up your eyes and see that the fields are white for the harvest
Lift ift GLOBAL IMPACT CELEBRATION
24 JAN - 7 FEB
st. michael’s church charleston south carolina
Sallae was a typical 12 year old girl with bright eyes and a smile that could light the darkest room. I met her in 1980 in Southeastern Senegal. Each morning as we rolled out from our tents we were greeted by local village children who led us along the 210 step path (I counted) to our breakfast table under an expansive old shade tree. Sallae looked sweet and shy, but she quickly became the ringleader of mischief with her peers that targeted us Americans for daily sport. We were easy prey. Sallae and her special-ops force of friends trapped us with foot
gic 2016
snares, fishing nets dropped from tree limbs, or pelted us with mud-balls from the river banks. These ambushes were always followed up with dozens of children rushing their hapless victim and burying their prey under a tangled mass of 60 pound bodies of wriggling arms and legs. We did, however, have serious work to do. Two missionary families needed a home to continue their culture and language learning. Both couples had moved to the village 1-1/2 years prior and had lived in make-shift tents. They worked tirelessly to one day share the Good News of God in Jesus Christ with the people of this remote village who had never heard the name Jesus in their own language. One night we were roused from under our mosquito nets with the news that one of the children was very sick. We rushed to the hut where it seemed the entire village had gathered, and we were ushered through the crowd and inside. One of the missionaries carried the child to the breakfast table where a lantern revealed the snake bites on her leg. It was Sallae, and she was in serious pain and her small body was going into shock. The team gathered around Sallae and prayed. Four hours later, however, the toxins overtook Sallae’s body. The next morning the entire village—including us 12 outsiders—mourned. Sallae’s body was wrapped in a pair of goatskins and placed in the ground.
I
questioned God, “Why Sallae? Why now? Wouldn’t it have been good for Your public relations program if you had answered our prayers?” From where I sat I could see the entire village layout of huts, the crowd at the funeral site, and the distant fields of corn rows. God spoke to me, “The harvest is plentiful and has been ready for 2,000 years. Today I have lifted your eyes to see the harvest.” Later that day I wrote verses in my journal from John 4, “…Lift up your eyes, and see the harvest! ” 36 years later, I am still undone by the weight of Sallae’s life and death. Her photo is taped inside the front cover of my Bible. My prayer is that Sallae will be a reminder in 2016 to all that God’s mission is to seek and to save the lost, to redeem and restore the brokenhearted, and to bring life in all its fullness to the weary and burdened.
andy hein director, mission and men’s ministry st. michael’s church G I C / ISSUE ONE
“mission refers to god’s mystery that you only find yourself when
We all are honored to be involved with planning the Global Impact Celebration and are excited about this year’s events slated for Jan. 24 - Feb. 7, 2016. From onsite visits to mission partners to the beat of African drums
you lose yourself in serving others.”
there will be something for everyone to enjoy and take
- the rev. bill hull, the complete angler
advance, for participating and making mission at St.
away from the experiences. We thank all of you, in Michael’s a continuing important focus of our church life and ministry! Surrounding each one of us are countless opportunities to go on a mission, such as calling a sick friend, visiting someone who is lonely, cooking meals for the needy, or responding to a natural disaster with tools in hand to help make their world right again. Your personal mission may even involve traveling to another country to provide prayers, medical care, and comfort to people in need. We’ve heard it said that “your face might be the only Bible someone reads.” What a powerful point to ponder as we
For the last several months we have been studying from various angles just
consider our role in the multitude of mission opportunities
what a disciple is and does. In its basic form, a disciple is simply one who
we see daily!
learns to live, look and love more like Jesus. How does Jesus live, look and
Whatever our circumstances, there will always be
love? Primarily with a mission and vision to bring heaven to earth and earth to heaven. Discipleship without mission is like buying a car without an engine. Yet while we as a church talk about this key relationship between discipleship and mission, it can often be hard to take that first step. Where do I begin? Voila, the Global Impact Celebration Magazine. This new magazine is your “onestopshop” resource for all things GIC including stories from St. Michael’s mission partners, schedule of events, locations, and much more. The 2016 GIC plan in general builds upon the excellent work done through previous GIC’s over the last several years.
something for each of us to do as we strive to emulate Christ, spread the gospel, and make disciples. Our hope through this coming GIC is that we all “lift up our eyes, and see” where we can make a difference and then act on those observations. We can achieve great things to honor God by giving of our time, talents and treasures. Just as He has prepared many rooms in His heavenly house, there are many things for us to do while we are here.
I encourage you to look through this magazine, listen to the heartbeat of the stories, and consider the harvest God has placed around you. If you are in a Life Group, discuss the contents of this magazine as a group and plan to participate in the GIC together. For all of us, let’s use the season of Epiphany to engage the mission of discipleship at its deepest level. May this magazine help you prioritize the missional aspect of your discipleship in a way that transforms your soul and those around you!
the rev. alfred t.k. zading, jr. 21 st rector st. michael’s church
G I C / ISSUE ONE
susan holum & sherrie driver co - chairs gic 2016 st. michael’s church
01
table of: contents G I C / ISSUE ONE
02
04 : 05
gic festival and after party
06 : 07
schedule of events
08 : 09
partners
10
holy city
11
meals on wheels
12 : 13
living hope
14
next steps : barnabas ministries
15
freshstart : men’s prison ministry
16 : 17
lowcountry pregnancy center
18
the kingdom club
19
sanders clyde school
20
hurting coast
21
life, death and hope in dorchester
22 : 23
christ the king : dorchester
24 : 25
hope center : house of hope church : straight ahead
26
hungering world
27
anglican leadership institute
28 : 29
god’s grace for all nations : kenya
30 : 31
anglican forntier mission
32
restoring our foundations : rwanda
33
mission to liberia
34
great lakes outreach : burundi
35
diocese of dargapur : india
36
operation christmas child
37
palmetto medical initiative : uganda
38
persecuted church
39
budget : 2016
40
gift catalog
G I C / ISSUE ONE
03
the cathedral church of st. luke and st. paul
g i c festival G I C / ISSUE ONE
new venue for 2016: GIC HIGHLIGHTS OF EVENTS AND TOURS ST. MICHAEL’S MISSION PARTNERS MUSIC FROM AROUND THE WORLD PERFORMING ARTS ST. MICHAEL’S CHOIR AND BAND AFTER PARTY UNDER THE TENT DESSERT BAKE OFF
04
dessert entry details Each Life Group may have 2 to 3 dessert entries Judging based on the following categories Overall Appearance/Presentation Flavor (aroma, taste, balance of flavoring) Texture/Consistency (evenly baked, doneness)
LIFE GROUP DESSERT BAKE OFF
Creativity/Originality Categories Cakes Pies Cookies/ bar cookies/brownies Other desserts (puddings, cobblers, crisps, crumbles) All desserts must be homemade
christen reese founder and owner the chocolate cake
The GIC culminates with a Festival on Friday evening, February 5th, at the
Grand prize 2016 Boston Urban Immersion mission trip !
Dessert Bake Off directed by Christen Reese Founder and Owner of The Chocolate Cake
Cathedral Church of St. Luke and St. Paul. It will be a fast-moving 90 minute program that will feature GIC video highlights from the entire 2 weeks of events and tours, and also showcase all St. Michael’s Holy City mission partners. The night will be packed with amazing music from around the world, performing arts and dances, and worship featuring St. Michael’s choir, singers, and musicians. This is the GIC event that will celebrate God’s mission through St. Michael’s in 2015 and envision where God’s Spirit will lead us in 2016. The “After-Party” will follow the Festival in the grass courtyard under a beautifully featured tent canopy with the GIC Band. Be sure to enter the all new Life Group Dessert Bake Off for a chance to win a 2016 Boston Urban Immersion Mission Trip! St. Michael’s is honored to have Christen Reese as the Dessert Bake Off Director. She is the Founder of The Chocolate Cake which features delicate and yummy textures paired with the richness of chocolate. Christen has been written up in "Charleston Magazine" "Charleston Mercury" and the "Local Palate" as well as featured in the Savannah, GA foodie show "Eat it and Like It" all with special praise devoted to expressing how exceptional these products are to eat and enjoy.
