Mariners' Missions

What about those Leights?

2009-10-13T15:20:00.001-07:00

Dear Mariners’ Family,

If you aren’t currently on our prayer letter mailing list, you may be wondering what is happening with us and our ministry. If you’d like to receive our prayer letter updates, please contact us at ray@theleighthouse.org with your information.

As far as ministry goes, we are still deeply committed to one-on-one discipleship, as well as marriage mentoring. These two things remain the primary focus of our ministry, along with corporate and private prayer. So much is gained in the life of a believer by spending focused time on the Lord, learning to live by faith ratherDear Mariners’ Family,

If you aren’t currently on our prayer letter mailing list, you may be wondering what is happening with us and our ministry. If you’d like to receive our prayer letter updates, please contact us at ray@theleighthouse.org with your information.

As far as ministry goes, we are still deeply committed to one-on-one discipleship, as well as marriage mentoring. These two things remain the primary focus of our ministry, along with corporate and private prayer. So much is gained in the life of a believer by spending focused time on the Lord, learning to live by faith rather than feelings, circumstances, or the culture. It is our mission to make disciples who make disciples. We want to make disciples who are secure in who they are, authentic in their relationships, and available for what the Lord created them to do.

You may also be wondering about the church we are helping to plant. Downtown Hope is a new expression of church in the city of Annapolis. Since January of this year, Ray and I have been worshipping, praying, and dreaming with a core group of people, all called to reach out to downtown Annapolis specifically. Much prayer was invested in this before any of it took shape. God is definitely at work! So far our one core team has grown to become two communities, meeting at two different locations in the city. One meets at the Stanton Center, reaching out to the Clay Street community, and the other meets above Kilwin’s on Main Street, reaching out to the Naval Academy midshipmen, St. John’s College students, and business owners and employees downtown. These two communities also meet, at least monthly, for a large gathering. This will soon be held at Annapolis Elementary School because we’ve outgrown our current location.

We are seeing God connect believers in this city in amazing ways. He is definitely up to something in our midst. In the course of conversation recently, Ray told a local business owner about Downtown Hope. This past Sunday she and her husband came to our fellowship and were thrilled to see the movement that God is building. They often serve midshipmen and St. John’s students in their store, and they are looking forward to letting them know about our fellowship. Our heart is to reach those who aren’t willing to walk into a traditional church setting, so this type of contact is so important. It is this unity in the faith that will pave the way for many to come to faith in Jesus. We want to bring church to the city and engage the culture in a way that allows them to hear the gospel in relationship with a committed believer. Relationships take time, and much prayer! This is why the unity among believers is so vital. We need your prayers now more than ever.

During the week, much is happening in the way of meaningful relationships. Fellowship and discipleship are fostered during these intentional times. Those called to be a part of one of the Downtown Hope communities know that they must be intentional about making time to be on mission. It is thrilling to see God use simple times of fellowship for spiritual purposes. What a joy to witness a group of midshipmen spending time on a Friday night praying for their school! What a joy to know that Ray and several St. John’s students spent time this past week walking around the campus praying. These times matter, and we can’t wait to see what the Lord will do as the entire body of Christ in Annapolis joins hands and begins to pray! Greater things are coming!

We love you and we thank God for you! than feelings, circumstances, or the culture. It is our mission to make disciples who make disciples. We want to make disciples who are secure in who they are, authentic in their relationships, and available for what the Lord created them to do.

You may also be wondering about the church we are helping to plant. Downtown Hope is a new expression of church in the city of Annapolis. Since January of this year, Ray and I have been worshipping, praying, and dreaming with a core group of people, all called to reach out to downtown Annapolis specifically. Much prayer was invested in this before any of it took shape. God is definitely at work! So far our one core team has grown to become two communities, meeting at two different locations in the city. One meets at the Stanton Center, reaching out to the Clay Street community, and the other meets above Kilwin’s on Main Street, reaching out to the Naval Academy midshipmen, St. John’s College students, and business owners and employees downtown. These two communities also meet, at least monthly, for a large gathering. This will soon be held at Annapolis Elementary School because we’ve outgrown our current location.

We are seeing God connect believers in this city in amazing ways. He is definitely up to something in our midst. In the course of conversation recently, Ray told a local business owner about Downtown Hope. This past Sunday she and her husband came to our fellowship and were thrilled to see the movement that God is building. They often serve midshipmen and St. John’s students in their store, and they are looking forward to letting them know about our fellowship. Our heart is to reach those who aren’t willing to walk into a traditional church setting, so this type of contact is so important. It is this unity in the faith that will pave the way for many to come to faith in Jesus. We want to bring church to the city and engage the culture in a way that allows them to hear the gospel in relationship with a committed believer. Relationships take time, and much prayer! This is why the unity among believers is so vital. We need your prayers now more than ever.

