mightily in the lives of our students and their families.

In this particular season of my life, when family concerns pull at my heart and the cost of being here is more noticeable than before, I’m realizing that the appropriate question isn’t “Is serving in Bolivia worth it?” but “Is this still what God would have us to do?” We will seek Him and follow Him however He leads. He orchestrates the plan and produces the fruit. He sets the price and provides the joy in paying it. Doing God’s will is always worth it. He is God!

GO: Each year, SCCLC needs committed Christian educators to fill vital roles on its staff. Whether you are a current student teacher or teacher, a retired teacher, or just love kids, SCCLC needs you! Contact recruiting@wgm.org to learn more.

Positive Relationships

Positive Relationships

The key to partnerships in ministry

Larry Overholt, Missionary, Honduras

Partnerships allow us to accomplish more than would be possible if we were working independently of each other. The Teacher in Ecclesiastes gives wise advice on the value of collaborating with others: “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor...” (Ecclesiastes 4:9 NIV) and “A cord of three strands is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12b NIV).

A good partnership improves over time when built on positive relationships. Any successful partnership in missions depends first on our right relationship with God. Most importantly, we must realize that “we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building” (1 Corinthians 3:9). Our primary partnership is when we seek to do God’s will and not our own. All other partnerships depend on our love of God and our willingness to serve Him.

Looking back over our decades of missionary experience, many things have happened due to successful partnerships. Projects were developed, churches built, and relationships healed. All have depended on many people working together, forming lasting partnerships.

Work teams are an invaluable partnership to the ministry on the field. Team members contribute to building relationships in the communities where they come to help. The local nationals feel a deeper relationship with others and an increased partnership in the ministry when they have the opportunity to work alongside those who come on work teams. We have experienced that with church groups, university groups, and individuals who come to work with us.

The most obvious essential partnership is what takes place between missionaries and our support teams. Those partnerships require that both the missionary and donor be obedient to God’s calling for them to serve Him. Missionaries and their support team partnerships involve much more than economic support. Missionaries depend on prayer support. Both missionary and donor share in the joy of the harvest.

Partnerships with co-workers are an important part of working on the mission field. One of the most satisfying accomplishments as a missionary is to arrive at the point where both the missionary and national feel they are equal partners on the team.

Partnerships with universities and university students are necessary if we expect to carry the missionary momentum into the next generation. The university students often provide innovative suggestions and information that help us do our jobs better. They are also our best source for future missionaries.

A partnership that sometimes goes underappreciated is the vital partnership between missionaries on the field and those working in the home office, doing so many things that we are unable to list them all.

As missionaries, we are grateful for each partnership of which we have been a part.

Missions is not a solo job. Larry points out several partnerships you can take part in. Inspired from a few options in this article, pick one of the following ways to partner with Larry and Angie Overholt serving in Choluteca, Honduras:

1.      GO—for a week or two and serve with the Overholts and the nationals in Honduras. Join a team at www.wgm.org/teams.

2.      GIVE—a financial gift to help fund the ministry of Larry and Angie Overholt. Give online at www.wgm.org/overholt.

3.      PRAY—for the WGM missionary staff and nationals as they work alongside each other. Pray that God will grant them wisdom, clear communication as they work together, and a love for each other that comes from a right relationship with God.

Feeling Lonely?

And excerpt from...

Feeling Lonely

By Kelly Hallahan, Uganda
July-September 2014


Whenever you are the new kid in town, you are bound to have moments of loneliness. Missionaries are not exempt from this common experience, despite how often they get to practice moving! When we moved to Uganda, we were warmly welcomed by our teammates. Our boys easily made friends at school. My husband began making friends with his coworkers at Heritage International School. But I was a stay-at-home mom, with my kids in school for the very first time. The days were long with a lot to learn and plenty to keep me busy, but I began to get lonely. I quickly realized I had a choice to make: sit around and throw myself a pity party, or throw a real party and make some friends!