G I C / ISSUE ONE
05
24 jan: sunday 8:00A, 9:30A, 10:30A, & 6:00P
SUNDAY SERVICES
THE REV. DAN ROGERS CHURCH SANCTUARY 9:15A - 10:15A
TOOL TIME: INDIA MISSION TRIP REPORT
2016 event calendar
JOHNNIE & JEAN CORBETT & THE INDIA TEAM KINLOCH ROOM 12:00P - 1:30P
CHRIST THE KING, BBQ
THE REV. DAN ROGERS & MOSES PARK KINLOCH ROOM
25 jan: monday 6:30P - 8:30P
KENYA - INDIA - BURUNDI 1
THE REV. SIMON MWAURA, BISHOP DUTTA, SIMON GUILLEBAUD CHARLESTON MUSEUM AUDITORIUM
*R
26 jan: tuesday 12:30P - 1:30P
PRAYER WALKING 1
THE REV. DAVID BOOMAN KINLOCH ROOM
*R
6:00P - 7:30P
LOWCOUNTRY PREGNANCY CENTER TOUR 1
FAYE HILL 7481 NORTHSIDE DR NORTH CHARLESTON 7:00P - 8:30P
*R
LIVING HOPE 1
SAM PARRISH TBA
*R
8:30P
MEN'S DINNER
THE REV. DAN ROGERS ST. PHILIPS CHURCH PARISH HALL
*R
27 jan: wednesday 11:00A - 3:00P
MACDOUGAL PRISON TOUR (MEN)
TIM TERRY & ROBBIE HULL KINLOCH ROOM
*R
6:30P - 8:00P
MIDWEEK GATHERING
THE REV. SIMON MWAURA KINLOCH ROOM & CHAPEL
*RESERVATIONS REQUIRED PLEASE REGISTER AT STMICHAELSCHURCH.NET/GIC/ OR CONTACT THE CHURCH OFFICE: 843 723 0603
G I C / ISSUE ONE
06
28 jan: thursday
3 feb: wednesday
4:30P - 6:00P
12:00P - 1:00P
KINGDOM CLUB BIBLE STUDY 1
NENA JACKSON
THE REV. CHRIS ROYER
SANDERS CLYDE SCHOOL 5:00P - 6:30P
*R
ST. PHILIP’S CHURCH
ST. JOHN'S & AGAPE MINISTRIES TOUR
BROTHER DALLAS & JANIE WILSON 18 HANOVER ST, CHARLESTON 6:00P - 7:30P
6:30P - 8:00P
MIDWEEK GATHERING
ALI GUEST MISSIONARY
*R
CHAPEL
LOWCOUNTRY PREGNANCY TOUR 2
FAYE HILL
6:00P - 7:30P
LOWCOUNTRY PREGNANCY TOUR 4
FAYE HILL
7481 NORTHSIDE DR, NORTH CHARLESTON 7:00P - 8:30
*R
7481 NORTHSIDE DR, NORTH CHARLESTON
4:30P - 6:00P KINGDOM CLUB BIBLE STUDY 2
*R
NENA JACKSON
29 jan: friday
SNADERS CLYDE SCHOOL
MERE ANGLICANISM
11:00A - 3:00P
30 jan: saturday
TIM TERRY & ROBBIE HULL KINLOCH ROOM
MERE ANGLICANISM 4:30 - 6:00
7:00P - 8:30P
300 HUGER STREET
8:30P - 9:15P ANGLICAN FRONTIER MISSION
THE REV. CHRIS ROYER
ISLAM TODAY: AN INSIDER'S PERSPECTIVE
SHERIF YACOUB KINLOCH ROOM 12:00P - 1:30P
ANGLICAN FRONTIER MISSION BBQ
THE REV. CHRIS ROYER
6:00P - 7:30P LOWCOUNTRY PREGNANCY TOUR 3 FAYE HILL 7481 NORTHSIDE DR NORTH CHARLESTON
*R
LIVING HOPE 3
11:00A - 1:00P
WOMEN'S LUNCH
REV. CLAIRE SULLIVAN, FAYE HILL, TRISH LAWRENCE KINLOCH ROOM
*R
4:30P - 6:00P
BRIDGE CHURCH
TOM HAMPLE
8:00A, 9:15A, 10:30A, & 6:00P
SUNDAY SERVICES
GIC CONCLUSION THE REV. CLAIRE SULLIVAN CHURCH SANCTUARY TOOL TIME: HOUSE OF HOPE
FRANSICO PAULINO
*R
CHOIR ROOM
2 feb: tuesday
9:15A - 10:15A NEXT STEPS: SERVING THE HOMELESS
PRAYER WALK 2
EDWARD DYCKMAN
THE REV. DAVID BOOMAN
6:30P - 8:30P
CATHEDRAL OF ST. LUKE & ST. PAUL
9:15A - 10:15A
SAM PARRISH
KINLOCH ROOM
FESTIVAL AFTER-PARTY
7 feb: sunday
1 feb: monday
12:00P - 1:00P
G.I.C. FESTIVAL PARTY
300 HUGER STREET
KINLOCH ROOM
7:00P - 8:30P
*R
6 feb: saturday
CHURCH SANCTUARY 9:15A - 10:15P
MACDOUGAL PRISON TOUR (MEN)
CATHEDRAL OF ST. LUKE & ST. PAUL
31 jan: sunday 8:00A, 9:30A, 10:30A, 6:00P
*R
5 feb: friday
BRIDGE CHURCH
TOM HAMPLE
TBA
*R
4 feb: thursday
LIVING HOPE 2
SAM PARRISH TBA
ST. PHILIP'S MEN'S LUNCHEON
KINLOCH ROOM
*R KENYA - INDIA - BURUNDI 2
THE REV. SIMON MWAURA, BISHOP DUTTA, SIMON GUILLEBAUD CHARLESTON MUSEUM AUDITORIUM
G I C / ISSUE ONE
*R
7:00P - 8:30P
KENYA MISSION TRIP INFORMATION
THE REV. SIMON MWAURA & BILL JOHNSON KINLOCH ROOM
*R
07
HURTING COAST
HOLY CITY
g i c partners G I C / ISSUE ONE
meals on wheels living hope barnabas ministries next steps fresh start lowcountry pregnancy center the kingdom club sanders clyde school
christ the king: dorc hope center: lynn house of hope church straight ahead
st. michael’s partners Partnership: noun (1) a person who shares or is associated with another in some action or endeavor; sharer; associate. God gave the mission of making disciples of all nations to his church. Consequently, St. Michael’s Church is serious about partnering with other like-minded and gospel-centered churches and Christian organizations to leverage our resources together for the kingdom of God around the world. Partnership means we hold a common vision, values, and plan of action that is the foundation for the sharing of resources. Shared resources may be financial, human, material, influence, or even intellectual. The GIC Faith Promise Fund exists to pool St. Michael’s financial resources to benefit our partners throughout the year as God reveals opportunities. While it is true that adequate finances are an important driver of ministry, partnership means so much more than just disbursing money. Jesus teaches in John 4 that we all share in the harvest work and rewards! St. Michael’s is fortunate to have exceptional mission partners such as these included in this magazine, and we look forward to the new partners God brings us in 2016.
08
holy city Lowcountry Pregnancy Center : Faye Hill lowcountrypregnancycenter.com 843 553 3505 Meals on Wheels : Ed and Georgia Barnett charlestonareaseniors.com, barnett29401@aol.com Barnabas and Next Steps Ministries : Doug Born barnabascharleston.com, mmljohn@yahoo.com Living Hope : Sam Parrish livehope.org/charleston, sam@livehope.org Sanders Clyde School : Cyndee Cave stmichaelschurch.net/vbs cyndee@stmichaelschurch.net
chester
The Kingdom Club, Nena Jackson nena@stmichaelschurch.net
ch
Fresh Start Men's Prison Ministry, Tim Terry freshstartvision@gmail.com
hurting coast
HUNGERING WORLD
Christ the King, Dorchester : The Rev. Dan Rogers ctkdorchester.org, danielrogersjr@gmail.com
anglican leadership institute kenya: ggfan anglican frontier mission rwanda: rofm mission to liberia burundi: glo india: diocese of durgapur operation christmas child uganda: pmi persecuted church
House of Hope & Straight Ahead Ministries, Lynn The Rev. Claire Sullivan straightahead.org, clairemsullivan@hotmail.com
hungering world Anglican Leadership Institute : Peter C. Moore D.D. www.anglicanleadershipinstitute.com peter@stmichaelschurch.net God’s Grace For All Nations, Kenya : Simon Mwaura goodshepherdkenya.com simonmwaura.ggfan@gmail.com Anglican Frontier Mission : The Rev. Chris Royer anglicanfrontiers.com, info@afm-us.org Restoring Our Foundations, Rwanda : Bishop Alex Dickson ajd7637@gmail.com Mission To Liberia : Bishop Alex Dickson ajd7637@gmail.com Great Lakes Outreach, Burundi : Simon Guillebaud David Soutter greatlakesoutreach.org, info@greatlakesoutreach.org Diocese of Durgapur, India : Bishop Probal Dutta Jean/Johnnie Corbett dodcni.wordpress.com, embreesc@gmail.com Operation Christmas Child : Duval Acker samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child duval.acker@carolinaone.com Palmetto Medical Initiative, Uganda : Susan Holum Newman Lawrence palmettomedical.org, holums@hotmail.com
G I C / ISSUE ONE
09
holy city
meals on wheels living hope barnabas next steps freshstart lowcountry pregnancy center the kingdom club sanders clyde school
Jesus… said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” Mark 5:19 Fabulous Holy City Mission Partners There are dozens of great ministries all over Charleston meeting the needs of the homeless, shut-ins, marginalized, vulnerable, and immigrants. Each one of the following ministry partners is on the front lines of pushing back the kingdom of darkness with the power of the Gospel in the name of Jesus Christ. They operate on limited budgets and personnel and most days they battle insurmountable challenges of human despair, brokenness, and pain. But they remain steadfast in their call and work. They are a modern day “great cloud of witnesses” to the faithfulness of God. What you can do in 2016: Join them: become part of their team this year Pray for them: subscribe to their email list and newsletters Promote them: invite others to care and support their work with you Support them: give generously to their work House Mapping Mission Project: Draw a map of your neighbors homes around your home Write the names of each person living in the various homes Place the map on the kitchen refrigerator door and begin to pray for the people living in each home Begin to ask questions that demonstrate care and compassion. Be curious about them and their life. Write down any specifics you discover on your House Map Mission Card Invite each home over for dinner or lunch and be ready to share “the hope that lies within you.”
G I C / ISSUE ONE
“being a st. michael’s meals on wheels volunteer brings St. Michael’s Church has been delivering meals to our neighbors in need mainly on the Eastside of the Charleston peninsula for over 30 years. This is a long term ministry with many St. Michaelites participating on a continuous basis for 15 years or more. Our goal is to offer food to those who may not otherwise have access to at least one nourishing meal a day, and equally if not more importantly, to create a caring and loving Christian relationship between
ST. MICHAEL’S SERVING MEALS ON WHEELS
the recipients and ourselves. A noon meal is delivered every day Monday through Friday by five regularly assigned St. Michael’s teams and supported by a list of substitutes. We partner this ministry with the Holy Communion congregation on an alternating
me joy and a sense of connection with my less advantaged neighbors and a sense of fulfilling god’s command of loving my neighbors as myself.”
week schedule. St. Michael’s takes on the overall leadership role by being the
- volunteer
contact point for social workers, seeking out new recipients, providing the updated lists of recipients, and other administrative responsibilities. Roper Hospital graciously prepares and boxes the lunches ready to be heated at home and which meet all hospital dietary standards. The time consumed from pickup at Roper to delivery to the recipients homes is approximately 2 hours. We take this commitment of daily ministry very seriously regardless of weather conditions to the point of making an effort even during the recent historic flood.
