Global Magazine #1 2017

OPERATION MOBILISATION MAGAZINE no.1 2017

“ The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free.”

LUKE 4:18 (NLT)

UNITED TO SERVE Bringing Good News to the least-reached around the world and in the UK.

Operation Mobilisation transforming lives and communities

OM MALAWI

by Rebecca Rempel

PLANTING CHURCHES WITH A MISSIONS MINDSET

“ SOMETIMES THE LORD ORGANISES PEOPLE TO STAND WITH YOU EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE NOT CHRISTIAN...”

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“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11

“It started with a vision,” said OM worker MacDonald. “I was talking with Jesus and He was telling me what to do. He showed me a big forest with big trees and told me I needed to uproot the trees because He wanted it to be clear.”

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raying over the vision with his mentor, MacDonald felt God was calling him to go minister to those who have never heard about Jesus before in his native Malawi.

MacDonald began doing research and visiting the villages, seeking the place where the Lord wanted him. When he reached Chisopi, a village 30 kilometres from the OM base in Ntaja, MacDonald felt peace that this was where he was meant to be.

He met a man who invited MacDonald to stay in his home to get to know the culture of the Muslim village as well as the language.

“I didn’t say anything about Christ,” remembered MacDonald. “But he was very interested in the way I was behaving. When I left after a week he said that I needed to come back the next week, so I did and then I started asking him what he believed in and if he knew Christ.”

The man was a Muslim and the son of a Sheikh (a community leader), but was interested to hear what MacDonald had to say because of how he conducted himself.

Through MacDonald’s visits, the man and his wife came to know Christ and accept Him

as their Saviour. They stopped going to the mosque and began to worship weekly in their house, calling for other people to join them as MacDonald preached. That was the beginning of the church in Chisopi.

GATHERING SUPPORT The church began slowly gaining traction in the community. The chief, who is Muslim, has recognised that a church isn’t a bad thing and neither are the Christians who worship God there.

“Sometimes the Lord organises people to stand with you even though they are not Christian,” said MacDonald. “Here, it is the chief. If the chief says that everyone has a right to go where they want to worship, then everyone will be quiet because the chief has the authority.”

DISCIPLES MAKING DISCIPLES From the birth of the church in Chisopi, MacDonald encouraged a ‘missional mindset.’

The new believers began walking to a village 14 kilometres away to start a Discovery Bible Study.

One week the chief of the village attended the meeting and asked for prayer for his sick sister.

After praying together, the chief’s sister was completely healed. The following week when MacDonald visited her, she was working outside, something she hadn’t been able to do in a long time.

Excited by his sister’s recovery, the chief urged MacDonald to start a church in the village, saying God obviously had plans for the village.

On property given to the church for free from the chief, the congregation meets in a temporary structure. The original eight members have expanded and they plan on making bricks to build a permanent building.

Praise God for what He is doing in Chisopi and the surrounding villages. Pray for the new believers to grow in their faith and to remain strongly rooted in Him.

pray Join us in praying for OM’s church planting projects

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OM SHIPS

by Julie Knox

ANCHORED IN HOPE Embarking on missions is not guaranteed to be easy. For one UK couple making their way to Logos Hope last summer, it seemed like the world was against them.

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fter a family bereavement, the loss of their possessions, then serious illness, Gary and his wife, Christa, wondered if they should ‘abandon ship’ before even setting foot on the gangway. But they saw God intervene miraculously and they believe they’re where He wants them to be.

The couple left Belfast for Logos Hope, where Christa was to fill a teaching vacancy in the onboard school. At OM’s Global Orientation conference for new joiners in the Netherlands, Gary received a call from home. His grandmother was dying.

Feeling convicted that he hadn’t read scripture to his grandmother before leaving Northern Ireland, Gary told his father he felt it was important.

Neither his parents nor his father’s mother were practising Christians, but Gary’s dad agreed to read Psalm 23 at his mother’s bedside.

“My parents said the atmosphere became overwhelmingly peaceful,” Gary recalls. “They both saw a light shining from my grandmother, filling the room. They can’t explain it. I really believe Granny accepted Christ at that moment. While I was heartbroken at losing her, I had a real sense that God was showing Himself to my parents.”