During the week, much is happening in the way of meaningful relationships. Fellowship and discipleship are fostered during these intentional times. Those called to be a part of one of the Downtown Hope communities know that they must be intentional about making time to be on mission. It is thrilling to see God use simple times of fellowship for spiritual purposes. What a joy to witness a group of midshipmen spending time on a Friday night praying for their school! What a joy to know that Ray and several St. John’s students spent time this past week walking around the campus praying. These times matter, and we can’t wait to see what the Lord will do as the entire body of Christ in Annapolis joins hands and begins to pray! Greater things are coming!

We love you and we thank God for you!
Kathryn Leight

What is Missions?

2009-10-13T15:13:00.000-07:00

Wondering just what Missions is? Well look here over the next few weeks and months as Nicole Picciotto explores that question based on her experiences from several short-term missions trips. Here is the first installment:

Mission trips:

What do you normally think of when you hear “Missions” or “Missionaries”? I would imagine most people think of people like the Pierces ( David and Annelise, Naomi and Quinn). Full time/Long-term missionaries, Those who have made a commitment to God to serve Him in a remote area for several years. But Missions means more than just the long-term trips.

Short term trips are also used by God to spread the message of Jesus Christ. I've been on several short term trips and it can be hard to feel as though you've made an impact on anyone's life.

Some trips are mostly or purely social. Most of the people who go on these trips are people who enjoy engaging people in conversation which leads to the sharing of the word of God. And then there are those who embark on these trips wondering “What on earth am I doing?”. People like me who faced with the opportunity to speak to strangers, run and hide. So for me I've always questioned my part in going. The disheartening part of these trips is they are really short (a week or less in some cases) you don't really form a strong bond with any one person you meet, which in some cultures in vital to leading a person to Christ. Even when you get the contact information life gets back to normal and you find yourself not keeping in touch like you imagined you would.

So then, why would God send you on such a trip? Well I have found in my experience is that God sends you to serve the Missionaries he has placed in the location you are visiting. Its a little awkward sometimes, when you go to Russia and visit the local church you support (Alexei Kotchan and family) or as Matt and I did when we went to The Dominican Republic to visit missionaries we support (Hugo and Sarah Liborio), and all the missionaries seem to want to do is show you around. You start to think “How am I going to serve God like this, playing tourist?”. Well you are.... but not the way you might think. You are spending time with your brothers and sisters in Christ. Just spending time with them, showing them you care and that they are not alone is just as important as spreading the word of God.

Many of the full time missionaries live on a spiritual battlefield, as where back home if you are well connected to a church its more like being at a home base, where supplies, fellowship and encouragement are all around you. So I'm sure you can get the picture of a soldier (missionary) out in the battlefield and you the “short-term missionary” are like a support troop. You may take no ground from the enemy, or witness someone come to Christ etc. But you are serving God by bringing supplies, fellowship, and encouragement to your brother/sister. In short that is what God has taught me. I'm not saying that is the only purpose God has in sending you on a short-term missions trip, but it is one lesson I have learned.

God gifts us uniquely and we must seek to serve Him in a way our gifts best enable us.
--Nicole Picciotto

Pigeon Forge, TN Mission Trip - Trip Report

2009-09-01T15:36:00.000-07:00

Directly from Matt Picciotto:

With the door closing on evangelism and missions in Russia as well as many Muslim and Eastern European countries it has become necessary to shift the focus of "Missions". That is what 1st Baptist Church of Pigeon Forge and Russia For Christ have begun in Pigeon Forge. And as partners in Pastor Alexei Kotchan's ministry it is what four people from Mariners' Church went to experience the week of August 25-28.

The “Work and Travel Program”

Every year approximately 2500 students from Russia and thousands more from Eastern Europe and Asia travel to Pigeon Forge to work in America under the Work and Travel Program of the State Department. These are the people group targeted by the "International Student Center". These students are very bright, often coming from top universities in their home countries, they have chosen to learn English and to learn about American Culture, travel and live here in the United States. They then return to their native countries.

The “International Student Center”

Unfortunately for many of the students it is the “work” part of the program they see the most of and not a lot of the travel. But that is why the 1 st Baptist Church of Pigeon Forge joined by Russia For Christ is such a blessing! They take the students places they might not be able to go, provide them with a place to do laundry, use a computer, bikes have also been donated for student use (as the students do not own cars,) and a place to go to for help. The main volunteer Linda also helps the students with their English as well. It seemed no matter what time we were there there were always a few students there doing laundry, using the computers or returning/ borrowing a bike.

