Village Missions’ Board Discusses Stonecroft Cuts
The Board of Village Missions met via conference call on March 2 to discuss the elimination of Stonecroft funding for Village Missions resulting in the loss of $40,000 per month to Village Missions.
Although February financial reports are not complete, the Mission’s income continues to do well. The Board felt it was not necessary to make any changes to this year’s budget, which ends in June. I praise the Lord for the way He has been moving people to give to Village Missions.
Anticipating the possibility of a complete cutoff in funds, the Board had appointed a committee at its meeting in November to consider the implications of the loss of all funding from Stonecroft. This committee had completed much of its work before we received word that funding was indeed being eliminated. They had developed a “brainstorming list” of cost savings and revenue enhancement that they then presented to the administration for estimates of savings/revenue and reaction to the concepts. The administration also added some additional possibilities for savings and revenue.
Each item was discussed during the two-hour long conference call without the pressure of having to make a decision. Some items were determined to be “worst-case” scenarios that are not needed in light of our current financial position. The Board did decide to increase the operational service fee for incoming missionaries to $300 per month.
The Board and administration have three goals in mind: 1) Making any cuts as equitable as possible for everyone (For example, lowering the minimum base salary would only effect missionaries on below minimum base fields and thus would not be equitable), 2) continuing to advance our mission of keeping country churches alive, and 3) keeping the mission financially sound.
Please continue to be in prayer for Village Missions. As is always the case, God is as much at work in the adversity He allows as in the prosperity He brings. Any input you have would be very much appreciated. I am deeply appreciative of all those who have e-mailed me or posted words of encouragement and prayer!
Charles Spurgeon once wrote, “God’s grace is illustrated and magnified in the poverty and trials of believers. Saints bear up under every discouragement, believing that all things work together for their good, and that out of apparent evils a real blessing shall ultimately spring—that their God will either work a deliverance for them speedily, or most assuredly support them in the trouble, as long as He is pleased to keep them in it. This patience of the saints proves the power of divine grace.”
March 10th, 2009 at 3:44 pm
Please be encouraged in this work. God preserves when we persist and persevere. We have started 2 new church plants this year and we have had challenge after challenge. When we look at the small victories we have won then we can rejoice as we take on the more difficult challenges. David had small victories before he saw big victories manifest. We will begin to pray earnestly for this ministry as we know it is crutial to maintain ground in the rural areas. The world wants to draw people into cities but for many that is not the place for them to grow. Keep up the great work!
March 10th, 2009 at 5:48 pm
Your blog is a great encouragement to me. I just started giving a small amount to VM and am being financially challenged already! Over a year ago my survivor annuity was cut by $340.00 a month. I adjusted!
I received word today that I will have to repay the amount that they had overpaid me. (over $21,000.00) and it will be collected at the sum of $150.00 a month for 12 years! I will adjust I am sure. God is at work and He will provide all of our needs, both VM’s and mine. It is true as stated – God is as much at work in the adversity He allows as in the prosperity He brings. Jesus is Victor!
March 11th, 2009 at 8:38 am
I personally first learned of Village Missions years ago at the Stonecroft Christian Women’s Club luncheons, then we had Andy and Stacy Taylor serve in our church at Hillrose, Colorado, before they moved to Oregon.
One of the things I was most impressed with at Candidate School this last October was the fact that the Stonecroft ladies prayed daily for Village Missions and other needs.
Who will fill that prayer gap? The weekly Country Matters is a tremendous communication tool, and we’ve been glad to get that.
Eldon and I will be praying for the financial adjustments and the need for prayer warriors. Thank you for keeping us so well informed.
Eldon and Ramona Woodward, Snyder, Colorado
March 14th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
Dear Friends: Having been involved w/CWC for 30 years and having known Mrs. Baugh and Miss Clark and their passion for missions, I am very saddened at the disassociation with Stonecroft. The Duff Family has always had this type of mission work at their very heart, and I think it’s one of the most important works we in the US can do. Given the current economic mess and sense of hopelesness, our country needs spiritual sustenance more than ever. I would like to have envelopes or info on how to redirect my support to your work. May God give each of us much grace to accept this change and keep trusting He will abundantly provide. The Project reports seem very empty without your great missionary stories!
March 20th, 2009 at 9:36 am
Dearest Village Missions Family,
We are praying with you concerning this change in directions for Stonecroft.
You have been there for us from the beginning in 1975 when we were saved at Greenacres, OR. We were able to serve beside you from 1980 to 2002 when our health failed. Today we continue to minister to small country churches without a pastor and are involved in Bible studies. We thank God for you and will be praying. At this time, we are struggling to keep our heads above water, but we have left you everything in our will after an auction is held on our two houses and all our belongings. Thank You for all you have done in our lives. We will continue to pray. Jim and Wanda Dresser
May 8th, 2009 at 9:18 am
Dear Brian and Village Family,
We first heard of your ministry through Jim Kane when I began pastoring his home church[Grace Bible in Phila.] in 1991. I got a closer look through our association in ANAM the past three years or so. We will continue to track your progress and pray for your ministry. We know God is able and He will enable you all to weather this storm and “get to the other side”.
Serving Christ together,
Dave and Elly Herlan