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Missions Focus: PIEI

On By BrianIn Uncategorized

PIEIToday I want to draw your attention to Partners in Evangelism International (PIEI). This missions group focuses on partnering national pastor/missionaries from other countries with American churches. Each country ministry has its own steering committee of nationals and Americans with its own distinctions. While I can’t speak for most of the ministries, I can heartily recommend the Romanian and Ukrainian ministries. Our church started partnering with a national pastor/missionary family in the Ukraine a couple of years ago, and it has been a wonderful partnership. Some things we really appreciate:

• We get a monthly report that gives us an update on their ministry and ways we can pray for them. It is really exciting to regularly hear what God is doing in the Ukraine, and to be able to partner with them in prayer.

• Nationals often need significantly less support than Americans. That doesn’t mean Americans don’t need to be missionaries – they do. But training and supporting nationals to do the ministry should be part of our overall Great Commission strategy. And as a small church with a small missions budget, our small gift goes a long way.

• PIEI doesn’t have a paid home office. Everyone is a volunteer. This approach is not for every agency, and it does create its own issues, but our church appreciates that all the money we give goes overseas.

• We are also encouraged to go overseas to minister with the nationals. Our church hasn’t made use of this opportunity yet, but I look forward to taking a group sometime in the future.

Cornel Stef, who leads the Romanian/Ukrainian ministry on the American side, has come to our church twice to share about the ministry. He and his wife even hosted my family for lunch when we were down in Chicago just over a year ago. In his last visit this Fall, he mentioned the need for new American churches to support nationals in the Ukraine. Some nationals currently in ministry are not at full support, and others have been trained for ministry but are unable to serve without support. If your church is looking to expand its missions program and enter into an exciting partnership overseas, I encourage you to contact Cornel – cstef@piei.org.

Operation Christmas Child

On By BrianIn Uncategorized

Operation Christmas Child

My family and church have been packing boxes for a few years now.  My family goes to the stores together, and each of our children packs a box for a child their own age.  It makes for a great family outing and is a great way to get children involved in giving.  And of course, it can be a huge blessing to the child who receives the box – and even provides an opportunity for the child to learn about Jesus.  Great family or church project!

Missions Focus – SGA

On By BrianIn Uncategorized2 Comments

My goal on Fridays is to focus on missions.  I might highlight a missions group, book, quote, or a collection of posts.

SGAToday I want to focus on Slavic Gospel Association (SGA).  Eric Mock, one of their guest speakers, came to my church a few weeks ago.  We were very impressed with the ministry.

SGA has been assisting the church in the former Soviet Union countries since 1934.  During the years of communism, SGA covertly distributed millions of Bibles and Christian books under the Iron Curtain into the hands of believers throughout the Soviet Union, while producing and broadcasting thousands of Christian radio programs over the Iron Curtain.

SGA’s founder Peter Deyneka traveled the globe holding prayer meetings, often overnight, encouraging the Lord’s people to pray for the opening of the Soviet Union for the preaching of the Gospel. His motto became, “Much prayer, much power. Little prayer, little power. No prayer, no power!”

Today, SGA assists the church in the former Soviet Union countries in many ways.  They sponsor national pastor/missionary/church-planters.  They help to support several Bible institutes and seminaries to train new leaders.  They have help to support numerous children’s ministries including Orphans Reborn, Immanuel’s Child, and Summer Camp.  They help to equip youth for ministry.  They help translate good Christian books.

They have many resources to communicate to the American church what God is doing in the former Soviet Union countries including a monthly update and prayer guide.

MyMissionAdventureOne free resource every church should check out is called My Mission Adventure, two 5-week missions studies for children.  With DVDs, a leader’s guide, activity sheets, and more, it teaches the children about Russia and about how they can be part of reaching people for Christ right where they are.  Children also have the opportunity to learn songs in Russian.  My church took our children through the first study and the kids loved it.  We plan to do the next one soon.

Since taking a trip to the Ukraine 15 years ago, I have always had a heart for the people there.  I am excited to begin supporting SGA as they help our brothers and sisters in Christ in the former Soviet Union countries.  Their website is here.  Check it out – maybe God would lead you invite them to your church or help support the ministry in some way.

And We’re Back!

On By BrianIn Uncategorized1 Comment

The blog break is over and I’m back with some new ideas for the coming months.

I am planning some new weekly features including Ministry Monday – a collection of posts on ministry, and Missions Moment – featuring missions quotes, posts, and groups.  Plus hopefully some more regular reflections on the Christian life.  Monday mornings will feature pictures and songs to start our week with praise.

Passion News will become Passion Ethics – a focus on ethical issues we are facing today.  And we will continue to have the Prayer Quote of the Week and Passion Points.

So welcome back.  I’m looking forward to a great Fall.  Please feel free to leave a comment or suggestion.