Our short visit was packed with activities typical of the ISC. Shortly after arriving we were blessed with the opportunity to see a musical “The Miracle”. A theatrical story telling of the birth, death and resurrection of Christ. We were joined by some 20 plus students. We also joined Alexei and Tanya as they held a “Borscht Party” for the students. After eating Tanya gave a presentation on abortion, and for many of the students it was an eye opener. The last thing we were able to do was join 30 students on a short hike at Great Smokey Mountain National Park. God blessed all of us during our short time in Pigeon Forge. Emory (the most extroverted of the four of us) had many opportunities to fellowship with students. Bobby and Nicole were a great encouragement to Alexei, Tanya and there two daughters. I was able to Learn more about the ministry and God revealed future opportunities in Pigeon Forge, TN.

The Future

With missions trips to Russia becoming more and more difficult and the opportunities for effective ministry limited. God has revealed an open door for us to preach the gospel to foreign students. And even beyond the planting of seeds but to actually disciple new believers over the course of a summer. The work and travel program has brought these students to us! Being young many are open to learning the truth about God and His people.

The 1st Baptist Church of Pigeon Forge is looking into expanding their student center and it’s activities to include the creation of a travel agency to bring students here and place them in jobs and housing, offering the continued support through the summer that the typical agencies do not offer. Longer term plans include the leasing of an apartment complex or group of cottages with one apartment or cottage set aside for missionaries to live in close proximity to the students to provide guidance and be a Christian example. Pay attention to announcements as plans are made to expand our involvement in this ministry.

Foreign Missions is changing, the mission field is coming to us.

A few pics from the trip: click here

Great post, Matt!

Missions Trip to Pigeon Forge, TN

2009-08-30T07:28:00.000-07:00

Matt Picciotto just led a short-term trip to TN to assist Pastor Alexei. He was accompanied by Nicole, his wife, and the Tamplins.

Matt's summary before they departed:

Pastor Alexei Kotchan of our partner church in Russia is spending the summer in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. His mission field is the Russian, Ukrainian and Moldovan students participating in the Work and Travel Program. Through a partnership with the 1st Baptist Church of Pigeon Forge an International Student Center has been established providing free access to laundry machines, hosting "Borscht Parties" and other activities with foreign students for the purpose of evangelism.

In Russia evangelism is becoming increasingly difficult under government and Orthodox Church pressures. These students removed from the restrictions in their homelands are more open to receiving the Gospel and are then able to continue propagation in their home cities when they return in the fall.

We assisted them by the use of our own testimonies and personal experiences, coupled with the availability of a translator sending our messages in their native tongue. Persons who had traveled to Russia before on missions trips had the additional foothold or stepping stone of some understanding and shared experiences in Russia.

Alexei had suggested that we have a "meeting" where we can share testimonies with the students and if we have gifted speakers and/or a pastor who would like to do a sermon Alexei can translate the sermon into Russian for the students. He had also suggested an excursion such as hiking to give further time with the students to build relationships and open hearts for the Gospel.

Although the doors appear to be shutting in Russia on the Christian church, God has set in place the opportunity for Pastor Alexei to launch the Gospel into cities all over Russia. We have been invited to be a part of that opportunity.

Update from Alexei and Tanya (Partners from Russia)

2009-07-15T12:47:00.000-07:00

See Mariners' website for more info on our Russian partner church at:

http://www.marinerschurch.com/ministries/missions/russia_christ/russia_christ.html

Update from Alexei:

Dear Friends,

We are happy to inform you that our family safely arrived to the USA and we’ll be in Pigeon Forge area this summer, sharing Christ with 1500 Russian-speaking students from the former Soviet Union. We scheduled to fly back to Russia on September 4th.

Last year while visiting friends here in the Smokey's we've discovered a huge number of Russian-speaking students (about 2500) working in restaurants, hotels and shops located on Parkway under the work&travel program. Young Russians lonely, far away from home, out of their comfort zone and open for changes - a tremendous mission field and though our time was limited I was able to share gospel with a group of 50 students and lead 2 of them to Christ.

August 2008, Sevierville TN: Denis and Fedor from Moscow, Russia just prayed to receive Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour. The very next day they both flew back to Russia. I continue discipling them through internet and Skype.

As the political climate in Russia continues to decline toward Christians, and persecutions are beginning again it was not safe for us to share our ministry updates via internet and I have to be very careful with what I write from Russia and what I say over the phone. Oh, how much we enjoy the freedom of worship in the USA, this Blessed Land!

Unfortunately for the last few months we were limited to share gospel at the Shuya Orphanage. The good news is that my friend and disciple in faith Dmitry Rybin is working as a teacher at the Shuya Orphanage and we continue ministry to kids through him.

June 2009, Alexei and Dmitry with Shuya kids at the summer camp. Just a few days before we left Russia to go to the USA

Please, pray for Russia for Christ Ministry team as we continue sharing the Gospel with the college students, Orphans and young people visiting our bookstore. Please, pray for Alexander Vasilyev, as he helps to coordinate our ministry in Ivanovo this summer.

