Horizons 1st Qtr 2015

8/9/2019 Horizons 1st Qtr 2015

1/32

January, February,March 2015

“fix your thoughts on Jesus”

(Hebrews 12:2)


2/32

Reggie Hundley

Editor,HORIZONS

and

ExecutiveDirector,MissionServices

Association

We welcome

your letters tothe editor.Letters nolonger thanone typewrit-ten page aremore likely tobe published.Include yourname andaddress on allcorrespon-dence. Onlysigned letterscan be printed.Letters may beedited for thesake of lengthand clarity. _________________________________________________________________

2 / Horizons

editorial

If We Want a GREAT Missions Program,We Must Take Our Shoes Off! (Part 2)

For Review rom the last issue...“Te account of Moses and the ‘burning bush’ in Exodus 1-4 is familiar to all Horizons readers. Someone has probably alreadywondered aloud, ‘How does this have any application to acongregational missions program?’ Te question is valid,because improper interpretation and application of scripturecan create any number of issues.

“God was on the verge of unveiling His grand plan to bring freedom from the slavery of the brick pits of Egypt to the peopleof Israel. Te plan would eventually lead them into the landthat had been promised. In the recorded events, God invited Moses to play a role of God’s choice in this grand drama.Similarly, God has unveiled His plan to bring freedom from the

slavery of sin to all of mankind through His Son Jesus. Like Moses, God has invited His church to play a role in this granddrama. Tus, we may carefully enter this story discoveringhow the church may best prepare itself to fulfill its role of God’ssovereign assignment.”

Te sandals o the day were an important symbol. Tey werenot necessarily a symbol o wealth or prestige. Sandals were not

available in hundreds o styles, with brands rom oreign lands,on display in the best stores, declaring to all that the wearer wassomeone special. During biblical times, sandals (much like theubiquitous head dress) represented man’s ability to control his orher environment. ravel by oot was the primary mode o trans-portation over rough, rocky, dusty terrain. A piece o leatherrom the hide o an animal strapped to a human ankle did notprovide much protection but, without it walking would produce

constant pain, daily injuries and many accompanying inectionsrom open wounds. Wearing sandals was a psychological state-ment, “the environment will not conquer me.”

When God told Moses to take off his shoes, he was putting Mosesphysically and emotionally in a place o uneasiness. Moses would


3/32

_________________________________________________________________

January, February, March 2015 / 3

HorizonsJanuary, February,

March 2015

No. 1196 Vol. 64, No. 1

HORIZONS is a mission-orientedmagazine of the undenominationalfellowship of the Christian Churchesand Churches of Christ. MissionServices, as publisher of HORIZONSmagazine, publishes articles writtenby eld missionaries rather than staf

writers. We believe this ofers a clear

image of the variety of opinions thatexists between missionaries within the

historical Restoration Movement.

Editor: Reggie HundleyEditorial Assistant: Carol HundleyGraphic Design: Cheryl ElliottPressman: Bill TopleyBookkeeper/Treasurer: Georgia Sharpe

Publisher: Mission Services AssociationAddress: 2004 E. Magnolia Avenue Knoxville, TN 37917

Phone: 1-800-655-8524Outside USA: 865-525-7010Fax: 865-525-7012

E-mail: [email protected] Site: www.missionservices.org

U.S. Subscriptions: $20.00 for 1 year

$36.00 for 2 years

Bundle rates: 5 copies @$95.00 / year 10 copies @ $170.00 / year 15 copies @ $220.00 / year

Additional copies: $14.00 each

suddenly have nothing between himsel andthe burning sand and sharp stones. Moseswould immediately sense the pain and realizehe was not in control o his surroundings.God was placing Moses into a circumstancewhere it was essential or him to accept that

God was the only one in control, and he wastotally reliant upon God or his well-being.

I we want to have a great missions program,we must have this same sense o utterdependency reside deep in our knowledgeand emotions, and this will not be easy or us.We control EVERYHING. When it is hot,

we cool the air. We choose between 600entertainment channels rom well acrossa room with the movement o one finger.When we prepare a meal, we choose thetemperature o the element rather than sim-ply start a fire! I am not advocating a chaoticmissions program without planning, but tooofen we begin with what we know and the

plans we have created. A successul churchand a successul missions program will be onethat accepts situations over which they haveno control and commit hours toseeking God’s wisdom. Beore we think, dis-cuss, or act we must remind ourselves we arenot in control, and we must rely upon Godto guide us. You think about that!


4/32

_________________________________________________________________

4 / Horizons

contents

mission focus

6: Going Vertical Makes Horizontal Happen By Dave Butts, Harvest Prayer Ministries

10: Christian Barriers to Jesus By Paul Pennington, Journey Services

articles

2: Editorial: I We Want a GREA Missions Program, We Must ake Our Shoes Off! (Part 2)

18: On the Scene: Ghana 2014 -- Worms with a Chance o Malaria

spotlights

5: Coming Events 15: News Bries 27: Tank You! 28: Gifs in honor; Gifs in memory 29: In Memory: Jesus “Chuy” Ramírez-Briseño 30: In Memory: Marcia Kay Tomson

advertisement 16: Book, Co-Missioned , by Betty Byrd

17: Book: Entertaining Demons Unawares, by Ben Alexander 19: Te Missions Network


5/32

_________________________________________________________________


coming events

2015June 23-26

North American Christian Convention Duke Energy Convention Center, Cincinnati, Ohio

Teme: We Speak

2015 President: Mike Baker

Contact inormation: North American Christian Convention 513-772-9970 / www.gotonacc.org

July 19 - 25

Lake James School of Missions

Angola, Indiana Contact inormation: Scott Saltsman, Program Chairman

260-316-7268 / [email protected]

October 29 - November 1

International Conference on Missions Greater Richmond Convention Center, Richmond, VA

Teme: Te Away eam

Contact inormation: David Empson

317-539-4231 / [email protected]

Eastern Christian Conference In lieu of a separate conference, the ECC is enouraging the Northeast

population to actively participate in the International Conference on

Missions being held Octobr 29 - November 1 in Richmond, VA.


6/32

_________________________________________________________________

6 / Horizons

Going

Vertical

MakesHorizontal

Happen

mission focus

by Dave Butts, PresidentHarvest Prayer Ministries


7/32

_________________________________________________________________


It’s easy to get directionally conused.

Daniel Boone was once asked i he

ever got lost. He answered, “No,

never been lost. Been a might con-

used or three days, but never lost.”

I’m operating on the assumption that

most o us are directionally challenged

in ministry priorities. We move in the

direction o ministry and effective-

ness, and sometimes find ourselves

wandering….conused…worn out

rom moving in the wrong direction.

Tis is a call to the directionally

challenged: Go Vertical beore you

move Horizontal.

Going Vertical is at the heart ofBiblical Mission.

It doesn’t sound like the Great Com-

mission, but God put Israel on mis-sion. He told them to “go up to the

land I promised on oath to Abraham,

Isaac, and Jacob.” (Ex.33:1) Te land

promised to Israel was already in-

habited and it was going to take an

immense amount o effort to dislodge

the current inhabitants and establishtheir “promised land.” Moses had the

wisdom to realize that it could not

happen unless God Himsel went with

them on their mission.

