Inquire Journeying Together...
Inform ...to go out and make disciples!
Invite
Invest 2014 Annual Report
BOARD OF
WORLD MISSION of the Moravian Church • North America
Mission work is a journey. It is with great joy that we share the work of the Board of World Mission in this Annual Report. Mission work is a Journey and this year’s report presents mileposts along that Journey: • The Journey with the new work areas is to develop the structure, organization and plan for growth for them to eventually become a
Moravian Province of the Unity. •
The Journey with our more established Partner Provinces is to work toward sustainability and develop Mission outreach of their own.
•
The Journey for all the Moravians we represent is to develop a greater appreciation for and involvement in the work of sharing the gospel through Mission work.
We present mileposts along those journeys in the following pages. This year has been exciting. We saw progress in each of the Journeys mentioned above. We saw the retirement of Jack Geis, Rev. Joe Moore and Rt. Rev. Peter Green who completed their terms of service on the Board, while Shirley Louis resigned for personal reasons. We will miss
WORLD M I D
AN
CH
AM
VI RA
ER
MO
IC A
ION SS
BOAR
of
URC H • NO
H RT
BWM logo seal with words in circle type reversed.
their wisdom, experience and passion for mission. We look forward to working with the new board members and realizing the new life, energy and enthusiasm each brings to the Board. We also added new staff and welcomed the Unity of the Brethren in Texas back to the Board. Even though the Journey is exciting and we might think we are in control, we need to remember that it is God’s journey and we are here to fulfill God’s will. As the Israelites journeyed through the desert they were led by God.They moved when God indicated they should go and they stayed when God indicated they should stay. I pray that we may seek and follow God’s plan in all the Mission opportunities that are laid before us. Loren Jendro BWM Board Chair
Board of World Mission 2014 Board of Directors Loren Jendro, Chair* Western District
David Geyer, Secretary* Eastern District
Marion Perrin, Vice Chair* Canadian District
Isaac Amik Alaska Province Thomas Baucom* Board-Appointee
*member of Executive Committee
Journeying together to make disciples. Growing out of a pastor’s survey and board retreat in 2013, our staff began to set an intentional direction to reconnect with our congregations as crucial partners in all that we do in mission. We named this new initiative Journeying Together and realized that as we looked inward to Inquire, Inform, Invite, and Invest—not only with our congregations but also with our global partners—we would be better able to go out and make disciples to share the gospel of Christ wherever we might be. The first step is Inquire. The BWM works with individuals, congregations and partner provinces to discern passions and gifts and to identify local and global calls to mission involvement. We are taking more time to listen to congregations and individuals. What are their
passions and gifts? What are the needs around them and globally that inspire them to reach out? Where does God seem to be calling this particular set of people to share Christ’s love? How might the BWM bring its gifts and resources alongside our congregations as we seek God’s ongoing call on our church today? We welcome your discernment in this process. Feel free to contact members of our board and staff for further discussion. It will also be important for all aspects of our church— congregations, agencies, even our global and ecumenical partners—to Journey Together to better address the significant challenges before us today. As we look at issues of polity, of structure, of financial constraints, and of health in our congregations, let us share
Roman Brady Board Appointee/Youth Representative
Kent Laza Unity of Brethren
Lisa Pampe Western District
Shirley Louis Western District
Errol Connor EWI Province/Advisory Member
Becky Frey Eastern District David Guthrie* PEC President/Southern Province Donna Hurt Southern Province
Betsy Miller* PEC President/Northern Province Dan Nelson Southern Province
our resources and skills and especially our sense of where God might be leading us today. The Rev. Judy Ganz Executive Director “…keep on seeking, and you will find.” Matthew. 7:7b
Joe Jarvis Southern Province Mission Society Joel Landreth, Treasurer Advisory Member
Inform
The BWM informs and educates individuals and congregations on the present and historical context of Moravian Missions. Journeying Together in Tanzania Adopt-a-Village, a program centered in Sikonge as a joint venture between the Northern and Southern Provinces in support of the orphans in the Western Province of Tanzania, is now in its ninth year.Three thousand children have been living at par with their peers and have access to higher education due to this partnership. Three new Moravian churches have been built in the villages surrounding Sikonge in the last two years, bringing the total number finished since 2002 to ten. Fourteen wells have been constructed. Numerous schoolrooms have been built and supplied with more than 300 desks, tables and chairs,
beds, books and bookcases; three schools have been electrified and added to the electric grid. Multiple Sukuma villages surrounding Sikonge are now hearing stories about a man
named Jesus, a name most had never heard before. It’s been an exciting time to be a Moravian in Sikonge! Bill and Peg Hoffman Central Moravian Church Dedicating the new church in Nkeki,Tanzania
Ray of Hope 2014 Ray of Hope orphanage in Kenya welcomed a good rainy season last year, which meant full water tanks and abundant corn and fruit crops. We also have two cows that are doing well. The children are grateful for the opportunity to attend school.Three have finished high school and are deciding what their next step will be. There are five students in high school and nine in primary school. The preschool averages 40 to 50 children daily. They sent 25 students to primary school last year.
