Praise God for the ministry and healing that took place during the recent mission trip to Ecuador. Ministry through drama, biblical teachings, song, crafts, and christian love drew many to seek and accept Christ thus receiving eternal salvation! The Holy Spirit was very powerful during these presentations and we give God all the gloriy. Below are a few pictures to enjoy.
Through out the week in Ecuador the team was able to present the gospel to over 9,000 individuals, mostly within the school system.
Each student, teacher, administrator, custodian, etc. were given tissue paper to make flowers - symbolizing God's love for each one of us.
At each location, drama was used to bring the salvation message to the lost in Ecuador. Here is the popular sword (Sword of the Spirit) routine.
The team took reading glasses with them to give out to those in Ecuador needing help to see.
Missions
One of John Wesley's famous quotes is:
"Do all the good you can, in all the ways you can,
to all the people you can, as long as ever you can."
John Wesley also said "The World is my parish."
Wesley wrote this in response to criticism that he was receiving because he was not
staying within parish boundaries or in the church, but was preaching the
Gospel to anyone, anywhere who would listen. Wesley understood our calling was to
take the message into the entire world to whomever will listen.
That is the heart of missions. Amen!
Our Mission is to:
Glorify God;
Share Jesus Christ with all people
Nurture and disciple; and
Faithfully serve the community.
First United Methodist Church
Equipping you for LIFE!
Local Missions
Cold Night Shelter Ministry (at St. Timothy’s Lutheran Church)
Serving Those Without Homes in our Community
The Cold Night Shelter was started in 1987 here at First United Methodist Church and was hosted in our Outreach Center Building for 23 years. When the Outreach Center building was removed we approached St. Timothy’s Lutheran Church to see it they would be interested in continuing this ministry at their location. They were more than happy to take over the Cold Night Shelter and in 2010 it was officially renamed ‘Shakey’s Cold Night Shelter’ The ministry brings members of the First United Methodist Church of Tarpon Springs and members of several other churches in our community together with the Pinellas County Coalition for The Homeless (PCCFTH) to provide a warm, dry, comfortable and Spirit-filled place to sleep for anyone homeless on nights when the temperature in our area goes below 40 degrees. The ministry demonstrates the Oneness of Christ and gives volunteers the opportunity to work with our brothers and sisters in Christ from other congregations along with members St. Timothy’s Lutheran Church.
Our guests are served an evening meal and breakfast the next morning. The shelter is financed through contributions from church members and some support from the PCCFTH. Blankets and clothing are provided through the generous donations from residents of the community and church members.
The shelter is located in the Fellowship Hall of St. Timothy’s Lutheran Church on Tarpon Ave. The shelter is staffed by volunteers who prepare and serve the meals and work in one of four shifts:
• Supper shift from 5:00PM – 8:00PM
• Second shift from 8:00PM– 11:00PM
• Third shift from 11:00 PM – 2:00 AM
• Fourth shift from 2:00AM-5:00AM
• Breakfast/clean up shift from 5:00AM-7:30AM
It requires 14 volunteers to staff the shelter each night. The people this ministry serves need your prayers and your continued support through donations of new men’s and women’s underwear, socks, women’s clothes, toiletry items, and sleeping bags as well as your financial support. All donations are always appreciated. So far this winter the shelter has been open 12 nights. Thank you for all of your support! If you are interested in serving please contact the church office at (727) 937-3271.
United Methodist Women
First United Methodist Church of Tarpon Springs
Mission Statement: The organized unit of United Methodist Women shall be a community of women whose PURPOSE is to know God and to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ; to develop a creative, supportive fellowship; and to expand concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the church.
The unit of United Methodist Women at FUMC Tarpons Springs has over 60 active members who meet regularly in circles for study, mission projects and fellowship. United Methodist Women financially support missions through the Women’s Division of the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist church. These funds are raised by Pledges to Mission, The World Thank Offering, Gifts in Memory, Gifts in Mission Cards, Special Mission Recognition, Call to Prayer and Self Denial Offering, and other special gifts. Any funds remaining at the end of the year are distributed among local charities, including our Agape Fund, Open Your Eyes, Shepherd’s Center and others.
As part of the Gulf Central District UMW, we attend Mission Studies, read Response and World Outlook magazines, attend meetings and retreats, participate in the UMW Reading Program, pray for our missionaries who are listed in the “Prayer Calendar” on their birthdays, and use the 2011 Women’s Division Program Book: “Finding Peace.”
Our mission projects include sewing and filling ditty bags for cold night shelters in our district and for Dade City migrant farm workers’ children. This project coordinates with the United Methodist Cooperative Ministries. We also fill and deliver shoe boxes at Christmas for our shut-in church members.
United Methodist Cooperative Ministries/Suncoast, Inc.
Serving West Manatee, Pinellas West Pasco, Hernando & West Citrus
Executive Director: Pam Qualls
Founded in 1975, United Methodist Cooperative Ministries/Suncoast, Inc. is the outreach ministry sponsored by the Gulf Central District of the United Methodist Church. UMCM provides a wide variety of social service programs in five Gulf Coast Counties to over 15,000 individuals and families needing help with basic social, educational, and economic needs. Programs include: Families Learning Together Literacy, including English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL); Producing Academically Successful Students or PASS Tutoring Program; the Children of the World Preschool; the PACK-A-SACK 4 Kids program to fight childhood hunger; the Doug Brown Street Ministry’s meals for homeless men, women and children; Family Support Services’ homeless prevention through assistance with utility and rent payments; and volunteer mobilization.