I took my own need for fellowship and turned it into an opportunity for ministry: the Oasis Gathering was born! I knew I couldn’t just wait around for someone to solve my problem. I prayed about what would bless my own heart and created an avenue to bless other women like me. I wanted our time together to be refreshing and life-giving. I didn’t want the Oasis Gathering to become another burden on our calendars to dread, so I scheduled it once a month for two hours. The ladies were welcomed with tea, coffee, and goodies. Candles were lit, flowers adorned the table, and the conversations began in clusters as we greeted one another and caught up. Then we moved into the living room for a discussion question about life: in our city; as foreigners; and as mothers, wives, and friends. Those conversations helped the new missionaries and seasoned missionaries learn from each other—we discovered new restaurants, shared tips on cooking, and brainstormed how to make a difference there in Kampala. My favorite part of the day was when we split into small groups for prayer, because that was when God came to transform and refresh us. Nothing is sweeter than a room full of women lifting each other up in prayer.

As I took my eyes off my own problem and chose to be a blessing to others, God used me and He met my needs. He took a need in my life and used it for His glory. All He needed was a willing heart; He did the rest!

ACT: This month, pray about a way to take your eyes off your problem in order to bless others. Then do it! Whether it is throwing a party like Kelly did or starting a free babysitting network, etc. God can use you for His glory.

Yard Sales for Missions

An excerpt from...

Yard Sales for Missions

A checklist for your missions event
By Shelly McCollum, Support Staff
October-December 2013

Do you use a checklist or Post-it® notes as reminders of tasks you do not want to forget? If you do, you will love this checklist idea for a yard sale for missions. We all have things around our house that we do not use anymore. Why not have a yard sale and donate the proceeds to your favorite cause or missionary?

Weeks leading up to the sale:

• Pick a cause or missionary who will benefit from your sale.
• Gather unused items and sort into categories.
• Price each piece using pre-priced tags or masking tape (my favorite).
  • Keep prices in even amounts and price nothing under 25 cents to make giving back change easier.
• Decide on a location and gather tables, benches, and clothes racks.
• Check on deadlines for placing advertisements in newspapers and online.

Week of sale:

• Begin set-up.
• Work on wording for advertisements. Include key items such as “children’s clothes, baby bed, household items, sofa, fishing equipment, toys.” Don’t forget to include starting and ending times. Including the phrase “Proceeds go to missions” also helps draw people. Some will even tell you to keep the change.
• Place the advertisement in the newspaper and any online venues. Talk about it on Facebook.
• Pick up change from the bank—quarters, dollars, fives.
• Line up helpers for the day. If you have large pieces of furniture, having someone who can help lift and carry furniture is a big help.

Day of sale:

• Put signs up on your street directing customers to your location.
• Assign jobs to helpers—cashier, bagger, someone to answer questions, someone to straighten up clothes and other areas.
• Be prepared to open on time.

After sale:

• Consider donating whatever is left over to charity. Some charities will pick up your donations for free.
• Send in your gift to your cause or missionary. Mission accomplished!

MORE: If you need help choosing your cause or missionary, visit www.wgm.org/causes or www.wgm.org/missionaries for inspiration.

ACT: Click here to download, print, and share this yard sale checklist with others.

Missions? That's a Given.

An excerpt from...

Missions? That's a Given

By Hubert Harriman, President
October-December 2013

When I was just out of college, I worked in the packaging department of a trailer factory. Our job was to package the right nuts, bolts, screws, and other essentials that would make possible a full assembly. I had to know the list of items that had to go in those packages. To miss something would cause a breakdown in the final assembly of the trailer. We would render it useless just by missing one vital item.

Discipleship is really all about the right listing in our lives, learning and discovering what matters and what doesn’t matter, and giving full attention to the more important. The Bible gives us many “lists” of essentials:

• Paul gives us the list of the fruit of the Spirit, essential for spiritual life (Galatians 5:22).
• Paul also speaks to the list of “The full armor of God,” essential for spiritual victory (Ephesians 6:14-18).
• Peter gives the list of “qualities,” essential for spiritual growth (2 Peter 1:5-6).