Welcome to our Christian Bookstore in Ivanovo! June 2009
Alexander Vasilyev is a dedicated Christian and he's been my friend and disciple in faith since 1999.

Please pray for me and Tanya as we share Christ with young people from Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Turkey and other countries. Our goal is to see them saved and discipled so they'll go back to their home countries as born again Christians.

June 2009, Golden Coral, Pigeon Forge. With students from Ukraine and Moldova last Sunday after morning service.

June 2009, Last Friday sharing with students from Russia, Kazakhstan and Turkey

Tanya cooks the best Borsh in Russia (and in Pigeon Forge!)
"Borsh Party" for the students

Would you like to come and help us to minister to the international students this summer? We would love to see you! No need to go overseas to reach the nations! Please, come to Pigeon Forge! Yesterday we even had 3 Chinese students coming to our center and Tanya shared the gospel with one of them and gave him a Bible in Chinese.

Please, contact me at my cell number (865) 3685979 or email: russia4christ@yahoo.com

To All our friends in the United States we want to say: HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY! We pray God's blessings on you and this Great Nation!

With Love,

Alexei and Tanya Kotchan.

----------------------------------------------------------
Would You like to invest in the Harvest of the Nations?

Please Send Your Seed Gift to:

Life Fellowship Intl. “for Russian Mission”
c/o Mary Max, 1100 Crestview St.,
Covington, TN 38019-3002

Craig and Dick heading to bundibugyo

2009-06-19T18:59:00.001-07:00

Just blogging mobile and I wanted to remind everyone that Craig and Dick were on their way.

Say a prayer for them and the pierces.

Good night

Prayer needed for Pierces in Uganda

2009-06-14T07:14:00.000-07:00

From Michelle H.:

I just spoke with Annelise Pierce who asked for immediate prayer for their family. They are in the midst of student protests and there have been threats of possible violence against their family. Annelise shared that she believes there is strong demonic activity in the area.

Please pray fervently for their family’s safety and for the situation to calm down and be resolved.

Thank you Prayer Team! God Bless you for your faithfulness.

A prayer from Bill L. (please pray in a similar fashion, wherever God has led your heart):

Dear LORD - Your name is higher than any name. You are Holy and Mighty and King over all kings and dominions. You are also King of the angel armies.

I pray that your Kingdom will come to earth in Bundi and at CSB. That you will be obeyed there - just as you are in heaven.

I pray that you will send your angel armies to route out all demonic power - weather from devil worship or false religion - from CSB and our outpost in Bundi. I pray that you will send Rivers of Living Water to cleanse the students, faculty, staff, and workers at CSB and raise a standard of your Holy Spirit over that school. I also pray for the protection of all that are their and that you will deliver them from the jaws of the evil one.

For the Kingdom is yours, the Power is yours, and all the Glory is yours FOREVER.

Let it be so (Amen) in the name of your Holy Son Jesus..

Picciotto trip to Dominican Republic

2009-06-05T09:11:00.000-07:00

Guest Post from Nicole Picciotto!!

Nicole, take it away...

****

Just over a week ago we spent a week in the Dominican Republic. We left May 19th and returned the 26th. The purpose of out trip/mission was to visit a family we support financially - Hugo and Sarah Liborio and their 18 month old son Mattis. I had never met any of them before - Matt had served on Mercy Ships with Hugo and Sarah 6 years ago...and maintained on and off contact with Sarah. So for our anniversary we set out to spend a week with our missionaries.

When we arrived in Santo Domingo, Hugo and Sarah were quick find us - or rather I spotted them from a distance. I recognized them from their photo. Hugo was excited to show us around the area they live and served in. So he and Sarah took us for a driving tour of the Rawlings Sports complex before taking us to the first of the hotels we would be staying at, the Embassy Suites hotel less than 5 minute from the SCORE International Hotel. We spent 2 nights at the Embassy, considered the “overflow” hotel for SCORE when their facility is fully booked. The rest of the nights were spent at the SCORE Hotel.

We devoted some of our time to serving our missionary family. We had brought bath toys for Mattis and dimmer switches and some other things they needed. Mattis loved his toys, Matt was able to get the dimmer switches to work and they were able to put the items we brought them to use.

Sarah and Hugo were also moving and we were able help them with that. With some help from a few of the other missionaries there, Hugo, Sarah, Matt and I were able to complete their move to there new apartment. Just around the corner from their old one.

Some of our time was spent going out with teams; we visited two orphanages and helped a team from West Virginia start building a church in a remote village. The church there currently meets in a school building.

The remaining time was spent enjoying our vacation and getting to know our missionaries and the organization they serve with.

SCORE International hosts missionary teams to the DR, providing hotel and transportation as well as the very necessary translators for visiting teams.