We held 10 Bible camps that brought many children to Jesus. Last spring a 14-year-old mom came to Ray of Hope with her one-year-old son Simon. They have become part of this community and the mom is now in primary school. The Tesh family is doing well. Ceci is in her last year of high school. Blessing is in grade one. After a bout with malaria I am healthy again and taking my vitamins to stay healthy. Michael Tesh, Missionary in Kenya
Above: The Tesh family. At left: Children at the Ray of Hope school.
Pastoral blessing in Guantanamo, Cuba
Policies That Empower Our Mission Our Board celebrated this past October as we implemented a policy for sending funds to Cuba and made our first wire transfer through our Canadian District to provide funds for the Cuban Moravian Church to purchase a headquarters building. After much work with a lawyer who specializes in the U.S./Cuba Sanctions, we were able to put together the proper procedures and documentation that allowed us to send funds for religious activities under a general license. Of course, now we celebrate that in the future such stringent policies may no longer be needed! We will continue to work with our lawyer to ensure that members of the North American Moravian Church, particularly in the US, will have no barriers
to the mission work that they wish to do in collaboration with the Moravians in Cuba. One of the issues that we need to deal with in our new mission areas of Peru, Cuba and Sierra Leone is determining a process for accepting candidates for ordination that meets with general Unity standards, yet is flexible to fit within the cultural context of the involved church. Sam Gray has been instrumental in helping us to develop an ordination policy for our mission areas. We are looking at the opportunity this year to make decisions about receiving Peruvian pastors into the Moravian Church there and this policy will guide us and the Peru Mission Area in those decisions.
Partners in Mission Other faithful partners in mission: Alas de Socorro Ministry in Ahuas, Honduras – George Goff Annie B Mission – support of a speech therapist at Star Mountain Rehabilitation Center in Palestine Bible Institute in Honduras – Andrew and Amy Fields with the Reformed Church in America Ladakh, India Bible translation ministry Medical Mission to the Mixe in Mexico – Phil and Eunice Raiford Mission Aviation Fellowship – Steve and Ann Marx Monthly Mission Ministries – youth in the Southern Province who do a variety of mission projects Nepal Moravian Outreach – Revs. Shanti and Vani Pradhan Sierra Leone Mission – Mohamed and Safie Braima, Little Church on the Lane
Judy Ganz performs baptisms with pastors in Tanzania
Invite
The BWM invites individuals and congregations to journey in mission together, equipping them to take part in a wide range of opportunities. Working in partnership with Antioch
Antioch has experienced growth in many ways in 2014. In addition to the ongoing partnerships in the Americas, Africa, Nepal, Jamaica and Cuba, we have received invitations for new partnerships from Common Ground coffee shop in Canada, Nova Paka Moravian Church in the Czech Republic and Castleton Hill Moravian Church on Staten Island, N.Y. There are also more teams seeking support through short-term team grants. Nine teams served in 2014. It is exciting to witness people venturing out to serve God in so many ways. Following are reflections from individuals who work in Below: Jenna Nodine and partnership with Antioch: Andrew Craver Reverend Richard Lwali with students at serves the Moravian Church Lusangi Morain Western Tanzania as Genvian Seminary. eral Secretary of the province Above: Touring and manager of the three the new dorm at Bishop Kisanji Moravian schools in the reGirls’ School. gion. In July of 2012 the first young adult served at Bishop Kisanji Girl’s School.