UMCM’s programs are volunteer driven. There are always opportunities for volunteers
such as: English Tutors for Adults;
PASS Tutor 4 at-risk Hispanic Elementary Students;
Pack-a-Sack 4 Kids sponsor;
Doug Brown Street Ministry volunteers;
Clothing donation volunteers;
Office Assistance
Nursery for preschool children during ESOL Classes;
Computer Lab volunteers
For more details go to http://umcm.info, or
call Kitty Carpenter at 727-442-6881, ext. 5,
kcarpenter@umcm.info.
Operation Backpack
Turning Up The Heat
A Children’s Ministry of First United Methodist Church of Tarpon Springs
Operation Backpack is a community event that seeks to reach out to the needy by blessing them with free backpacks and school supplies for the upcoming school year. In this struggling financial time the need is even greater to give to those who are lacking but even greater than that is to show them the love of God and to show them what the church…the body of Christ looks like. Over the past four years, Operation Backpack has give out over 2000 backpacks filled with supplies at no cost to the community. Also, during the event, we offer free school physicals, haircuts for the kids, rides, free lunch and much more. None of this can happen without people who have hearts to serve, give, and bless.
In the past four years, First United Methodist Church, the C.A.P. Center (Citizen’s Alliance for Progress) and other local churches have partnered together to bring this vision to the community. Our hope is that this event will turn into something where all Christians can come together and work together as a body of Christ in a way that has never been done before.
“I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these…..you did for me.”
Matthew 25:40
Florida United Methodist Children’s Home
Located in Enterprise, Florida since 1908
The Mission of the Florida United Methodist Children’s Home is to create an atmosphere which enables children and families with special needs to experience God’s love and care as presented in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Combining Christian influence with a healing, caring, therapeutic community, the Home provides a continuum of highly specialized services designed to strengthen individuals and family life.
The Florida United Methodist Children’s Home was established as an orphanage in 1908 by Florida Methodists and by the 1950’s, had changed its major emphasis to caring for abused, abandoned, neglected or dependent children who are residents of the State of Florida. Boys and girls are accepted without regard to race, creed or national origin, and some of the children are now considered for a program leading to adoption. The Home now has an independent living education department for those over 18, and a nearby home is used for temporary housing for those who are seeking employment or are trying for the GED diploma.
The religious life is vital to the program of the Home Residents and cottage parents regularly attend Sunday morning Chapel and Wednesday night Vespers. A full-time chaplain is part of the Home’s staff. Many of the children share in leadership for the Sunday morning service through leading worship, sharing in special music, or as ushers or acolytes. Residents use their tithes and offerings to support mission projects beyond the campus. By learning of and responding to the needs of others, the residents learn to care for themselves. The residents have the opportunity to commit themselves to a God who loves them and seeks to guide them to a full life.
The Home is funded by our “5th Sunday Offering” and endowments. When you provide financially for the Florida United Methodist Children’s Home, the interests and well-being of deserving children, youth and families are addressed in vital Christian ministry. Through this Home, the influences of God’s tender mercies and noble human compassion powerfully combine and intervene to lasting benefit, preserving and transforming lives.
New Life Solutions
Parent Organization for the Pregnancy Center; Serving Pinellas County
President / CEO: Sol Pitchon, M.A.
New Life Solutions is the Ministry Head of the Pregnancy Center of Pinellas County, More2Life Youth Development Program, Passages Post-abortion Grief Support Program, and the Breath of Life Women's Health Services and Birth Center. We are a Christ-centered ministry offering hope, help and healing for women, teens, and families by promoting healthy lifestyles choices and relationships. Since opening our first center in 1985, we have been one of the most successful Christian Pregnancy Centers in the Nation.
We marvel at the ways God has grown this ministry from a grass roots effort by a few life-minded individuals, who in 1985 opened our first Center in an 800 square foot space in a strip center, to today's ministry, that encompasses 3 separate Centers, a Youth Development program and a state-of- the art Birth Center. Praise the Lord!
This is what God has accomplished over the last 25 years through the Ministries of New Life Solutions thanks to your prayers and support.
65,000 Students have been reached through our More2Life Youth Development Program as approved educators by the Pinellas County School Board to help young people make healthy choices!
2,800 Salvations and re-dedications of women and teens who entered our doors feeling hopeless and lost, and left with new hope and eternal life!
2,200 Babies are alive today rather than aborted, because their Mom's chose life after receiving a free sonogram at one of our Centers!
45 Babies have been placed for Adoption, instead of aborted...a gift of life blessing so many grateful couples.
We look forward to serving the Lord together in 2011. May the Lord richly bless you and your family.
Together We're In It For Life,
Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
"The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."
Please explore our website to find out more about New Life Solutions and the outreaches we provide. www.newlifesolutions.org
The Shepherd Center of Tarpon Springs
In 1974 the Shepherd Center began with the love grounded in Christian fellowship and has continued to be committed to the belief in the inalienable rights and value of all human beings.