To miss anything on the list is detrimental to our spiritual lives.

One American company makes a point of excluding the obvious in its public statements about itself. Some organizational values are considered so basic that there is no need to point them out. They are what some would call a given. For instance, the expectations of food quality and employee integrity are givens. Likewise, when we talk about missions as presented in the Bible and expected in the Christian life, we ought to say, “Missions? Of course! That’s a given.”

God very clearly speaks to lists of Christian involvement that should flow easily and quickly out of our lives simply because we know the work of His Spirit in our lives. Missions is on that list. “It’s a given!” But His work in us changes the list from something we might force ourselves to do to something we want to do and have the ability to do because of His very nature and power in us.

So how’s that going in your life? I pray God will quicken in each of us the very heart of God for a lost world. Ask God to lead you in making a list of ways He wants you to be involved in this great enterprise called missions. 

ACT: Get in the Word. Hubert offers four passages of scripture in this article. Take time this week to study this “list” of essentials.

Love in Soccer Cleats

An excerpt from Love in  Soccer Cleats
By Tracy Dubois, Support Staff, with Gerson and Betsy Tejeda, MexicoJuly-September 2012


Carmen (name changed for privacy) woke up and wondered how she was going to feed her family. Her two children also needed new shoes and clothes, but she didn’t have the money. She was a new Christian and was feeling discouraged as she walked down her street in McAllen, Texas.

Gerson, who was born and raised in Bolivia, knows about poverty. He knows what it feels like to want new soccer cleats, and he knows what it feels like to be hungry.

The Lord also prompted Gerson to ask Carmen if she needed any rice or clothing.
“God sent you, didn’t He?” Carmen asked. “I was praying this morning because I didn’t have food to put on the table.”

“We realized that we can have all our programs and all our projects, but what really touches people is when we meet them where they are,” shared Betsy Tejeda. “They aren’t going to listen to the gospel until we feed them and clothe them and meet their needs."

ACT: With the help of a local Christian radio station and food and clothing donations from churches around the States, Gerson and Betsy want to start a clothes closet at Taylor Community Center. Want to help? Contact Gerson and Betsy at wgm@wgm.org to show Christ’s love in McAllen.

Hands and Feet

An excerpt from Hands and Feet
Missions-active Christians Making a Difference in Their Communities
By Tim Rickel, Support Staff
January–March 2011

As I write this, my wife is just finishing radiation treatments for breast cancer. The journey started with a heart-stopping phone call in April, surgery in May, and radiation therapy in July and will continue with hormone therapy for the next five years. No chemotherapy, praise God!

In this journey, we have been blessed by many friends who made a difference when we were feeling lost and out of control. From our experience, here are some practical ways you can make a difference when you feel overwhelmed by a prayer request.

*Pray. It makes a difference.

*When you pray for someone who is going through a trial, write them a quick note telling them you just prayed for them.

*If someone’s life is disrupted by an illness or disaster and you think of something you could do to help, call them and say, “I’d like to stop by with supper for you this week. When is a good day?” If you freeze a dish like a casserole, they can use it when they need it. Other ideas are cleaning the house, mowing the lawn, or watching the kids so a couple can have an evening alone. It all depends on the situation and the personality of your friend.

*One church sent Laurie a quilt to use when she went for treatments. It has gone with her to every appointment and has been a huge comfort in the car. I would never have guessed.

*Give the gift of normal conversation. If someone who is going through a trial needs a shoulder to cry on, be that shoulder. But if they are putting on a good face, let them know you are praying for them, and then take your cue from them. If they are smiling, smile back!

