Global Missions

We are affiliated with the Christian & Missionary Alliance, which has about 850 missionaries that are deployed around the globe in an attempt to introduce people to the Lord Jesus Christ. Every year we have a missions conference that features two missionaries and we have missions focus weeks throughout the year. These events help us keep our global perspective and keep us informed about what God is doing in different parts of the world.

At this years annual mission week we were blessed to have Kathy Eikost from Bosnia and David Strong from Thailand spend a week with us and tell us about their ministries.  Following is a brief description of their work:

Mark and Kathy Eikost have been working for the Alliance in Bosnia-Herzegovina for the last 13 years.  Mark is from Toledo, Ohio and Kathy is from Albany, New York.  They have been married for 20 years.  Their assignment has included humanitarian aid, economic development, leadership training and theological education.  Their current assignment is in the capital city of Sarajevo helping to run the Source Community Center.

It has been said that Sarajevans respond to two things:  pain and beauty.  They have experienced more than enough pain.  It's time to bring them beauty.  The Source Center is a neutral place where Sarajevans from any ethnic group can come for a class (English, music, cooking) or a cultural event (concert, art exhibit, poetry reading).  Our goal is to encourage cultural enrichment and reconciliation on several different levels.

Bosnia is a place that lives under a shroud of darkness because there are very few Christians there.  Some cities have no churches and no gospel witness!  Therefore, Mark & Kathy have a great opportunity to share the gospel, and covet our prayers and financial support.  Throughout the year we will be helping the Eikost's by raising money for some of the projects they are doing.

We are going to keep in touch with Mark & Kathy throughout the year.  I would like to ask you to pray for them as well.  Here are some ways that Mark & Kathy would like for you to be praying for Bosnia:

1.  Pray that spiritual darkness and oppression in this city will lift.
2.  Pray that the enemy will have no power to hold people in bondage and oppression.
3.  Pray that hearts and eyes would be opened to the love of Jesus.
4.  Pray that God would miraculously and supernaturally be revealing Himself.
5.  Pray for spiritual breakthrough.
6.  Pray that God would empower and strengthen His people here.  And finally......
7.  Pray that the LIGHT of CHRIST would shine in Sarajevo and that God would win the victory!

David & Doris Strong served in Cambodia with Compassion and Mercy Associates (CAMA) for 16 years.  Their ministry included institutional based projects, (such as primary health care), and community based projects such as literacy, food security, nutrition promotion, micro-enterprise start up, and HIV/AIDS Homecare.  Most of their work was done in partnership with local communities of faith in northwest Cambodia. 

In the summer of 2010, they moved to Chiang Mai, Thailand where David has taken on a Regional Consultant role for CAMA.  The Strongs visit personnel and provide administrative support, advice, encouragement, and member care of the greater CAMA team in the Asia region.  David has also been involved in initial disaster assessment and does follow up visits where CAMA has (and is) providing funds for post-disaster initiatives.  David traveled to Japan in March 2011 and also traveled to two creative access countries in the past year.

David and Doris continue to provide leadership and technical support to a growing social enterprise they started in Cambodia.  Moringa For Health currently employs five Cambodian staff and provides a nutritious leaf powder which is taken as a dietary supplement.  The business provides a healthy product while providing employment and needed income to the poor and marginalized.  Doris does a lot of research and product development in partnership with the Campodian staff.  Finally, the Strongs will provide administrative and technical support to a CAMA worker entering a country in Asia (the first time for our organization) and will be visiting the international worker there regularly.

The Strongs are on a one-year Home Assignment (summer 2011-summer2012) and are using Warner Robins, GA as their home base.  During this year David travels to many groups sharing about the work in Asia while Doris shares locally while also caring for their 10 year old son, Matthew.  Matthew is in fifth grade and enjoys building things, playing soccer, and drawing.  When the Strongs are not out speaking, they are building memories toghether with their parents wo are in their late 70s and early 80s.  The Strongs are grateful for the partnership our fellowship has with them!

Thanks for being faithful in supporting them through the Mission's Fund and praying for them.

Pastor Bruce