Adopting a broad interfaith perspective, we extend basic love and material assistance to all members of our community and to its visitors.
Basic to our strategy is the concept that everyone can give and receive at the center according to their talents, interests and needs. Some need to receive and some need to give; in so giving, they too receive. Holidays we offer Thanksgiving turkey baskets and trimmings, Christmas ham baskets and trimmings as part of our outreach.
The Shepherd Center is run by volunteers like you in our thrift shop, food pantry, social service, community soup kitchen (7days a week), and administration.
Faithful Tutors
First United Methodist Church of Tarpon Springs
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11
One of the significant ministries of our church is the tutoring program. It is staffed by volunteers who devote time once a week helping children improve their reading and math skills.
The children are second and third graders and come to the church from Tarpon Springs Elementary school.
The tutors are hoping that the help they give will be a positive factor in helping to improve the students’ FCAT test scores.
Another one of the benefits of the program is the one-to-one relationship the child has with the tutor. The child has someone who loves and cares enough to devote their time freely to help them. Many special bonds are formed during this time.
At the present time, we have 15 children enrolled and 15 tutors. This is the eighth year for the program and we feel that children best learn to read by reading and we want to give them an opportunity for success.
Thank you to this year’s dedicated group of tutors who continue to assist the children. This program would not be possible without you.
If you are interested in this ministry, please call the Church office at (727) 937-3271.
Open Your Eyes Ministry
First United Methodist Church of Tarpon Springs
Open Your Eyes is a ministry that provides much needed supplies and clothing to the homeless in our community. Several local churches are visited each week to collect supplies and funds to service the needy. This ministry has reached many of the people who live on the streets and have nowhere else to go. If you would like to know more about this ministry or if you would like to volunteer, please call the church office at (727) 937-3271.
JFJ Ministries, Inc.
Bringing the Hope, Healing and Restoration of Christ Jesus to Incarcerated Children
JFJ Ministries is serving nearly 400 incarcerated children weekly in the Tampa Bay area. These children are lost and hurting and most have never had an opportunity to hear the Word of God. JFJ ministers to children shackled and handcuffed, behind razor wire, sentenced to as many as 2-3 years and are as young as 8-9 years old.
This past year we expanded the state wide chaplaincy program. Our chaplains are given state approval for counseling, prayer and many other opportunities to serve these children and their families that were never offered previously.
At the beginning of last year, we opened a new girl’s prison in Pasco with 24 girls that have all been abused, and three that are currently pregnant. At this new Pasco facility we opened a wonderful sewing center which allows us to offer a great life skill. The girls are making lap blankets for the nursing homes, coverlets for the neo-natal intensive care isolates; and colorful head scarves for women in Haiti. They started a vegetable garden sponsor by 5 and 2 Foods Ministry and the vegetables that they raise go back to area food pantries.
There are many other areas to serve in the prisons, such as pancake breakfast, choirs,
canteen with banking life skills, sports clinics and mentoring. JFJ Ministries also provided Christmas to nearly 400 children this year. But of course our most important goal always remains bringing the uncompromised Word of God.
We are also focusing on the first Anchor of Hope Home. That would be God centered residential housing for these children that have no home to return to. With the threat of Child Human Sex Trafficking so prevalent in the Tampa Bay area, it is essential to provide safe housing for these children. Statistics state that if one of our girls ends up on the streets, she will be approached and pulled into prostitution within 36 hours. And girls as young as 10 years old are being trafficked in this area.
JFJ Ministries thanks you for your continued prayers and support. As we shine Christ love to these incarcerated children.
Boy Scouts of America
Scouting Coordinator: Pastor Doug Zipperer
bsatroop48fl.com
The United Methodist Church seeks to minister to young people through partnership with Boy Scouts of America. These agencies are known to provide moral and ethical values, self-esteem, citizenship training, leadership skills, respect for others, career exploration and service to others, as well as a lot of fun.
Instead of merely providing facilities, the United Methodist Church sees their scouting program as opportunities to expand their ministry among the youth of the church and as an outreach to un-churched youth.
The church can provide faith models to teach honesty, integrity, respect and other values. Through the God and Country Awards program, we also teach that a scout is reverent.
Messages from our Missionaries
Around the World
A LIGHT TO THE NATIONS
Russ Montgomery
Serving in Cuba and Haiti with Living in Faith Ministry
Living in Faith (LIF) is celebrating its fifteenth year of leveraging the work of local churches in Cuba and Haiti. Founded by Russ Montgomery, LIF provides both Evangelistic and Humanitarian assistance to churches. The scope of the ministry includes three primary outreaches.
Our “Vision for Christ program provides eye care to those who cannot afford it. In Haiti, LIF operates three clinics. Several Haitians have been trained to operate the clinics on a daily basis. Exams are given and people are treated for glaucoma and cataracts. For most patients this is their first eye exam. Custom prescription eyeglasses and/or reading glasses are provided for those needing vision correction. In Cuba, patients cannot afford to pay 6 to 8 month wages for glasses. LIF provides them at no cost. What a blessing it is to allow the ‘blind’ to see!