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“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

HOPE FROM SHORE TO SHORE Logos Hope is spending 2017 in the Caribbean, where many people are in poverty or caught in addiction, superstition and hopelessness.

Our local partners see a particular need to connect with young people on the islands, who feel the Church isn’t relevant to them.

“ I KNOW NOW THAT I SERVE A GOD WHO DOES IMPOSSIBLE THINGS, AND I AM CARRYING A TESTIMONY WHICH CAN ENCOURAGE OTHERS.”

The couple travelled to Ghana for pre-ship training with Logos Hope’s 100 new crewmembers, but three of their four suitcases went missing. Christa can laugh about it now: “The bag we were left with had the non-essential stuff: a Christmas tree and things we had brought for ship family get-togethers.

But there was nothing of any use – no pants!”

Until the airline found the bags, the couple lived in borrowed clothes, which reminded them of the community of believers in Acts, who gave to everyone as they had need.

The new crewmembers also united in prayer when Gary became ill with suspected appendicitis. Conditions in the hospital shocked him. There was no pain medication available, and he suffered a severe reaction to antibiotics.

“It left me questioning whether God really wanted us to serve on the ship,” says Christa.

“Other people seemed to have such a smooth path confirming God’s will. We had to live in the hope that God did mean us to be here, but the enemy was trying to put us off.”

With surgery looming, Gary became increasingly uneasy: “I was absolutely terrified, in fear of my

give Help fuel hope for the Caribbean www.uk.om.org/fuel

The ship’s vibrant international community is a magnet for the youth. Our youngest ever CEO will take the helm in April, as Seelan Govender from South Africa moves from his current role of Logos Hope Director. Please pray for these changes.

life.” Believing God was directing him to sit up, Gary felt his abdominal pain lessen dramatically.

“Then I heard God saying, ‘You need to leave now.’ He gave me the strength to convince the Ghanaian doctors not to operate. I don’t think I’d be alive if they had.”

Being helped up the gangway under the watchful eye of Logos Hope’s doctor hadn’t been how Gary had envisaged joining the ship. But he made a full recovery and started work the following week, in Logos Hope’s International Café.

“I know now that I serve a God who does impossible things, and I am carrying a testimony which can encourage others,” he smiles.

“After four months on board, I see God equipping me for this ministry. I particularly enjoy being generous with people and connecting across cultures. Expect adversity when you do things for God – but keep pushing through, because the sacrifices are worth it to carry this message of hope across the world.” www.omships.org

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WORLD NEWS

“I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.”

Philippians 4:13

REACHING REFUGEES IN EUROPE

Bringing hope and Good News wherever possible, OM’s refugee ministry continues into 2017.

Look out for further updates throughout the year or via www.uk.om.org

FINLAND

NETHERLANDS

SAFE PASSAGE

UK

GERMANY

AUSTRIA

HUNGARY

Serving refugees ‘still on the road’ seeking refuge IDOMENI, GREECE

SAFE HAVEN CALAIS

Supporting churches in settling refugees into new communities

SID, SERBIA SWITZERLAND

ATHENS

SPAIN

GOOD TIDINGS OF GINGERBREAD MEN, OM ARABIAN PENINSULA According to Beth*, opportunities to talk about the Bible with locals don’t always come easily. “You really have to be aware of the Holy Spirit to get that opening,” she said. “They don’t naturally want to know about God or Jesus.”

On a recent road trip, Beth’s friends wanted to listen to music, so tuned into a local radio channel. “On this radio station, they mentioned Christmas, talking about gingerbread men and cookies,” Beth said.

“Gingerbread cookies and gingerbread men are traditional biscuits for Christmas?” the women asked, confused by the subject. “What is Christmas?”

That question was Beth’s opening. “I could explain to them why this is an

give Support OM’s refugee projects www.uk.om.org/refugee

important holiday for us and explain the birth of Christ to them,” she remembered, but instead offered to give them a Book that told the whole story.