The loving relationship with the recipients is begun by the mere fact that we often take the meal into the home and don’t merely leave it at the door. In either circumstance we always inquire into the person’s well being and other aspects of their life. Some team members have developed such close relationships that they have stayed in contact and even visited those who have relocated to a nursing home. Often we pray with the individuals for specific or general needs. One of our longterm volunteers has developed and provides a label with a scripture verse that is affixed to each meal. We also provide to each recipient a largeprint version of “Our Daily Bread” which is ordered and purchased as a personal contribution of one of our volunteers. On five select holidays during the year each team buys and gives each recipient a small cheerup gift appropriate for the holiday.
st. michael’s meals on wheels team bo & meme asserson, hallie seibels darlene mcneil, ed & georgia barnett william wilson, ken coker. buck carlton
G I C / ISSUE ONE
11
sam parrish
living hope
Living Hope began 27 years ago to help the Church proclaim God’s restoring and healing truth to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender communities. We work with local churches by providing weekly support groups for men, women, friends, family, and their spouses. We believe that transformation happens when individuals know their true identity as a child of God and what Jesus has done for them. 3 years ago Living Hope was invited by a group of Charleston churches to consider starting a new chapter in the Lowcountry. In God’s providence, we officially began in Charleston in June of 2015, and God has opened doors with dozens of churches and leaders from all denominations. We have shared at Sunday morning services what the Bible teaches about sexuality and same sex attraction, spoken to college students and young adults how to show Christian love to their LGBT friends and neighbors, and held events for parents on how to raise children as gender-whole boys and girls. Read Katherine’s story about her journey toward Jesus with Living Hope: “My name is Katherine and I am the youngest of three daughters, born into a broken home. My parents were divorced before I was born. At three years old my mom got remarried, and everything for her started to come together because we no longer had to live in shelters. Unfortunately, he was more interested in me than he was my mom, and the first counts of sexual abuse happened in my life at just three years old…and didn’t stop for a very long time. The next few years, being moved back and forth between my mom and my dad, I got to pretend to be this person or that person, and never had to be me. I ended up finding some stability living with my friend’s parents.
G I C / ISSUE ONE
12
“there was this guy at the tattoo shop who just wouldn’t stop inviting me to church, so i agreed to go hoping to shut him up. i remember getting ready for church, so afraid, but when i showed up arms covered in tattoos, they just welcomed me.” - katherine We went to a tattoo shop one day to get some piercings, and I met a girl. We started dating, and I found out that she had children. I was really hesitant at that point, but we started this relationship and spent the next 7 years together. It was a little over three years ago, that I came to a crossroads. I had everything I wanted. I have a woman who loves me, thinks I hung the moon. I have those kids who love and respect me…but the Lord was so good to not
our prayers for 2016
let me be satisfied in that. There was this guy at the tattoo shop who just wouldn’t stop inviting me to church, so I agreed to go hoping to shut him up. I remember getting ready for church, so afraid, but when I showed up arms covered in tattoos, they just welcomed me. After going to church for a little while, I decided to do the best I could following Jesus and being a lesbian. I knew that didn’t fit in with the Word, and I hadn’t even really read the bible. I knew it wasn’t going to work, and that the next step would be to leave my family.
Healthy men and women with a heart for people impacted by sexual brokenness to serve as advocates in churches or as volunteer small group leaders in our weekly group meetings God’s favor with local churches, pastors and leaders to share God’s message of hope and change
I settled into school, work and church to try and move forward. I started meeting with a lady who would be my mentor and she recommended
God to use Living Hope Charleston and its
Living Hope. Coming to Living Hope it was so obvious they were far more
participants to be a witness to the power of the
concerned with my walk with Jesus than how I looked or talked, or dressed.
Gospel to transform lives, and bring revival and
It really was them encouraging me to seek the Lord in all the ways I was
renewal in the local church
broken. But they were also not afraid to address what was broken in me. They addressed it with the Gospel. They addressed it with love. They addressed with years of experience. And I grew to trust that. I know that I couldn’t have done any of the things I have over the last year and a half without the ministry of Living Hope. It is a ministry worth investing in. I know that for me just being able to participate, and see so many other lives changed not just my own, is one of the most powerful things I’ve ever been a part of. I’m humbled and honored to be a part of it. It has totally changed my life.
sam parrish director living hope charleston
G I C / ISSUE ONE
13
According to the 2014 PIT (point in time) Report, there are on average 545 homeless men, women and children on the street in Charleston on any given night.
24% are mentally ill, 31% are
veterans, 80% men, 20% women and children. The City of Charleston has a wonderful homeless shelter but on most nights there is a waiting list. With the prices of real estate rising, there is less and less section 8 affordable housing, thus many are left on the streets. Doug Born, originally from Woolwich, England, first came to Charleston in 2004 after working as a missionary in Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, India and Israel. Doug first focused on filling the shoes of the Hot Dog Ministry for the homeless which was started by college student Harrison Johnson. When Harrison graduated and moved out of Charleston, Doug and others expanded this volunteer ministry to 7 days a week. In 2014 Doug formalized the ministry through a new nonprofit, Barnabas Ministries of Charleston, Inc., and
doug born
next step program : barnabas ministries
Barnabas Ministires and the Next Step Program
beyond just providing a meal, prayers and words of support. Scott Myers, Wayne Weart, Andy Hein, Rich Giersch, Eason Chapman, Jonathan Bennett, Jeff Moll, Wayne Colson and I joined Doug’s board to give it structure and accountability. After board prayers of wanting to go beyond just hot dogs, God brought the “Next Step” program to Barnabas. The Next Step Program, offered by Next Steps of South Carolina (NSSC), is a 100%-Volunteer based, Christ-centered, mentoring ministry. It promotes change, dignity, and self-reliance for those living in emotional, physical, and/or spiritual poverty. The Next Step Program is a self-help, “hand-up” community of volunteers and neighbors helping those in need to make positive changes in their lives through finding a home, a job, a resume, budget, or even a GED. It is a free program to all Christian congregations in South Carolina. In Charleston, it is directed by The Rev. Ed Dychman of the Diocese of South Carolina. This program, started in Washington DC, and has proven successful throughout the country. St. Matthews Lutheran is providing the office space on King Street to be a hub for the Next Step Program for all churches on the Peninsula to help give the homeless a way out of poverty in 2016. Don’t miss Ed Dychman’s Next Steps presentation on Sunday, January 31 during Tool Time in the Kinloch Room. To see more of Next Steps visit www.NextStepsSC.org
joe nicholson board member barnabas ministries charleston, inc.
G I C / ISSUE ONE
14
Police Chief Driggers, and John Tecklenburg has already supported several projects. Mayor Summey even sent Chief Driggers and Pastor Robinson to Spartanburg last year to spend time touring the facilities and speaking with local officials like Supreme
tim terry
freshstart: men’s prison ministry
FreshStart has built relationships with Mayor Riley,
Tim Terry knows well the grace of God. In April of 1994 I encountered a prison ministry called Kairos in McCormick Penitentiary where I was serving a 30 year sentence for murder. While on a 4-day journey with Kairos Ministry I was introduced to the love and forgiveness of Jesus which radically changed the course of my life. From that time forward God filled my heart with compassion for all the men I would see being released, just to return to prison a few months later. Each story was the same: they had no place to live, no job or a mentor or support team to help
Court Justice E.C. Burnett as well with local probation and parole. They too have helped FreshStart greatly by helping to get a home donated in N. Charleston. We partnered with local ministries and contractors and eventually donated a home to a FreshStart graduate. When volunteers take the time to go and tour some of the local prisons to see how the FreshStart process starts the 50 week reentry program, it gives an up close view how Christ is at work using the Church to not only disciple men but help train them for employment readiness and teach accountability and responsibility before they are released and return to our communities.
freshstart needs in 2016
them thru the challenges that came their way. Then the Lord gave me a vision for a reentry program and since my release in 2002 I have made it my life
People to serve as mentors for inmates prior to
focus to help communities throughout South Carolina develop a process to
release
help men/women make successful transitions and become law abiding, tax paying citizens. I founded FreshStart to meet the needs of prisoners who are within 2 years
Local Transitional Housing program assistance Financial support for the local chapter
of being released. The need in Charleston for FreshStart is real. In 2015 over
Expansion of Fresh Start regional and national
600 men and women were released into Charleston County. Each number
programs
represents a life that needs wrap-around care to ensure a successful transition back into society. With each of these men or women, the 3 greatest
tim terry
needs are providing (1) Christ centered transitional housing, (2) employment
founder and president
and (3) mentoring from local Churches.
G I C / ISSUE ONE
freshstart men’s prison ministry
15
G I C / ISSUE ONE
Imagine you are a young woman in today’s world. You’ve just found out that you’re pregnant, and you don’t want to be. Maybe you’re still in school. Maybe you’re in a tumultuous relationship. Maybe you feel that in a single moment as you stare down at your positive pregnancy test, your future has collapsed. Panic sets in. Who do you tell? Where do you go? What’s the next step? At Lowcountry Pregnancy Center, we believe that no woman should make a pregnancy decision out of fear or desperation, and that each and every life is sacred and beautiful. Since our founding in 1986, we’ve served the Charleston and North Charleston communities in over 118,000 client visits. In the last six years alone, we’ve provided pregnancy testing and counseling to 11,155
faye hill
lowcountry pregnancy center
“i teared up and decided i could not abo
women, performed 4,102 limited obstetrical ultrasounds, and saved the lives of 2,742 babies who otherwise would have been lost to abortion. Our mission at Lowcountry Pregnancy Center (LPC) is to provide life-affirming reproductive health and family services in a compassionate, Christian environment. Simply put, we are here for the teen or young woman who finds herself in a difficult or unplanned pregnancy and is seeking answers, support, care, and compassion. The GIC theme taken from John 4 where Jesus interacts with the woman who came to draw water from the well resonates with LPC. We meet and serve everyone in a grace-soaked environment so that every woman feels safe and realizes we care deeply about her. In a time where people are treated as “commodities”, “consumers”, and “choices,” our centers shine brightly as a lighthouse to our clients and their families.