The “Woman at the Well” ministry project provides clean drinking water. These water purification systems are located at church facilities and are being used as evangelistic tools by providing a source of clean water. At many churches where LIF has installed a Water Purification System, the congregation has doubled in size within a year. Our water is often the only clean water after a hurricane and last year one of our systems was the only source of clean water after the earthquake. LIF provides community systems, rainwater harvesting and bucket filters for household use.
The Ancient Paths seminar teaches family values. LIF has trained coordinators in Haiti and Cuba. The seminar is given in Spanish and Haitian Creole so it speaks to the “heart language” of the people. This seminar has proven to be a great tool for advancing the work of the local churches. It is touching the lives of many materially poor people, helping them grow spiritually!
Living In Faith is making an Evangelistic Impactin Cuba, Haiti and the United States.
In Cuba, the LIF administrator continues to reach people by showing Christian movies.
In Haiti, LIF has partnered with local churches to show the Jesus Video in various villages. A financial blessing is given to the Haitian team that conducts this outreach. The local churches are able to follow-up with those who see the video and mentor them. Many people have come to Christ through this powerful outreach. The area surrounding our home base is being transformed from Voodoo to Christian believers. The domestic food assistance program in Tampa expanded by providing food and other necessities to approximately 60 families each month.
Mission trips are one way for you to experience the work of Living in Faith. We have provided many trips over the years and many people have come to know our neighbors much better. We invite you to pray about joining us someday!
The Living In Faith Team would like to thank you for your financial and prayer support! What a blessing it is to share the love of Jesus with our brothers and sisters in Cuba, Haiti and the United States.
Russ Montgomery
Living In Faith
P.O. Box 271883
Tampa, FL 33688
Phone: 813-343-0417
E-Mail: Russ.Montgomery@livinginfaith.net
Website: www.livinginfaith.net
Blog: www.livinginfaith.net/blog
Facebook: Living In Faith
Mike and Martha Henderson
Serving In Africa with Heart of Africa
Mike Henderson is Executive Director of Heart of Africa, a mission which supports ministries initiated by African Christians. His wife Martha serves on the Board of Directors. First Methodist Church of Tarpon Springs has supported the Henderson's and Heart of Africa since its inception. Building on personal relationships with effective African leaders, Heart of Africa provides “breakthrough” projects which will expand or improve the ministries those African friends have initiated. Some of their African partners have started colleges and universities, orphan care ministries, networks of new churches, hospitals, and community development projects in many countries.
Mike and Martha both attended Asbury College and Asbury Theological Seminary. He received further training at Yale University and Indiana University. They have served together in pastoral and teaching ministries in the U.S. and in Africa. The Henderson's have three children and six grandchildren and a new granddaughter is arriving from China this month. They live in Longwood, Florida, where the U.S. office of Heart of Africa is located.
In 2011, Mike will be conducting discipleship conferences and writers’ workshops in several African nations including four French-speaking Africa and four in English-speaking Africa. They will be raising funds for 30 projects in 11 countries, including a new women’s hospital in Sierra Leone, church-planting teams in Botswana, Togo, Zimbabwe, and Kenya, and ongoing construction of 300 homes for refugees in Burundi. Last month Mike was able to acquire a plot of land to help St. Paul’s Children’s Home in Kenya. He has also been helping with projects at a Pastors Training School in Uganda so that the school as well as the new pastors will be self supported.
Rev. Dick Christensen
Serving All Over the World for Indigenous Training Ministries, Inc. and MVI
China was much of my focal point for 2010. I am partnering with another ministry to train Chinese teachers of our CTC (Christian Training Center) curriculum. It is our desire to equip them to go out and train many other pastors and Christian leaders. We have already printed over 800 sets of our curriculum and shipped them to several locations within China and are preparing to print a second edition some 1000 sets to be sent out in early part of 2011. In Nov. of 2011 we graduated our first group of 19 Chinese House Church leaders and are scheduled to see 3 more groups graduate in 2011. Please pray that the door will remain open for me to go in and out of China with my true intention for being there remaining undetected.
Secondly, we continue to see growth in the number of Training Center locations worldwide. In 2010 we saw a second new center in Tanzania, and now a small Center with 5 students has opened in Ghana, West Africa. It is amazing to me how the knowledge of this program has traveled by word of mouth with so little effort on my part to make it known.
Finally, in February of 2011 I will travel to Jordan to deliver funding to enable a group of translators to begin the translation of the curriculum into Arabic and once completed I expect to see many doors open across the Muslim world—where the gospel truth is desperately needed. At last count I believe there are nearly 25 Training Centers using the CTC curriculum in 19 different countries. We have already seen nearly 1100 graduate and presently have 570 enrolled worldwide. None of this would be possible without God’s faithfulness and your faithfulness in giving. Thus I covet your prayers, and deeply appreciate your financial support.
Please be careful with this information as in the wrong hands it could be used to bring harm to our brothers and sisters in closed countries. Thank you for standing with me. Together we’re making a difference!
Blessings!
Rev. Dick Christensen (“Rev C”)
3078 Eagles Landing Circle West
Clearwater, FL 33761
Ph: 727-791-1413
revdc@4securemail.com
Matt & Blair Roelandts
Serving in India
Thank you Tarpon Springs First United Methodist Church for all you do for Missions all over the World! Your love is truly changing lives one person at a time.