Matt and I were also able to see some of the ministries that SCORE has. They do a lot of sports outreaches to the the youth in the area. Visiting orphanages seemed popular with some of the teams we worked with. They also have a medical clinic stocked with supplies and medications that the medical teams take out to remote villages. Some teams even save up/bring extra money to "Feed a village". For about 15 US Dollars per family the "feed a village" program allows a family to eat for 4 days. There is also a strong church planting ministry. In addition, they offer day trips to the capital and other tourist activities for teams to do on “vacation days”.

Visiting teams are blessed by the number of choice in areas to serve. You can spend each day doing something different.

We had a wonderful time down there. God blessed us with wonderful fellowship and a vision for future trips down to the DR, (with serving our missionaries as our main mission.) I am glad we went and hope to return one day. It is also my prayer that Hugo, Sarah and Mattis were as blessed by us as We were blessed by them.

Nicole Picciotto

****

Mission "Forums"

2009-06-01T13:34:00.000-07:00

****Third post today, coming off the heels of the Calendar Planning meeting (see posts below for context).****

As mentioned in a previous post/email a week or so ago, I thought it was time to start having monthly updates/meetings/gatherings/Q&A sessions regarding missions (now that I am starting to see a bigger picture/vision while concurrently understanding the details of the week-to-week issues).

It most certainly helps that you read this blog, so that you are informed. However, not everyone will see these posts, so, in the interest of sharing info and developing a larger team, we will commence monthly Mission forums, beginning this Sunday, June 7 (1030-1100).

The schedule for the summer/early fall will be as follows (all will be at 1030-1100):

June 7
July 19
August 16
September 20
October 18

As mentioned, the June forum will consist of (but not limited to):

- Faith Fund/budget issues - updates!
- Communications plans - CCB, blog, website, physical board, church bulletin, etc.
- Small group linkages in the fall - ingrain Missions into church DNA
- Southeast Asia Mission - discussion of prayer, analysis, objective decision-making, difficulties
- Updates regarding partner churches and missionaries and local missions
- Discussion of summer goals
- Request for volunteers/volunteer manager
- Q & A

Please come. My stated goal is to expand Missions to where it touches everything we do as a church body. We have started with increased integration with church staff (to highlight the importance/necessity/relevance of Missions overall and within the various ministries), but, ultimately, we want everyone (as Mike alluded to in his sermon last week) to play a role.

We need you.

Missions Goals for next 3-4 months

2009-06-01T13:22:00.000-07:00

In our Calendar Planning meeting (see earlier post below from today), we were asked to provide, amongst other things, 3 ministry goals that we desired to reach over the next 3 months.

I exceeded that in my response, but I felt they were all important, so I did not limit it.

I am putting myself "out there" by posting this, but here goes...

These were the goals that I presented (this is a bit raw, but I hope you get the gist of it - more as we formalize plans):

1) Military Ministry Phase I complete by Sept 1, 2009. Phase I includes (but is not limited to):

a) Vision clarification/definition – working with senior leadership

b) Stronger linkages of parachurches (CCC, OCF, Navigators, etc.) to Mariners/Mariners’ Missions

c) Implement CCB use for parachurch orgs and social network linkages

d) Tailgate Ministry Team formed and operational

e) More when solidify vision

(Phase II would include a formal/comprehensive/connected military discipleship program utilizing some current structures such as parachurches and perhaps Leights’ LifeBuilders, the acquisition of a bus, formal Missions Training specifically for military members, etc.)

2) Communications.

a) Complete Communications Plan by August 1. Stick to it.

b) Enable and train volunteers to implement full plan.

c) Continue to promote via blog.

d) Make improvements to Missions web pages, providing content to webmaster.

e) More specific when formalize plan.

3) Administrative progress.

a) Coordinate team to develop overall Missions’ Policy Doc (using past efforts). Obtain formal approval of finished policy.

b) Develop objective assessment criteria for Missions’ organizations and missionaries so we can make decisions on support levels in a holistic fashion.

c) Utilizing criteria, conduct zero-based review (find out what we want to support and at what level) for Missions program by Oct 1. Much coordination required to make this occur. VERY thorough process.

4) Develop support network/communication path for each mission.

a) Working with Pastor of Discipleship, ensure each mission organization is “supported” by at least two small groups.

b) Designate two key volunteers (one primary, one backup) as communication point person for each mission group or individual that we support. Train these volunteers.

c) Ensure each mission has a group active in CCB, especially long-term missionaries and partner churches. Can enable safe place to share prayer requests, support letters, misc. files, contact info, calendars, etc.

Please pray for Missions during this transitional/transformational time. In addition, please let me know if you are available to help or if you have a burning passion to work towards any of the aforementioned goals. I, as a volunteer myself, would most certainly appreciate the assistance (and need it)! Several folks have volunteered, or are going to be working in a few of these areas, but there is much more room...always!

Thank you again for your prayerful support, willing hearts, positive feedback, and gentle correction/advice.