16
ort. i saw the ultrasound, and the heartbeat told me it was a living thing.” - sydney
Meet Sydney. She came to LPC in 2015, pregnant and jumping from house to house, living with friends, afraid and confused. Thankfully Sydney’s grandmother and pastor scheduled an appointment for an ultrasound at LPC. On the day of Sydney’s ultrasound, she was still considering abortion. The nurse showed Sydney how large her baby was, and then she heard the tiny pulsing heartbeat. In a personal letter Sydney shared with us, she said, “I teared up and decided I could not abort. I saw the ultrasound, and the heartbeat told me it was a living thing.” Many people don’t realize the incredibly fast development of an unborn child, and that the heart begins to beat at just three weeks after conception. Sydney began attending parenting classes at LPC, and she has Lowcountry Pregnancy Center offers many services free of charge, such as
now given birth to a precious baby girl, Annabelle Rose.
pregnancy testing, STI testing and treatment, life-revealing limited obstetrical
She is so glad for the decision she made and says that
ultrasounds, pregnancy counseling, medical and prenatal referrals, adoption
she has been blessed by the arrival of her beautiful
referrals, parenting education, fatherhood education, Mother Goose reading
daughter.
classes, relationship classes, the distribution of baby necessities, Bibles, and post-abortion healing. We also have a prison outreach ministry as well as the distribution of free emergency baby items like formula and diapers to whoever comes to our doors seeking help. Our approach to caring for women, babies,
Sydney’s story - while unique - echoes the fear, desperation, and oftentimes hopelessness of many thousands of other women.
and families is holistic, so that a woman who comes to us not only receives
Thank you St. Michael’s for your partnership!
medical services and accurate information about adoption, abortion, and
Together we can rejoice in the salvation of
parenting; she also encounters advocates who listen attentively to her
hundreds of people who have received Christ into
concerns and who help guide her down a path of enduring support for the
their lives through our ministry. Together we can
weeks and months to come. We laugh, we cry, and we pray with our clients
take bold steps for brighter futures, more
who are searching for someone to be on their side. Much like the woman at
birthdays, and the beautiful laughter of thousands
the well, many of our clients have been lost in the world and long to be known
of babies, children, and adults who may have
and loved for who they are as a child of God.
never existed if not for LPC, you, and the brave
We opened in 2014 a center in Orangeburg, South Carolina, a place that sadly
love of their mothers.
has the highest abortion rate in our state. In the first year we provided much-needed services to more 215 women, held 164 parenting class sessions, and saved 54 babies from abortion in the Orangeburg area. We celebrated these blessings with a sold-out fundraising banquet featuring
faye s. hill
Dr. Alveda King, Martin Luther King Jr.’s niece who sees the pro-life movement
president/ceo
as the natural continuation of the civil rights movement.
G I C / ISSUE ONE
lowcountry pregnancy center
17
The Kingdom Club started in October 2014 as a way to disciple six girls who
“let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” matthew 19:14
nena jackson
the kingdom club
night after night came to the 2014 Eastside Tent Revival (corner of Meeting & Lee Street) and accepted Christ as their Savior. Imagine the sight of these six girls being baptized under the tent! We knew in our hearts that the Lord wanted us to stay in their lives & walk with them in their Christian journey. At first we met in our homes weekly for dinner, Bible Study and praise dancing and then moved to Sanders Clyde School so we could reach out to more children so they could meet and grow in Christ. A few months ago we decided to formally name our group ‘The Kingdom Club’ and create a more structured program for the children. We have a Kingdom Club song written by Ann Caldwell, a Kingdom Club handshake, a theme Bible verse - Matthew 19:14 and a Kingdom Club MIssion Statement. Each child also received a handmade bag to hold their Bible and Kingdom Club rules. We welcome others that want to join us!
the kingdom club mission statement The Kingdom Club seeks to equip young children from the East Side with Biblical principles and Scripture lessons to be leaders and role models to others in their community. Our mission is to empower these young lives with knowledge of the living Word so that they can influence those around them for the purposes of the Kingdom. Our primary goals are to see them excel in the classroom and be game changers in their community as a result of a changed heart and transformed mind.
kingdom club volunteer team nicole pridgen, ann caldwell, yvonne brown curry smoak, lisa morris, rosie colson liberty yancey, juliet berry and nena jackson
G I C / ISSUE ONE
18
groups from St. Michael’s sponsored meals and gathered to serve 250 participants and volunteers each evening, St. Peter’s and Eastridge Presbyterian Church donated VBS supplies, and Lowcountry Party Animals provided animals for the children to experience God’s creation first hand. In addition to those who pledged to pray for VBS, a group of eight people prayed on site at all times. As is so often the case when real Kingdom work is being done, when souls are at stake, there were attacks and adversities to be overcome. Infestations of fruit flies and termites, scheduling issues, illness and anxiety among children, all overcome in ways that only served to confirm that God’s faithfulness and love for the children of Sanders Clyde. We prayed over the list of participants and volunteers for each day. Teams walked and prayed around the building, and often had opportunities to pray directly for the children. On one occasion, where a group of children ridiculed another child who had suffered a seizure, prayer helped the entire room
“the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” john 1:5
was conducted at Sanders Clyde School. This VBS was a team effort as small
cyndee cave
the world came to St. Michael’s Church through Vacation Bible School that
sanders clyde school
This past summer, the opportunity to fulfill our mission of being God’s light of
become a place of genuine repentance and reconciliation.
God was at work at VBS this summer. He is alive and
.
still working. Perhaps now is your time to serve at
Children learned about God’s call to be witnesses in all the world with special
Sanders Clyde, by becoming a homeroom angel or
visits from Bishop Abraham and K.C., both genocide survivors from South
lunchtime buddy. St. Michael’s began its partnership
Sudan. K.C. is a student in the U.S. who is working to go back to teach Jesus
with Sanders Clyde three years ago, through its
in his homeland. The children worked to raise $1,100 through lemonade
Missions ministry relationship with Kathy Lewis and
stands all over the city to help K.C. get home.
Charleston County School District. Kathy introduced
That week, through VBS, God’s love poured over children. After learning that the Bible is God’s love story, written for them, sixty children received their first Bible. It was more than anyone had anticipated needing, so we quickly drove to St. Michael’s to gather any extra Bibles we could find. The children
us to Anthony Dixon, then principal at Sanders Clyde. Perhaps there is a public school in your area which could host VBS. CCSD rents its public schools for use over the summer…
waited, and then they formed a line and waited patiently for volunteers to
cyndee cave
inscribe their names in the front. And with that, they were marked as Christ’s
director of children’s ministries
own in His book.
G I C / ISSUE ONE
st. michael’s church
19
hurting coast
christ the king: dorchester hope center: lynn house of hope church straight ahead
The Youth Crime Prevention Task Force meeting was packed with police officers from around Dorchester County, prominent church clergy, public and private youth services, and a host of school campus security personnel. The meeting was the beginning of my five-day visit to the Hurting Coast. For nearly 40 minutes the police officers gave details of the past week’s crimes from their areas – burglary, homicide, shootings, stabbings, robberies. When the reports were finished the lead officer looked up and pronounced, “Well, that was a good week!” He wasn’t joking. After breakfast, Dan and I walked around Dorchester and he described the history of each neighborhood block. As we walked, he interacted with people on the streets, in the café’s, and at the Metro stops. “Hey Pastor Dan!” and “Yo Father! How’ya’doooin?” and “I’ll see you Sunday Father Dan!” I was with a real Dorchester Rock-Star! Dan’s love for Dorchester runs deep. My time with The Rev. Claire Sullivan in Lynn, a beautiful community just north of Boston nestled along the shoreline, was no less than epic. Claire was called to minister to the people in her community who are on the margins of society – the addicted, the imprisoned, the vulnerable and abused. Claire taught me about grace and mercy when her cell phone was stolen during the midweek church service. It was a new $500 phone, and it was obvious who had stolen it. I was angry for Claire. “How dare this young man take advantage of Claire’s love and compassion. I wanted to call the police and see justice served. As we drove away from the church service, Claire told me about this young man’s world--his drug and alcohol addictions, and his family history where he was violently abused. She began to pray for him and pleaded with God for his soul. The “mission guy” was more concerned about the stolen phone. Jesus’ challenge, “bless those who curse you,” was on display before my eyes. Dan Rogers and Claire Sullivan are real life Rambo’s for Jesus, and they are heroes of the faith. St. Michael’s could not have found and partnered with two churches engaged in more dramatic kingdom work to push back the curtain of darkness anywhere in the world.
G I C / ISSUE ONE
20
i lift my eyes to the hills. from where does my help come? my help comes from the Lord,
”as I stood there, i began to ask myself, what would it look like?”
LIFE, DEATH AND HOPE IN DORCHESTER
the maker of heaven and earth.
Last week on a cold dark night, I found myself on one of the most dangerous streets in Dorchester. Actually, it is one of my favorite streets in spite of the violent crime. It’s a street full of life, children playing, music blasting and the mouth-watering aromas of Cape Verdean food. I was standing around a street light pole, surrounded by 100 neighbors, praying and holding candles stuck through the bottom of Styrofoam cups.