In one o the more amazing con-

versations in Scripture, Moses andGod talked about how important it

was that the people o Israel have the

Lord’s Presence with them i they were

to accomplish their mission. As you

read this passage, careully consider

how Moses’ insight regarding the

Lord’s Presence might impact the e-

ectiveness o your own mission today.

“Moses said to the Lord, ‘You have

been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’but you have not let me know

whom you will send with me. You

have said, ‘I know you by name

and you have found favor with me.’

If you are pleased with me, teach

me your ways so I may know you

and continue to find favor with

you. Remember that this nation is

your people.’

Te Lord replied, ‘My Presence

will go with you, and I will give

you rest.’

Ten Moses said to him, ‘If your

Presence does not go with us, do

not send us up from here. How willanyone know that you are pleased

with me and with your people un-

less you go with us? What else will

distinguish me and your people

from all the other people on the

face of the earth?’

And the Lord said to Moses, ‘Iwill do the very thing you have

asked, because I am pleased with

Moses

“realized that focusing

on the Vertical was the

way to do what God

was calling them to do

Horizontally.”


8/32

_________________________________________________________________

8 / Horizons

you and I know you by name.’” (Ex.

33:12-17)

Tis man o great leadership skills,

Moses, understood that it was the

Lord’s Presence that was the key to the

success o their mission. o put it in

another way, he realized that ocusing

on the Vertical was the way to do what

God was calling them to do Horizon-

tally. Moses’ strategy or success wasto look to God and plead or His Pres-

ence. As long as God was with them,

they couldn’t ail in the long run.

When we think o world missions, it is

almost always a Horizontal ocus. We

show videos and pictures o people ingreat need, physically and spiritually.

Te statistics we present o those with-

out Christ move us to compassion.

Te possibilities beore us o reaching

the world or Christ galvanize us to

action. And there is nothing inher-

ently wrong with looking Horizontallyat the great needs around us. But it is

not by ocusing Horizontally that will

sustain and empower us to finish the

task.

It’s pretty easy to be overwhelmed by

the Horizontal...the size o the task

beore us. Israel’s mission was huge!Maybe yours is too! When we ocus

on the Horizontal...people and the

mission in ront o us, we can wear out

rom the immensity o it. In today’s

world, there are literally billions who

do not know Jesus as their Lord. Just

using the word “billions” can cause us

to want to curl up and watch V and

not give ourselves to a task that seems

impossible.

Like Moses and the people o Israel,

what we really need is the Presence o

God. Our ocus must be Vertical in

order to be successul Horizontally.Te author o Hebrews commands us,

“fix your thoughts on Jesus.” Tat’s a

Vertical ocus! It’s not a command to

pay attention to what you are doing

or Jesus, but to actually look to Him.

Isn’t it very possible that our attention

is in the wrong place?

Jesus taught us much about this by

using the illustration o the vine and

the branches. Jesus is the vine and

his ollowers are the branches. We

ofen think that our job as branches

is to produce ruit (horizontal think-ing). But that’s not the case. Te vine

produces everything needed to bring

“Moses’ strategy for

success was to look

to God and plead

for His Presence.”

“fix your thoughts on Jesus” (Hebrews 12:2)


9/32

_________________________________________________________________


about ruit on the branch. Te branch

just needs to stay attached (vertical

thinking). Jesus made it very clear,

“No branch can bear ruit by itsel; it

must remain in the vine.” (John 17:4)

o underline it, he then said, “apart

rom me, you can do nothing.” (John

17:5)

Tough Moses had not heard these

words o Jesus, in a very real sense,

his response to God fit within this

teaching. It is as though Moses said,

“Lord, I want to stay attached to you,

our Vine. We can’t do what you want

us to do on our own. We are branches

incapable o producing ruit. Te only

thing that distinguishes us as branchesis that we are attached to you.”

Te Presence o God going with Israel

in Moses’ day and the branch staying

attached to the vine in our day are

both about the same thing. We can’t

effectively do the work o God withoutGod Himsel ! A Vertical Focus on

God will produce the Horizontal ruit

that God desires.

I’ve served or over twenty years on

the board o a great mission organiza-

tion, Pioneer Bible ranslators. It hasalways been a good, godly ministry

that honored the Lord and served Him

with integrity in Bible ranslation,

literacy, and church planting. Seven

years ago we brought on a new Presi-

“apart from me, you can do nothing” (John 17:5)

dent who brought with him a new

strategy. It was very simple: Prayer is

our strategy. It was a Vertical ocus.

Te results have been amazing. Te

number o missionaries has doubled.

Our stateside structure has been

greatly strengthened. Te number o

portions o scripture translated has

sky-rocketed. Finances have grown

steadily, matching the growth. Don’t

misunderstand me...beore this em-

phasis we had prayed and served and

had experienced good growth. But

with a new, radically Vertical ocus

o prayer, we saw an explosion in our

effectiveness Horizontally.

What land is God calling you to take?

What mission does he have you on?

Determine to not go anywhere with-

out Him. Go Vertical beore you go

Horizontal!

‘“If your

Presence does not

go with us, do not send us

up from here. How will

anyone know that you

are pleased with me and

with your people unless you go with us? What else will

distinguish me and your people

from all the other people on the

face of the earth?” (Ex.33)


10/32

Christian Barriers to

Jesus

_________________________________________________________________

10 / Horizons

mission focus

by Paul Pennington, Journey Services

Recently, three conversations brought

into sharp ocus or me an issue that

had nagged me or some time. Vet-

eran missionaries rom three disparate

ields describe

d their rustration with

how Christian traditions where they

worked kept people rom meeting andollowing Jesus. An Indian mission-

ary described multiple ways in which

Christian dependence on Western

traditions and unding creates signii-

cant barriers to the majority o Hindus

in his country. A week later a European

missionary expressed concern that the

congregations he worked with relected

worship traditions rom 1950’s Mid-

western congregations. hese oreign

traditions presented an insurmountable

barrier to people in his community

considering or ollowing Jesus. he

ollowing evening a worker rom a

ormer Soviet republic described howOrthodox and Evangelical churches in

his area, by their anti-Muslim spirit,

kept local Muslims rom ollowing

and then witnessing or Jesus in their

culture and community. he speciics

they described were unique to each

context. Yet the underlying issues were

always the same. Believers rom one

part o the world had assumed that

their Christian traditions were norma-

tive or all believers in every place,

every culture, and every community.In some instances, they emphasized

buildings and worship order, in others

language and expression, and in other

inancial resources. In every instance,

however, the local community primar-

ily rejected Jesus because the Christi-

anity that represented Him was oreignand alien. In other words, they werenot rejecting Jesus Himself,they rejected Him because ofthe foreign package in whichChristians wrapped Him!

So what should we do when elements

o our Christian package hide Jesus oractually drive people away rom Him? I

would like to explore some speciic ex-

amples that those conversations raised.

hen I will suggest some New esta-

ment attitudes and approaches that


11/32

_________________________________________________________________


would help us remove the barriers and

place the ocus squarely on Jesus.