“It was quite interesting for me that the radio…and gingerbread men…opened up the conversation,” Beth said. Since that trip, she’s spoken about something spiritual with the women. “It’s incredible, if we pray, how God opens the door for a story, even if it’s five minutes, how we can get the gap to talk about Him.” Please pray for more opportunities.

*name changed

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OM GLOBAL VILLAGE

by Kris Johnstone

GOD CAN USE ME

SCOTLAND MOBILISED FOR MISSION. GLOBAL VILLAGE SCOTLAND’S 600+ PARTICIPANTS HAVE PLEDGED TO:

A lack of confidence? A lack of training? Or maybe just a lack of urgency? What is it that holds you back from sharing the Gospel?

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haring our faith is something that for many of us doesn’t seem to come naturally.

Maybe we’ve socially supressed sharing it, or it’s our sinful nature creating complacency, yet, the Bible commands it…so why don’t we do it?

This was a question that went through the minds of several hundred people around Scotland as a result of OM’s Global Village near Edinburgh last October. “Global Village is an experience designed for the Church to encounter missions in a simulated environment,” explains Project Director, Iván Neira. “Created to engage all your senses – sight, smell, sound and touch – participants are immersed into an environment that takes them out of their comfort zone, where they are encouraged to share the Gospel.”

“I remember my dad used to say, ‘If the devil doesn’t push you, he’ll rock you to sleep!’

The Church desperately needs waking up and stirred into action – Global Village might just do this!”

Originating at OM TeenStreet, Global Village is a ministry of OM Europe.

An interactive simulation that helps participants and churches realise they can, and should, engage with the Great Commission. “God can use me!” reflected one participant. “It is hard to share your faith, but it needs to be done.”

And for others, the realisation that although they know the Gospel, they feel ill prepared on a practical level, commenting, “I need equipping to share my faith,” and “I need to practice sharing my faith.” Training that OM is able to provide local churches with as a result.

In a world where we have become blinded to the needs of those around us, both physically and spiritually, Global Village can provide a much needed wake up call to ‘comfortable Christians’.

“For many Christians, the spiritual needs of this world are just academic,” suggests Iván. “They are taught that witnessing is something they should do. They don’t appreciate the consequences of not sharing their faith with their family or neighbours. Global Village provides that life changing catalyst, and will hopefully see His Kingdom grow as a result.”

GLOBAL VILLAGE IS COMING BACK IN 2017. KEEP AN EYE ON WWW.UK.OM.ORG/ GLOBALVILLAGE TO FIND OUT WHERE IN THE UK!

pray Give thanks for those impacted by Global Village Scotland

54%

want to pray for missions

24%

want to give to missions

28%

want to go short-term

13%

want to go long-term

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OM COSTA RICA

by Stacy Blackwell

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6: 12 (NIV)

A WALK TO SEE THE WITCH DOCTOR A team from OM Costa Rica hikes for three days in the jungle of Talamanca to meet a witch doctor.

“ MEN WITH MACHETES AND GRIMACES, AT FIRST ALLOWED ONLY ANGELA TO PASS, WHILE THE REST OF THE GROUP HAD TO WAIT OUTSIDE THE VILLAGE.”

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ver the past decade, Angela has welcomed OM workers into her home, and her life, as dear friends. When Angela accepted Christ as her Saviour, she began to talk about her mother, who lives a long hike away in the jungle of Talamanca, Costa Rica.

Her mother, Ermelinda, is the most well known witch doctor, a dark spiritual authority in Costa Rica. After years of hoping and praying, God provided an opportunity for Angela and an OM team to visit her.

In August, the team started a journey to San Jose Cabécar, where Ermelinda lives. The team began each day in prayer and reading scripture to prepare for the spiritual challenges they knew were ahead.

After several days of arduous travel, the team arrived in San Jose Cabécar. They were greeted by men with machetes

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and grimaces, who at first only allowed Angela to pass to see her mother, while the rest of the group had to wait outside the village.

A group of 15 BriBri, an indigenous tribe, had come to visit Ermelinda also. Twice a year, people make the pilgrimage to care for her.

