14 Jun Updates on Global Ministries Efforts

Global Ministries partners in Canada provide the primary oversight for ministry in Haiti. This does not exclude US Churches from becoming involved. Our Canadian National Conference simply coordinates our efforts. Here are some updates from Paul Plato, missions chair and member of our Global MInistries Leadership Team.

Updates of Projects and Trips

• The congregation of the Chevalier church (“Hill Church”) completed the replacement of their roof, which had been blown off a number of times.
• Croix des Bouquets Church, in the Greater Port Au Prince areas, has been enclosed and a UB school is now in full operation.
• CH Global is seeking accreditation for our three UB schools–Sibert, Delmas 33, and Croix des Bouquets.
• Gonaives: Land was purchased by the congregation with some help from Global Ministries, and a church building was started in January 2012 by a Canadian team. They are looking for funds to continue. The Salt Project (see below) is helping to partially fund this.
• The Herbie Fund has been approved by the Sick Children’s Hospital in Toronto. Hermmy Alexis, a young Haitian girl that a Canadian UB team met in October 2011, need heart repair surgery. All of the funds have been raised.
• The Canadian medical team that traveled to Haiti in October 2011 also met and worked with Pastor Germain, a Haitian doctor who lost his wife, daughter, mother, and brother in the 2010 earthquake. When the team found out that he’d been living in a tent since the earthquake, they took up a collection to allow him to rent a home. A new project has been posted on our website if you would like to help fund his medical work with earthquake victims. (link to “Medical Supplies for Grand Saline”)
• In addition to the recent team of Canadians that served as a work team in Gonaives this passed January, other teams are preparing for future trips.

CH Global in Haiti

Global Ministries’ joint-ministry agreement with CH Global continues to bear fruit:

• The Delmas 33 school in Port Au Prince (funded by CH Global and Global Ministries) officially opened October 4, 2010. This is a key step to official recognition of the United Brethren by the Haitian government.
• More than 200 children are being sponsored to attend UB schools and to receive nutritious food, health care, and micro-finance opportunities for their families. Our current target is to have 500 children sponsored by 2015.
• “Micro-business” start-up help has been provided to nearly 30 people of low income. Thus far, 100% have paid back their loans!
• We are working on a partnership to link North American and Haitian churches by providing monthly funds for a “Development Activity Centre” that would provide sports, games, Bible teaching, and a feeding program for up to 150 children. Linked churches would be asked to provide $100/month to support.

Two New CH Global Projects
There are two new, exciting projects that CH Global is sponsoring (details in the pages that follow:

• “Salt of the Earth.” The Salt Harvesting Project in Gonaives. Some of the profit from this venture will help build a church to replace the one that we lost there and build a new school.
• “Bread for Life.” This Community Bakery Project (micro-finance endeavor) in the town of Sibert, on the outskirts of Port Au Prince, is still looking for a suitable site.

12 Jun Love Sierra Leone Now

Billy Simbo (right) and his son Alan have launched a new ministry known as “Love Sierra Leone Now.” Although the ministry has no ties to Global Ministries or the Sierra Leone Conference, it will seek to benefit various denominations and organizations by focusing on leadership development. It is their hope to develop a stronger Sierra Leone through mentoring and training leaders into sustainable and indigenous service for good in Sierra Leone and West Africa. Billy will live in Sierra Leone while his son serves from the United States as the organization’s CEO.

12 Jun Travel to Turkey in October – Seven Churches Tour

Türkiye Teaser from Benny Krown on Vimeo.

Jeff Bleijerveld, Director of Global Ministries

There is still time to join us for the Seven Churches Tour in Turkey October 10-20, 2012. Dr. Mark Fairchild, chair of the Bible and Religion Department of Huntington University, will be our guide. Also participating will be Rody Rodeheaver of IN Network, Bishop Phil Whipple and Jeff Bleijerveld, director of Global Ministries.

The total cost is $3,595 per person. That covers airfare, lodging in 4-5 star hotels, breakfast and dinner daily, an air-conditioned motorcoach, entrance fees and taxes. Time is limited, so act today.

Just as a teaser, you may want to view the video about Turkey above, which produced by a team from Commonwalk Church of Muncie, Ind.

11 Jun Upcoming Wedding of Elisa Reeck

On March 11, Elisa Reeck, the youngest daughter of Wycliffe endorsed staff Roger and Marilyn Reeck (serving in Honduras), became engaged to Matthew Garza. Elisa met Matt at the christian school where they both teach in San Antonio, Texas. The wedding will take place on the beach in Honduras on July 21.

