Recent News
November 6, 2008
Global Ministries Leadership Team Report (Oct. 2008 mtg.)
by Jeff Bleijerveld, Director of Global Ministries
The GMLT met on October 9-10, 2008. I’d like to provide you with a report on what was discussed and the decisions we made.
Those present were: Luke Fetters - chairman, Bishops Ron Ramsey (USA) and Brian Magnus (Canada), Kurt Uhen, Lois Mason, Dave Datema, Ruth Benner, RuthAnn Price, Tim Flickinger, Jeff Sherlock, Jeff Bleijerveld (director), Donna Hollopeter (associate director), and Darlene Burkett (administrative assistant).
Aside from reports and updates, the following items were on the agenda:
New Logo
The new Global Ministries logo was unveiled. Look for it on communications that will be coming from our office in the future.
Haiti
Canada will now be providing oversight and leadership for this mission district including funding.
Candidates
We have approved Jessica Hollopeter (Sojourn-OMS) and Jessica Hovis (Endorsed-currently serving with YWAM in Hawaii) as new staff. We praise the Lord that there are also currently eleven other individuals in various stages of the process.
Train and Multiply
We are now working with the Philippines, India, Haiti and Latin America to try this training program as a new resource for their pastors.
Mission Trips
There are several ways Global Ministries can assist a local church that is planning a mission trip. Read more here.
Also check out the possibilities for joining a Global Ministries sponsored trip in 2009.
New Projects
We reaffirmed our desire that projects from National Conferences concentrate on leadership development and not only construction. Requests and recommendations from various fields were also discussed.
Sierra Leone
Many aspects of the work in Sierra Leone were discussed including
- Conference restructuring with leadership development and mentoring
- Projects underway and in the future
- Financial needs of the conference including a possible position for a Capital Development Director
- Mattru Hospital where new initiatives are taking place
US National Conference and Missionary Homecoming
Read about a gathering of all the “current” UB full-time and Endorsed Missionaries to be held in June 2009.
New Documents
Find our Guiding Values and Steps to Service documents on the Global Ministries web site.
Crisis Management
We are working on a policy document that will help us be prepared to handle a crisis that might arise on a mission field.
Southeast Asia Initiative
Reports were shared of the past two years’ Teacher Training Trips and possibilities explored for the future of this venture.
Mission House
Needed repairs and renovations to the mission house in Huntington, IN, were discussed. Any volunteers interested in assisting with these projects, please contact the Global Ministries office (888-622-3019).
Field Staff Reports
Our staff member in India shared about the work there.
Our staff member shared about Macau and China.
Our friend from Hong Kong shared about further work in Asia.
Billy Simbo shared by phone regarding his work in Sierra Leone
October 6, 2008
Global Ministries Short-term
Ministry Opportunity in Sierra Leone
In January of 2009, Global Ministries will sponsor two consecutive short-term ministry opportunities for medical and construction personnel to Sierra Leone, West Africa. The first team will:
- Be led by Dr. Richard Toupin.
- Depart from the US on January 15, arriving in Sierra Leone the next day.
- Travel to Mattru, where members of the team will either serve in medical service at the Mattru Hospital or as a construction crew working on a number of projects on the hospital compound.
- Travel back to Freetown, departing for the US on January 28.
The second team, also made up of medical and construction personnel will:
- Be led by Dr. Ron Baker.
- Leave the US on January 27.
- Arrive in Sierra Leone on January 28, just as the first team leaves.
- Follow an itinerary similar to the first group, working in Mattru.
- Return to the US on February 9.
Each team needs 4-5 medical/support staff and 3-4 construction members.
Currently, Global Ministries is putting together a per-person cost for the trip. Individuals interested in either of these trips should have a valid passport and be willing to receive immunizations for yellow fever, cholera, hepatitis, and malaria. An entrance visa for each team member is also required.
If you are interested in being a part of either of these teams or if you would like further information about the trips, please contact Donna Hollopeter at Global Ministries. The toll free number is 888-622-3019 ext. 305 or you can email her at donna@ub.org
July 22, 2008
2009 Medical Team for Haiti
The United Brethren Church in Canada is organizing a medical mission team to go to Haiti January 23 - February 3, 2009. A number of experienced volunteers have already signed on, but they have openings for additional volunteers. There is a definite need for one or two doctors.
They will conduct 4-6 clinics in "triage" style. The most common problems relate to stomach and head maladies. Based on the doctor's findings, appropriate medicine is dispensed as available, or treatment is administered. A month's supply of vitamins is also provided. After each patient is seen, a Haitian pastor or church leader prays with them before they leave.
If you're interested in participating on this team, please contact Joan Sider.
June 23, 2008
Sierra Leone - Mattru Hospital
Dr. Richard Toupin MD has agreed to serve as a point person and gather an advisory team to determine the next steps for Mattru Hospital. The team will focus on short-term and long-term goals for the facility, programming, and administration of the center. This is to be done in conjunction with:
- Sierra Leone National Conference Superintendent Billy Simbo.
- Hospital Administrator Julius Gulama.
- Global Ministries Director Jeff Bleijerveld.
Already, donations have been received and sent to the field to pay outstanding salaries, dig a well, and repair a diesel generator.
Two New Expansion Funds
We have established two new funds to assist in expanding our ministry.
- Caleb Fund – This fund will cover research and development expenses for new mission initiatives throughout the world.
- Antioch Fund – This "sending" fund will benefit our partner conferences by paying travel expenses related to cross-border ministries they engage in to research missions opportunities and send missionaries.
May 28, 2008
Relief Partnership
Global Ministries is developing a strategic relationship with Samaritan's Purse. The goal is to strengthen our relief and development efforts as a mission agency while unifying our denomination's overall response to humanitarian need around the world.
In order to serve local churches, we will be receiving donations for Samaritan's Purse and passing them on without charging any administration fees. We only ask that you indicate to which project(s) the amount is to be directed.
From year to year we will be able to report to you how much was given to relief needs as a denomination and individual churches. In addition, Global Ministries will receive the follow up mailings from Samaritan's Purse, not the local church or donors. We'll be sure to keep you informed of the continuing needs and opportunities to contribute.
Currently, Samaritan's Purse is heavily involved in caring for the needs of those in Myanmar who were victims of Cyclone Nargis and earthquake survivors in Szechuan Province in China. More information can be found at www.samaritanspurse.org.
If you choose to send your donations through Global Ministries, please make your check payable to "Global Ministries" with "Samaritan's Purse - project name" on the memo line.
May 20, 2008
The Global Ministries Leadership Team met April 17-18 in Huntington, Ind. Jeff Bleijerveld, as director, wrote up a report about the items discussed there.
February 4, 2008
Letter from Abby Farmer
In January, I returned to the United States after serving a two year term with Wycliffe Bible Translators in Papua New Guinea. I taught art at Ukarumpa International School. I enjoyed my time in P.N.G., and God challenged me in a number of ways. For me, this is a time of growth and transition as I learn more about what God has in store.
During my time in P.N.G. I had opportunities to see translation and literacy teams in action. I believe that providing the Bible in one's mother tongue and providing tools to read it is an important part of evangelism. My hope is to return to Papua New Guinea as a literacy worker. This month, I moved to the Wycliffe's Dallas center, home of the Graduate Institute of Applied Linguistics (G.I.A.L.).
Missionaries serving with Wycliffe Bible Translators are supported by churches and individuals. I am looking for people who would like to become either prayer or financial partners. If you are interested in joining in my ministry or learning more about the work of Bible translation, please contact me at: Abigail_Farmer@sil.org
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