Christian Anti-Cultureas a Barrier to Jesus

My Soviet republic riend repeatedly

noted two critical issues that created

barriers to Jesus. Many believers in the

Orthodox and Evangelical congrega-

tions did not like Muslims and avoided

the local Muslim community as much

as possible. Tis anti-Muslim sentiment

created a barrier to anyone rom that

community, even or those he ound

who honestly wanted to ollow Jesus. As

a result, their Christian package o Jesus

included anti-cultural attitude. Tis

posed a significant barrier even to those

who were interested in Jesus.

Occasionally my riend convinced a

new Muslim-background believer to

join one o the Evangelical churches.

In every instance, the new believer was

‘discipled” to use anti-Muslim rheto-

ric and to adopt Western Christian

behaviors and language. He shared that

within three to six months, they were

no longer able to relate to or commu-

nicate respectully with their amily,

riends, or community. he Christians

quickly enculturated these new believ-

ers to oend and alienate their own

people “in the name o Jesus.” hey

were taught to be “Christians” and assuch to become a barrier to Jesus. his

practice o extraction and negative

discipleship isolated the new believers

rom their communities that desper-

ately need Jesus.

he Jews o the irst century had their

own list o “those people”: tax-collec-

tors, sinners, Samaritans, Gentiles. he

spiritual leaders o Jesus’ day con-

demned Him or associating with such

people (Matthew 9). He did it so oten

that He eventually was called a “riend

o tax collectors and sinners” (Matthew

11). he Gospels do not give a single

example o Jesus pointing a judging,

condemning inger at tax collectors or

sinners and calling them out in harsh

tone! He reserved His censorious tone

or the leaders who thought they wereserving God by staying away rom and

condemning “bad people.” Ironically,

in their zeal to deend God’s righteous-

ness, they condemned and ended up

cruciying their God who was right in

their midst.

One barrier in the Christian package

can be an anti-cultural spirit that

avoids “those people” or that condemns

“those people” in Jesus name. Jesus, in

contrast, still wants to be a riend o

sinners today, not their enemy. He still

wants to eat, drink, and engage with

them. he language and demeanour o

Ironically, in their zeal to

defend God’s righteousness,

they condemned and endedup crucifying their God who

was right in their midst.


12/32

_________________________________________________________________

12 / Horizons

the Christian package needs to com-

municate His grace and good news to

others whatever their culture or com-

munity.

Christian WorshipForms as a Barrier toJesus

My European riend’s problem ap-

peared somewhat dierent initially.

he worship services o several church-

es he served were conducted in the

local language by local believers (“in-

digenous”). Yet the songs, order o wor-

ship, seating, decoration all looked like

a 1950’s Midwestern US church. In this

instance, though, the Christian package

again presented a barrier to Jesus. Mis-

sionaries had assumed that their orms

o worship were essential aspects o the

package. New believers had to adapt to

their expressions o worship.

A couple years ago, a group o church

leaders discussed a related worship is-

sue with me in Northeast India. Long

Christian tradition held that their localmusical instruments and expressions

were “the devil’s music.” hey were ex-

pected to use “Christian” music instead.

But “Christian” music was simply Euro-

pean or American worship music that

was amiliar and comortable to those

who introduced it to the new believers.

As these leaders wrestled over the wor-

ship issues with me, the Lord nudged

me to turn around and look at the plat-

orm. here I noticed an electric guitar

and a Western drum kit! I couldn’t help

but laugh at the irony (the alternative

was to weep!). Here were two instru-

ments that all Western churches had

labeled “the devil’s music” in the 1950s

and 60s. I went on to point out that a

century beore Western congregations

had largely labeled pianos “the devil’s

music” only to later adopt and utilize

that very instrument to engage their

culture.

So I asked those leaders, “I Western

Christians within a century twice

adopted the culture’s music to reach

their culture, why is it still wrong or

believers in India to do the same?” In

the West, believers have chosen repeat-

edly to “become all things to all men”

musically in order to reach the culture.

So why can’t believers in other parts othe world do the same? When Western

Christians export their orms (organ,

piano, worship team) as “Christian

music,” their worship package can

create barriers to Jesus. Instead, Jesus

should be allowed to sing, play, and

dance using local cultural orms. henHe would become their Jesus, not a

oreign, Western god.

he Lord has repeatedly led Western

Christians to adapt their culture’s

expressive orms to gloriy Jesus. here

is no “Christian music.” It all repre-sents Christian adaptations o cultural

music. So Western Christians should

be honest with believers in the rest o

the world in this matter. I they could

repeatedly adapt the worship package


13/32

_________________________________________________________________


to local cultural expressions, why must

national believers only use the West’s

worship package? When they are orced

to use oreign music, lyrics, or instru-

ments, they shout to the community at

large that Jesus is the oreign god o a

oreign religion.

In the Christian worship package, we

need to be much more careul about

“becoming all things to all men”

musically (words, tunes, instruments,

rhythms, and movement). We should

allow local believers the same reedom

to use their culture’s expressions o

worship that Western Christianity has

repeatedly exercised.

Christian Dependencyas a Barrier to Jesus

My Indian riend identiied a third

common Christian barrier to Jesus. He

articulated a number o ways in which

Western unding drives Hindus away

rom Jesus. When missions set up

individual pastors to start and run

churches, they are commonly unded

rom Western sources (even adopted byWestern churches). his is oten justi-

ied because “we get more bang or our

buck.”

Yet, as I have talked with numerous

believers in dierent parts o the world,

this part o the Christian package can

have serious issues both biblically andculturally. From a biblical perspec-

tive, we have no evidence o churches

governed by an individual “pastor” who

was paid by external mission unds.

hat model is a Western cultural inven-

tion ound nowhere in the New esta-

ment. “Pastors” (simply a Latin word

or shepherds) were always a team o

elders and overseers in a local con-

gregation. All o the New estament

evidence points to the apostles and

evangelists setting up a local eldership

early in the lie o a congregation (even

in pagan, idolatrous communities like

Corinth and Ephesus). Yet biblical

models o responsible congregations

with a team o elders and deacons

(Acts 20, Philippians 1) rarely, i ever,

become a part o mission-supportedcongregations.

Godly, devout “pastors” serve the Lord

aithully around the world. I have

known and respected many o them in

a variety o places. However, Western-

unded pastors can present a barrier

to the good news especially in Hindu

or Muslim contexts. I repeatedly hear

that because they receive oreign und-

ing, such pastors are oten perceived

as agents o Western proselytizing

and subversion. I, additionally, their

“Christian” package includes condemn-

ing the local culture, they urther gain

In the West, believers have

chosen repeatedly to

“become all things to allmen” musically in order to

reach the culture.


14/32

_________________________________________________________________

14 / Horizons

a reputation as oreign-supported

agitators within the community. In

many instances, they may use mission-

provided benevolence to help people in

the name o Jesus. But i this is done in

ways that make assistance contingent

on or subsequent to conversion, localnon-believers accuse them o buy-

ing or inducing converts. Just Google

“inducement” with “conversion” to see

what an incredibly emotional bar-

rier this presents in India particularly.

When the West unds its Christian

package, then, it can create numerous

barriers to Jesus in the minds o non-

believers.

