29 Dec Use Direct Deposit to Support Missions

Now, you can use Direct Deposit to support the work of Global Ministries. Donations, including monthly support for individuals, can be transferred automatically from your bank account.

No checks to write. No stamps to find, or envelopes to address. You don’t even need to remember that your support is due. It all happens automatically. And it’s very secure.

A few advantages:

• Convenient. Transfers occur automatically. You don’t need to write checks, find the address, locate the previous receipt, fill out the envelope, pay for stamps, etc.
• Timely. Your gift is transferred at the same time every month. You don’t need to remember to make the gift.
• Secure. Electronic fund transfers are among the most reliable, accurate, and secure methods of payment. There are no checks or receipts to be lost, stolen, or delayed in the mail. Every check you write contains written information about your bank account. That’s not an issue with electronic transfers.
• Good stewardship. Global Ministries doesn’t need to spend time opening envelopes and processing gifts.

Learn more and sign up from the Global Ministries site.

28 Dec Church Planter, Artisan, and No Power Tools

Pastor Anacleto is both a church planter and artisan. When he is not leading his congregation in Queretaro, Mexico, he is supporting himself and his family by building rustic furniture.

I work a little with wood, but have a ton of power tools that make me look pretty good. Pastor Anacleto does all of his work by hand, including the carving you see in this photo. He has no power tools.

All our pastors in Mexico are bi-vocational and nearly all consider themselves first and foremost church planters. As one pastor asked me, “Aren’t all pastors church planters?”

22 Dec Ruth Ann Price Slowing Down, Sort Of

Ruth Ann Price reports that in December, she began a reduced assignment with Wycliffe Bible Translators.

• She won’t make extended overseas trips anymore. The longest will be 4-6 weeks (which certainly sounds “extended” to most of us). On December 26, she will travel to Asia for four weeks.
• She’ll spend more time at her home in Huntington, Ind..
• She will invest both semesters of the year (rather than just one semester) in her role as Missionary-in-Residence at Huntington University, teaching and mentoring young people who feel called to Christian service.

Ruth Ann is an endorsed UB missionary who has spent nearly her entire adult career with Wycliffe. She is also a member of the Global Ministries Leadership Team.

Ruth Ann says, “I do not plan to retire now (I’m having too much fun doing what I do), but I will continue part-time as long as God gives me good health, to contribute to the caue of Bible translation and sharing Christ globally.”

21 Dec Tribal Churches Continue to Grow

At one of our church plants.

While visiting in India recently, I had the opportunity to visit a number of churches in a tribal region. Each group we visited had been waiting patiently for our arrival.

As we approached the first tiny building, I wondered just how many people might be inside. My first clue came when I encountered a huge pile of sandals outside the door.

Seems East Indians are not nearly as concerned about personal space as we are in the West. The building was full to overflowing with people sitting on rice bags on the floor. There are currently thirteen such churches, and we have opportunity to plant more in the near future.