Life-Changing Experiences

An excerpt from Life-Changing Experiences
By Hubert Harriman, President
November/December 2010

The thing about these experiences is that they not only changed me, but also I know in my heart that they somehow changed those I connected with. God used little ol’ me! It just doesn’t get any better than that. I think this is what the apostle Paul must have felt when he went on short-term ministry experiences, taking others with him, such as Luke and Timothy. Do these names mean anything to us? You see, these short-term experiences changed these men, but these men also helped change the world. And look! Short-term experiences led them into careers. Once experiencing missions, they would always be involved in missions. How could it be otherwise? They had life-changing experiences and they would never be the same again.

One of the things I really like about WGM is that we offer the possibility of short-term service for anyone who wants to have a life-changing experience personally and relationally. Do you wish for an experience like that? I think every believer does. The beauty of these life-changing experiences is that you can do them when you’re young, but you don’t have to be young—just young at heart! WGM carries an abundance of stories and memories, both on and off the field, with the difference a short-term experience made in the life of a VIA participant, an MWV member, an MVP, or an MD. It somehow changed some part of the world—then and later.

Do you want to know what the initials VIA, MWV, MVP, and MD stand for? Do you want to know what these experiences hold? Go to www.wgm.org/go to learn all about it. But don’t just learn what they mean. Listen. Listen! Listen quietly. Listen carefully. Another Timothy? Another Luke?

The Gift of Love

An excerpt from The Gift of Love
Sharing Jesus on the Mission Field as a Short-term Volunteer
By Chrissy Greenwell, Mexico
November/December 2010

Some people believe they have nothing to offer on the mission field. Nevertheless, letting people see Jesus in you is what ministry is all about. So if you know Jesus, you can have an impact on lives. I moved back to Saltillo in August 2009. When some of the children saw me on the street, they came running to me to ask if Kevin was back. I have never met Kevin, but I found out he was on a team that ministered in Saltillo. The interest Kevin expressed and the love he showed for Jesus made a huge impact on the children in my neighborhood. Kevin opened a door for further ministry on the field. Although this is wonderful news, it also leads to a huge need: more missionary workers.

Please keep praying for missionary workers for WGM Mexico. Great possibilities for ministry exist but nobody to fill the need…or are you available?

ACT: Here are three ways you can support Chrissy in Mexico. Pick one and let her know you want to be her partner in ministry.

* Contact Chrissy at www.wgm.org/greenwell and ask to be added to her prayer letter list so you will know how you can better pray for her.

* If you would like to financially partner with Chrissy, go to www.wgm.org/greenwell and click on the Donate button.

* Work beside Chrissy on the field. Are you available to serve God in Mexico? Contact Troy Simpson at recruiting@wgm.org to ask what opportunities are available.

A Missions Trip Changed My Worldview

An excerpt from A Missions Trip Changed My Worldview
By Chris Cunningham, Advance Volunteer
November/December 2010

I met the children of Manuelito. This article cannot do justice to the sights, smells, and a thousand struggles of these young people. An estimated 1.4 million people live in the capital city of Tegucigalpa, and 6,000 to 8,000 children live on the streets.

Yet God is there.

Pastor Jorge Pinto; his wife, Marta; and their church provide a safe haven for several street children. They took us on a trip to the streets where we gave simple food and water to the street children of Tegucigalpa. We found children who were poor beyond belief and yet rich in treasure through Jesus’ love. They had simple peace that only God can provide, and I found myself yearning for that peace.

My “self-motivating statement” is James 2:17 (NIV), “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” I had faith. I had faith, but without works. A missions trip changed my worldview, and it continues to bring passion to my life. If you don’t believe me and you, too, are feeling a little jaded, I invite you to go, see, and taste the riches that God provides.

ACT: Give yourself a gift of changing your worldview through a missions trip. Trips are available all year round. To view a schedule and pick a time, visit www.wgm.org/teams.