“From my own perspective I can say that the work done by these volunteers in our schools is very profitable to our young stars studying in the schools,” says Richard. “The ministry of the volunteers awakens the minds of the students, especially in terms of academics. The volunteers’ work motivates students to study hard for a good performance. The local community also likes to receive them and sees them as good friends. The coming of volunteers to our schools is
God blessing this program.” Entering into a new culture and community offers an opportunity for a broad spectrum of learning. Antioch cross cultural volunteers Jenna Nodine and Andrew Craver served in 2014 at Lusangi Moravian Seminary in Tanzania and shared this reflection following their experience: “We did not believe in divine providence before visiting Tanzania. However, when what we had planned and [continued on next page]
Invite
Moravian worship service in Nepal
Invited to Serve in Nepal It’s always hard to find a beginning that leads to where one is today. I do not know where it began but I believe God used people and circumstances to invite us to serve in mission in Nepal, beginning October 2014. Our original plan was to help our friends, Revs Shanti and Vani Pradhan, begin a grade school but—“welcome to Nepal” (our common slogan)—things don’t always go as planned. We have come alongside them, journeying together, helping with administration and daily operation of the kindergarten that they have begun. We helped find a new house for the school, although
not quite big enough to add a grade one class. With increasing enrollment (already 65 for the current year) the hope is that by next year the school can expand. We have enjoyed being in the church. We have been invited to share our gifts—I am teaching English at both the church and the school. Ken has had fun doing some maintenance and is looking forward (sort of) to Nepali language classes. Ken and I are waiting on God for how long we will be here. But we are grateful for the gift God has given us in inviting us to Nepal. It’s never easy moving away from what is comfortable and known. But now we see the world
Antioch
[continued] what actually occurred differed, we began to recognize God’s ‘big picture’ of the circumstances. We were given snapshots of what we needed to know for the moment.” If you have an interest in living out your relationship with God while serving alongside Moravians from a variety
of locations, we invite you to visit www.moravianmission.org/ get-involved-2/. Provide us with your contact information and I will contact you about available opportunities. In faith, love, hope, Jill Kolodziej Director of Antioch
differently. We understand people more and hope that helping with the school is building up Christ’s church here on earth. It has been frustrating and wonderful being here. I weep sometimes because there is so much to do and I fear there are not enough Christians and humanitarians in Nepal to make much of a dent in the needs (physical, spiritual and emotional) of the people and so I pray that God continues to keep us connected so that between us all, we can share the good news to all people that there is a God who loves them and wants to be in relationship with them. When something brings you to tears, discover where God might be inviting you to find a way to help. And then do it! God will provide! We are a small denomination with a big heart. Let’s Journey Together and show that Jesus’ love is for the entire world. We can make a difference! Trina Holmberg Antioch servant in Nepal
Invite
Responding to the Invitation to Serve on a Team The BWM has a standing invitation for any and all to contact us to help discern a call to mission. We also are available and excited to receive an invitation to lead
a pre-trip training before you head out in mission. We offer these trainings as a way to help guide your mission experience, making sure you are prepared and open to God’s
Alex Ford in Peru
“Experiencing such a different culture on our trip to Nicaragua has made us stop and reevaluate ourselves.The hospitality and community we experienced was more than we ever could have expected.They all care so deeply for each other that they seem to be one large family instead of individuals. Their connections to God are stronger than anything we have seen, and we have challenged ourselves to strive for that kind of relationship.” Taylor Vanderbloemen & Jared Gothard, Christian Faith Moravian Church Ally Dickson, Sturgeon Bay Moravian Church
presence in this work. Check out some of the reflections from a few individuals who traveled in 2014 as a part of teams that were either organized or trained by the BWM:
“I cannot underscore enough how warm and loving our reception in Peru was. At every gathering, each person would greet every other person in the room with a snug embrace (and a kiss on the cheek for the women). This created a loving atmosphere right from the get go! With open hearts, they live out “in all things love,” and that was evident from the moment they met us at the airport with big smiles on their faces. Peru showed me another dimension of God, which gave a new depth to my faith. Te amo, Perú! Gracias!” Alex Ford, Kernersville Moravian Church