When Paul articulated his principle o

“becoming all things to all men,” he

started that discussion with a inancial

application o the principle. In

1 Corinthians 9:1-17, he discussed theissue o whether to take money rom

local hearers or whether to work with

his own hands and oer the gospel

reely. Paul indicated that unding or

his ministry could present a barrier to

his Greco-Roman audience. He worked

with his own hands in order not to

present an obstacle to the good news oJesus. his was his practical application

o the “become all things to all men”

principle. Since unding was a barrier,

he removed that barrier so that people

could meet and consider Jesus without

that cultural obstacle.

So today, in certain contexts Westernunding and paid pastors can create

signiicant barriers in the minds o

outsiders. We seriously need to con-

sider how Paul’s principle should be

applied to our Christian package. In

order to “become all things to all men,”

we might need to invest in alternatives

to direct Western unding: local tent-

making training, businesses to provide

livelihoods, and local community

empowerment projects. Rather than

perpetuating dependency on West-

ern unds, Christians ought to invest

more to ensure local responsibility and

sustainability as early as possible. In

contexts where Western unds pres-

ent a signiicant barrier (especially

Hindu and Muslim contexts), believers

should give more attention to social

entrepreneurship, micro-enterprise,

and micro-inance rather than outright

donation and direct unding. By reduc-

ing and redirecting Western unding

o ministry, we would help believers

say to their skeptical neighbors that

they serve Christ or Him, not or theWestern unds.

Further ExploringChristianity’s Barriersto Jesus

hose three conversations about

Christianity’s package only scratched

the surace o a deep issue in Chris-

tian missions. We oten do not realize

how many elements o our package are

our cultural adaptations, rather than

biblical aith and practice. here are

parts o the world where new believ-ers have readily embraced and adopted

the West’s package. At the same time,

though, some o the most unreached

parts o the world are highly resistant

to that same package. hey oten do


15/32

not reject Jesus Himsel. hey reject

our “Christian” package without ever

having a chance to actually meet Him!

We are currently collaborating with a

growing network o believers in di-

erent parts o the world to explore

and address these Christian barriers to

Jesus. Journey Services partners with

churches and ministries to advocate or

and equip believers to incarnate Jesus

naturally within the culture rather than

carry and present Him in oreign pack-

ages.

Suggested Reading:

Bharati, S. D. (2004). Living Water and

Indian Bowl . Pasadena, CA: William

Carey Library.

Kinnaman, D., & Lyons, G. (2007).

unChristian: What a New GenerationReally hinks about Christianity. Grand

Rapids, MI: Baker Books.

Viola, F., & Barna, G. (2012). Pagan

Christianity? Exploring the Roots of Our

Church Practices. Carol Stream, IL:

yndale House Publishers.

news briefs

Bacoor, Philippines

Christ Reaching Asian Mis-

sion Worldwide Inc. has be-

gun a new work in Bacoor

Philippines. Tis area is a

mixture o wealth and great

poverty. Our work is withthe “boat people” o the area.

We will concentrate on their

physical needs o ood, and

shelter first. Once this is es-

tablished we will begin efforts

o education and evangelism.

Missionaries Sang Ho Kim

and his wie Lisa will be ourfield workers. I you would

like more inormation please

call our Bedord, Indiana o-

fice at 812-275-6476.

A sleeping girl

Slum area o Bancoor, Philippines _________________________________________________________________



16/32

For copies of this

book, please con-

tact Betty Byrd at

4113 Old Routt Road,Louisville, KY 40299.

A suggested donation of $15.00 to Team Expansion

is appreciated for each copy ordered.

The purpose of this book is to chronicle the journey and experiences

of two people who came to be known as missionaries.

They were ordinary people -- from ordinary places.

And they followed the most extraordinary God.

~

May those who

read these pages

be inspired to

listen to and act

upon the call of

this same God,

the Father of our

Lord and Savior,

Jesus Christ, in

their own lives.

To God be

the glory.

~

_________________________________________________________________

16 / Horizons


17/32

This is the story of my journey

from evil spirits

to the Holy Spirit;

from Satan-worship

to God-worship;from fear of death and hell

to peace and glory in the

One who has already saved me and

prepared a place in Heaven for me.

EntertainingDemons

UnawaresMEET THE REAL PERSON

AND POWER BEHIND

SATAN’S PSYCHICSThe true story of one man’s search for life

after death ends in unexpected, demonic,

bone-chilling visitors in the spirit world.

In Ben’s latest book, the dark side of

the spirit world is unmasked and you

are taken into the very extremes of

Satan’s supernatural power.

benalexander

ghosts

séances

ouija board

speaking in tongues

table tipping

occult

mediums

death threats

automatic writing

yoga

demons

fallen angels

trance mediumship

ectoplasm

contacting the dead

psychic phenomena

terrifying nightmares

materialization

Ben Alexander, author andfounder of Exposing

Satan’s Power Ministries,has spoken on5 continents,

in 17 countries,in 49 States, and

in countlessprisons and schools.

For more on Ben’sministry, go to:

www.espministries.org

This is a must readfor you and your

loved one!

$13.90($9.95 plus $3.95 S&H)

For copies of this book,

make checks payable

to ESP Ministries and

mail to:

ESP Ministries, Inc.

P.O. Box 307

Kennesaw GA 30156

_________________________________________________________________



18/32

God blessed us

with a team o 16

dedicated servants.

In II Corinthians13:5 Paul asks the believers: "Do you not

realize Jesus Christ is in you - unless, o

course, you ail the test?" Our team vi-

sualized ully, passing this test that "Je-

sus Christ is in you."

A personal triumph was noted or last

year's Ghana team. We had twins Peter

and Paul who, at 2 months o age were

cachectic and nearly dead. Dr. Diane and

on the scene: Ghana 2014

_________________________________________________________________

18 / Horizons

"My stomach is swollen and I have

no appetite," was a complaint o hun-

dreds at Global Health Outreach (GHO)

medical evangelistic clinics in lowerVolta region o eastern Ghana. Again

and again, kids o all ages came in with

bellies like a 6-month pregnant woman.

Scores had serious malaria. Someone

dies o malaria in Arica every 30 sec-

onds. During the course o our clinics

at Agbadzakoe and orve nearly 2000

patients were seen, treated and given

personal prayer and counseling.

Worms with a

Chance of MalariaDwain C. Illman, M.D.

Young boywho came tothe clinic at

Agbadzakofe.

The USA team along the Volta River Sunday evening

after a day of worship and praise.


19/32

_________________________________________________________________


Rachel Matsumoto with the family

dressed similarly at the clinic.

Claudia H. praying for a

patient at one of the clinics.

our NICU nurse led to their immedi-

ate rescue. Diane told the chie he wasresponsible or getting breast milk or

them. hey came back this year, healthy,

beautiul and very responsive -- a sure

victory, demonstrating God at work!

Alex came in rom previous years. By

a long process o injury, inection, sur-

geries, etc., this man had to have a high

amputation o his oot. Lauren and

Van have been working with him the

last 5 years. He walked in wearing his

new prosthesis. (When the team was

at erry and Amy Ru's in northern

Ghana last year, there "happened"

to be a woman whose ministry wasprosthetic extremities. A connection

was made. his brought tears to our

eyes.)

In the hundreds o patients I saw,

there are many interesting stories.