We are the Roelandts family (Matt, Blair, Addison, Xavier, and Mallory) and we have been living in India for 1 year. Currently, we reside in Jaipur, Rajasthan working alongside the national fellowship, many NGO’s, and beginning to “Plant the Church of Not Yet.”
This year has been a year of firsts. We started our kids in home school. We moved to a land we have never been to before. We removed beef and pork from our diets. Bacon and hamburgers are greatly missed. The months of April-October we attempted to sleep, work, and play in 130 degree temperatures. During these months the electricity went out on a daily basis. We learned how important running water is when we ran out because Rajasthan had been in a 10 year drought. We struck up relationships with our neighbors who were scared, inquisitive, and skeptical of us. We started learning a language we had never before heard, Hindi. We started working in a Bible School to train young CPer’s. We witnessed the floods of heaven open and soak Jaipur to the point where water was standing up to your knees in the streets. We began helping a new Church which is specifically targeted to the young college and career professionals. We had our first Easter, all our Birthday’s, Thanksgiving, and Christmas away from America and our family. However, we celebrated all these and a few more holidays with our neighbors. We have developed relationships with Christians, Hindu’s, Sikh’s,
Muslims, Zoaranists, Atheists, and Jains and planted a seed and or watered the soil with each person we’ve met.
Maybe it’s been a while since you’ve experienced a first and you have a hard time understanding some of our firsts. So let me ask you to do something...Fold your hands in your lap palms together and interlock your fingers. Try it. If asked to do this 2 or 100 times you will always interlock your fingers in the same order. One thumb on top of the other and then the rest of your fingers in sequential order. Now clasp your hands together again this time interlock you fingers so the other thumb is on top. Try it. Feels strange, huh? That’s just a taste of how everyday of this past year has been for our family.
India is quickly growing into the world’s largest nation and by the year 2020 the population of India will surpass that of China. With that in mind we need you to do pray daily for Christian workers to raise up with in India and pray for proper discipleship to take place as many new believers are coming into the fold. Second pray for the many CPer’s and their family’s for God’s safety and protection to guide their lives as many hardships daily come their way.
Rex Almquist
Serving with S.E.A.R. (South-East Asian Relief) in Viet-Nam and Florida
A BRIEF HISTORY OF S.E.A.R., INC.
Viet-Nam veteran, Mr. Rex Almquist, established South-East Asian Relief (SEAR) as Aid to Refugees. The Lord used the Viet-Nam war to lead “Mr. Rex” into missions, and he grew to love the street children of Viet-Nam, as they saved his life numerous times.
SEAR has worked throughout S.E. Asia in prison and refugee camps among Vietnamese, Lao and Cambodian youth and children. SEAR has also sponsored families from these camps who were able to resettle in the Tampa Bay area. SEAR now provides local services to S.E. Asian and other refugee families in St. Petersburg, FL, plus an extensive ministry among the youth and children in Viet-Nam. SEAR is a licensed Christian Relief Mission working in Viet-Nam as an NGO (Non-Government Organization). SEAR has been working in Da Nang and Quang Nam Provinces, helping very needy youth and children since 1993.
MISSION WORK IN FLORIDA INCLUDES:
Providing Bible studies and spiritual counseling to S.E. Asian and children of other ethnic groups who are not involved in a church.
Providing for material and physical needs.
Providing help within schools for new refugee students and after-school assistance.
Translation of languages in schools, hospitals, health centers, government offices, etc. in cooperation with the Red Cross language bank.
Helping new families learn and understand American culture and find employment.
Working with the Juvenile Justice system, providing community service opportunities and conducting Bible studies for young offenders.
Helping youth obtain and maintain bicycles for transportation.
MISSION WORK IN VIET-NAM INCLUDES:
Street Children - Sponsoring two centers in Da Nang and Dai Loc and offering vocational training for youth.
Employment & Vocational Training for youth and street boys through “The Blessing” Motorcycle Wash & Oil Change Center in Da Nang. Training, tools, food, clothing and shelter are provided by SEAR.
Bicycle Assembly - Boys at the MWOCC assemble bicycles to help other poor children with transportation needs.
Critically Ill Children - Funding medicine, hospitalization, surgery and follow-up care for critically ill hospitalized children.
Providing school supplies, uniforms, tuition, food, etc., SEAR helps the poorest children stay in school.
Emergency Aid – Building small family homes or rebuilding homes damaged by fire, typhoon or in disrepair.
Spiritual needs of children and youth. Missionary activity is not allowed by Viet-Nam law however, children can be invited to go to church. Children and youth can be driven to churches, with our new van, where they can hear the gospel.
GOALS:
To bring hope and help to children and youth who are very poor and to those who are sick, crippled, orphaned or abandoned, through medical intervention and education.
By serving and helping the young, to bring a clear witness to them of the Lord Jesus, planting and nurturing in them a desire to know the Lord and His Word. They can then become a blessing for their homeland, for America and for the world.
PRAY:
† We ask that you would pray daily for mission support, for Mr. Rex, and for the SEAR Board, and that the Lord’s will would be done in helping needy youth and children from various Asian countries living in St. Petersburg and those who struggle to live in the country of Viet-Nam.
† Pray for our ministry and for spiritual results in the hearts of the children and youth in Viet-Nam who have never heard the gospel.