Bigger Than Us

An excerpt from Bigger Than Us
Good Things Come in Small Packages!
By Laura Nelsen, Work Team Member
November/December 2010

Five months later, I was across the aisle from Shelly on another plane ride, this time to Kenya and to a little boy named Jesse. It always amazes me that the most beautiful experiences in life are orchestrated by God, not by me. All He requires of us is to listen and obey Him. God says this perfectly in Zechariah 4:6 (NIV), “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit.”

It turns out that by listening to God’s simple request on the plane to Florida, I have been able to connect other people to Kenya. I love how God works. One of my best friends from college needed to fulfill an intercultural nursing requirement for school, so I told her about Kenya. She went in May, and now our friendship is even stronger as we share a love for the Kenyan people.

Our God has amazing plans for all of our lives. If we are in tune with His Spirit, He can take us to places that we could never even dream of. Listen for Him today. Let Him guide you to life-changing experiences or to people who need to hear from Him through you.

MORE: Learn more about the work at the Africa Gospel Church Baby Center at www.agcbabycenter.org.

ACT: To plan your own trip to Kenya, contact Noritta Carter at workteam@wgm.org.

When God Says Go

CHURCH CHALLENGE

College Wesleyan Church (Indiana)
When God Says Go
By Sarah Westfall, Contributing Writer
January/February 2009 Call to Prayer

Almost daily, we see the devastation caused by natural disasters or local crises on the nightly news. Do we as a Church simply shake our heads and wonder, “Why, God?” for a brief moment, only to go on with our daily lives? What if just part of the “why?” is that God wants His Church to actually step up and be the Church, the hands and feet of Jesus Christ to people in need?

Last summer, southern Indiana experienced the worst flooding in over 90 years. The city of Columbus, Indiana, was one of the hardest-hit areas. Several inches of rain came down in a very short amount of time, so the waters rose quickly. Many people had only minutes to get to higher ground before their homes were filled from the flooding. Most affected residents had very little time to rescue more than themselves.

The devastation left by the flooding was overwhelming. The interiors of homes were ravaged by the waters. Walls, floors, and family valuables were caked with the mud and debris that had been carried in by the strong flood currents. Most homeowners had to completely gut large portions of their homes, tearing out drywall, carpeting, and even wall framing in order to avoid decay and the growth of harmful molds.

However, many people did not have the time or resources to make their homes livable again. Although some homeowners received government aid to help with repairs, many either did not receive assistance or did not receive enough to cover all the expenses. Even if residents were able to purchase supplies, many did not have the needed skills or time away from their jobs to do the projects on their own. Hiring workers only costs more money. For many, the situation seemed impossible.

Only two hours north of Columbus, members of College Wesleyan Church in Marion, Indiana, decided that they needed to help.

“Earlier this summer, we had begun discussing how we as a church need to be ready to respond to emergency situations that come up locally, nationally, and globally,” said Jim Vermilya, College Wesleyan’s volunteer outreach pastor. “Then, just a couple of weeks later, we received word from Pastor Wes Jones of Flintwood Wesleyan Church (in Columbus) [who was] asking for teams to help them with post-flood clean-up projects. It seemed rather obvious that God was wanting us as a church to respond to the situation, so we did.”

Before heading to Columbus, the team did not know what to expect.

“Most of us had seen the brief television footage that was taken during the flood, but after the waters receded, the TV crews left,” said Pastor Jim. “So when we arrived there a month after the flood hit, what we saw [at] the outside of the city was quite different from what we saw on the insides of the homes.… When you walk into a home, seeing the water-stained line a few inches up from the floor where the flood waters once were, and when the smell of black mold hits you in the face as you walk through the door, you really start to get a sense of what these people are going through.”

On three separate Saturdays, flood relief teams from College Wesleyan traveled to Columbus. They gutted interior drywall and insulation, cleaned and packed away salvageable items, hung new drywall, cleaned homes, and took the time to talk to and encourage the flood victims. The teams went home tired and blistered, but they had learned what it meant to be a missions-active church, to say “yes” when God said “go.”