Here are a ew:

• A 90-year-old woman was car-

ried some distance into the clinic.

She was taking no medicine but had

gangrene o her let oot extending

just above her ankle. he only lie-

saving procedure would be an ampu-

tation so the daughters carried her o

down the road.• Several patients came in daily with

serious tropical ulcers, most around

their eet and ankles. An insect bite or

small cut let untreated can break down

in this climate and be very stubborn to

heal. Nurse Claudia had an entire "sta-

tion" or wound care and injections.

Dr. Diane M. and Marilyn Illman at Torve

clinic with the two miracle babies. A year

ago they were under 5 pounds, dehydrat-

ed and had no sucking relex. Dr. Dianewent to the local chief to ensure that this

mother would get care. We spent a lot of

time with her last year. She came back this

year to show off her thriving babies. Dr.

Diane: This is my God sighting!


20/32

_________________________________________________________________

20 / Horizons

Rachel Matsumoto dancing during

worship at the giant Sunday rally.

She was our Mother eresa in wound

care and would not have done "it or a

million dollars" (Mother eresa quote).

Claudia is being treated aggressively

or breast cancer and put a hold on her

chemo to serve. I am so glad the Lord

led her to this ministry. Her caring min-istry was unequalled.

• There was 35-year-old Victoria

who has been on leprosy treatment and

now has a ulminating inection in and

around her let eye, creating a righten-

ing and repulsive appearance. Claudia

stepped up and we also reerred her to

the hospital.

• A lot of young men and a few wom-

en had SD's. My interpreter, Wisdom

Korsinah, said he had done his mas-

ters thesis on the church and AID's. He

ound that this district has the high-

est incidence o HIV in the country o

Ghana. he national prevalence is 2%;in this eastern Volta it is 3%. Our local

Grand eam Leader had to go to a lo-

cal pharmacy and get more Doxycycline

or treatments. Young Doctor James was

very good in teaching Christian sexual

Waiting at clinic registration -- this is

beginning of the process to be seen.

practices with the young men.

• Fourteen-year-old Mark is very

intelligent and spoke English like a

teacher. He is a Christian and wants to

be a pastor. I took him to our pastors or

prayer and encouragement.

• Daniel is 25 and completely blind.His sister walked him in over several

miles. wo years ago robbers stopped

him and shot him twice in the head. We

pray or God's healing.

• One mom said her daughter was 14

months. When I asked when her birth-

day was, she didn't know. She looked

like 9 months. However, we saw scores

o underweight and malnourished chil-

dren, so she could be 14 months.

• Little Dogbeda is three years old.

She is the daughter o a satanic priest-

ess. Her mother is Agbawa and wore

completely white and had distinctive

beads on her wrists. My interpreter saidshe is known by the beads.

• My interpreter Wisdom said:

"welve years ago I was in that cult. My

ather was, and still is, deep in idol wor-

ship. I became troubled by worshipping

idols and only saw evil. I heard o Je-

sus and ran to Him when I was in high

school. I went on to Ghana Christian


21/32

_________________________________________________________________


The cutest baby I treated this year

at Ghana -- ok, there were one or

two more just as cute!

Medical student Jenn with

a patient at Agbadzakofe.

College and graduate studies."

• Diane saw 10-year-old Stephen

who had severe ear inections and was

nearly dea. She treated him with an-

tibiotic injections, pills and eardrops.

he next day he had no ever and could

hear. Diane: "his is my God moment!"We only treat; God heals.

• Mary is 68 and said she was "be-

witched" 3 years ago and has had sores

and leg pain ever since. We sent her to

the pastors or demon cleansing with

prayer and laying on o hands.

• So many of the people do heavy

work and have intense back pains. Sev-

eral had obvious oot drop and other

weaknesses in their legs rom apparent

bulging lumbar discs.

• Jennifer saw Jesus in Kevin as he

quietly counted thousands o pills each

day in pharmacy. Our pharmacist, Na-

talia, liked that he would put his hulkbody in the doorway and block people

rom iniltrating the pharmacy!

• From my doctor table I could see

all the triage sta. With every patient

I saw a Jesus encounter. It warmed my

heart to watch everyone greeting and

checking in over 2000 patients. here

were NO RESFUL DAYS!"

• Rachel M. saw Becca sobbing after

lunch about some o her patients. "Pret-

ty amazing love."

Scores o dierent conditions and

serious illnesses were seen and treated.

We had leprosy, septic eyes, dea mutes,strokes, textbook o rashes, requent

nausea and vomiting, headache, seri-

ous pneumonia, asthma and, o course,

worms and malaria. Hypertension is

huge. It is endemic in Ghana. 240/120

was common. he people eat basically

no salt which again shows the minor

role salt intake plays in most hyperten-

sives. he HN leads to strokes, heart

attacks, heart ailure, etc. I had my pe-

diatrician, Diane, help me with FLK's

- unny looking kids. here is little in

Ghana to assist those with syndromes

and developmental problems. here

were a ew with sickle cell disease. Onemorning two critically ill patients had

to go right to the hospital due to acute

abdomen and sickle cell crisis. here

were also several tropical conditions as

well. here are ew wells in this area.

We were told this is because when they

drill one it is brackish. he locals basi-

cally drink rom the Volta River and its


22/32

_________________________________________________________________

22 / Horizons

High school senior Rachel

Matsumoto enjoying herself

with one of our patients.

Tim Lange loved triage. He was almost 16

and missed his irst week of football practice

back home. He said this means he can’t play

the irst two games. He is conident he made

the right decision to come to Ghana.

tributaries without any iltering and/or

puriication.

his population seem to be armers

(with only a hoe), wine makers (rom

sugar cane or palm trees), traders (car-

rying a tubs o product on their heads

and selling to people in town or stoppedat one o the many massive speed

bumps), ishermen (both o boats and

rom shore with nets). It doesn't take

much imagination to see why there are

multiple musculoskeletal complaints. A

lot o teaching was done on body me-

chanics and exercises.

We went rom Mercy to Comort to

Peace. hese are just some o the names

o our clients. Others included: Happy,

Patience, Rejoice, Beauty and Hoop

(sic).

Marilyn artully guided the group

to tell about happenings in the clin-ic where the person saw someone or

something that looked like Jesus was

there. Here are a ew:

• Six of our local pastors slept on

the cement loor o our pharmacy to

watch over our supplies while we slept

in an air-conditioned room on a bed.

he pharmacy is in a schoolroom that

reeks o bat guano and urine. It is di-

icult to just walk in the room, let alone

spend the day and night there. Natalia,

Kevin, Rachel L. and Ernest spent allclinic days there. We mostly held our

clinic under shelters away rom the bat-

inested classrooms.

• Diane prematurely commented:

"We only have a testimony i we have

a test." wo days later 11 o 16 team

members became very sick with what

was probably Norwalk virus (cruise

ship virus without a cruise!). Interest-

ingly, the 5 men on the trip did not get

sick, making me think the source was in

a women's toilet on clinic site (hole in

the loor) or at our breakast and dinner

eating home belonging to local doctor

Pius. For most, the illness was 2-3 days;others 5-6 days. We had several team

members miss clinic days. In act, a lo-

cal Ghana leader got so ill the day we

let he was hospitalized.

