| We
have mentioned MDAT here before. Greg
is the President of MDAT, an organization
that uses the internet to help connect people
to missions. Later this month, Greg
will be traveling to Arkansas for the annual
Board retreat. This is the one time
of the year that the Board meets face-to-face
and it is a time when the goals and objectives
for the year take shape. Your
prayers for MDAT are much appreciated! |
Urbana
is a gathering of students that takes place
every three years. Greg attended Urbana
in 1993, and made some meaningful contacts
with some who are still personal friends
to this day. Greg was one of several
who went to represent Pioneers at the event
that year.
This year, Greg didn't attend, but our
team helped the Mobilization Department of
Pioneers follow up on those who expressed
interest in Pioneers at Urbana09. It
has been a blessing meeting some of the
contacts by phone and praying with them
for their future direction. Some have
been quite impressive, considering the work
they are doing ALREADY! Aslan is on
the move! We know the Lord of the
Harvest doesn't sit and wring his hands
and worry whether this generation will step
up to the task. However, hearing the
vision of some of these young people has
just served to remind us...He is at work
in this generation in amazing ways! .
|
| We
thought you might be interested to know
some of the places we will be traveling
in the coming weeks:
Forcey Memorial Church
Silver Spring,
MD
Sunday, March 14
MDAT Board Retreat
Siloam Springs,
AR
March 18-21
Thoroughfare Bible Church
Madison,
VA
March 26-28
Pioneers Church Partner Forum
Orlando,
FL
April 10-17
|
Our
team has recently spent time discussing the
words we use to describe what we do. We
don't really consider our role as just being
"representatives" of Pioneers.
Many people would see it that way, but we
would prefer to think of ourselves as the
"relational connection" to Pioneers
for church mission leaders.
Each day, I am looking for ways to connect
with mission leaders in the churches I serve,
and I am trying to find innovative ways
to "listen". One of our
co-workers suggested the tagline, "We're
listening!". In some ways, it
doesn't say a lot, and yet in some ways
it speaks volumes! Another phrase
we are considering is "Pursuing Pathways
in Partnership", as it represents our
active role in finding appropriate avenues
for partnership with local churches.
For too long, I think, "partnership"
has been a buzzword that has existed in
missions, but the reality hasn't lived up
to the word. I am excited to find
relationships with mission leaders who are
actively seeking ways to partner with an
agency to care well for their workers and
not just "outsource" missions
to a third party. If you spend much
time around me, you'll certainly hear my
catch-cry of "The Great Commission
wasn't given to Pioneers! It was given
to the church." We must partner
together if we want to be obedient!
-Greg Fletcher
|
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