† Pray that as the children and youth are helped, they may realize their help comes from the Lord who made them and the heavens and the earth.
Neal & Mari Hicks
Serving in Japan with The Mission Society
Blessed Christmas greetings to you from Tokyo, Japan! We are amazed yet again this year at how “high tech” the Japanese are becoming. More and more homes are displaying expensive and fancy Christmas lights and decorations. Supermarkets, department stores, and even train stations “wow” your ears with the sounds of beautiful classic Christmas hymns extolling the birth of the Savior, The Lord Jesus Christ. Merry Christmas is spoken “unashamedly” by store attendants and clerks. My, how the Japanese “openly” love to celebrate Christmas! And yet … only one or two percent of 126,000,000 Japanese have ever “received” God’s Christmas PRESENT! The Japanese do not yet know … they have not yet heard … the true REASON FOR THE SEASON! But, through YOUR prayers, and sacrificial giving, God is working to change things here. From the top leaders of government and business, to the lowest of the homeless on the streets, the Japanese are hearing and coming to know they have a Savior… and His Name is not Buddha or Mohamed or Confucius… but it is JESUS! And isn’t it sadly ironic, if not truly heart breaking, that so many in the West … DO KNOW and HAVE HEARD … what the real meaning of Christmas is, yet growing numbers at every level, are increasingly rejecting and or removing the Gift of God’s Son, The Lord Jesus Christ! Personally, Mari and I believe the time is coming, when the Good News the shepherds heard long ago, is going to sweep through Japan, and this land called the “Rising Sun” will become the land of the “Risen Son!” So echoes the words of the prophet Isaiah, “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.” (Isaiah 9:2)
How do you feed 400 hungry homeless men? With the Word of God! Sharing a hot meal opens hearts to Jesus!
May God grant you the best Christmas and most prosperous New Year ever, as we continue to faithfully share the Good News of the Gospel in America and here in Japan!
Your missionaries and co-workers in Japan,
Please write our email address at: nealtms@gmail.com
website:http://www.themissionsociety.org
Judy Kanouse
Serving with Native American Youth Ministries
For those I have not yet met, I am Judy Kanouse working with Native American Youth Ministries now for about 19 years, based near Phoenix, AZ. I currently still serve as the secretary for the Mission and the Board of Directors and assistant to the treasurer. I also serve as the director of Urban Ministry for the mission. Our other ministry is reservation outreach which includes VBS, work teams, pastoring a reservation church, and youth group work. A challenging and wonderful part of my work is being a full-time grandma/mom to 11-year-old Zack. Of course I try to maintain a mother/daughter relationship with his mother. Zack is doing well. He is an all A student again this year and the Lord Jesus shines in him. I just heard this the other day confirmed by one of his teachers. I also work part time at Zack’s school as a first grade teacher aide to supplement our income.
Though I am still part of the Chaplaincy Program at the Phoenix Indian Medical Center I am currently on in-active status due to the hours I am working as a first grade aide to help with income. As chaplains we try to take part in all the wellness programs at the facility; and we provide a weekly Sunday in-house service. Chaplains are on-call for emergency needs of patients also. As part of the chaplaincy we coordinate the yearly Native Easter Sunrise Service for the valley and a Christmas outreach also.
Other urban outreach areas I am involved in are the weekly Native women’s and children’s Bible studies. I am back with the children this year after being the facilitator for the women last year. We have opened up the study to men also as we are offering the Truth Project. We are using the audio kid’s version for the children’s program. I keep involved with our monthly Native fellowships by serving as the contact and phone reminder person. Planning for, as well as working with the children who attend is fun too.
As part of the Urban Outreach we look for openings to reach out to Natives in the valley with such things as an outreach table at the annual state fair. We try to plan this for the “All-Indian Rodeo Weekend.” We are available for any who need. For example a Native American woman and her 3 children needed some help to get settled after leaving a home for battered women. We have taken gift baskets of foods to several other Native families in the city. One of our volunteers has an informal bus ministry developing slowly.
I remain open to other areas/ideas God has for us to reach out to Natives here in the valley. On an irregular basis I am still blessed to be able to counsel with former students from my dorm mother days and moms from my Director of Maternity home days. This is informal and in my home. On occasion I am able to do some Native child care to help the moms out in times of special needs. Zack and I of course are members and stay active in our local church, again most often teaching Sunday school for elementary age children.
THANK YOU for your financial support and all you do to keep us available to the Lord Jesus for His work. Please keep praying for wisdom, direction, health for us all and that God’s Love for the Native American people would shine through each one of us. May God Bless you all for all you do.
Dr. Chris Hena
Serving with the General Board of Global Ministries in Eastern Kazakhstan
Dr. Christiana Koisey Hena is a missionary with the Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church assigned as project coordinator in Eastern Kazakhstan for the Board of Global Ministries Health and Relief Unit. She facilitates a Comprehensive Community-Based Primary Health Care (CCBPHC) program, which trains local health workers to promote better health practices in their communities.