• Dwain saw Jesus as Rachel carefully


23/32

_________________________________________________________________


Celebration dancing at the large Sundayrally with 1000 attending. Dr. Illman was

the speaker of the day.

The entire team at Torve. Over 50 people worked

every day to actuate this ministry.

taught scores o people back

exercises

• Marilyn brought up Dr.

Annie. Her sister had sent her a

box o medical supplies shortly

beore departure. here were

hal dozen-liter IV bags o sa-line. Annie's roommate, Clau-

dia, got so sick she required an

IV and received nearly 3 liters

o luid one night. She cared

or her the entire night and

then Annie came to clinic.

• Our local leader is

Enoch Nyador. He said: "I

saw Jesus working through

the team. I appreciate the

seriousness you apply to every patient.

his is important business. God is

sending us hundreds o people to serve

and talk with about Jesus. I led a etish

priestess to he Lord today. I asked,

'Are you sure?' She said, 'Yes, I want to

ollow Jesus only.' A etish person will

change her name when she becomes a

Christian."

• e local chief came to our closing


24/32

I always say, “We are not Walmart.”

This lady had 8 kids and took one of

my Walmart bags because she had

so much medicine.

Dr. Illman and a young college

student at Agbadzakofe. _________________________________________________________________

24 / Horizons

program. He was all attired in tradi-

tional clothing. He said: "We have never

seen anything like this in our commu-

nity. All o a sudden many 'uncom-

ortable' Americans were here to oer

care. By the grace o God you came to

help us. You have made us aware o ourhealth problems and have taught us

much. I appeal to FAME Ghana to build

a clinic in this area. We will do all we

can to help."

• Marsha said her interpreter, Nel-

son, said: "My sister died last night but

I want to help here." (Sister most likely

reers to a cousin.)

• Marilyn said: "I heard Dwain’s

voice and saw him caring or a patient. I

love that man!"

• We don't judge a day by the size of

a harvest but by the number o seeds

planted.

Sunglasses were the most popularitem that the eyeglasses department dis-

pensed. Marilyn had a pair or each o

the 34 interpreters/pastors. Some liter-

ally danced with joy when they received

their pair. Marilyn and Sara it a total o

450 pairs o sunglasses and readers or

the people in this lower Volta region.

his is lie changing or many. "I canread my Bible" is a recurrent response.

he team shared some summary

thoughts about their ministry in Gha-

na. Please read them and listen to their

hearts speaking:

1. Marsha: malaria, malnutrition

and waist pain treated under a tree.

2. Kevin: Counting pills in the bat

cave. (Pharmacy assistant)

3. Matt: I got to listen to the heart-

beat o Arica. (riage lead)

4. Annie: time and talents or God's

glory.

5. Jen: 85 and counting (new believ-

ers and more).6. im: 27 short (short o 2000).

7. Becca Lange: genuine joy and

genuine aith - people ull o joy, many

have one or less meal a day but have joy.

Need their aith; we at home can get in

comort zone and eel like there is no

need to rely on God.

8. Natalia: don't worry your heart,


25/32

_________________________________________________________________


God will provide. Also, adoption central

- team is a huge amily rom the very

beginning. Kevin is like a ather, bar-

ricaded pharmacy door when I needed

it; Jen is like a sister, also spiritually the

entire team. I am rereshed ater being

with strong Christians and their posi-tive attitudes.

9. Diane: wait a second, this wasn't

in the travel brochure; Carnival cruise

line may turn around and go home, but

we got God, so bring it on. (Reerence

to presumed Norwalk virus mentioned

earlier.)

10. Marilyn: Weebles may wobble, butthey don't all down. I ell down but rest

o the team kept on working even while

they were sick. I got back up. Persever-

ance o people who live here in such

diiculty is remarkable. I learned again

to do the

best wecan with

what we

have.

11. Rachel L: speedy recovery on the

long road home; Psalms 73:26 - God is

the strength o our heart.

12. Rachel M: In the palm o God's

hand. he trip has gone smoothly; there

has been so much peace even when all

the people got sick. We were surround-ed by Gods hand and God's love,

13. Sara: God and Ganki or Ghana

-(ganki is local Ewe language or glasses)

14. Annie: precious living water.

Went to orve, a place so deprived. Lots

could be done i they have clean water.

15. James: staing my irst clinic;

no power except prayer. We didn't haveelectricity. Local pastors have been

praying or us months in advance. As

our team started to crash, we prayed,

and people at home prayed. Keep on

praying or this.

16. Enoch: God's grace at work. By

his grace; we get our strength romGod's grace. Also, God can use any-

body; the body o Christ working to-

gether. GHO, Agave Christian Union

Pastor Nelson Bansah,

from Tieve Christian

Church, is enjoying Sun-day worship. He gave the

group a wonderful testi-

mony as to the long-term

effectiveness of our short-

term medical clinics. It

was very encouraging.

The Nyador brothers -- all active in local Christian

Churches with brother Enoch the director of Gha-

na Christian Mission or also called FAME Ghana.

The brothers are Emmanuel, Eric, Enoch, and Er-

nest. Thank you Mama Nyador!


26/32

(union o 20 plus dierent church

groups in the area), FAME Ghana, local

communities, cooks, chie, etc.

17. Dwain - worms with chance o

malaria.

he team rejoiced in hearing Psalms

73:25-26, a portion o which says:"whom have I in heaven but you? And

earth has nothing I desire besides you."

God is using GHO. Pastor Nelson

Bansah gave a stirring testimony on the

phenomenal eectiveness o the GHO/

Agave Union pastors ministry in 2012

at Fieve. He said:

1. We met with the chies and othercommunity leaders prior to GHO com-

ing.

2. he church and community came

together.

3. he local leaders decided which

churches would contribute to eed the

pastor-interpreters. Which is usually30-40 men and women.

4. Dierent churches brought var-

ied gits.

5. Rice armers gave rice to eed us.

6. Many new believers are in church

today as a result o the 2012 GHO Fieve

outreach.

7. Many would not have becomeChristians without this.

WOW! Ghana 2014 is in the books.

472 pairs o glasses were itted; 85 peo-

ple accepted Jesus or the irst time.

Never have so many been so sick at

these clinics. We thought the clinics at

Agbadzakoe were ull o chronically

ill, acutely ill and malnourished peo-ple. hen day two at orve was loaded

with more in greater acuity and num-

ber. Never have I personally worked so

hard. I saw about 150 patients in one

day. his day atigued us all.

he spiritual impact o this outreach

is nearly unequalled. Pastors dedicate

their time to come and testiy to Jesus.

he Sunday rally day is always out-

standing. About 1000 people come to

sing, praise, dance, ellowship and lis-

ten. I was the speaker o the day withEnoch as my interpreter. I spoke or 10

minutes; he spoke or 20 minutes. He

makes my messages better! he times

are a bit o an exaggeration. Enoch said:

"ater patients proceed through the

clinic they have received a heavy dose

o the gospel."

For 2015 Agave Christian Union inconjunction with FAME Ghana (Ghana

Christian Mission) would like to host

clinics at GONU-KORKUVIKOPE

AND AGBAIVI with the rally day at

Agbativi. he team would lodge again

in Sogakope and go out about an hour

travel each day to clinics and also theSunday rally. his would be July 25-Au-

gust 7, 2015.

