Name: Tanas AlqassisLives in: Oxford (via Bethlehem)

Faith and the real world…Reason for joining the CMS mission community: “I’m excited about the vision of a dispersed community whose life is shaped around cross-cultural mission and participating in the global body of Christ.”

Mission passion: “I like showing people that they don’t have to leave the real world to encounter Christ.“I work for CMS and the shift to community means that we can recognise and encourage people in the community with a call to pioneering mission leadership and create training opportunities for them.”

Beyond prayer and giving to action…Reason for joining the CMS mission community: “I have been a regular supporter for a number of years and realise the challenge to go beyond giving and prayer to action.”

Mission passion: “We have supported mission partners in DR Congo, but I realise mission isn’t just ‘them doing it there’ but us doing it here. It’s about looking to see what the Lord is already doing and being part of that.”

From generation to generation, God has called his people into mission — to leave their comfort zones, to cross cultural, geographical and societal barriers, to give themselves away.From generation to generation, for over 200 years, the Church Mission Society has broken new ground in global mission — sharing Jesus and changing lives in contexts where the gospel is rarely heard or understood.In this generation, when we can access the world by opening our door or turning on our smartphone, we’re asking everyone to participate in mission, wherever we are. The young and not-so-young, regardless of education or profession — God is calling all of us to be part of his mission. Together.That’s what being part of the CMS mission community is about: people being locally involved and globally engaged in what God is doing in our generation. Meet some of our members…

Not just a job…Reason for joining the CMS mission community: “As a CMS staff member, I needed to think about how I can best serve within the CMS community and I believe I can do this by…adopting the seven promises as something I am serious about working on in my own life as well as through my work.”

Mission passion: “I want to reach out to the outsiders, the people that others find difficult or who get overlooked. I like befriending and encouraging loners, people with depression, the awkward person no one else ever talks to, the rude person… I don’t always do it but I do try to do it most of the time and have found that these people often have so much to give and my friendships with them are often more rewarding than the easier ones! At the same time, I have a great passion for mission in Latin America.”

“...and ours”

Everyday mission…Reason for joining the CMS mission community: “Because I believe in Sharing Jesus and Changing Lives. I want to be part of a community that wants to serve others and live in a way that shows Jesus in them, globally and locally.”

Mission passion: “I believe that everything I do on a daily basis should be done for the Lord: the way we greet, listen to and talk to others, even in the street. I love motorcycles and working with bikers, telling them about Jesus. I want people to know that I ride for Christ and want to share him with everyone.”

“I’m hoping in time to meet with CMS members to share and learn and pray.” Jessica Gordon, Aberdeen

Name: Jonny BakerLives in: London

Name: Neil BarkerLives in: Devon

Name: Jo HazeltonLives in: Buckinghamshire

“I would like to encourage people to live out their faith every day…” Ann Howells, Wales

Why people from all walks of life are joining the CMS mission community

Name: Tim GreenhalghLives in: Gloucestershire

Personal, local, regional, global…Reason for joining the CMS mission community: “CMS has long been a major contributor to global mission, but in recent years it has explored exciting ways of living church locally and now it is encouraging a deeper sense of personal mission.”

Mission passion: “I want to fully embed my individual call to personal mission in my local church’s call to regional mission within the context of the wider church’s call to global mission. As team rector, I love re-shaping the church so to cause every person to listen to God, hear his voice and do what he says.”Name: Peter Irwin-Clark

Lives in: Worthing

Making it real…Reason for joining the CMS mission community: “We have been hugely helped by having a CMS mission partner based here in Blackbird Leys and doing youth work here in partnership with local churches and Oxford Youth Works.”

Mission passion: “I hope to be part of making the Leys community and the CMS community real to each other in the coming years. I am passionate about developing community, working for social justice and proclaiming the gospel in community.”

Part of my DNA…Reason for joining the CMS mission community: “I want to allow the CMS community to help me become more effective in my walk with Christ.”

Mission passion: “I am passionate about knowing Jesus and making Jesus known. It’s part of my DNA and the closer I get to people and situations in our local area, let alone the rest of the world, I am seeing constantly the importance of introducing others to Jesus – meeting them at their point of need — and seeing the difference a relationship with Christ makes. I am involved in a local charity which has set up a charity shop and a café in our village. The overarching Love Drybrook Trust aims to support an evangelistic ministry in the area, facilitate ways to help people in need (eg debt counselling, marriage courses and of course just chatting in the café — it’s amazing how open people can be) and to establish, step by step, an effective Christian youth work within

the parish.”Called to a life of mission…Reason for joining the CMS mission community: “I feel called to a life of mission that is both local and global and I want to be part of a community that supports me in this and gives me the opportunity to encourage others.”

Mission passion: “I am passionate about mission in the UK, among people who don’t hear about Jesus for different reasons. I befriend people nearby who are poor and lonely or rich and lonely, or who follow another faith. I am exploring the dynamics of discipleship locally, within small missional communities, and do all I can to encourage my family and local church to share God’s love with those on the outside. I am looking forward to serving CMS as a community of people in mission here, there and everywhere, following my ordination into the community as part of the Church of England this July.”

Crossing cultures, building bridges…Reason for joining CMS mission community: “CMS has played a big part in developing my spiritual and mission lifestyle from an early age. The legacy of CMS in the educational and spiritual development of many African migrants in the UK is phenomenal. I am a living example of the impact of the reverse mission energy of many Africans in the the UK today.”

Mission passion: “To proclaim the gospel, bridge the gap between migrated Africans and British people, and to assist Africans in doing mission within and outside their local context.”

Name: Yemi AdedejiLives in: Luton (via Nigeria)

Name: Pippa SoundyLives in: High Wycombe

Name: Roger BurneLives in: Blackbird Leys

“No matter who we are or where we are God is calling us to live out the gospel in our daily lives. Mission is about life. “ Elizabeth Swanbrick, Preston

And yours?You are invited to consider joining the CMS mission community. Community members agree to the following seven statements:

“I want my life to be about mission”

“I believe God is still working in this world“

“Mission isn’t someone else’s job. It’s mine”

“I want to live for Jesus every day”

“I realise I need fuel for my journey”

“I want to help my local Christian community keep mission a priority”

“I want to regularly renew my mind and spirit”

None of us can uphold these things alone. Which is why community is so important.

40 Days of Yes is a FREE booklet that will help you explore whether CMS membership is for you.

To receive a copy write to: community.member@cms-uk.org or call 01865 787400 You can also download this resource at: www.cms-uk.org/membership

What are you doing this Pentecost?You’re invited to join us for Day 50,

a unique celebration of God’s mission.

Lively worship with the renowned Tribe of Judah gospel choir Address by The Most Rev John Sentamu, Archbishop of York Mission activities for all ages: from drama workshops and breakdancing to reports from people in mission worldwide

Saturday, 22 May King’s Centre, Oxford 1:30 – 6:15 pmTickets: www.cms-uk.org/day50 or call 01865 78 75 50Cost: £5 each, free for students and under-18s

Introducing: wearesayingyes.org

Taking simple steps to make God’s mission our lifestyle

Get connected * exchange ideas * do a little something: it all starts with saying yes

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