It was the one year anniversary of my friend Benny who was shot and killed. The shooting happened around 11:00 pm. I received a call from one of our church Elders, Travis, “Our friend Benny was shot and killed in front of his
Then a friend of the family read, “I lift my eyes to the
house tonight.” My ears and brain did not connect. “Impossible! Not our
hills. From where does my help come? My help comes
friend Benny! He was just in church on Sunday. We had just had breakfast
from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth...” As I
and Bible study with him on Friday.”
stood there, I began to ask myself what would it look
Benny Martins was not only my friend, he was a hero in the neighborhood. Yes, Benny had spent some time in jail, but when he got out he made up his mind that he was never going back. And he began to ensure other neighbor-
like if the Kingdom of God came to this street? What would it look like if His rule and reign became undeniably evident?
hood kids didn’t land in jail. Benny used his own money and bought workout
And then the Lord reminded me, “That is why I have
equipment and had begun training local kids in the park. He knew every kid
called you here! That is why your family lives in this
by name, and he always asked them about family, school grades, and
neighborhood! That is why Christ the King Dorchester
friends.
exists! I am using your family and this church to
I don’t know about his old friends, but I do know that his new friends were members of my church, Christ the King, and we loved him.
As we stood around the very street pole where he had been shot, there were many tears of sorrow. There we also whispers of frustration, “Somebody got away with murder.” Benny’s killer had never been found.
establish My rule and My reign in real places like this street, in this neighborhood, with these people!” And once again, I was reminded of what a privilege it is to be able to live out the Gospel in this wonderfully beautiful and broken place in South Boston called Dorchester.
When Benny’s mother came out of her house, practically being carried by her son Jose and his father, she began to wail over her lost son. Benny’s 12 year old son spoke up and began to talk to his Dad and tell him how much he missed him, and he promised to “Make him proud.”
G I C / ISSUE ONE
the rev. dan rogers founder and rector christ the king, dorchester
21
I love my church! Eight years ago God called me to plant Christ the King Dorchester Church. From the very beginning my deep desire for our church has been to extend the Kingdom of God in Dorchester and throughout the world. Christ the King is a gospel-driven, cross-cultural, community-based church that loves Jesus and people who need a Big Savior. Dorchester is considered Boston’s largest (154,000 people) and most diverse neighborhood (19% white, 81% everything else). Demographics show that 30% of Dorchester residents are foreign born representing 56 different
...he has also “broken down...the dividing wall of hostility.”
countries. The children of Dorchester face many challenges: 85% of our children are growing up in single parent homes, and 48% of the children of Dorchester in public schools are on free or reduced lunches. The men of
Dorchester are especially concerning: 33% of the adult men over 25 do not
G I C / ISSUE ONE
cause of death of men between the ages of 16-35 is homicide. Statistically the men of Dorchester are more likely to go to jail than go to college.
the rev. dan rogers
christ the king: dorchester
have a high school diploma, only 8% have a college diploma. The leading
In the midst of these challenges, God has strategically placed Christ the King
Dorchester in this neighborhood as a bright shining light. We are becoming a people within the neighborhood who love Jesus and who seek to love and serve our neighbors.
Our Sunday services consist of 150 people who
represent 5 of the 7 continents. Every year Boston receives over 2,000
refugees from around the world, and Christ the King has welcomed and
walked with many of these refugee families as they settled in their new homes and neighborhoods.
One of the greatest opportunities is among the thousands of kids in our
neighborhood who live in very broken families. The large majority of these
children are being raised by working single moms. Our church has a tremendous
opportunity to minister to these kids. Every week we pick up neighborhood children from 6-11 years of age in the church bus - donated by St. Michael’s Church - for Bible study and mentoring.
22
Before the meal, some of the ladies were having a hard time getting the stove lit, and Mike decided to lend a hand. The problem is that Mike (like all of us) still has a lot of rough edges. Mike basically got frustrated and started barking orders at the women. After the meal, three African American sisters were working hard and cleaning up the kitchen. Mike approached the ladies and said in his thick Boston accent, “Ladies, I want to tell you how sorry I am for treating you the way I did. Please forgive me.” One of the ladies turned to Mike and said, “Mike, we completely forgive you. You know that we love you.” What you need to know is that Boston has a past. That past is not one of love and harmony, but one of strife and discord, where folks take American flags and try to stab them into others in the name of preserving America. In that day, an African American lady would never look at a baldheaded white Irish guy with a shamrock tattooed on his head and say “You know that we love you!” Jesus has not only repaired our relationship to God, but He has also “broken down...the dividing wall of hostility,” that keeps people apart because of skin color, ethnicity or cultural differences. Never, never underestimate the power of the Gospel!
This past summer our church raised enough money from within our congregation
prayer needs 2016:
to be able to send 15 unchurched neighborhood kids to a local Christian
God has brought 20 new Vietnamese families to
camp. In the coming year, we hope to hire a part time Children/Youth ministry
worship with us. Please pray they will become part
director, and we hope to start a Middle school/High school ministry. We have
of the beautiful mosaic that is Christ the King Church
great hopes for the children of our neighborhood and our King’s Kids.
Thousands of new Muslim families have recently
Over the past 8 years Christ the King has helped plant 5 new congregations
moved to Dorchester. Pray we’ll know how to love
in the Boston area, including revitalizing a Brazilian congregation, and we are
and reach them with the Gospel of Jesus
committed to plant 1 new church per year for the next 10 years.
transformed lives:
A successful re-launch of our English as Second Language classes that serve many non-English speakers in our neighborhood
Mike grew up as the only white guy living in the black section of the neighbor-
More volunteers to guide Middle and High School
hood and he has the scars to prove it. Mike’s a rough guy, lived a rough life,
students in the youth group
struggles with mental illness, been admitted 31 times to the psych ward, baldheaded, has a shamrock tattooed on his head, smokes 3 packs of cigs a day...But Jesus has claimed him as his own and is changing his life.
Pray God would raise up a Church Planter for both South Boston and Redding, MA
This past Sunday we celebrated the Fall season and God’s provision of our
the rev. dan rogers
new facility with a “Family Throw Down,” aka “Pot Luck,” “Pot Providence,” or
founder and rector
“Covered Dish.”
G I C / ISSUE ONE
christ the king, dorchester
23
..i knew when he sent me into the harvest to make disciples i could go with the confidence that “if god be for me, who can be against me?”
n 2004 God showed me in a dream that I was to plant a church in Lynn, MA. After the dream I heard another message, “Pack up your bags and move to
G I C / ISSUE ONE
the rev. claire sullivan
hope center: lynn
Lynn.” I decided to make the move. When I drove through Lynn for the first time and stopped on a street corner, I saw a crew of drunk homeless men. I walked over to them and shared the message of God’s good news. Immediately I knew God intended the new church plant was to begin with this group of men. House of Hope Church was born a few days later at my apartment with 5 adults and two Cambodian gang members. Nine years later, in 2013, I realized that the initial vision and dream God gave me had been fulfilled. Every staff and every leader of the church at one time had been either incarcerated, or gang members. I considered each person as a diamond that was set in place by God’s providence. In November of 2013, I became the Founding Director of the Hope Center that serves as the home base of Straight Ahead, Lynn, and House of Hope Church. There was a time in my life when I neither saw nor cared for people who were on the margins of society. But God gently and gradually opened my eyes to the homeless, the prisoners, addicts, and prostitutes. I confessed my uncaring, selfish and complacent heart, and I asked God to open and fill my heart with his passion for this lost world. God showed me that the harvest in Lynn was ready! Because all authority in heaven and on earth belongs to Jesus, I knew when He sent me into the harvest to make disciples I could go with the confidence that “if God be for me, who can be against me?” (Romans 8:33).
24
I care about what Jesus cares about?” God may not call you to plant a church in a new city, but your harvest may be your family members, the elderly, your co-workers, a single mom, a homeless person, or the waiter at your local pub. I believe there is a most beautiful harvest of souls that is waiting to be gathered in Charleston! As the GIC theme says, “Open your eyes, and look.” They are waiting for the Church.
the hope center mission
The Hope Center of Lynn is the home base of Straight Ahead Ministries and House of Hope Church of Lynn, MA. Both are partners in reaching, supporting and empowering individuals and families who have been deeply affected by incarceration, homelessness, violence and addiction through a community of faith in Christ.
the rev. claire sullivan
straight ahead
HOUSE OF HOPE CHURCH
God is inviting each one of us to examine our heart and ask the question, “Do
director hope center of lynn straight ahead ministries senior pastor house of hope church
G I C / ISSUE ONE
25
hungering world
anglican leadership institute kenya: ggfan anglican frontier mission rwanda: rofm mission to liberia burundi: glo india: diocese of durgapur operation christmas child uganda: pmi persecuted church
G I C / ISSUE ONE
Jesus taught that the gospel of God’s kingdom would be preached among all nations before His return (Matthew 24:14; Mark 13:10.) After Jesus’ resurrection, the Holy Spirit filled Christians to be witnesses of Jesus and to make disciples from the peoples of all nations (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-47.) Jesus’ command to his followers in 1st century Jerusalem is just as relevant to each one of us today in 21st century Charleston. Just as Jesus Himself was sent by the Father (John 20:21), we are all sent by Jesus on mission into the whole world. We read in Acts how God's mission to the nations quickly burst forth through His new covenant people—the Church. We see the Gospel crossing geographic barriers and moving outward from Jerusalem to increasingly remote regions of the world. We see the Gospel crossing ethnic barriers as it moves from the people of Israel to the Samaritans, a people of mixed Israelite and non-Israelite lineage. We see the Gospel moving on to diverse ethnic groups outside traditional Jewish circles to the Gentiles. There is no question that God's mission to include in His kingdom people from every nation, tribe, and language will be wonderfully fulfilled (Revelation 5:9-10; 7:9.) It is with this sure conviction that St. Michael’s is committed to confidently bear witness to Christ and advance His kingdom, near and far, and cross cultural barriers. This is why we both partner with and send teams of St. Michael’s parishioners to folks like Simon Mwaura in Kenya, Simon Guillebaud in Burundi, Bishop Probal Dutta in India, and others around the world who have committed their lives to the Great Commission. We cannot and will not rest until the gospel has been proclaimed in word and action, and the church is planted among every tribe and people, in every corner of the world, to the glory of our great God.
