NMI Monthly Musings for June
Nazarene Mission International....
NMI is the church-relations heart of Global Missions in every local Nazarene church worldwide. NMI exists to mobilize the church in missions through prayer, education, giving and interactive experiences.
NMI Scripture for June: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22 - 23
June NMI Focus:
WORLD MISSION BROADCAST....this is a valuable evangelistic tool, and we support this effort through our local NMI. World Mission Broadcast serves to "reach the unreached." It has expanded to ministry in more than 36 dialects, vernaculars and languages in more than 72 countries. The Gospel is heard through 140 programs, with approximately 7102 broadcasts.
UPCOMING MISSION SERVICES: We bring Nazarene missionaries to our church each year to share their stories with our congregation. On June 9, 6:00 p.m., Randy & Joani Goosens and their family will speak about their work in Papua New Guinea. Following this service we will have a dessert potluck; please bring your favorite dessert to share.
On Sunday morning, July 7, Todd & Connie Aebisher will speak during the Sunday morning service; an all-church dinner following this service at $10 per person will highlight wonderful food and fellowship with the Aebishers....this will be a fund raiser to offset our Chicago Work and Witness expenses. Please plan to attend all of the missions events. Fellowship, fun, excellent food, what a deal!
June NMI Feature:
Our Chicago Work & Witness project was completed on May 24th. Our energetic workers demolished 7000 square feet of walls, floors, etc. at the Ashburn/Beverly Urban Ministry Center in inner-city Chicago, and as a bonus, they were asked to clean out the basement of a very badly damaged, moldy home the Chicago District owns.
Rod and Michael Emerson and Brad & Abby Bergler will be returning from their week in Kosovo providing after a week-long basketball clinic. At last count they had worked with almost 200 youth. God called them to this adventure, and lives are being touched by their compassion and leadership.
June NMI Missionary Prayer Focus:
Phil & Juliene Munts -- Sweden cafe ministry
John & Sand Cunningham -- USA
Paul & Cathy Finch -- Papua New Guinea
Brad & Nancy Firestone -- Switzerland
Kent & Kathleen Pelton -- Thailand
Hiram & Alva Galvez -- Panama
June Missions News:
* The work on the Russia South District is growing; a new church was organized and is reporting 30-plus average attendance. Several new ministries have been launched, and young leaders are being discipled. A new pastor received his district license recently and is being sent to a new area to begin work. He has already gathered a group for Bible study.
* The work on the Russia North district is growing and relationships between churches are improving. The Moscow First Church has used a beauty salon as a means of outreach and ministry. The salon rents space from the church which provides the owners income, who in turn offer several free services every month to needy people in the church. Business is so good the owner plans to open a second salon. The St. Petersburg ministry is growing with a core group of young couples and families; presently the church is awaiting five new babies to be born into the church family. Ministries to those with special needs (disabled and deaf) continue to be a major focus of the Russia North District.
* Work in Central Asia is an incredible story being written; attendees gathered discreetly for district assembly recently; they were so excited to be together for worship and fellowship. Despite some resistance, a record eleven first-time local pastor's licenses were issued this year. Seven churches reported, and five district pastor's licenses were issued. One church can no longer assembly because they could not register. Consequently they have joined four other evangelical churches for praise and worship; it has been a blessing to them.
Thank you for praying for missions. "Satan does not care how many people read about prayer if only he can keep them from praying." Paul Billheimer
Billie Gehres, NMI Council President