Missions - Love is a verb.

The July/August/September issue will be landing in mailboxes and inboxes next week. Here's a little taste of what is coming...

“If you love each other, everyone will know that YOU are my disciples.” ~John 13:35 (CEV)


We serve in ministry because of love. That’s at the core of missions. It’s the love of our Father for us and the call to share His love with others. In this issue of The Call we explore ministry, love as a verb.

STEERing Money to Missions

An excerpt from STEERing Money to Missions
By Tracy Dubois, Support Staff
April-June 2012

Founded in 1957, STEER is a nonprofit organization dedicated to “STEERing money to missions.” The company uses a three-way cooperative concept that enables donors, farm or ranch families, and missionaries to work together using the resources God has given them.

A donor supplies investment funds, or units, to cover the production costs of a crop or head of livestock. A farmer donates his time and feed to raise livestock (cows, hogs, sheep, etc.) or donates land, equipment, and his labor to raise crops (wheat, barley, corn, soybeans, etc.). When it’s time for harvest or butchering, the farmer selects an organization from STEER’s list of more than 80 partners. A missionary with that organization then receives the funds for ministry.

STEER has enough donor investment funds but is looking for more farm and ranch families to join the cause. As of September 2, 2011, WGM had more than 60 donor units available with STEER that just need a farmer to get involved. Are they waiting for you?

ACT: Visit www.steerinc.com or e-mail steerinc@steerinc.com to learn more about partnering with STEER.

I'm a Blogger

An excpert from I'm a Blogger
By Joy Phillips, South Sudan

April-June 2012

I’m a blogger, and I’ve been blogging about my life and Mango Ministries in South Sudan since March 2009 at www.joyphillips.blogspot.com.

My blog was born out of extreme frustration in formatting newsletters, some forced down-time while waiting for back surgery, and a lifelong desire to write for a public audience.

In this world of instant-everything, I believe the most important tool blogging can be used for is to mobilize prayer. Each time I update my blog, I update the prayer and praise section. I firmly believe that without prayer, even the best programs we implement will fall far from God’s intentions. Without prayer, peace will not prevail. It’s so easy to forget that prayer is the work. I consider it a real blessing to be able to communicate prayer needs and praises to you in an instant and know that God is using a virtual community to do His work in South Sudan.

As you read “Journey with Joy” and other missionary blogs, my prayer is that you will be challenged by the condition of our world and respond to invitations to be a part of His kingdom-building activities.

ACT: Add Joy Phillips to your prayer list by visiting her blog at www.joyphillips.
blogspot.com.

Networking for the Cause of Prayer

An excerpt from Ministry Success = Prayer Support
Networking for the cause of prayer
By Frank Martin, International Ministries, with Kay Young, Retiree
April-June 2012

Mother Beezley realized that it would take more than money to get (World Gospel Mission's first) missionaries to China. She knew that unless they were covered with prayer, their ministry would be useless.

She knew that these praying people would need to know how to pray knowledgeably, so she mimeographed (an old method of copying documents) the missionary letters and sent them to these various groups. These letters later became the basis of this magazine, Call to Prayer, now The Call. When other missionaries went out from WGM, their letters were also mimeographed and sent to the praying people.

Can you help carry on the prayer work Mother Beezley started? The success of the missionaries on their various fields can be directly attributed to the prayers of the praying people. This cannot be emphasized enough. And it is still true today.

MORE: Prayer Lifeline is a free e-mail subscription. Encourage others in your small group to join you in praying for missions at www.wgm.org/lifeline.

Faithbooking on Facebook

An excerpt from Faithbooking on Facebook
By Ken Wade, Kenya
April-June 2012

The Internet, including social media such as Facebook, is not good or evil in itself—the use and the user determine that. In a technological world, it is my conviction that the Lord would have us not ignore, or refuse, such avenues, but adopt them and adapt them to further God’s purposes. God wants to use the tools He has given to spread the gospel.

Here is a conversation via Facebook chat with a lady named Lydia in South Sudan:

Lydia: I don’t know how I stumbled to this, but please lead me to Christ!
Ken: Ok. Can you pray with me?
Lydia: Yes.
Ken: Ok. God is speaking to you or you would not be drawn to Christ like this. I will write a prayer, then I want you to pray it sincerely. Ok?
Lydia: Yes, man of God.
Ken: Dear Heavenly Father, I know I have sinned, but I know You love me and sent Christ to die for my sins so I could be forgiven. I am sorry for my sins. Please forgive me. I give myself and my life to You right now. I turn from sin to You. I want You in my life, Lord Jesus. Please come into my heart. Be my Savior. Deliver me and heal me. Help me to serve You and obey You. I trust You now for salvation and ask for You to give me Your Spirit and the gift of faith. Thank You, Father. I pray in the name of Jesus, Your Son. Amen.
Lydia: Thank you; thank you. God bless you abundantly. I’m a new person and it’s a new dawn for me. As I prayed, I felt the presence of God. He knows my name. I love Him for His mercies and forgiveness.
Ken: Praise the Lord. He has been lifted up and drawn you to Himself! You have made a great decision; one never to be regretted and never to be forsaken. Hope you have a Bible. Start reading Gospel of John and also 1 John. Let me know. I will pray with you continually and have our prayer team join me in praying. Thank you for reaching out to me for help so I could point you to Him. Let’s stay in contact.
Lydia: Thank you, Pastor Ken. I would definitely love to meet you when I come to Kenya. I am blessed beyond anything I know. May God increase you so much. (Note: Lydia is from the part of Kenya where we live and work but is working in South Sudan.)

Let’s help people receive the truly Good News of the gospel. Networking by “faithbooking” for Jesus is not a waste of time!