26
his guard threatened him: “my god tells me to kill you.” “yes,” replied michael “but my god tells me to love you.” Michael is one of our participants this session. Michael was imprisoned and tortured in Saudi Arabia for many months. He had been serving the underground church in that country where the worship of Jesus Christ is
ANGLICAN LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
illegal. Michael was kept in a tiny box in the extreme
After Jesus said to the woman at the well in John 4 that the “field was white unto harvest,” he also lamented that too many were “sheep without a shepherd.” (Mark 6:34)
Christians in the underdeveloped world are swamped with eager new believers who need shepherding. That’s why Anglican Leadership Institute (A.L.I.) was formed – to help raise up godly shepherds who will both protect the new Christians from enemies and nurture them to be effective witnesses to Jesus Christ. For our inaugural session God has gathered representatives
heat. His guard threatened him: “My God tells me to kill you.” “Yes,” replied Michael, “But my God tells me to love you.” When Michael was released, he and his wife Rose came to America. He studied at Trinity Seminary and now runs an extensive ministry to the “Lost Boys” who on foot fled the wars in Sudan and by the U.S. Government were given asylum in cities all over America. Michael works with local Sudanese pastors who are helping these young men transition to modern American life. While here, some of them have even graduated from university. Each of our participants cost A.L.I. approximately $10,000 for the month. The only way we will be able to continue this remarkable global outreach is if churches here and across the nation join us in sponsoring these emerging leaders. We are already looking forward to our second
from Myanmar, India, Egypt, South Sudan, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Ghana,
Institute – during the whole month of September,
Nigeria, Chile, and Canada.
2016. Faculty have been recruited and agreed to
A.L.I. was conceived by Bishop Mark Lawrence to help raise up godly leaders throughout the 80 million-strong Anglican Communion. Fourteen men and one woman, all ordained Anglicans, are gathering in Charleston to understand the Biblical story in greater depth, and be trained to share it with greater effectiveness. This group will have confronted many of the problems Christian leaders face today – including widespread persecution. Imagine fifteen Anglican clergy from different parts of the world, each with a native language of their own, but speaking to one another in English, tackling
come. Several applicants have already signed up and been accepted. One archbishop, Eliud Wabukala, Primate of Kenya, says: “Peter, all of my younger bishops want to come.” Truly the “fields are white unto harvest.” I’m so grateful to St. Michael’s for the terrific support it has given us so far, and believe it will bear fruit in God’s own special time.
peter c. moore, d.d.
some “testy” case studies we will throw at them. They will wrestle with
director
how - as biblical leaders, grounded in Scripture and guided by the Holy Spirit - they
anglican leadership institute
will guide the flocks God has given them. I wish I had had that kind of training
scholar-in-residence
as a younger leader myself!
G I C / ISSUE ONE
st. michaels church
27
“god gave me eyes to see as the lord see
the rev. simon mwaura
god’s grace for all nations: kenya
it was god’s transforming power that
G I C / ISSUE ONE
This blind woman completed the Samburu orality program and is now able to share Bible stories with others in her community. During the graduation ceremony in March 2015, she eloquently narrated the story of Jacob and Esau in the Samburu language The Rev. Simon Mwaura began God’s Grace For All Nations (GGFAN) in 2008 when he received the vision that the northern tribes of Kenya should have access to the gospel message of Jesus. Kenya’s largest denominations and evangelical churches are concentrated in the urban towns in the central and southern regions. Of Kenya’s 122 tribes, 22 tribes still have little to no access to the gospel of God’s love. There are reasons these 22 tribes don’t yet know Jesus. They live in very arid and remote, hard to reach regions. They are traditionalists and have very low literacy levels. They live as nomadic pastoralists with no permanent residence, constantly moving from one place to another in search of water and pasture. They are the poorest of Kenya’s poor and suffer hunger from famine as a result of years of drought. They have endured years of tribal wars, cattle rustling, and outbreaks of disease.
28
es, ears to hear as the lord hears, and a heart to feel as the lord feels.
t opened my eyes to the fields to see that they are ripe for harvest”
But God did not see any of these “reasons” too difficult for him. So he prepared and called Pastor Simon to lead the way to establish churches among these people. Simon says, “God gave me eyes to see as the Lord sees, ears to hear as the Lord hears, and a heart to feel as the Lord feels. It was God’s transforming power that opened my eyes to the fields to see that they are ripe for harvest now!” To date, GGFAN has started vibrant churches
the ggfan goals: 2016
among the Samburu, Arial Rendille, Borana, Turkana, Pokot and the Lchamus
Strengthen existing churches both among the
communities. And through GGFAN’s regional and global networks, the Samburu
reached and unreached communities that will
County Nkalup Vision has begun work to plant 1,000 churches in Samburu
plant new churches
County.
Reach the Pokot tribe with the Gospel and plant
Go to Kenya in 2016 and be part of St. Michael’s team to serve with
churches to be a beachhead of God’s kingdom in
Simon in Samburu this summer! An information meeting is planned with
the midst of cattle rustling, tribal animosity and
Simon and Bill Johnson on Sunday evening, February 7th at 7:00 in the
waring
Kinloch Room. Everyone is welcome.
Provide leadership training and development to hundreds of indigenous leaders who have a
the rev. simon mwaura
passion to reaching their communities with the
founder, presdient
Gospel and inspire and empower them to plant
god’s grace for all nations: kenya
churches in the unreached villages.
G I C / ISSUE ONE
29
to buildings and infrastructure is mind-boggling; the toll on human life a potent reminder that our world lays subject to “thorns and thistles, sin, death, and decay” (Romans 8:20, TLB). Thankfully, American Anglicans responded generously to provide relief in the midst of these crushing circumstances. The Diocese of Singapore strategically and prayerfully deployed teams of medical personnel and volunteers to provide help and hope. Thankfully, there is an Anglican Church in Nepal that global Anglicans partnered with to bind up the brokenhearted and proclaim hope to the helpless. But how did the Anglican Church of Nepal ever get there? When and how did Christ-followers ever emerge from this once impenetrable Hindu mountain kingdom? In 1987, undeterred by harsh living conditions (no running water, no electricity, and cold Himalayan temperatures) and the potential of persecution, The Rev. Norman and Beth Beale followed God’s call to Nepal. Their ministry vision crystallized in 1990: to see God birth a church planting movement among the Tamang (a Tibetan-Buddhist Himalayan tribal ethnic group in Nepal). In 1994 the Beales joined Anglican Frontier Missions and received training as Strategy Coordinators. Strategy Coordinators are missionaries who look at the big picture in missions. They ask, “What must be done to see a church planting movement develop in a totally unreached people group?” The Rev. Canon Beale remarked, “During the 1990s we witnessed masses coming to Christ who wanted to become Anglican.” Accordingly, The Canon Beale began laying the foundation of the Anglican Church in Nepal in 1996, which was founded in 1999 when he was installed as the first Dean. Today, there are 58 Anglican Churches in Nepal with 9,000 baptized members because one couple dared to go where the church is not, to see churches birthed in a pioneer area. The heart of AFM is to send missionaries, like The Rev. Canon Norman and Beth Beale, to pioneer areas, where the church is not. Two thousand years and sixty-seven generations have passed since Jesus Christ gave the Great Commission and still…
G I C / ISSUE ONE
30
they ask, “what must be done to see a church planting movement develop in a totally unreached people group?”
people, all from one earthquake that struck Nepal on April 25, 2015. The toll
the rev. chris royer
anglican frontier mission
Astonishing wreckage—damage to 530,000 houses affecting 8 million
6,000 ethnolinguistic nations lack a viable church 2 billion people have no access to bibles, churches or christian witness 99% of christian giving goes to where the church exsists only 10% of american christian workers chose to minister where the church idoes not exsist
Anglican Frontier Missions reaches out to areas and people groups where the church is not, to the largest and least-evangelized people groups on earth through the following three-fold ministry: Equipping the American Church: We increase awareness in US Churches of unevangelized peoples by instructing and training US Christians on how to reach the nations living in our midst and how to build bridges to them overseas. Training Individuals: We sponsor short-term mission Discovery Trips every summer with comprehensive training and mentoring that exposes Americans to missions where the church is not. Sending Long-Term Missionaries: We equip and send Americans to minister overseas to serve as long-term missionaries among unreached people groups.
We offer a comprehensive member care
program to increase our missionaries’ wellbeing, effectiveness and longevity on the field.
the rev. chris royer executive director anglican frontier mission
G I C / ISSUE ONE
31
“we give thanks to the lord for all he has
bishop alex dickson
restoring our foundations: rwanda
enabled us to do! Restoring Our Foundations Ministry was born out of the severe problems affecting families on the Sub-Saharan region of the African continent, and is centered in Rwanda. ROFM has two primary focuses: children and mothers. Parents are spending less and less time with their children, and this is producing more and more children with attachment disorders that often create physical, social, psychological spiritual brokenness. Even within churches, the trend is that parents have become preoccupied with earthly needs and have forgotten their role as primary caretakers of their children. ROFM is working to counter this trend through its training programs where church leaders and pastors are trained as trainers. The pastor’s group is followed by groups of lay men and women, which is followed by their children, and the final group is the youth. The four different groups are brought together for discussion, understanding, and agreement. The solutions are put into a comprehensive plan involving the entire community and the implementation begins at the grass root level. Each of the four groups is reminded that the family is where a man serves as the head and is deputized by his wife, while the children are valued and loved as “adults in training.” ROFM emphasizes and demonstrates how home worship and family prayers serve as a foundation to a healthy family. Both men and women are taught about Gods intention for their roles as husbands and mothers and how respecting these roles is actually a fulfillment of God’s mission. Men are taught to understand they are family leaders who set the example of a servant, while women are honored in their role as mothers because this carries a great deal of significance and power to restoring the broken family foundations. ROFM is expanding into more African countries where the battle is raging to save God’s design for the family. The pressure from culture to abandon the traditional Christian family model is tremendous, but ROFM relies on a power far greater than any evil scheme! Through God’s Word of truth and the power of the Gospel, ROFM is ensuring African families are a showcase of God’s goodness and love to the hurting world.
bishop alex dickson board member restoring our foundations: rwanda chairman mission to liberia
G I C / ISSUE ONE
32
MISSION TO LIBERIA
The Clinic has been restored and is now fully operational. In addition, we have built a dwelling for the Director; built
Father Anthony Gerald Stevens began his ministry in Bolahun, Liberia in 1970.
a house with a generator; built toilet facilities for people
He visited Mbalotahun and was deeply moved by the plight of the leprosy
apart from the clinic; built and installed a water tank and
victims there.