All visitors and pilgrims obey many rules, such as not touching her or taking any pictures, because the locals consider it a holy place and see Ermelinda as a god.

After Angela spoke with her mother, she introduced Diego, a team member. Ermelinda told Diego that she knew of him, and that she was thankful for the help he had given to Angela and that he was considered family.

When asked how she knew this information, she answered that she had seen it from “the great beyond”, and also that she

sensed a spiritual collision by the team’s presence. Ermelinda said she could not discuss spiritual matters because of the indigenous group visiting her. The BriBri people got upset with the OM team’s presence, so they were asked to leave.

However, Diego received an invitation to visit again.

Through this journey, the team better understood the Cabécar culture. “God is faithful,” shared Diego. “He was with us on this trip and created many open doors for us to return. We are praying about our next visit already.”

Please pray that God will provide for further trips to visit Ermelinda and San Jose Cabécar, to share the Gospel, and for strongholds to be broken. Pray for the people and communities, that they will be open to Jesus and God’s Word. Pray for the OM team members they serve in Talamanca.

pray Join us in prayer for future trips to San Jose Cabécar

OM EUROPE

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5

by Anneke Bolt

RIVERS OF EUROPE Ministry Launch: A new route for the Gospel in 2017.

The expansive river network of Europe is a unique and beautiful way to travel through the heart of the continent. For a number of years, OM workers have been praying about how this river network could also be used to bring Good News to some of Europe’s 700 million inhabitants.

Launching at the end of 2017, OM’s Riverboat Project aims to mobilise the Church to see vibrant communities of Jesus followers amongst the least-reached in Europe, from the North Sea to the Black Sea. In preparation for this exciting venture, OM intends to charter a vessel for a three-month trial period later this year.

The maiden voyage will include travel down the Rhine visiting various ports in the Netherlands and Germany

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(and possibly neighbouring countries). Hosting a diverse programme of events, the vessel will berth in strategic locations close to city centres for around two weeks before sailing on. Through training, the 100 or so crewmembers will develop practical ministry skills, increasing their knowledge of God and themselves; gaining a greater understanding of the needs of both Europe and the rest of the world.

THE LEAST-REACHED IN EUROPE Could this be a catalyst for the revival Europe needs?

Within Europe there are large numbers of least-reached communities, including migrant workers and refugees who have never before encountered the love of Christ. This is before

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taking into consideration the native European people groups who have chosen to reject the Gospel, knowingly or otherwise. Ministering along the rivers of Europe, the crew of OM’s Riverboat will play a significant part in sharing the Good News of Jesus loud and clear across the continent.

WILL YOU PLAY A PART? Discover how you and your church can be involved by praying, giving and going. Will you be part of the launch crew at the end of 2017?

THE VESSEL Several onboard ministry spaces are planned, including OM’s interactive missions mobilising experience, Global Village. A conference facility will be available to host church groups for evangelistic events, and a shop and café will provide visitors with good quality Christian and educational literature and an opportunity for meaningful conversations with crewmembers.

Get involved with OM’s Riverboat Project www.uk.om.org/riverboat

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OM EGYPT

by Grace Beattie

A LIGHT IN THE DARK OM’s Mercy Appeal is a vital fund held in the UK, enabling OM to respond urgently to cries for help from our teams around the world.

Earlier this year, thanks to your generous gifts, OM Egypt were able to reach out to the people of Garbage City in Cairo.

In this place it is mostly the job of the women and children to sort through tonnes of garbage seeking for anything of value to recycle, re-use or to sell. Many children are forced to skip school in order to do this job. Our team had the opportunity to visit a family and experience a little bit of their story.

Living in squalor-like conditions, Nubia* and her family of six called the Garbage City ‘home’. Having lost her husband a few years ago, Nubia was left to look after her children alone. Her eldest son helps her, yet dreams of becoming a doctor so that he can help the poor.

Imagine living somewhere uninhabitable with holes in the walls, dirt everywhere and the only food is a small amount of oil from a can. Such was the reality for this family, but when OM Egypt saw their need they were compelled to do something.

