They came from New Hampshire, Boston and Worcester. They came from Switzerland, Germany, the Ukraine, Switzerland and Hungary. They came from Springfield, Hartford and Groton. All in all, so many came that the usual meeting of the IMS board was moved from the small room to the larger one in the Waltham church office.
Editor's Note: This report was originally posted on the website of the Boston Church of Christ (http://www.bostoncoc.org/index.php).
They came from New Hampshire, Boston and Worcester. They came from Switzerland, Germany, the Ukraine, Switzerland and Hungary. They came from Springfield, Hartford and Groton. All in all, so many came that the usual meeting of the IMS board was moved from the small room to the larger one in the Waltham church office.
This regularly scheduled board meeting coincided with a working meeting of several European church leaders and so we were privileged to hear their hearts, good news sharing and experiences for a portion of our time together. Another highlight of the full day was the official announcement and okay in funding to plant a ministry in Storrs, Connecticut, at the University of Connecticut in September of 2008. This will be the first planting of a New England ministry in twelve years.
The day, April 12, began as all days should with a hearty breakfast, great fellowship and a devotional and prayer time. Mark Buchholz, elder in the Boston congregation, talked briefly about questions – like the one he heard recently, "Who do you have coming with you on Easter Sunday?" He spoke of Jesus’ questions, "Do you want to get well?", "Do you believe?", etc. He concluded with John 16:23-24 and encouraged us all "to ask." Jesus’ promise is that "you will receive, and your joy will be complete."
Then Jim Blough, newly appointed treasurer of IMS, led us in prayer. Shawn Wooten, the mission’s director in Europe, shared the great news that the church in Kiev (Ukraine) and specifically their North Region desires membership in IMS. They are in a fantastic geographic set-up to help plant, strengthen and support churches in nations like Muldova, Poland, etc. He then let several of the brothers from Europe speak to their news from afar.Christian Herbst (Zurich), Mathis Wosegien (Berlin), Frank Grosklaus (Dusseldorf) and Peti Szabad (Budapest) all spoke of the powerful evangelist training program, the European Bible School, and of their gratitude for the financial and emotional support from the States.
Next came the discussion of the desire to plant a ministry at U Conn. Exciting plans are under way to send a group of campus disciples to Storrs for the month of July to prepare for the official kick-off of the planting. Danny MacDougall, presently a senior at Northeastern University, has agreed to go on staff as the male intern. We are praying and looking for a single woman to go on staff as well. Though the Hartford church will initially oversee the work, the goal is for this to become a self-supporting, separate congregation as soon as possible. More will be shared at the New England Christian Conference.
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With the first break finally pushing its way into the meeting time, Val Koha – IMS Executive Director – and four others appointed to the fundraising task force reported back to the group. John McGuirk presented a staff survey form. He is gathering information on how to help aid the congregations’ connectedness with Europe and enhance the missions’ contribution experience for all. Karen Kolarik spoke on the topic of being a voice in our home churches as the directors for IMS. She shared the importance of being a frequent speaker with stories that communicate heart and vision. She even handed out a sample speech entitled, "Don’t Forget." Its three simple points were "Don’t Forget Europe," "Don’t Forget the Stories," and "Don’t Forget the Scriptures (ie II Corinthians 9:10-14)."
Augusto Russell, from Hartford, had the unenviable task of following Karen. He is in charge of taking the information gathered and combining it in a packet that will help everyone engage in missions year round. Finally, David Adams provided a remarkable figure just announced regarding Boston, the largest of our churches in New England. The Boston church is made up of approximately 80% families. That means that it is essential to pull in everyone, old and young, in the missions’ process. David has some great plans for devotionals, "living the cultures," and much more that will be sent out soon to all in New England.
Finally, at about 2 PM, a working lunch was inserted. Gary Slebodnick, Jim Blough and Val Koha walked the group through the finances. The increased giving from the NE churches in 2007 was such a blessing for the ongoing mission focus. Phenomenal, additional plans are in the works as potential projects for 2009. We look forward to these dreams becoming reality as we continue to give more for the millions of souls in NE and Europe that are awaiting the gospel. Resolutions, house keeping items, roles and director elections closed out the business portion. At about 4 PM, a prayer for all the churches was prayed.
It is great to meet and talk and pray. Now, we must all unite together behind the power of a Sovereign God to spread the seeds of the kingdom. The first steps of re-engagement are being taken. Let’s all join arm in arm to keep in step with the Spirit as His wind once again sweeps across New England, Europe and the world.