Marilyn and I are praying about our

part in this wonderul ministry. his is

a diicult and labor-intensive outreach.

Work in Arica is hard with serious

chance o illness. Marilyn and others o

the team were very sick this year. hereis no doubt that God is blessing this

ministry and those who serve are illed

with blessings. here was a road sign:

"Without passion lie is nothing."

I have passion or medical missions

and eel God is using me through these

outreaches to expand His territory.

Please pray or your part in Ghana 2015as we pray or ours. In Ghana 2014 we

were overwhelmed with people and

with God's blessings. What does 2015

promise?

_________________________________________________________________

26 / Horizons


27/32

thank you!MSA greatly appreciates your special gifs to our “raise the banner higher” appeal.

Te ollowing have given a total o $15,935.00 through January 13th!

Adkisson, Donald & Kay Adkisson, Jane D.

Allman, Dwight E. & Shirley

Antioch CC, Marion, IA

Apple, M/M Richard K.

Bare, Garland & Dorothy

Barnes, Larry & Gloria

Barnett, M/M Frank

Barrett, Lizzie MaeBauer, Norma Jean

Beamer Family Foundation

Beard, Mr. J. Harold

Bloemker, Bonnie J.

Bonner, Dr. Patricia J.

Boston, Darel

Bragg, J. Maynard

Brown, William E. & Gwenlyn

Brunson, Darlene M.

Bullard, Lynn Y.

Burd, Adrian & Evelyn

Cherry Avenue CC,

Charlottesville, VA

Church, Wanda M.

Clark, Donald J.

Clark, Ross T.

Cole, Mrs. Eleanor Cousin, M/M Frank

Cummins, M/M James N.

Davis, Doris

Day, Elizabeth

Delaney, Charles & Betty

Dietz, M/M Raymond

Dunham, Logan & Virginia

England, JaneeceEubanks, D/M David

Faber, Ernest & Neva

Fairmount Christian Church,

Mechanicsville, VA

Ferguson, M/M Larry

First CC, Morristown, TN

First CC, Orlando, FLFirst CC, Sullivan, IN

Gibson, Bob

Gossett, M/M William C.

Greenamyer, Neva

Grimstead, Carey C.

Grubbs, D/M David

Harpster, Dolores

Herbsleb, Darlene J.Hine, C. Robert

Hoff, Bill & Margy

Hoffmeister, Tonya

Horn, Genelle

Horsepasture CC, Ridgeway,

VA

Huber, Marjorie

Hundley, M/M Reggie

Illman, D/M Dwain C.

Jeffrey-Norman, Linda D.

Jordan, Lyndall & Aldena

Kearney, Mrs. Jacqueline C.

Kelley, W. Ray & Shirley

Lareau, M/M Verlin

Lowry, M/M Roland

Malinnag, M/M Andres D.

Martin, Mary LouMcFarland, M/M Jon H.

McIntyre, Lynell

McSpadden, Jason &

Stephanie

Merritt, Harold & Rosalyn

Meyer, M/M Stephen K.

Michael, Sara K.

Miller, FrankMiller, Howard C.

Miller, Mary

Morgan, Sandra

Morrical, Keith & Wilma

Murphy, Ray C.

Nutt, Ziden & Helen

Ogburn, M/M JonathanOmer, Dorothy H.

Ray, Sandra S.

Ray, Sharlotte

Reed, Donald E.

Rice, D/M James

Rickabaugh, Corinne

Ridlin, Louise

Robertson, M/M Howard E.Sandefur, David & Kathy

Sass, Carol

Schaeffer, Conrad & Carol

Seaman, Mary

Sharpe, Georgia A.

Simpson, Mrs. Edith Jean

Smith, Bonnie

Smith, M/M Gayle

Smoot, Col & Mrs. Charles V.

Soper, Thomas W.

Sowers, Henry

Spani, Mrs. Zella

Spencer, Beverly

Spencer, M/M Forrest

Stafford, Roy & Marlene

Stoll, Don H.

Studebaker, John & VirginiaTaylor, Mr. Clarence R.

Thompson, Robert D.

Troutt, Myrlen

Twist, Dr. Tony & Suzanne

Walton, David & Lorie

Weaver, Norman

West Walnut Street CofC,

Portland, INWesthoff, Donna

Wiley, Colleen

Wilson, M/M Larry G.

Wise, M/M Jim

_________________________________________________________________



28/32

in memory of

Robert Daygiven by

Elizabeth Day, New Port Richey, FL

Gary Elliottgiven by

R.S. & Margaret Elliott, Denver, CO

Georgia Sharpe, Seymour, TN

Jack Elliottgiven by

R.S. & Margaret Elliott, Denver, CO

Evelyn Jonesgiven by

Jane A. McCammack, Indianapolis, IN

Roy Sandefurgiven by


G i f t s ~

in honor of

Larry & Judy NiemeyerServing in Kenya

given by

Charles & Betty DelaneyLexington, KY

in memory of

Pauline Sextongiven by

Ray & Lily Dietz, Crookston, MN

Steve Sharpegiven by


Ed Spencer

given by

Beverly Spencer, Winterville, NC

Marian Stewartgiven by

Jane A. McCammack, Indianapolis, IN

_________________________________________________________________

28 / Horizons


29/32

in memory

Jesus “Chuy” Ramírez-Briseño December 2, 1949 - December 22, 2014

Jesus “Chuy”

Ramírez-Briseño,

65, o San Ger-

man, Puerto Rico,

went to be with

the Lord Monday,

December 22, 2014, in SwedishAmerican

Hospital.

“Chuy” was born December 2, 1949,

in Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico, the son o

Manuel Ramírez-Mendoza and Julieta

Briseño-Nava. He married H. Jane Barnes

on January 29, 1972, in Mount Auburn, Il-

linois. ogether “Chuy” and Jane served as

missionaries in Puerto Rico with CaribeChristian Mission or 42 years. “Chuy”

also served as a trustee o Puerto Rico

Christian School.

Survivors include his wie, Jane; chil-

dren, Joel (Christina) Ramírez o Elgin

(IL), Miriam Ramírez o Rockord (IL),

and Jonathan (Jo) Ramírez o Mahom-

et (IL); grandchildren, Jordan, Abigail,

Alexis, Ethan, and Emily; ather-in-law,

Price Barnes; our sisters; one brother;

many nieces and nephews.

“Chuy” was preceded in death by his

parents and two sisters.

A memorial service was held in Cen-

tral Christian Church, Rockord (IL) and

a second service ollowed in Puerto Rico.

_________________________________________________________________


www.themissionsnetwork.com

Check it out today!!!

• videos from the mission eld

• videos of mission-relatedworkshops and messages

• current missionary newsand updates

• downloads of previouslyarchived missionary newsand information

Valuable information for:

• missionaries

• ministries

• individuals and

• congregations

who are committed toworld evangelism.