He raised funds and built a clinic in Mbalotahun; and he
built a fence around our facilities to prevent theft, and
received training in the treatment of patients with leprosy. He sent five gifted,
control entry into the clinic, which in times of crisis is
faithful and strong patients for training in healthcare, agriculture, weaving, and
very important.
soap making to help empower and equip the community. He worked among the people with leprosy for many years. He dug water wells. He started a school for the children of leprosy patients. When the Civil War began in Liberia, he was forced to leave and return to the United States. After the war he returned to Mbalotahun and found the clinic, and the school destroyed. He then began a Celtic-style all African Monastic Order to assist in the restoration of the gospel ministry and bring people back to faith in Jesus Christ. When
We are beginning an agriculture ministry to enable people to raise their own food, and sell the excess. We are also beginning a Trade School to enable people in Lofa County develop skills that will enable them to find employment. And this is just the beginning of what God has shown us about the future!
Father Stevens died in September of 2007 at the age of 95, he was “wrapped
We give thanks to the Lord for all that He has enabled us
in a banana leaf” and buried in Mbalotahun, in the midst of the people he
to do.
loved. Bishop Neufville, Bishop of Liberia, and I formed the Mission to Liberia to carry on the ministry of Father Stevens. We asked Joe Namie, Fr. Terry Street, Frank Farmer, Br. Edmund and Br. Emmanuel to assist us in this ministry. Since Bishop Neufville died in 2010, Joe Namie has been the “point man” of this ministry. He has been to Liberia many times since 2007, and it is because of his faithful work and leadership that much has been accomplished. We are deeply grateful to Emily Bailey and the Bailey Foundation for their support of this ministry. And we are deeply grateful to the American Leprosy Mission for guiding us in this healing ministry. We are also grateful for the guidance of Water Mission International for aiding us in restoring clean water for all to drink.
G I C / ISSUE ONE
33
i will make you as a light for
that my salvation may reach to the end of the eart Great Lakes Outreach was founded in Burundi to become a conduit for support to Scripture Union in Burundi. It has since evolved into supporting nine areas of ministry, from orphans, to pastors' training, to Muslim outreach.
simon guillebaud
great lakes outreach: burundi
And all are focused sharply on bringing people to faith in Jesus Christ. With GLO's help, what began as a one-room orphanage has grown to three multi-house orphan campuses serving without discrimination three tribes, as well as a primary school and a boarding secondary school that is recognized as the best secondary school in the nation. What began as an open field in Bujumbura has become a fully staffed seminary, training forty pastors every semester. What began as an empty hillside in Muramvya has become a multi-building school, a clinic, and a large conference center used to train pastors throughout Burundi. Burundi is arguably the poorest country on earth, with the vast majority living on subsistence agriculture. It has the highest malnutrition rate in the world, and it is the hungriest country in the world. The national average income is about $315 a year. This poverty is reflected in medical care, where a country of 10 million people is served by fewer than 200 physicians. Medical care is officially "free," but practically unavailable. For the past 8 years, St. Michael's has sent Gospel-centered medical mission teams to Burundi to serve 1,000’s of people. Several years ago, we considered duplicating the Palmetto Medical Initiative model that was so successful in Uganda. A rigorous feasibility study indicated that a medical center in Burundi was financially possible, would serve a huge need, could promote the Gospel wonderfully, and importantly, be financially self supporting. Moreover, it could be a gathering place and platform for St. Michael's to continue sending teams. However, Burundi is a very young republic, and the democracy is fragile. This past spring, political disputes eroded the political stability of this nation. We prayerfully decided to suspend work until we could see that the project would be safe. We have confidence in God's provision and peace for Burundi. We are grateful to St. Michael's for sending mature Christians to meet and know us, to guide and train our pastors, to provide medical help, and to have the vision to build a medical center. Moreover, we appreciate St. Michael's patience as we go through this valley, and look forward to the sunlit future.
emmanuel ndikumana great lakes outreach partners trust international
G I C / ISSUE ONE
34
r the nations,
many miracles: A woman was healed of terrible pain and given sight
th. isaiah 49:6
Two women who were able to sleep peacefully after chronic insomnia for several years A group of students performed extraordinarily well on their government exams after praying
Dutta that the students achieved their highest scores ever after receiving prayer.
One of the projects St. Michael’s has supported in the
bishop probal dutta
diocese of durgapur: india
The principal of a large school communicated to Bishop
Diocese of Durgapur is inspired by John 4:13-14. Jesus said, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life”. In India, you can openly preach or witness to people about Jesus, but it is illegal to ask them to reject their religion and accept Him as their Savior and be baptized. In Hindu villages, there is always a Hindu temple and a well, however, the Christians are not allowed to use the well and they are ridiculed because they have no church building. Using last year’s Faith Promise funds, a church was built in
On November 30th, a team of five adults from St. Michael’s, led by Jean and
one of these villages and a modern deep well was dug.
Johnnie Corbett, traveled to the Diocese of Durgapur in West Bengal, India to
The church shares the water openly with all the village.
minister for 2 weeks with the Right Reverend Dr. Probal Kanto Dutta. For the past
Their generosity and living faith has opened up many
two years St. Michael’s has sent teams to work alongside Bishop Dutta and to take
conversations about Jesus - the Living Water.
the healing prayer ministry and the Gospel to unreached areas of northeastern India (The Church of North India). They have taught the healing ministry of Jesus, proclaimed the Gospel and prayed with thousands of individuals for their specific needs. Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.”
With GIC Faith Promise money, our teams have also funded the building of five churches in rural areas, two hostels for enrichment programs for slum children, a Safe House for girls rescued from commercial sex trade, a dormitory for Nursing School students from remote villages who receive four years of training, and the Laura Hewitt Eye Hospital which is located in an area where cataracts and other eye diseases are rampant. St. Michael’s hosted Bishop Dutta came for our first two Global Impact Celebrations where he visited Life Groups and preached on the weekend and heard first-hand about the wonderful work going on in the Diocese of Durgapur.
G I C / ISSUE ONE
35
distributes boxes to underserved children in the developing world. Through vast networks of local churches, every gift-filled shoebox is a powerful tool for evangelism and discipleship that touches the lives of children and their
duval acker
operation christmas child
Operation Christmas Child is a global ministry that collects, transports, and
families around the world through the Good News of Jesus Christ! Even though millions of boxes are shipped around the world each year, occasionally we are reminded of the personal nature of this work. Last year, Susan Kemmerlin received a letter from the child who received her box. And this year, Susannah Hubbell received two letters, one from the child who received her box, and the other from a Pastor of the Church that distributed the boxes. Susannah is still communicating with that Pastor! In December, 12 St. Michael’s youth (led by Rich Giersch and Brittany Gordon) traveled to the OCC processing center in Charlotte, NC and organized, sorted, and filled hundreds of boxes. In addition, 14 adults also volunteered the following weekend. This is the 4th year adults from St. Michael’s have served as volunteers for OCC. We plan to build on the successes of the past years by adding two new leaders to apprentice with Susan Prescott and Duval Acker. Packing shoeboxes gives people of every age a way to reach young children with the message of Jesus, often transforming their lives and those of their friends and family. After a child receives a gift box, he or she is offered the opportunity to participate in the specially prepared, in-their-language discipleship study called “The Greatest Journey.” Through this lengthy contact with their local church, many children decide to follow Jesus Christ. Often they share this “good news” with their families and friends, and a ripple effect occurs, resulting in many giving their lives to Christ. Surely this is discipleship at it’s best!
duval acker vounteer operation christmas child
G I C / ISSUE ONE
36
I am a nurse anesthetist and have been interested in As Christians we are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus and sometimes we are blessed to have the opportunity to use those hands and feet to help others. I worked for Palmetto Medical Initiative in Uganda for nearly two
palmetto medical initiative: uganda
years. Upon my return to Charleston I agreed to continue to serve PMI as a volunteer team leader for one of its four medical mission trips each year to Uganda. I have witnessed miracles of healing as a result of modern medicine,
susan holum & newman lawrence
and also healings as a result of the prayers and faith of the medical staff. Even though PMI medical mission trips are all about serving others, the Holy Spirit works through those same Ugandans to show the team members a joy and peace that I rarely experience here in the US. The joy of serving others has changed me and made me grow closer in my relationship with the Lord. PMI trips last ten days from departure to return with five days of clinic in rural
medical mission work for some time but had not gotten far beyond reading accounts of other volunteers and thinking, “Well, that would be nice to do someday.” That changed abruptly when St. Michael’s announced a partnership with PMI to establish a medical clinic in Bugarama, Burundi. I vividly recall hearing the announcement at the Charleston Music Hall event during GIC 2014, seeing the clinic model unveiled, and turning to my husband and saying “I’m going there.” I just felt a certain knowledge that the Lord was calling me to this specific mission. Imagine my surprise at finding myself this past March in an old van riding down the red dirt roads of Uganda!
sites around the Masindi-Kitara Diocese in Western Uganda. The team is
I’m not sure I can adequately describe what it feels like
broken up into small groups based on medical qualifications with support of
to arrive at a clinic site—usually a school or church with
non-medical team members conducting a patient registration, helping the
no power or running water—to find hundreds upon
patients move between each station and ensuring that they are generally
hundreds of smiling, cheering Ugandans patiently
cared for throughout the day. The teams generally consist of a triage team,
waiting for medical help. Many of them had walked
providers, and a pharmacy staff along with other specialists that sometimes
miles and spent the night at the site in hopes of
come on these trips such as physical therapists or dentists.
