Archive for January, 2009

When tragedy struck Helix, Pastor Mac was there. This video vividly illustrates the difference a dedicated Village Missionary can make in a community. It also raises the question, “What would happen if this church had closed?”

One responsibility I have as Executive Director is talking to donors to Village Missions.  I am especially busy doing this toward the end of the year and at the beginning of the year.  Normally talking on the phone is not my favorite activity.  I would much rather visit in person, but I have enjoyed these year-end and year-beginning phone calls.  I have enjoyed them because I have met person after person (over the phone) who fulfill 2 Corinthians 9:72 Corinthians 9:7
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
7 [Let] each man [do] according as he hath purposed in his heart: not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.  

For example, I talked to one individual who gave a generous gift to Village Missions and to a Village Missionary.  Years ago, he had heard this missionary present the project at a Christian Women’s Club meeting.  God touched his heart about this couple and about our ministry and he has given to both over the years.  He couldn’t say enough about this couple and about our Mission.  He said to me, “I love what you do in going to little communities.  You are a “five-star” mission!”  Boy, that comment made my day!  What a cheerful giver!

In my calling, I sometimes have the privilege of witnessing “God-incidences.”  I called one first time donor from Dallas, Texas.  I learned that David L. was the son of Village Missionaries Roy and Amanda L.  David spoke highly of his time growing up as a Village Missionary kid.  He expressed to me how thankful he was that he could now give to our mission.  He mentioned that he was a boyhood friend of David Duff, president of Ecola Bible School and son of our founder, Rev. Walter Duff, and asked about him as well as other Village Missionaries.  I was able to give him some contact information so that he could renew ties with missionaries he had known.

The next morning I was going through my Inbox, which always has a mysterious way of filling to overflowing.  I found a wonderful card from a couple thanking me for the ministry Village Missions has had in their life.  I could hardly believe it as I read:

 We loved the card VM sent out to us this year.  So reminds us of Camp Creek Church.  We first attended in 1974 after just building a home here on Camp Creek that year.  We wanted to be a part of community here and what better place to begin at church.  My husband, came to accept Jesus into his heart as his personal savior under Ray and Amanda L’s pastoring-we shared so many wonderful times with them, especially thru a Bible study in our home.

How about that!  Just after talking with the their son, I read a note about the impact of his parents!  What a privilege I have of glimpsing how God has used Village Missions in people’s lives!

Webb returned my call after I called him to thank him for a note he had written with his gift.  I wrote about his note in a previous blog.

You can tell by his note and by talking to him on the phone that Webb truly loves the Lord.  He knew Rev. Duff and was so appreciative of the ministry of Village Missions.  He thanked me for sending Richard and Ellen Hayes to Foothills Community Church, where he attends.  As we talked, I learned that he was a rock hound.  I discovered that he had dug for “star garnets” in Fernwood, ID where Carole and I lived and attended the Fernwood Community Bible Church, which is still served by Village Missions.  He even knew my next-door neighbor, Shorty Sextant, who had a tourist garnet digging enterprise on No-Name Creek.  Shorty was quite a character and we had fun reminiscing about him.  Another reminder of the small world we live in made much brighter by godly men like Webb.

Well, as I write this, the economic news is not improving.  I am sure Village Missions will continue to face financial challenges.  However, I am just as sure, as I talk with these “cheerful givers” that God is gathering a mighty band who will pray for and support this ministry in the coming year.

I received this note with what most would consider a small gift of $10 to Village Missions:

Dear Brian,

This little mite is truly all this 90 yr. old man can give, but it is given with love and appreciation for VM.  I became a member almost 40 yrs ago, and have supported in the past.  But now I really have no past, just a very bright future with my Lord.

In His Wonderful Love,

Webb

May we all have such an attitude of trust!

With a sense of urgency, our Village Missionary broke through the door.  What he found inside was heartbreaking.  Village Missionary Greg “Mac” McCallum told his congregation what he discovered in an e-mail.

I have to share some bad news with you.  This morning Mr. Petersen didn’t show up for our weight training class.

Mr. Petersen taught PE to students in grades 4 through 12 and social studies in their local school.  Mac went on . . .

After knocking on his door with no response, I dismissed the kids and went home.  Two hours later the school called me and said he still had not shown up.  I’m very sad to tell you when I broke through his door I found he had shot himself. 

This tragedy stunned the small town of Helix, Oregon.  It shocked the high school students and staff, and deeply saddened the entire community.  I wrote about this event in a previous blog without identifying the town, If the Church Had Closed, but now the information is public. 

John Petersen had been raised in Salem and graduated from Western Oregon State College, now Western Oregon University and Willamette University’s College of Law.  He was 38 years old . . . planning to coach next year’s newly started football team.

Mr. Petersen’s death was a huge loss.

These kinds of terrible things can happen any day, any place.  What happened next is what I want to tell you about . . .

But first, let me give you a bit of background about Village Missions’ involvement in Helix, Oregon. 

A couple years ago, I stopped at the Helix Community Church as I was traveling through the area.  They were a great group of believers, but struggling to keep the church open.  Earlier this year they asked for our help.  In March, we sent Village Missionaries Mac and his wife Julie there.

The church was down to 6 people . . . Village Missions was their last hope before closing their door.  But because of caring Christians, they have a full-time pastor!  

On one of the hardest days Helix ever faced, a Village Missionary was there. 

• Mac was the first person the school called when Mr. Petersen didn’t show up.  
• After the district crisis team went home, Mac was still there, and folks came to him because he’s part of their little town. 
• Most of the young people at the school had never dealt with death, especially someone they knew.  They came to Mac with their questions about heaven. 
• Mac spoke at John Petersen’s memorial service in the school gym . . . some 200 people came and heard a Gospel message.

Mac would be the first to tell you that he’s not some kind of superhero.  He’s just a guy who was willing to invest in people who call Helix their home.  He felt God called his family there.  Now he’s a part of the community and part of God’s work there.   

What would Helix have done if there had been no Gospel-preaching church there?  Who would the school kids and many others have gone to with their questions about God and eternity?  Where would they have found comfort and hope?

I want to say thank you to all who make it possible for Village Missions to help people like the folks in Helix.  There aren’t words enough . . . because eternity hangs in the balance.  You’ve helped people come to faith in Jesus Christ.  You’ve made such a difference! 

It’s thrilling that Village Missions is being asked for help in other places like Helix – places where God needs a voice.  I’m asking you to join with me so we can say yes to them, too.

We have 84 mission fields today that are unable to pay their pastor’s full support.  Village Missions pays the balance.  We must do all we can to fully fund these and be prepared to say yes to folks that may need to close down their church without our help.

Would you pray about becoming a partner with us in keeping country churches alive?  If you would like to give to Village Missions, you can do so at this link.  Thank you!