Western District Youth in Nicaragua
Serving on urban mission in Chicago
“I learned that if I am invited to do something that I’ve never done before but will help to make a positive impact, I should do it.The place I went to (Chicago) and the people I met were incredibly amazing.” Alexis McCarn, Christ Moravian Church (Winston-Salem)
Here are just of some of the places where the Board of World Mission provided trainings, as well as locations we helped send individuals and teams to engage in mission in the last year: • Bethel, Alaska
“I had such an amazing time in Costa Rica. Meeting and getting to know the people there was my favorite part. One day we paved tile all day long and then that night we came back to the church for a night service and saw all the kids playing, sliding and dancing on the new tile. It just filled my heart with joy and made all the hard work worth it.” Jessie Stangret Waconia Moravian Church
• Bethlehem, Pennsylvania • Chicago, Illinois • Mt. Morris Camp, Wisconsin • Ocean Springs, Mississippi • Staten Island, New York • Tuscawaras County, Ohio • Waconia, Minnesota • Winston-Salem, North Carolina • Alberta, Canada • Havana and Matanzas, Cuba • Ahuas, Honduras • Puerto Cabezas and Sisin, Nicaragua • Chiclayo and Lima, Peru These and other sites are being considered for teams to serve in 2015. We already have teams set up for Jamaica and Nepal. Please contact Justin Rabbach, Director of Mission Engagement at justin@moravianmission.org to learn about more possibilities!
“Trainings by the BWM guided our devotions and allowed us to frame our experience and bring it back to the congregation in a meaningful way.The Service Learning model and tools directed every one of our planning meetings as well as our nightly devotions and our returning worship. I believe that training should be mandatory for all our groups that engage in missions. I find the BWM to be a vital resource to our congregational ministries!” Rev. Dr. Amy Gohdes Luhman, Waconia Moravian Church “Thank you for coming in and talking to our group about mission work and doing the team training. I think it really helped to prepare us for our trip to Costa Rica.” Holland Griffin, Waconia Moravian Church
Invite
Oh, the places we will go!
Inquire Congregational Discernment Documents
A first step guide and resource for congregations or groups that wish to discern their call to and involvement in God’s mission in the world.
Inform Service Learning Outcomes
A listing of six outcomes from mission for individuals and groups to consider as possible goals to help guide their mission experience.
Listening Campaign Moravian Worldwide Process for Congregations Unity Map
A process for identifying people’s interests, developing leadership capacity and realizing congregational potential through expanding relationships.
A map of the Moravian Worldwide Unity (as of Fall 2014), including lists of the parts of the Moravian world based on their stage of development.
The SHEETS Sheet
Moravian Mottos
A questionnaire for individual reflection on one’s Spiritual formation, Home experience, Exposure to other cultures, Education, Training and Service. Antioch Application and Get Connected Online Forms
Go to moravianmission.org to find forms to submit your information to volunteer, or sign up for information about our ongoing work.
The Moravian Motto “Our Lamb Has Conquered, Let Us Follow Him!” listed in more than a dozen languages from around the Moravian world! BWM Summary Handout
A picture and word summary of the work of the BWM, based on our core themes: Inquire, Inform, Invite and Invest.
Mission Resources In 2014 the Board of World Mission made an intentional effort to evaluate the resources that it has available to help engage individuals and congregations in mission.This process showed that we have a whole lot to offer! We currently have nearly 100 individual resources such as Bible studies, information on our global partners and the worldwide Unity, bulletin inserts and video interviews. Plus, plenty more are planned for development soon! On these pages we highlight just some of the resources that we have available with a brief description of what they are about. Please contact the BWM with any resource questions, and we are happy to make available whatever might be helpful in your context!
Invite Journeying Together Bible Study
A four session group bible study focused on the themes of Inquire, Inform, Invite, Invest, designed to help participants think about their call to mission and how they can invite others into service as well.
Invest Mission Team Prayer Partner Sign-up Sheet
When sending a mission team, congregation members sign up for time slots to pray for the team.Teams carry the sheet to know who is praying for them at a given time. Asset Mapping
A one session bible study based on Matthew 10 exploring what Jesus did to prepare his disciples to be sent out in mission.