Calendar Planning meeting last Thursday

2009-06-01T13:16:00.000-07:00

Hello!

Mariners' staff had a calendar planning meeting last week, and I was very delighted to represent Missions.

Key take-aways from the meeting:

1) We presented our ministry goals, burdens, and key dates. I will be sharing those in a subsequent series of posts. Want to be transparent and let you know some of what is on the horizon...

2) Missions is most certainly going to continue to play a strong role. One of Bill's primary goals is Evangelism, and you will be hearing more about that in the fall.

3) I was able to get several Missions meetings scheduled on the Main Church calendar. It will be on our website soon (as we load the meetings into the online community, they will populate our calendar on our website).

4) There are lots of great opportunities to serve, especially locally, in Missions, and in other ministries as well.

Uganda short-term trip in June

2009-05-27T09:46:00.000-07:00

Elder Dick Frey and Pastor Craig Fadel will be visiting and encouraging the Pierce family, our long-term missionaries in Bundibugyo, Uganda, in mid-June. We will announce their trip again in a few weeks, but please take time today to pray for the Pierces, for Dick and Craig, and for this short-term missions trip.

We are excited that we (represented by Dick and Craig) will be visiting the Pierces and I expect to receive/produce a great trip report that we will share upon their return in late June. Expect this "report" (in church via announcement, in the bulletin, on marinerschurch.com website, in the CCB online community, on this blog, on the Mariners' Missions Facebook page, and on the physical "bulletin boards" in the church - when we get them up) in mid to late July.

PS *** Would love to have someone volunteer to help in this communications process...as you can see, it is quite thorough (but the load is lightened for all with more hands carrying). Thanks in advance for your service...

Missions "Forum" on June 7, 1030-1100 (1115)

2009-05-27T09:39:00.000-07:00

There will be a Missions Team Forum on Sunday, June 7 between 1030-1100 (maybe to 1115)in the Youth Room. This is open to all who are interested in Mariners’ Missions and/or who would like to serve. We will highlight some very positive developments regarding the Faith Fund and the budget, the variety of communication methods we are beginning to use, forthcoming linkages between Missions and small groups, future ministry opportunities supported by Mariners’ elders and other senior leadership, and, of course, updates across the spectrum of our supported missions here and across the globe.

Please forgive the use of the term "Forum", but it was the best I could use to describe the intended feel of the gathering. Want to push alot of info out, let people know where they can go to keep informed, and to solicit volunteer assistance (and answer questions, as time allows). Depending upon the response, we will have these gatherings every few weeks, monthly, or very few months. Goal is to get people linked both "horizontally" (working side-by-side) and "vertically" (working to meet Mariners' Leadership goals). Would love to have leaders step up and "take the ball" in many areas (like Matt Picciotto with Disaster Operations Team) as glorify God by refining and expanding our Missional outreach.

Looking Forward in Missions

2009-05-26T12:18:00.000-07:00

Excerpt below from recent email to Missions Team (today). We would like to have more people participating/interested, for sure. Definitely do NOT want to make it an exclusive group. Please send me a note to sign up with the "Missions Team" or sign up in CCB. Will do best I can to highlight opportunities for you to "go to serve". That is one of my primary long-term goals.

We will be having a Missions meeting within the next few weeks. Please keep your eyes posted for details in the bulletin and by email. It will be open to all.

In this meeting, I wanted to share (email excerpt) "...some very positive developments regarding the Faith Fund/budget, upcoming monthly Mission highlights within the Sunday services, forthcoming linkages between Missions and small groups, and future ministry opportunities supported by Mariners' elders and other senior leadership. Will share a few other things as well, in addition to soliciting your feedback/ideas/service.

I will try to ensure that I express what YOU can do to help. There will be no shortage of needs in the near future, as we will discuss. We will be looking hard at more local impact, especially in the military missions ministry and disaster operations ministries. I will lean on Matt P. to help share info in that area.

Thank you all for your patience as I am trying to turn the ship in somewhat heavy seas. I believe that the course we chart as a group will be one which will reflect the unique nature of our congregation and the vision of our leadership."

As I mentioned, please send me a note, sign up via our online community, or grab me at church on Sunday, especially if you wish to serve. As I alluded to in previous posts, we can sure use volunteers (as I am one as well).

In His Grip

In His Grip
Phil

Website additions made

2009-05-26T11:16:00.000-07:00

Mariners' Missions webpages (Click this link to go directly there)

Just added the beginning of our content for the Missions' pages at the new (within last few months) marinerschurch.com site. We had very little on our old website pages regarding Missions, so this was basically starting from scratch, although we did have many photos and other info on file. Some of these photos will be coming soon, especially in the short-term missions area, where we have numerous pics from trips to Ukraine, Russia, and Mississippi.