11 Jun Two Young Women We Can’t Tell You About

Global Ministries staff sometimes serve in places where Christianity is not welcomed. As a result, we must avoid mentioning their names on United Brethren websites (because Google works everywhere). In some cases, being identified with a Christian organization may place them in danger. In other cases, it may simply get them kicked out of the country or cause hardship for their ministry.

We can be proud that courageous United Brethren people are venturing into such situations. Currently, eight Global Ministries families and individuals serve in undisclosed countries. But we can’t tell you about them.

Recently Kim, a young woman from a United Brethren church in the Midwest, returned to the States after serving two years in an Asia-Pacific country which is closed to Christian missionary work. Kim senses that the Lord is leading her back to America for the coming few years. Pray for a smooth transition back to the U.S. and God’s guidance as she looks for jobs and considers pursing a Masters degree. Pray also for the persons with whom she shared Christ–that the seeds she planted will produce abundant fruit.

Another United Brethren young woman, Anne, is preparing to leave for an undisclosed country. Pray for Anne and her influence in a country where Christianity is not welcomed.

(Even for publishing this vague information, we first got the approval of Kim and Anne.)

07 Jun Burtnett Family: Investing in the Next Generation of Leaders

Partnering with Wycliffe, SIL International, and related organizations, JAARS provides quality technical support services and resources to speed Bible translation for all people.  Their support , including software development and transportation, gives translators more time and resources to focus on language work, and reduces their costs.  As a result, God’s Word can be translated more quickly for hundreds of language groups around the world.

Mike and Jenny Burtnett are United Brethren members serving at the JAARS Center near Charlotte, NC. Mike is a youth pastor to 100+ missionary kids (MKs) who live near the center.  Jenny designs  JAARS’ quarterly magazine, called Rev. 7.  She also assists in the youth ministry.

The vision of JAARS’ youth ministry is to increase missionary longevity and prepare the next generation of ministers.  Nearly one-third of missionary kids will enter church or missions ministry as adults.  Yet one of the leading causes of missionaries leaving their ministries early is because their children’s needs (educational, emotional, spiritual) are not being met. Many of the MKs living near JAARS have recently returned from living many years overseas and need help adjusting to American culture.  Supporting and nurturing missionary families protects the church’s financial investment in the mission of Bible translation.

07 Jun Get Acquainted With: Erik Rojas, Pastor in Costa Rica

Erik Rojas is pastor of one of our churches in San Jose, Costa Rica. This gifted young man, who represented Costa Rica at the 2010 General Conference, is now attending seminary in Costa Rica at the Nazarene Seminary of the Americas. He expects to finish in 2016. Global Ministries is seeking a total of $100 a month to support Pastor Erik while he pursues a seminary degree. 

Testimony of Erik Rojas

I was born in a Catholic home in 1967. In January 1979, when I was 11 years old, my mother was very ill in hospital when she heard a dear woman of God share the salvation message of Jesus Christ. From then on, we began attending a Pentecostal Evangelical Church. After five years in that church, when I was 16 years old, I walked away from God’s ways. Many years later, when I was working in a restaurant, I met the woman who is now my wife. She invited me to church August 21, 2003. Following such a long time away from God, I was reconciled with the Lord in the same church where I serve as pastor today.

In 2005, I was chosen, along with my wife, Iris, to take charge of a church plant that we call “House of Prayer.” I had no theological training. Moreover, I did not know how to plant a church. I accepted the challenge because it has always been my desire to serve God. In 2006, I received the news that I would be transferred to the church where I now serve as pastor, “His Holiness Worship Center.” I now have over eight years of involvement with the United Brethren in Christ and this year, God willing, I will fulfill seven years in the pastorate. I am very happy and thankful to God to belong to the United Brethren in Christ.

During these years of ministry, I completed my theological studies and earned my Diploma in Pastoral Ministry in the Costa Rican Evangelical Alliance Seminary (a leading school in Costa Rica). To obtain this diploma, I completed 20 courses, a workshop, and a final project. My studies lasted two years. My average grade was 96.5%.

Parallel to these studies, I obtained three credentials from the United Brethren in Christ. These credentials are:

2006. The Superintendent’s Credential, which is awarded after a year of pastoral service. It requires the presentation of the primary academic diploma, recommendations, a review of the work performed, and the approval of the Bishop or Superintendent.

2007. The Pastoral License, which is awarded after two years of pastoral service. It requires a review by a theological examination board, various recommendations, a written examination, and approval by the Conference Board of Nicaragua.

2009. Pastoral Ordination, which is awarded after four years of pastoral service. It requires a review by a theological examination board, recommendations, a written examination, and approval of the Board of the Conference of Nicaragua, after review and assessment of work done by the pastor.

Our Constitution provides that the minimum time for a pastor to receive these three credentials is four years. I thank God that I was able to achieve them in the shortest possible time.

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