Maybe your church also wants to be more missions-active right where you are by responding to crises in your area. To you, Pastor Jim offers this advice: “Don’t just talk about it; do it. Plan ahead. Be preemptive so that you are ready when the crisis hits. You cannot respond to every crisis, but you must be ready to respond to those that the Lord prompts you, so be ready.”

Here are some practical suggestions for making it happen:

• Set aside crisis funding in your annual outreach budget, so you, too, can mobilize teams from your church to go and give hands-on relief.

• Create a list of crisis relief volunteers you can contact when a need arises.

• Have an annual Crisis Relief Supply Drive, asking each church member to bring in nonperishable items, bottled water, or cleaning supplies. You can then store the items until a crisis occurs and aid is needed.

• Research ways that other churches or organizations provide aid to people in need.

• Determine an area in your church building where you could house displaced families, if needed.

• In your Sunday service or small groups, have a prayer time focused on crisis relief. Ask God to prepare the church with the wisdom, spiritual sensitivity, and courage to act.

Is your church actively engaged in missions? I want to know. Write me at tellthecall@wgm.org.

The Fragrance of Ministry

An excerpt from The Fragrance of Ministry
By Ann Seaney, Peru
July/August 2010

Sometimes ministry opportunities popped up quite unexpectedly. One rainy Sunday evening, I was walking home from church when I heard a cry for help from an elderly lady who was afraid to walk home alone in the dark. She had been visiting a friend and seemed quite disoriented. She took my arm and held on tight as we walked through the neighborhood to her house. How glad I was to be able to be a comfort to her. How humbling it felt to hear her thank God for sending an angel to walk her home.

I believe God is pleased as we live our daily lives being a fragrance for Him—someone who lifts the spirits of others and reminds them of Jesus. Is your presence making a difference to those in need?

What are you doing to leave the sweet fragrance of ministry with the elderly in your community? Over the next month, volunteer a couple of hours at your local nursing home or plan to take a meal to a couple of shut ins from your church. Your loving gesture will be a delivery of encouragement.

Ready for an Empty Nest?

An excerpt from Ready for an Empty Nest?
By Shelly McCollum, Support Staff
July/August 2010

I look at those sad parents at high school graduations and weddings differently now. I know what they’re going through! Perhaps you have friends who are about to become empty nesters. Share your experiences with them and let them know you have a shoulder they can lean on during that time. It is said that time heals wounds, and as I look back over my experience, I can say that it’s true. I actually started to get used to this new phase in my life and was really beginning to enjoy it and then—she moved back! Next time she moves out, it will be different. I will be prepared!

Are you an empty nester looking for ways God can use you and your newfound spare time? Here are a few of my suggestions:

* Take a long walk through your neighborhood and pray for your neighbors. Have you taken time to get to know them? Are they Christians? Think about ways they can become your mission field close to home.

* Get some other empty nesters together and plan a short-term missions trip. Plan your trip at www.wgm.org/teams.

* Start a small group at your church for empty nesters. Study the World Go! Manual and discover how you can have an impact in your sphere of influence. Download the manual at www.wgm.org/worldgo.

Launching Rubber Bands

An excerpt from Launching Rubber Bands
By Glenlyn Conley, Volunteer, Mexico
July/August 2010

During the past several weeks, I’ve made one important observation. A willing attitude plus acts of obedience yields success! Perhaps the next time the Holy Spirit tugs at your heart regarding a need for Christian missions, you’ll rethink your indecision and hesitancy. For example, think of the story of the five loaves and two fish. Jesus took a meager amount and magnified it incredibly to the extent that there was even leftover food. In like manner, God honors and blesses even our minute efforts.

Each of you has unique skills and special gifts. I hope you’re eager to share them.

Is it time for you to stretch? Short-term volunteers are needed on several WGM fields. To learn how you can fill this need, contact Troy Simpson at recruiting@wgm.org or 765.671.7226.