Actually, the hardest part was laying out the structure. Now we will add more particulars and updates. The goal is for everyone to have an inkling as to the depth and breadth of our Missions' programs. I was surprised myself as I volunteered to serve as Missions Director, and I thought I had been informed. I will do what I can to help ensure that the info is readily available and as transparent as possible.

Keep checking back every few days, as we will continue to make the info more robust.

If you have any info you would like to share (i.e. you had previous experiences on short-term mission trips and pics or anything), please do not hesitate to communicate with me and/or send them to me at preed(at)marinerschurch.com. We will try to use as much as we can...

Missions Pages coming this week at Mariners' website

2009-05-24T05:04:00.000-07:00

Please keep your eyes out for big improvements at our Missions' pages on the Mariners' website this week!!

We will add lots of pics and will imbed a few external websites (partner churches/missionaries) at marinerschurch.com as well.

Our Missions’ webpages will contain thorough info on Mariners’ evangelistic efforts, local missions, long-term missionaries, church partners, and much more. We will continue to add fresh new content, including multimedia, as we improve our communication with you.

Need Help

2009-05-12T08:53:00.000-07:00

Mariners' Community,
Missions needs your help.

If anyone out there would like to serve by communicating info to (and from) our local and foreign missionaries and partner churches, please let me know. I believe it is vital for us to do so, but, unfortunately, I have not done as much as I would have liked.

Not only is it important to communicate, but I believe it is very beneficial for the heart.

This is one of those cases where we cannot have too many volunteers...

Please lend a hand (or two if you know how to type better than I do using the peck method).

I expect we will have a more formal process using our small groups in the fall, but I just want to make sure our missionaries know that we care now...

Please let me know... email me at preed(at)marinerschurch.com.

Thank you in advance for any service. A kind word is a great thing indeed...

From Bundibugyo - David and Annelise Pierce

2009-05-12T08:38:00.000-07:00

Posting from Uganda (not me, the Pierces): a very interesting update at their blog, http://www.calledtouganda.com/...

Continual Assessment

"One of the areas I’m developing at CSB is our CA process. The process of continually assessing each student in many ways is the most urgent and personal to me . . . . Some students who we have lost to poor grades or behaviors could have been saved had we noticed them earlier, counseled them, helped them. There “failing” our system is really a sign of our system’s failure, of my personal failure, to care about students as individuals and to help staff treat them as such. The loss of one boy Businge, drives me forward in this work. Perhaps I fool myself, but I wish to believe that he could have been rescued from the choices he made. At least I wish we had tried harder.

And so, I develop forms, methods, and reviews for assessing students via teachers, dorm parents, student leaders and others at the end of Term 1. But equally important this term, ” continuous assessment” is just jargon reminding us of the need to assess far more than students. In fact David and I have been overwhelmed by the need to assess staff, programs, student leaders, facilities . . . . A few weeks ago we worked hard on reviews with each staff, talking about their areas of authority and responsibility, about what has improved and what still can. Then we face decisions of what we will keep moving forward on and what we will let go of. This process allows us to make plans to start Term 2 at the next level of development.

But what about the school as a whole? There is also an overall assessment of our work in ministry at Christ School. Assessment of ourselves, assessment of the project, assessment of the work as a team. Thankfully we decided as a team to have quarterly reviews of our ministries this year, so a few weeks ago we spent several hours talking about these same issues in bigger terms. It’s a helpful and thoughtful process to prepare for these meetings, to think about the work others do, to pray it through together, to be reminded that we are partners in a broad and diverse work.

We personally shared with our team the directions we feel God leading us personally and Christ School broadly. We will share a different version of this with our leadership team as they return. And a much more simple version to the staff as whole. Though there are many unanswered questions in our minds and hearts we feel God moving us forward in healthy ways."

****************************************************************************

I am going to work to get this blog linked into our Mariners' Blog Spot, but I wanted to highlight this update from our missionaries in Uganda on the Mariners' Missions Blog! Please take a moment to say a prayer for the Pierces. They continuously need our prayer support...

In addition, please do not hesitate to send them a quick email or make a comment on their blog as well. A kind word from friends, both new and old, can do wonders for the heart, especially when under attack...

In His Grip

2009-05-06T17:23:00.000-07:00

Matt Picciotto and Mariners' Disaster Operations Team - Sat May 2, 2009

From Matt:

"The Mariners' Church Disaster Operations Team is operational. In partnership with The Salvation Army and their Emergency Disaster Services, 9 members of Mariners' Church have been trained on the Mobile Disaster Canteen. This truck, fully equipped with a commercial kitchen, generator, and fresh water tank is capable of serving up to 1000 meals a day in a location without electricity or running water. Sue Keck, Scott Keck, Ian Keck, Ashley Smith, Dink Smith, Ragnar Lamb, Ray Leight, Nick Boucher, and Matt Picciotto have all completed the basic canteen training and are prepared to respond to local and distant disasters with the mobile kitchen truck stationed at The Salvation Army Annapolis Corps.