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At first the family seemed curious as to why the team were willing to paint the walls and clean their home, but eventually did everything they could to help. When the younger children returned home one day, their faces lit up when they saw the bright colours of their rooms! After a number of days, the home had been transformed with new water pipes, lighting, new mattresses, blankets, toothbrushes, and food. The best gift was a copy of the Injil (Arabic New Testament), which they started to read aloud upon receiving it, giving them hope for their future.

Their story goes to show that even in the darkest of places, God can shine a light.

For without God, this family would truly have nothing, but because they can rely on Him in the toughest of situations, they believe in a brighter tomorrow filled with hope sustained through faith. Thank you for helping us to make a difference through the Mercy Appeal!

OUTREACH IN EGYPT As a result of attending a Global Village in 2015, Natalie, joined a short-term outreach in Garbage City.

“Being in Garbage City opened my eyes to how blessed I am in the UK. I was amazed at the kindness and hospitality I experienced. My heart was opened to pray for these communities for education and daily provisions. One day I hope God will send me back to Garbage City to minister longer term.”

If you are interested in a ShortTerm Outreach in Egypt or North Africa, visit www.uk.om.org/shorts

*name changed

OPERATION MOBILISATION

by Greg Kernaghan

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

CELEBRATING 60 YEARS IN 2017: Knowing Him and making Him known.

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peration Mobilisation’s (OM) six decades of mission reveals a story with a high probability of never being told at all, considering the characters and events involved.

Beginning with a handful of college students on a mission trip in 1957, to today’s 3,400 workers from over 100 nations in over 115 countries and a ship, OM remains a movement at heart, an ideal, a challenge, an invitation, a celebration, a family more impressed with the greatness of God than the size of the task.

Read more stories like this, and find out more about what’s going on during OM’s 60th Celebration Year www.uk.om.org/60

OM’s story is about very ordinary people utterly dependent on God. A core OM message is that God will use anybody seeking to put Him first, and we are living proof.

OM workers, particularly in the early decades, were often pioneers. Consider the breadth of initiatives launched: • Calling thousands of young people not to merely see the world but to change it for Christ • Entire nights spent in intercession for the world • Adopting a simple, radical lifestyle that freed money for evangelism • Smuggling Bibles and Christian literature in local languages (and eventually the means of production) into Eastern Europe and the Muslim world • Travelling entire countries with Short-Term teams to put Gospels into every mailbox • Embracing emerging technologies to further spread the Gospel in closed lands Most were not planned mission strategy; rather, God allowed circumstances to refine us and prepare us for things impossible to imagine.

Over the years, mistakes have been made, opportunities lost, relationships strained. And yet,

pray Give thanks for 60 years of OM ministry

overwhelmingly, the grace of God has been experienced and become central to our testimony.

Part of our story reads, “Since our beginnings, we have been driven by a deep conviction that everyone should have the opportunity to hear the Gospel at least once. So we went. No place was too hard, no people too far, no idea too crazy, no dream too big and our failures did not hold us back. Tens of thousands have joined us and hundreds of millions have heard the Gospel.

But we are not done yet.”

Where will this lead us in the years to come?

Thanksgiving Tour Join us as we give thanks to God for 60 years of ministry and look to Him for the future: Belfast Waterfront Hall 23 September Birmingham November – date tbc OM Sunday Local events throughout the year

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COME AND BE DISCIPLED Being a Christian teen in today’s world can be difficult. You might look around and wonder if you’re the only one who believes in God. Maybe you have questions that no one can answer. Or do you even wonder sometimes if God is real?

Well, He is very real and wants to spend time with you. But don’t just take our word for it, experience God for yourself.

At OM TeenStreet, you’ll have a chance to ask your questions, be in God’s presence, worship with 1000s of Christian teens from around Europe, learn from the Bible and more.

PARTICIPANTS VOLUNTEERS PRICES

13 -17 year olds 18+ See website

Early bird price available

WWW.TEENS TREET.DE

REGISTER NO W

27 TH JULY - 2 ND OFFENBURG AUGUST 2017 , GERMANY

Operation Mobilisation transforming lives and communities

WWW.UK.OM.ORG/TEENSTREET

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