Simplified and more in-depth versions of the asset mapping process are available to assist in recognizing gifts and resources present for mission and ministry.
SERVE. PRAY. GIVE.
BWM Favored Practices
Called in to be Sent Out
A monthly email resource highlighting specific opportunities to engage in mission as you are able to serve, pray or give. BWM Monthly Newsletter
An electronic newsletter that shares stories of ongoing mission and invites people to get involved.
A description of the BWM favored practices of being centered on Christ, encouraging mutuality, providing for effective accountability and promoting self-reliance. The 7 Ts Checklist for Mission Team Training
Seven “Ts” to help a mission leader cover the steps needed to prepare for a mission experience.
Moravian Disaster Response The BWM continues to seek and receive donations to be able to respond to disasters and calls for help in a timely manner. While giving at the time of a crisis is certainly important, the BWM encourages you to give a donation to “undesignated disaster response” to help build a reserve that can be sent at a moment’s notice. In this way, we are able to get assistance much quicker to a situation that is gravely in need of funds for things such as medical supplies, shelter or food and water. Additionally an inventory was made in 2014 of the MDR tools and equipment so we would know what tools are available to us to use in a volunteer response—and what more might be needed. We are also hoping to “re-tool” to get our truck, trailers and tools consolidated so that Moravian teams can have the equipment necessary for responding to local disasters. Let us know if you might need to use this equipment!
Invest
The BWM invests in people locally and globally to engage in mission, develop leaders and grow relationships to build capacity to share the Gospel Message. Investing in Vital Health Care Fifteen month old Danelcy came to the Clínica Evangélica Morava in Ahuas, Honduras in early January with her mother. She presented with the classic symptoms of Kwashiorkor (severe protein deficient malnutrition): vomiting, diarrhea, irritability, fever and a distended belly. Dr. Ovelio ordered medications to attack accompanying pneumonia/fever along with dietary supplements to improve nutrition while education was provided to the parents. North American Moravians have been journeying together with Honduran Miskitus for more than 68 years so that patients like Danelcy can be cured. Contributing prayer, training, financial and material support, they have helped to make the Clínica Evangélica Morava the most capable medical facility in one
Above: Dr. Kenneth Serapio prepares for surgery at the Ahuas Clinic. Below: The Ahuas administrative staff.
of the most underserved and isolated regions of Latin America’s third poorest country. When Cleave Fischel and the Sam Marx family were called in the 1940s and 1950s, they committed themselves and the Moravian Church to a ministry that has grown to the point that in the first eleven months of 2014 it saw 4,212 patients, performed 248 surgeries, admitted 1,028 people and attended to 246 births. The example of early Moravian missionaries is today reflected in people like Benno and Teresa Marx who completed another term of service in 2014; in Ovelio Lopez, Kenneth Serapio and Melissa Saty, all children of the Moravian Church and now physicians currently serving in
Ahuas; and, in an administrative staff which, since early 2015, is receiving financial management classes. In keeping with the Biblical injunction to “equip God’s people to do His work and build up the church” (Ephesians 4:12) the Board of World Mission continues to invest in the ministry of the clinic in Ahuas by sending an annual subsidy of over $141,000, recruiting work crews, promoting giving for special projects and underwriting the work of an administrative consultant missionary. In doing so, it enables staff to treat patients like Danelcy as we journey together in ministry. Rick Nelson Missionary in Ahuas
Through our Likewise Ministries, the BWM invests in people. In Honduras we provide support for persons with HIV and AIDS to travel from Ahuas to Puerto Lempira to monitor their medications.
Invest
Likewise Ministries
arm of ADSIM. In Guyana we have been pursuing ways to assist with preventative education for HIV and AIDS, as well as to address issues of domestic violence. In Western Tanzania Likewise Ministries continues to support the HUKWAFA program in two villages in the Lake Victoria District. In Gininiga, crop production continues and some are now Above: Cleaning rice in Magu. replacing thatch roofs with tin. In Magu, developing a Invests in People rice-cleaning business and In Nicaragua we provida preschool are their major ed funds for the Vidas Futuras focus. We are grateful for the group of persons with HIV to ongoing support by our conprovide good nutrition so that gregations for these important they can remain healthy and ministries. pursue work. This is a proMarion Perrin, Likewise Chair gram under the Social Action
Gifts of Change Consider supporting projects beyond common ministry funding with a Gift of Change. Below are a few of the projects supported through the Gifts of Change program. Others are listed on our website. Donations received in excess of the amount needed for specific projects will be applied to another project. Interested in providing a Gift of Change? Use the form at the back of this report or visit our website to donate online.