Besides being trained in the use of the truck, several of the team began addressing repair issues on the vehicle, noting what was needed to make the truck fully operational and safe to use. Lunch was cooked aboard by the team and some driving practice was also done.

Those interested in learning more about the disaster relief or would like to get involved in the Disaster Operations Team can contact Matt Picciotto via email at Rustman_mv@yahoo.com"

Great work, Team!!

Good meeting last Thursday

2009-04-29T04:53:00.000-07:00

We had a great meeting last Thursday night. Wanted to thank everyone who attended and contributed to the discussion.

We essentially discussed the current state of Missions at Mariners. This including future trips and events, numerous possibilities for fund-raising activities, a new focus on a larger "team", and the state of the economy/Mariners and its impact upon Missions.

I will continue to share bits and pieces as we move along.

Will do better at making these blog posts short and sweet, but with more info.

In His Grip

Update from Alexei and Tanya in Russia

2009-04-20T10:35:00.000-07:00

From Russia:

"Please, keep us in prayer as we continue outreach to the Russian Students. We are sending few pictures from the last Alpha outreach at the college's dormitory.

You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. (Psalm 139:15)

Tanya shares her powerful testimony.

Each student receives a free copy of "the Theme" – Christian antiabortion newspaper that we publish.

Also we began our free distributing of the New Testaments to the college students, Orphans and young people visiting our bookstore. We still need to buy 1500 copies; the cost of one copy of the New Testament in Russian is $ 5.00 and if you would like to help us, even with a small donation, please let us know.

Together we are planting seeds of His word into good soil, young people – the future of Russia!

Thank You Very Much for All Your Support and Your Prayers!

Alexei and Tanya."

What's going on with Missions - we are in the dark!

2009-04-07T06:09:00.000-07:00

Last week, I was talking with a few folks who have been involved with Mariners' Missions - far longer than I have - and they had many good questions for me. They were basically wondering what direction we were heading with Missions, and why I/we had been so seemingly quiet since the beginning of the year (since I relieved Brother Bill in late January).

I took in their comments, and I realized that I was somewhat deficient in sharing info, since communications is one of my three early priorities and a long-term commitment.

Over the past two months and counting, I have been really digging into the Missions program, as a whole. I am trying to ignore my desire to focus on one element at a time, separately, reacting from issue to issue based solely off or urgency or timing. In doing this, I have learned much (and am still learning) about the breadth and depth of our current and past support for a variety of missional groups. I have seen many challenges and am working with a group of people to address them. I am also having weekly discussions with church leadership on the current and future direction of Mariners' Missions. In addition, we have built the beginning a small core team to provide wise counsel to help me make good and solid decisions as we move forward. This "independent" research (all around) is important in formulating a comprehensive strategy, whether it changes or remains the same as it has been.

My goal is to be transparent and to share info with all of Mariners. I definitely do not want to concentrate Missions with only me (for sure!) and especially not only with me and a few members of a Board or similar small group. The congregation and visitors should be aware of who we support and our plans for the future, and should have some involvement in this. I desire a higher level of involvement...across the board...from everyone at Mariners'...in some way.

Please be patient as I bring this information forward and as the plans come to fruition. We are shifting a bit in our overall focus as a church, and I do want Missions to reflect that. My goal is to make Missions a central and integrated part of Mariners', especially with a strong linkage the Small (or "Growth") Groups. I believe that this will be the best way that we can increase involvement and really make Missions a key part of Mariners'.

I sincerely wish to build upon the passion and experience of the many individuals who have served in a variety of capacities in Missions over the years. I desire to build on this and extend it throughout the congregation. I believe that building and coordinating a very strong team should be our focus. I do desire assistance, especially in specific areas (task-oriented), such as communications with various missions (missionaries and others) and in organizing and leading local missional groups such as the new Disaster Operations Team (a great idea!), Jubilee Singers, and our support of the Boys and Girls Club. Many of these things are happening now, but we can use more volunteers to get involved - hands-on.

As I was discussing much of this with the folks asking me the questions, I really thought about their point of view alot and, after talking with Shel, decided that it would be best to do a "Frequently Asked Questions" page on the Missions page on our website.

Expect something within the next few days on it.

More to come...

First Post

2009-03-25T08:20:00.000-07:00

Hello!

This is just a quick post to start the blog. I will be adding lots of other info soon, and, of course, if you are really interested in Missions, we will have lots of links and pics and other things to see n this website and within Mariners' CCB. We will also be putting up new bulletin boards and distributing brochures and other printed materials at Mariners' as well. We will likely work hard on this in the summer, as we move forward. More to come on that later...

My goal is to ensure that we share as much info as we can, and, perhaps more importantly, get as many people as possible involved in contributing to and participating in Missions, of all types.