30/32

in memory

Marcia Kay Thomson November 28, 1937 - September 21, 2014

“I am the putty

that fills in the

cracks.” Tis was

Marcia Kay Tom-

son’s description

o her years in Rhodesia/Zimbabwe. Mar-

cia Kay arrived in (then) Rhodesia Novem-

ber 10, 1963 to work as John Pemberton’s

secretary-bookkeeper at Mashoko Mission.

Until her death September 21, 2014 she re-

mained in that country “filling the cracks”

in the work o the Lord through Central

Arica Mission.

Marcia Kay was born November 28,

1937 in Lamar, MO to Waymeth andGeorge errill Tomson. When she was

two months old the Tomsons moved to

Mt. Vernon, IL, where she grew up. When

she was 12 she was baptized into Christ and

continued to walk close to Him all her lie.

She graduated rom Mt. Vernon ownship

High School in 1955. Afer graduation she

went to work or Bell elephone Company.In 1957 Marcia Kay went to Joplin, MO

and entered Ozark Bible College (OCC).

She continued working or Bell elephone

40 hours a week. On Sundays she attended

Carterville Christian Church where she

taught a youth group. She graduated rom

OCC in 1963 with a B.S.L.

Having met many o the missionariesthen in Rhodesia, Marcia Kay elt led to

join the work in the Education Department

o Mashoko Mission. She was a versatile

worker and always ulfilled her assigned

duties and went beyond them.

In 1969 the main office o the Educa-

tion Department was moved to Chiredzi.

From that venue Marcia Kay still paid the

teachers in the Mashoko area as well as

Chiredzi. She also taught Scripture classes

in the Chiredzi Primary School and Bible

classes in the Chiredzi Church o Christ.

In order to have more time to teach,

Marcia Kay moved to Fort Victoria (now

Masvingo) and taught 10 hours a week at

Central Arica Christian College, Bible

classes at three government schools as

well as the Christian Church Bible school.

She also helped out at the Christian Book

Shop and C.A.M.E.L.S. print shop. MarciaKay lived there during the war years o the

late 70’s and filled the gaps or several mis-

sionaries who had to leave their areas o

work because o the fighting. Shopping or

Mashoko Mission was done in Ft. Victoria

and ofen Marcia Kay was needed to find

the right products or straighten out ac-

counts. Some things were not available intown and Marcia Kay would phone Salis-

bury to have them sent to her. She then got

the items to the people who needed them.

When the Doug Johnson amily went on

urlough, Marcia Kay agreed to do the pay-

roll or the Duwure Secondary School that

they operated. Putty – filling the cracks

wherever needed.At the time the government o Zimba-

bwe/Rhodesia changed in 1980 there was a

national Council or Christian Education.

Marcia Kay and Jack Pennington were

selected to be on this council. As a result, _________________________________________________________________

30 / Horizons


31/32

Marcia Kay was involved in the writing

and approving o the materials that were

taught in government school Bible classes

all over the country. She took the govern-

ment training on how to teach this material

and used this training to teach many stu-

dents and other teachers over the ollowingyears.

Marcia Kay moved to Harare (Salis-

bury) to help in the work o the growing

Zimbabwe Christian College. She contin-

ued teaching Bible classes in government

schools.

Early in her time in Rhodesia/Zimba-

bwe Marcia Kay had gotten permanent

residence and did not have to apply peri-

odically or work permits as did mission-

aries arriving afer 1980. Tis reed her

to move rom assignment to assignment.

When Francis Johnson retired rom man-

aging Central Arica Mission Evangelistic

Literature Service (CAMELS) Marcia oncemore was the putty, stepping into this po-

sition and moving back to Masvingo (Ft.

Victoria) in 1991.

Marcia Kay was always involved in the

lives o the people around her. She paid

school ees or several students o amilies

she knew had need. She helped at least one

amily have a place to live. A widow withseveral children had no home and Marcia

Kay helped her find a place to live, urni-

ture or the house, sewed curtains and saw

to it that the house had locks and the secu-

rity gates it needed.

By 2007 things in Zimbabwe had be-

come very bad and there was nothing on

the store shelves. Marcia Kay began to goto South Arica once a month, to the home

o Alice Fishback, a missionary & close

riend, to spend a week filling her pickup

with supplies or the print shop and basic

ood supplies (corn meal, flour, sugar, etc).

Returning home, she would distribute the

ood supplies to people in the print shop

and church.

In addition to her work with CAM-

ELS, Marcia Kay was very active with the

Masvingo Christian Church. For a time

she served as treasurer and sang in thechoir. Some o Marcia Kay’s riends lived

in the retirement home across the street

rom the church. Marcia Kay liked to bake

cakes, cookies and other goodies to take to

the residents o this home. She also helped

some o the people by taking them to Salis-

bury to doctors and the hospital.

Afer several cancer treatments she be-

gan to search the internet and talk to oth-

ers who had cancer. She decided to go on

a strict vegetarian diet. Feb. 18, 2014 she

received a C scan report stating that she

was cancer ree. What rejoicing! It was a

real blow when the cancer returned. She

was due to come to the States on urloughand did so in the spring o 2014 afer learn-

ing the cancer was back.

One o Marcia Kay’s nephews, John,

said o her: “I only saw her every ew years

when she returned on urlough, and even

then I didn’t see her much because she was

going to visit churches and supporters or

doing other things to prepare or her re-turn to Arica. She was always thinking o

the people there. In act, when I saw her 3

weeks ago when she was very sick and very

weak, she talked about needing to work on

things that she needed to finish beore she

went back to Arica. When she traveled

here [to the USA] earlier this Spring, she

bought a round trip ticket. As sick as shewas, she intended to go back.”

Instead, Marcia Kay Tomson went

home to be with the Lord on Sept. 21, 2014.

She is greatly missed by all who knew her

well. _________________________________________________________________



32/32

M i s s

i o n

S e r v i c e s

A d d r e s s

0 0 4 E . M a g n o l i a A v e .

K n o x v i l l e , T

N 3 7 9 1 7

P h o n e N u

m b e r s

1 - 8 0 0 - 6 5 5 - 8 5 2 4 ( U S A )

- 5 2 5 - 7 0 1 0 ( O u t s i d e U S A )

E - M a i l

a @ m i s s i o n s e r v i c e s . o r g

W e b

w w . m

i s s i o n s e r v i c e s . o r g

. t h e m i s s i o n

s n e t w o r k . c o m

____________________

_________________________

_____________________________________________

B e f o r e y o u m o

v e , p l e a s e s s e n d t h e m a i l i n g l a b e l w i t h a c o p y o f y o u r n

e w a d d r e s s t o

M I S S I O N S E R

V I C E S A S S O C I A T I O N , 2 0 0 4 E

. M a g n o l i a A v e n u e , K n o x v i l l e , T N 3 7 9 1 7 .

____________________

_________________________

_____________________________________________

N o n P r o f t O r g .

U . S . P o s t a g e P a i d

K n o x v i l l e , T N

P e r m i t # 3 7 4

M i s s i o n S e r v i c e s A s s o c i a t o n

2 0 0 4 E . M a g n o l i a A v e n u e

K n o x v i l l e , T N 3 7 9 1 7

R e t u r n

S e r v i c e R e q u e s t e d

Horizons 1st Qtr 2015

Documents

Transcript of Horizons 1st Qtr 2015