Economic/Community Leadership Strengthening Development
Mission Outreach
HondurasÂ: $50 to help de-
month’s worship space rent
velop the Fish Market Project (total $5,000) Western Tanzania: $1,000
Honduras Mission Province: $50 toward tech
equipment for the Bible Institute in Ahuas
annually, with a 3-year commitment, to Adopt-a-Village in support of orphans in Africa, many of whom have been orphaned by AIDS.
Ray of Hope, Kenya:
HUKWAFA: $40 to purchase
ing the new Seminary and Administrative building
maize or rice
$50 toward scholarships for orphans to attend high school ($5,675 needed) Alaska: $50 toward furnish-
Peru: $200 to sponsor one Western Tanzania: $100
toward solar systems to provide electricity for pastors in remote areas ($1,310 needed for each) Guyana: $50 toward Radio
Outreach Ministry that shares the gospel and brings people to the church (total cost $300 per month)
Above: Food preparation in Honduras
Invest
Investing in our Mission Areas
Peru Above right: Sam Gray and Judy Ganz baptize in Peru. Below, Peruvian pastors worship in song.
The Moravian Church in Peru has four growing congregations and two cell groups all in the cities of Lima and Chiclayo. In 2014, 16 new members were baptized. Peruvian Moravian pastors and leaders met with BWM representatives to move forward in organizing themselves as a Mission Area of the Worldwide Moravian Unity. Moravians in Peru say this about what it means to be part of the Moravian Church: Young adult in Lima: “As the Moravian Church in Peru
we have the task of proclaiming the Gospel with our lives and also with words.” Pastor in Lima: “Our church is not a building or a structure but rather a means for bringing the word of God to the world that needs to know the love of God.” Worship leader in Chiclayo: “To be part of the Moravian church in Peru is to live like in the days of Jesus
Sierra Leone
where his love was always known to all with whom he walked.” Seminary student and pastoral candidate: “Words cannot express what I feel when I realize that God’s purposes for me are being fulfilled through the Moravian Church. I give thanks to God with all my heart!” Newly baptized woman: “God is great and merciful and in the Moravian Church we always remain in prayer for each other.” Young adult church musician: “Being a Moravian means being part of a revolution of worshipers who lift others with the power that has raised us: the power of Christ!” Mission Area president: “Being a Moravian in Peru means watching where God is acting and joining in what God is doing!”
Brother Armando Rusindo, president of the Moravian Church in Cuba, visited congregations in Florida and North Carolina and shared some of the joys and challenges of God’s work in Cuba. BWM began a covenant partnership with the Armando Rusindo Mission Foundation (ARMF). Brother Joe Jarvis set up this foundation as a way of supporting the ministries of the Moravian Church in Cuba while remaining in compliance
with U.S. government policies. Projects of the Moravian Church in Cuba include sustainable farming in Camaguey, a fresh water project and a Children’s Mission in Havana. North American Moravians (Canadian District; BWM; the ARMF and many congregations and individuals) came together to help Cuban Moravians purchase a building for its National Headquarters and worship space for Havana Moravians.