securing a number to get in line to receive medical care. The need is so great that registrars evaluate
newman lawrence volunteer palmetto medical initiative
patient acuity and assign numbered bands to everyone hoping to see a doctor. Once patients have a band, they may still wait for hours to be seen due to the level of care we attempt to provide and the time it takes to do so. And yet it’s rare to hear anyone in line complain about the wait. I’ve met adults who’ve never had their temperature taken before and are overjoyed to be seen by a medical professional. Simple antibiotics and medication for high blood pressure or pain can be absolutely life changing. What a gift to participate in such a mission experience! I have been blessed beyond what I could have imagined-huge, perspective-gaining, life-changing, seeing-God-at-work type blessings. I am so thankful that the Lord opened my eyes to the work that has yet to be done both at home and cross culturally.
susan holum gic 2016 co-chair volunteer palmetto medical initiative
G I C / ISSUE ONE
37
blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is
For the past two years, St. Michael’s Church has sponsored an Evensong for the Persecuted Church. The first year, we invited His Grace Bishop Youssef, a Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church to speak to us about the church in Egypt and the persecution they face. This past year, we invited the Very Reverend John Meno, a retired Chorbishop of the Syriac Orthodox Church, to give us more information about the martyrdom of Christians in Syria and Iraq. This year we are focusing our efforts to deepen our work with the persectuted
matthew wilkinson
the persecuted church
the kingdom of heaven. matthew 5:10
church in three areas: (1) expanding our connections with contacts with Christians who are from or who currently live in the Middle East; (2) grow the Evensong for the Persecuted Church to a diocesan or potentially an inter-denominational level; and (3) expand our work through aid and relief organizations. One such connection we have begun to make is with St. Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Church, from Myrtle Beach, SC. Meeting every second Saturday morning of the month at a chapel in St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, Charleston (downtown), Father Antony Zaki ministers to those members of his parish who reside in Charleston. Andy Hein and I were grateful to have the opportunity to attend this service last month and we plan to go again in February and March. Anyone who wishes to know more about Eastern Christianity is welcome to join us for a Saturday morning service. Another connection we have sought to make is with the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church. I was fortunate to be able to visit the Armenian parish in Charlotte NC, and make friends with the visiting priest, and the organist/choirmaster at the church. Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Christians make up one of the largest Christian minorities in the war-torn areas of Iraq and Syria. The persecution in the Middle East is a mixed up bird’s nest of complicated societal, political and religious problems. However, I know that God has put it upon our hearts to seek out ways to be an aid and blessing to the faithful who are being murdered mercilessly because they refuse to deny Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Therefore, with the direction of God and the discernment of the Holy Spirit, we are actively pursuing directions to broaden our reach and comfort the Lord’s afflicted church in whatever ways we are given.
matthew wilkinson st. michael’s church organist and choir master the persecuted church
G I C / ISSUE ONE
38
gic financial statement: 2016 TOTAL AMOUNT RECEIVED: TOTAL DISBURSED YTD:
$134,974 *$167,900
mission funding process The Financial Advisory Board is a team of 10 elected St. Michael’s church members that oversees the
holy city VBS AT SANDERS CLYDE ELEMENTARY
$5,000
DOUG BORN/BARNABAS MINISTRIES
$5,400
GIC Fund in accordance with the Funding Policy Guide. (A copy of this policy can be viewed online at www.stmichaelschurch.net/mission)
hurting coast HOUSE OF HOPE CHURCH, LYNN
Each month the F.A.B. team reviews, discusses, and
$15,000
prays over the new funding applications. Recommendations for funding are submitted to the Vestry for final approval. Once approved, the funds are
hungering world BISHOP DUTTA, INDIA EARTHQUAKE RELIEF PASTOR PETER, UKRAINE AGNGLICAN FRONTIER MISSION: CORNELIUS & ZIRA
$5,000 $24,800 $5,200
GREAT LAKES OUTREACH, BURUNDI
$60,000
GOD'S GRACE FOR ALL NATIONS, KENYA
$10,000
INDIA MISSION TRIP TABITHA WANG, YWAM
TOTAL:
$7,500 $10,000 $167,900
sent to the partner organization. Each organization that receives funds submits a report that details how the money was used and any relevant ministry information. Each report is carefully reviewed before additional support is considered for the following year.
new for 2016: Quarterly updates on the details of the GIC Fund available to view in real time on the St. Michael’s Church website.
*$167,000 The following organizations are currently in the process of consideration
represents money disbursements from
2014 and 2015 GIC Funds.
for funding as part of the remaining 2015 GIC Fund:
holy city LOWCOUNTRY PREGNANCY CENTER BARNABAS/NEXT STEPS OF CHARLESTON LIVING HOPE OF CHARLESTON
hungering world ANGLICAN FRONTIER MISSION ANGLICAN LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE GOOD SHEPHERD EYE CLINIC AND HOSPITAL, INDIA RESTORING OUR FOUNDATIONS, RWANDA MISSION TO LIBERIA, WEST AFRICA
G I C / ISSUE ONE
39
gic faith promise: 2016 The GIC Fund provides much needed finances to ensure our partners can effectively continue their work. But have you considered the benefits for those who give the money? When we give we are reminded that God is the ultimate and rightful owner of all we have; the power and control of materialism in our life is broken; we become participants and fellow laborers with those on the front lines of God’s glorious mission; and finally, we live as true disciples on the principle of faith that God will supply all our needs “according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19) The entire two weeks of GIC is a celebration of God’s faithfulness over the past year and a declaration of our faithfulness to what God has planned in the year ahead. As you pray about your contribution to the GIC Faith Promise, consider the following list that shows examples of how GIC funds will help fuel kingdom ministry in 2016.
$100 10 Jesus Storybook Bibles; 10 The Reason for God books; 2 weeks worth of gas tanks for the King’s Kid’s Club neighborhood bus (Christ the King)
gift list:
1 month bus pass for a person coming home from prison (House of Hope Church) 1 week of editing for our mobile app that provides weekly devotions and sermon access (Living Hope) Warm blankets for 20 children; knee socks for school uniforms for 35 children (Diocese of Durgapur, India) A stipend for a teacher to train and disciple children for one month or for one missionary to work with an unreached people group (GGFAN, Kenya) A relief package for a family in a Middle Eastern country torn apart by war (AFM)
$1,000 Month of salary for our bus driver who shares the Gospel and God’s love with dozens of children each day; a 1 year of curriculum for the children’s Sunday School program (Christ the King) 10 weeks of transitional income for housing (House of Hope) 20 Sunday mornings of church education seminars (Living Hope) Seminary tuition for new Pastors in Calcutta (Diocese of Durgapur, India) National Partner Bible translation support for a month (AFM)
$10,000 1 month rent for worship and office facilities; 1 year of auto insurance for the church bus (Christ the King) 1 year of operating expenses for the Homeless Outreach Van (House of Hope) 1 year of operating expenses for vehicles used to visit unreached tribes (GGFAN, Kenya) Provide half the Member Care Program budget for our missionaries (AFM)
G I C / ISSUE ONE
40
a woman from samaria came to draw water. jesus said to her, “give me a drink.” the woman said to him, “sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. where do you get that living water? Jesus said to her, “everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. the water that i will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” the woman said to him, “sir, give me this water, so that I will not be
the woman said to him, “sir, i perceive that you are a prophet. our fathers worshipped on this mountain, but you say that in jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.” jesus said to her, “woman, believe me...the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshippers will worship the father in spirit and truth, for the father is seeking such people to worship him. god is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”
the
woman said to him, “I know that messiah is coming (he who is called christ). when he comes, he will tell us all things.” jesus said to her, “i who speak to you am he.” so the woman left her water jar and went away into town and said to the people, “come and see a man who told me all that i ever did. can this be the christ?” they went out of the town and were coming to him. meanwhile the disciples were urging him, saying, “rabbi, eat.” but he said to them, “i have food to eat that you do not know about... my food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work. do you not say, ‘there are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? look, i tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. for here the saying holds true, ‘one sows and another reaps.’ i sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.” many samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, “he told me all that i ever did.” so when the samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. and many more believed because of his word. they said to the woman, “it is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the savior of the world.” (john 4, selcted verses)
G I C / ISSUE ONE
LIFT UP YOUR EYES
thirsty or have to come here to draw water.”
st. michael’s church 71 BROAD ST CHARLESTON SC 29401
SPIRIT OF THE LIVING GOD
(CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED)
NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID CHARLESTON, SC PERMIT NO. 688
O SPIRIT OF THE LIVING GOD, THOU LIGHT AND FIRE DIVINE DESCEND UPON THY CHURCH ONCE MORE AND MAKE IT TRULY THINE FILL IT WITH LOVE AND JOY AND POWER, WITH RIGHTEOUSNESS AND PEACE TILL CHRIST SHALL DWELL IN HUMAN HEARTS, AND SIN AND SORROW CEASE. BLOW, WIND OF GOD, WITH WISDOM BLOW UNTIL OUR MINDS ARE FREE FROM MISTS OF ERROR, CLOUDS OF DOUBT, WHICH BLIND OUR EYES TO THEE BURN, WINGED FIRE, INSPIRE OUR LIPS WITH FLAMING LOVE AND ZEAL TO PREACH TO ALL THY GREAT GOOD NEWS, GOD'S GLORIOUS COMMONWEAL. SO SHALL WE KNOW THE POWER OF CHRIST, WHO CAME THIS WORLD TO SAVE SO SHALL WE RISE WITH HIM TO LIFE WHICH SOARS BEYOND THE GRAVE AND EARTH SHALL WIN TRUE HOLINESS WHICH MAKES THY CHILDREN WHOLE TILL, PERFECTED BY THEE, WE REACH CREATION'S GLORIOUS GOAL