Consulting with local authorities, health providers and religious leaders, Chris prepares a primary healthcare needs assessment for communities in the Eastern Kazakhstan region. Working with the Methodist Hospital of Houston, the US/Kazakhstan International Foundation and the Kazak Research Institute, Dr. Hena then prepares a plan for appropriate health interventions, capacity building, and infrastructure enhancement. She supervises the project office in Semipalatinsk where she monitors the implementation of the plan and evaluates its execution.
Chris also works as a physician at one of the hospitals in Eastern Kazakhstan and provides medical services to several village clinics. Reflecting on her call to mission service, Chris says, “I just enjoy it. I do it year after year and it just gets better all the time.”
A native of Liberia, Chris attended pre-medical school at Cuttington University College in Liberia before receiving a scholarship to attend Kuban Medical School in Russia where she earned her MD degree. In 1988 she studied at Emory University in Atlanta, GA, and earned a master’s degree in public health. She returned to Russia in 1991 as a Board of Global Ministries missionary, serving there until 2000.
To see some of my pictures, please check my webpage at: www.picasaweb.google.com/koisey
I
Jolita Pieciaite-Erbele
Scholarship to Study with General Board of Global Ministries (UMC)
at Asbury seminary to return to Birzai, Lithuania
We are very blessed to be in this journey. At this point of time we are in seminary. It is my third year of MDiv program. We are planning to finish in the summer of 2011 and go back to Lithuania. My husband is in the seminary too. He is in Intercultural studies. We both are United Methodists.
I can’t express how much I am blessed by the opportunity to grow in knowledge and in my faith here at Asbury seminary. It has been a spiritual growth. But in the same time I really missed my people and my community in Lithuania. Even though I found real friends and real community here, I know that the biggest need is in Lithuania. I am going back to be a pastor but most important I am going back to bring the word of God and the love of God to these people. I am looking forward to live among the people who desperately need help and hope. Help and hope that will not go away. It is life in Jesus Christ, help from God and hope in the Holy Spirit through the people like us.
Truly, love is the most important thing. Loving those who are near, loving those who are far away. Loving those whose cry we hear.
ICM – International Cooperating Ministries
Mission: To Nurture Believers and Assist Church Growth Worldwide
Vision: People, communities, and nations transformed through Jesus Christ and His Church.
Mission: To nurture believers and assist Church growth worldwide.
Ministry Overview: International Cooperating Ministries has established unique guidelines for church construction based on the principles of accountability and leverage. Our criteria include: the congregations’ need and ability to provide for a full-time pastor; their commitment to contribute a portion of their offering to a covenant fund for helping others build churches in their country; and a requirement to plant at least 5 additional churches in their own locale within 3 years of completion. Through the “Web Concept”, churches planted will eventually blanket the country. ICM is innovative in that it challenges pastors and churches to multiply themselves by continuing this church-planting model without dependence on further support.
Our partners facilitate the application process for the congregation, oversee construction, ensure accountability, and provide follow-up reports for 3 years after completion. They are essential to this church multiplication effort.
Congratulations! year FUMC Tarpon Springs fully funded three new churches in Tanzania. That now makes a total of 12 churches all together. projects are just now in the beginning phases of construction. Look for your construction reports on these projects within three months. And the completion of these projects by nine months. You will remember that each of these churches has agreed to plant 5 daughter congregations. The previous churches have already accounted for 24 church plants and 850 new baptisms
Visit our website: www.icm.org
John and Naomi Schmidt
Serving All Over The World with ISKOM
(International Street Kids Outreach Ministries)
ISKOM "Reaching, rescuing and making disciples of Orphaned and Abandoned Children where the Gospel of Christ has little or no access"
John and Naomi have been ministering to Street Kids for 21 years. As Street Kids were being exterminated in Sao Paulo , Brazil John & Naomi were the first on the streets of Sao Paulo to care for the Abandoned Children. Since then the Lord has expanded their ministry to 29 nations. Presently there are 10,200 Orphaned and Children being cared for and discipled. John and Naomi praise the Lord for the Strategic Partnership of First United Methodist Church.
Brazil, Laos, Sudan and Uganda are some of the nations that have been impacted by the Strategic Partnership of First United Methodist of Tarpon Springs and International Street Kids Outreach Ministries.
Raul and Zanza Aquino
Serving In El Prado in the Dominican Republic
Dear Ones.
Is great to know that there is no one more merciful than our Lord, we can see everyday his hand working on us and with our ministry.
The end year is always a little complicated for our family, as the mail gets scrambled and everything here late. We also had to face the end of year without a car, as our car broke, and we are still without it. We were told that we need a new engine, and they wanted about 2000 US dollars for a new one. The 8th of January brother Jorge, one of our church fellows had a very bad accident and almost lost a leg, we spent about 3 weeks worrying hard, in order to help him keep his leg. Praise God, he is already at home and is a lot better. Coming back from vacations we found out that the toilet of our school was stolen, so we have been working halftime at school in last 2 weeks, we want the people to participate in solutions. So far parents are responding and we have raised some money to correct some of the problems at school.
I believe we cannot talk about problems without talking about the earthquake in Haiti, we felt it and had no idea of what was happening.
Later we watched the news and saw all of the destruction in Haiti. We went to Jimani which is the town next to the Haitian border, it was sad to see people mutilated, so many amputated legs and arms. So many people on streets, we gave away soup and was incredible how much hunger was there. It was unreal. We also praised God because we saw how much love our country showed to the Haitians after the quake, even the people that didn't like the Haitians opened their arms to help them. Every hospital that we visited, was packed of Haitians. so we can say that God used that moment to help Dominicans and Haitians to love each other.