It is amazing to see how God can “redeem” even the worst of situations and circumstances. In June, Moravian missionaries, Mohamed and Safie Braima, returned from Sierra Leone to the USA for what was intended to be a short visit.The Ebola virus was just beginning to spread in West Africa and the Braimas were able to raise awareness with the folks in Ngehun and surrounding villages. By the end of the summer of 2014, it became clear that the time was not right
for Mohamed and Safie to return to Sierra Leone – the situation was just too dangerous and unsure. As brother Jeff Fulp (Sierra Leone Mission Committee) explained, all schools in Sierra Leone are closed, traffic between villages is strictly controlled and efforts are being made to decrease contact with people coming to the area. Of course, the Braimas longed to be with their people – the villagers among whom they have lived and served for so long. But God
offered them the opportunity to minister to many North American Moravians (in North Carolina, Florida, North Dakota, Pennsylvania and beyond!) as they waited for the right time to return.That return has now been set for March 2015. We give thanks to God for the ministry of the Braimas in Sierra Leone as well as here in the USA! Sam Gray, Director of Intercultural Ministries & New Work
Invest
Cuba
BWM’s Director of Mission Engagement, Justin Rabbach, joined a team of 10 North Americans who took part in a Moravian Youth Camp of 57 people in Cuba last August. One of the Cuban Moravian young adult campers summarized what it means to her to be a Moravian follower of Christ: “We are here for Christ; we are united; we are one; you are never alone in the Moravian Church!”
Above left: Joe Jarvis visits patients at a hospital in Jaguey Grande, Cuba. Above: work with the Children’s Mission in Cuba.
Global Partners The BWM invests in its global partners in many ways. Providing an annual block grant to help support ministry needs is one way. We are continuing to decrease these grants by five or ten percent annually, while at the same time building a mission fund to support specific projects of our partners that fit with our priorities of leadership development, mission outreach and economic strengthening. Costa Rica completed their block grant with BWM in 2014. In 2015 we will support their plans for a Multiuse building that will provide for church and community events and income for the church.
Guyana is also close to going off their block grant at the end of 2015. They have applied to the Unity Board to become a full Unity Province, moving from their Mission Province status. They continue to have a significant ecumenical ministry and look to the BWM to help with leadership training, as well as health education through our Likewise program. Western Tanzania has a primary focus on evangelism, which can be seen in their outreach to Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi and Kenya, as well as to the Sukuma people in their own regions. They continue to encourage education through their Bishop Kisanji Girl’s School and Lusangi Bible College. Kisanji is experiencing significant water issues that we are helping to address; funding was also sent for repair of some roofs that were damaged in a storm. Along with the British Province we provided funds for motorcycles so pastors could better visit the remote congregations in their parishes. They are most grateful for this help. Nicaragua held a round table in early 2014 and has developed a strategic plan that addresses many challenges before them and involves restructuring their church into districts. The Bilwaskarma Clinic continues to thrive and provide important preventive health care in the surrounding communities. We were saddened by the loss in 2014 of Dr. Pete Haupert, who has been instrumental in developing this ministry.
The Honduras Province continues to struggle with division, although the relations between the Mission Province (traditional group) and Province (renewed group) have improved greatly and they continue to schedule events together and proceed toward full reconciliation. The Province has been working to install a radio system by which to connect better with their people and to share the gospel. They are also looking at small enterprises that can generate income for the ministry. Through the Reformed Church in America, Andrew and Amy Fields and daughter Irene finally arrived in Honduras in early 2014 to help with the Province’s Bible Institute. They also are coordinating some work with the Bible Institute of the Honduras Mission Province, which also receives support from BWM. The Medical Work at the Ahuas Clinic in Honduras continues to struggle, but some strategic efforts were planned at a round table held last June. This included the sending of Rick Nelson from BWM as an Administrative Consultant over the next two years. Rick has already been a great help in maintaining this important ministry and journeying with clinic and provincial staff to address the challenges. The Moravian Church in Newfoundland / Labrador continues with its need for pastoral leadership in all four congregations, although several lay members are
leading worship and there is increasing congregational support of the ministry as a whole. There is an on-line Bible study now available to the four congregations that was set up by Rev. Glenna Tasedan. Please continue to hold our partners in prayer.
2014 Financial Summary We at The Board of World Mission (BWM) are grateful for the continued support provided for the ministries and mission work of the North American Moravian Church. Below is a summarization of that support and its uses painted with a broad brush. Additional details can be obtained once we complete the annual audited financial statements for 2014. For additional information or a copy of the audited financial statements, please contact the Bethlehem office of the BWM.
