21 Years: A History of Missions and Missionaries

Is God calling you?

21 Years: A History of Missions & Missionaries

In our constitution the Equipping of Believers is one of the five aspects of our YEAR S 1 OF MISSIONS AND MISS I ONARIES 21 2 calling. We accept the Great Commission's instruction for us to go and make disciples. This has been exemplified over these 21 years as we have not only been receivers of mission support but also senders! We give thanks and celebrate the missionaries who have come to be a part of our journey and continue to pray for those we have been enabled to support in mission.

2003

2003 August to October 2003, Papakura Wesleyan were assisted by a supply United Methodist Minister from Illinois, Rev Glen Ioder and his wife Dee.

2004

Rev Allan Oliver leads a prayer of blessing and dedication over the newly-constructed Habitat house before the Fijian family moves in.

The American team from Kentwood Community Church. Top row: Pastor Mark Carroll, Lori Bestrom, Christian Saylor; Bottom row: Kylie Wood, Laurie Floyd, Pastor Rob Reynolds, Dan Metiva. Matt Couper, with help from Phil Long, Rae Radford, Michelle Yates, Sam Qiritivabea and Brett Jones lead worship during an evening session. The ‘Growing our Future’ theme banner is in the background.

September. Chris Crossley and Indonesia District Superintendent, John Simamora.

2005

Indonesia Mission Team – from left: Jonathan and Tanya Nace, Beth and Jeff Fussner, Chris Crossley.

Jonathan and Tanya Nace in a rickshaw during their mission trip to Indonesia.

Teenage Mission Team visits New Zealand.

A team of 15-17 year old students from Impact Church in West Michigan visited New Zealand. Below: Nicole, a teenage student from Michigan, is speaking at the Chinese service at East City Wesleyan with a translator. She was thanking them for the welcome to their service and sharing how neat it was to worship with another culture – we may not understand each other at the time, but we are still brothers and sisters in Christ.

The team of students with Ryan and Angele Gerten, and Neville and Lyncia Harkness, the Children’s Directors at Living Waters in Napier. The team had just finished a weekend programme with the children. From left: Aaron Combs (IWU), Stefan Schiavone (IWU), Geoff Davies (NZ), Aaron Fussner (NZ), Phil Gormong (IWU).

Phil Stuller, Lynda Benzie (NZ), Suzanna Bierly and Stephanie Stearns, also part of the IWU mission team.

March. Rev. Peter Dobson, the newlyappointed Principal at Kingsley College, Melbourne, Australia, was one of the keynote speakers and represented the Wesleyan Methodist Church of Australia.

The West Michigan team, from left: Dr Peter Newhouse, Pastor Phil Struckmeyer, Rev. Steve Deur, Rev. Mark Gorveatte and 13-year-old John Gorveatte.

Living Waters Wesleyan Church at Greenmeadows (Napier) was privileged

to welcome Ryan and Angele Gerten from Michigan, USA, as GO-Net Volunteer Missionaries for one year. Their role was to work in student ministries as well as with the worship team. They trained and equipped leaders to continue the work already begun.

Jeff and Beth Fussner, with two of their children, Aaron (17) and Emily (13), arrived in New Zealand on 16 February. Jeff was the Pacific Area Director for Global Partners and worked with churches and missionaries in the Pacific Area. March. Rev Wayne Schmidt dynamically speaking on leadership

Habitat for Humanity – Fiji.

At Navula, Catherine Gafa with local children helping to paint primer on a new house

Tina Ridley, a partner with the cession|community, serving in Guatemala since late 2005.

September.

Annie assisted Beth Fussner with Youth Resiliency programmes through East City Wesleyan’s LifeGrowth Community Trust.

Rev Drew & Amy Donovan from New Brunswick began serving at East City Wesleyan Church.

Ordination Service on Petats Island. The mission team consisted of Rev’s Niven Ball, Kathy Clifford and Allan Oliver accompanying Dr Fussner.

Rev Richard Waugh (left) congratulates Rev Mark Carroll and the KCC Mission Team. Bob Hendriksen standing behind Josh and Becca Bowlin, preparing to arrive in 2007