Anyway we understand that our Lord is always there, to take care of everyone of our needs and problems.
We still believe that the Lord has given us a task and will be with us until we finish it.
Blessings. Please pray for his Brother Jorge and his healing. For our ministry for wisdom to continue our work here. For our church to continue maturing and growing. Our family's economy, especially our car.
Directory of Local Ministries and Outreaches
The Shepherd Center
Wanda Weber, Executive Director
101 W. Court Street
Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
Phone: (727) 939-1400 ext 15
E-mail: shepherdctr@aol.com
Dorothy Salls- FUMC Coordinator
Cold Night Shelter
St. Timothy Lutheran Church
812 E. Tarpon Avenue
Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
FUMC Team- Frank & Faith Del Percio
(727) 937-3271
United Methodist Women
First United Methodist Church
Fran Arfaras, President of Local Unit
501 E. Tarpon Avenue
Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
Phone: (727) 937-3271
Website: http://gbgm-umc.org/umw
United Methodist Cooperative Ministries
Pam Qualls - Executive Director
1625 Union St.
Clearwater, FL 33755
Phone: (727) 442-6881
E-mail: pam.umcm@verizon.net
Website: http://www.umcm.info
Operation Backpack
First United Methodist Church
Dean Giancola & Sandy Koulias- Coordinators
501 E. Tarpon Avenue
Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
Phone: (727) 937-3271
Faithful Tutors
Linda Murphy - Coordinator
501 E. Tarpon Avenue
Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
Phone: (727) 944-2483
Florida United Methodist Children’s Home
Sonja Eiland -FUMC Coordinator
51 Main Street
Enterprise, FL 32725
Phone: (386) 668-4774
Website: http://www.fumch.org/
Boy Scouts of America
First United Methodist Church
Pastor Doug Zipperer - FUMC Coordinator
501 E. Tarpon Avenue
Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
Phone: (727)937-3271
New Life Solutions
Sol Pitchon, M.A. - President/CEO
1910 East Bay Drive
Largo, FL 33771
Phone: (727) 216-1402
Website: http://newlifesolutions.org
Open Your Eyes Ministry
First United Methodist Church
Roy & Barb Wenzel - Coordinators
501 E. Tarpon Avenue
Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
(727) 937-3271
JFJ Ministries, Inc.
Cindy Lane (Founder and Director)
(727) 230-1674
Website: JFJMINISTRIES.ORG
Georgie Zentmeyer - FUMC Coordinator
Directory of Missionaries and Ministries
Rex Almquist
SEAR (South East Asian Relief), Inc.
PO Box 15025
St. Petersburg, FL 33733
Phone: (727) 321-1538
E-mail: searusa@yahoo.com
Website: http://searinc.tripod.com
Raul & Zanza Aquino
El Prado Church School
Azua, Dominican Republic
E-mail: raul_zanza@hotmail.com
Rev. Dick Christensen (Rev C)
Indigenous Training Ministries, Inc.
3078 Eagles Landing Circle West
Clearwater, FL 33716
Phone: (727) 791-1413
E-mail: revdc@4securemail.com
Website: http://www.revc.org
Dr. Chris Hena
General Board of Global Ministries (UMC)
1703 Clifton Road, Suite F-4
Atlanta, GA 30329
E-mail: koisey@yahoo.com
Website: http://gbgm-umc.com
Mike & Martha Henderson
Heart of Africa, Inc.
PO Box 521151
Longwood, FL 32752
Phone: (407) 831-2308
E-mail: mhafrica@aol.com
Website: http://www.heartofafrica.org
Neal & Mari Hicks
The Mission Society
1-11-41 Shimosato, Higashikurume
Tokyo, 203-0043
E-mail: nealtms@gmail.com
Website: http://www.msum-japan.org
ICM-International
Cooperating Ministries
Robert Leatherwood, S.E. Area Director
14903 Knotty Pine Place
Tampa, FL 33625
Phone: (813) 363-3030
E-mail: rleatherwood@ICM.com
Website: http://www.ICM.org
Judy Kanouse
Native Adult and Youth Ministries
PO Box 12291
Glendale, AZ 85318
Phone: (602) 863-3558
E-mail: jknahh@aol.com
Website: http://www.naym.org
Russ Montgomery
Living in Faith
P.O. Box 271883
Tampa, FL 33688
Phone: (813)343-0417
Email: russ.montgomery@livinginfaith.net
Website: www.livinginfaith.net
Jolita Pieciaite-Erbele
Birzai,Lithuania
General Board of Global Ministries (UMC)
E-mail: pieciaitehope@hotmail.com
Matt & Blair Roelandts
Serving in India
322 Huntington Ridge Drive
Nashville, TN 37211
Phone: (731) 607-4694
E-Mail mbroelandts@gmail.com
John & Naomi Schmidt
ISKOM (International Street Kids Outreach Ministries)
P.O. Box 8551
Clearwater FL 33758
E-mail: johnschmidt4kids@aol.com
Website: www.internationalstreetkids.com
Page Content