Support and Revenue
For the year ended December 31, 2014 Board of World Mission of the Moravian Church
Northern and Southern and Provinces Larger Life Foundation Society for Promoting the Gospel Mission Society, Southern Province Other Provincial Support General Contributions Investment Returns Other Utilization of Restricted Gifts Total Support and Revenue
$506,453 $22,390 $198,965 $25,000 $14,318 $114,632 $48,678 $9,866 $214,904 $1,155,206
Expense Summary • Total Expenses: $1,115,081 Partner Province Support/Assistance Grants $572,848
We continued to provide quarterly stipends to our six partner provinces of Labrador, Guyana, Western Tanzania, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica, while decreasing this stipend and increasing partnership in mission endeavors and projects for self-sustenance of their ministry. Our support includes the Honduras medical work and the addition of Rick Nelson who is serving in Ahuas. We are also providing base funding to our new mission areas of Peru and Cuba, pension for Rev. Braima in Sierra Leone and guidance on Book of Order development and other issues as they develop their churches.
tion about BWM efforts. We Mission Programs/ Ministry Management increased communication efforts by adding a monthly $422,842 The BWM provides funds for sending Antioch servants on short-term mission and team mission projects and for our Likewise HIV/AIDS Ministry and disaster relief. We assist Central Moravian Church’s Mission Committee in disbursing funding for Adopt-aVillage and other ecumenical partnerships. We also provide support for five cross-cultural servants: Michael and Ceci Tesh in Kenya, Steve Marx with MAF in Washington State, Phil and Eunice Raiford in Mexico, Andrew and Amy Fields in Honduras, and George Goff in Honduras. BWM staff led or helped with several camps this past year and have been in many congregations to prepare teams and provide informa-
“Serve, Pray, Give” flyer in addition to the Annual Report and monthly newsletters. Staff has been working to develop effective resources for congregations.
General Administration $230,312
This category includes efforts not directly related to specific ministries or mission efforts that are necessary to oversee all aspects of the ministries of the BWM. Costs here include items such as office operations both in the Northern and Southern Provinces, accounting fees, retired missionary pensions, meeting costs, administrative portion of staff salaries and benefits, continuing education for staff and asset depreciation.
Journeying Together
Many thanks to the contributors who provided articles, information, photographs and other material for this year’s Annual Report. Originally published as a special section of The Moravian Magazine, this Annual Report is also available in digital format from the Board of World Mission. Design by Mike Riess, IBOC Š2015, Board of World Mission. Visit us at www.moravianmission.org.
BOARD OF
WORLD MISSION of the Moravian Church • North America BWM staff and directors are more than happy to work with your congregation on issues of mission discernment (be that local or global), equipping teams and individuals in short-term missions, and educating about principles of sustainable mission and cross-cultural service.
Offices:
Staff:
Board of World Mission 1021 Center St. PO Box 1245 Bethlehem, PA 18016 610.868.1732
Sheila Beaman, Admin. Assistant,Winston-Salem sheila@moravianmission.org
Board of World Mission 500 South Church St. Winston-Salem, NC 27101 336.773.1732
Jill Kolodziej, Director of Antioch jill@moravianmission.org
Web:
Justin Rabbach, Director of Mission Engagement justin@moravianmission.org
www.moravianmission.org
Judy Ganz, Executive Director judy@moravianmission.org Sam Gray, Dir. of Intercultural Ministries & New Work sam@moravianmission.org
Kay Odegard, Admin. Assistant Bethlehem kay@moravianmission.org
The Board of World Mission is grateful for the service of Barbara Ottervik who resigned in July as administrative assistant in its Bethlehem office. We miss her energetic presence and commitment to the mission of our church.
Yes! I wish to make a financial contribution to the work of the Board of World Mission, Moravian Church in North America. I would like to donate
to the Board of World Mission for the purposes of:
q Helping where it is needed; q Helping a specific program:
100% of your donation will go directly to mission programming. Name: __________________________________________________________________ Address: ________________________________________________________________ City/Town: __________________ State: _____ ZIP Code: _________
q I would like to be a Friend of BWM and receive your newsletter and periodic information about mission opportunities.
q The BWM may contact me by email. My email address: _____________________ Please mail your tax-deductible donation to: The Board of World Mission, 1021 Center St., PO Box 1245, Bethlehem, PA 18016 or visit us at www.moravianmission.org.