CHILEAN ALLIANCE PREPARES FOR LONG EARTHQUAKE RECOVERY
The 8.8 quake that shook most of Chile's population on February 27 is among the ten stongest ever recorded. Gps analysis confirms that the city of Concepcion shifted ten feet to the west and NASA reports that the earth's axis moved three inches. However, it is the human impact that cannot be measured so easily.
The Alliance suffered no fatalities, but many lost all they had. Twelve churches were severely damaged and three or four will need rebuilding from the ground up. A national offering has brought in nearly $40,000 for our Chilean churches, a large sum, but not enough to rebuild all that was destroyed.
Please pray for the effected churches, that they may offer hope to those who are hurting. The cold winter rains are due to arrive soon and many will face discouragement.
Bob and Cheryl Fugate encourage you to send your gifts through the Christian and Missionary Alliance for the approved special fund, "Chile Earthquake Church Reconstruction." Chile is also seeking partner churches that will stand with a Chilean church throughout the recovery process, in prayer, in giving and in working side by side in reconstruction. Want to help with the reconstruction or develop a partnership? Download the following newsletters to get the information:
Chile Ministry News
Partnership Profile
Missions Involvement
How can we help the people of our congregations become more involved with missions? Let me suggest that each local church create a year-round missions climate where missions is integrated into everyone's way of life. Each of our people should be confronted with the responsibility we have as followers of Jesus to evangelize and make disciples around the world (beginning, of course, in our own local communities).
Much can be said about this process, but I believe that it begins with pastors - of all kinds - and ministry leaders taking the lead here as they are in incredible positions of influence in a person's life. Consider the words of Rev. Dr. George Pentecost at the Ecumenical Missionary Conference of 1000 in New York City.
To the pastor belongs the privilege and the responsibility of solving the missionary problem. Until the pastors of our churches wake to the truth of this proposition, and the foreign work of the Church becomes a passion in their hearts and consciences, ...the chariot wheels of foreign missions will drive heavily...If there are churches that give not and pray not for foreign missions, it is because they have pastors who are false and recreant to the command of Christ.
(Quoted in Edwin M. Bliss et al., Ecumenical Missionary Conference, New York, 1900. Report of the Ecumenical Conference on Foreign Missions.)
Consider also the words of S. Earl Taylor, who in 1900 was the organizer of Campaign Work among Young People in the USA, who also shared this sentiment at the same missionary conference, "Until our pastors are ready to back this enterprise, there will never be a missionary spirit adequate to the needs of this generation." Also at this missionary conference, Yale Band's D. Brewer Eddy, while speaking about giving money to the work of missions, further added that the "importance of leadership must be emphasized...You are the leader[s]. We...young people...are willing to follow you, if you will guide us."
If we want our people to become more globally aware and become involved with missions, then it must begin first with we who are the leaders of the church. When we set the tone and become involved ourselves, our people will follow.
Here are some quick suggestions: (1) Expose people to missions on a regular basis through missions education, missions and ministry events, prayer for missions and missionaries, and personal involvement. As youth missions expert Paul Borthwick says, the "best missions awareness in a...ministry occurs when a group (and the leaders) are consistently thinking about evangelism, discipleship, and the fulfillment of the Great Commission. A one-time spurt of missions involvement may make us feel like "world Christian"...leaders, but a year-round missions education will produce the best long-term results." (From Paul Borthwick, Youth and Missions) (2) Involve committed ministry-level people in cross-cultural ministry experiences. (3) Lead by example.
Missions Consultation Program
Missions Mobilization Team
Need help with missions programming in your church? We're here to help - we want to assist you in becoming a mission-minded church, not just a church with a missions program.
For $150 (plus expenses), we can provide you with consultation services that will include the following:
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developing a familiarity with and assessing the strengths and weaknesses of your church's existing missions program
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a full report to church leadership
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a half-day missions clinic for church leadership
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missions committee members and other missions-minded people
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a process of follow-up "coaching" after the report has been presented.
"As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." - Jesus Christ