Lisburn, Ireland: The FMC in Lisburn, outside of Belfast, is having quite an impact on the community. The pastor, Nick Serb from Romania, has made good inroads with the city officials, and the church is developing new ministries focused on youth in the city.
This church’s facilities include a warehouse used for youth ministry and building trades training, plus a two-building parcel the church purchased (at the crossroads of four distinct neighborhoods) to be used for counseling, temporary crisis housing and a place of prayer. The church would be greatly encouraged by VISA teams coming alongside them to help refurbish two older two-story houses for ministry use.
Featured Opportunity: Visiting Bible Teachers in KenyaVisiting teachers are needed for an upcoming modular Bible school session in Kenya, being held August 8-20, 2011. Subjects offered will include: Homiletics, Wesleyan Theology, Gospel of John, Cults & Comparative Religions, Pastoral Theology and Introduction to Counseling.
Visiting teachers who could come for two weeks would be preferred, but even one week would be helpful.
If you are interested and/or would like more information, send an e-mail to exploremissions@gmail.com or call 800-342-5531 and ask for VISA Ministries.Featured Opportunity: Youth Outreach in Bulgaria
Looking for a great way to expose your youth group to mission, evangelism and other cultures? The Love Bulgaria Youth Conference might be just the thing for you!
Held each summer in Bulgaria, the event, led by missionaries Al and Diane Mellinger, focuses on both learning and practicing evangelism skills. Teens from the United States, Bulgaria and the United Kingdom teach, learn and participate side-by-side in an effort that fosters relationships, spiritual growth and putting faith into practice.
The 2011 conference is scheduled for July 4-9. The average trip from the U.S. to Bulgaria is a 10-day event, and the estimated cost is $1,700 per participant (includes meals, transporation and lodging).
Interested in learning how your teens might participate? There are many options, and the main qualifications are the ability to speak English and share the language, a learner's attitude, willigness to engage in relationships, and eagernes to use one's gifts and talents for God.
For a video promo of the 2011 conference, click here. To ask questions and/or discuss the opportunity further, send an e-mail to exploremissions@gmail.com.
Featured Opportunity: "Special Ops" Construction TeamsCosta Rica: Team with members experienced in construction needed to build a home for the family of Pastor Huiberth, our country leader, in San Jose. The home must be handicap-accessible as the family has a quadriplegic son. The team is asked to begin construction from the ground up, and then help Latin America mission leadership communicate what kinds of teams should come next. Possibilities exist for some team members to carry out other ministries besides construction.
Peru: Team with members experienced in construction needed to begin building a home from the ground up in Lima for the family of Pastor Miguel, our country leader. The builders could then advise Latin American leadership as to the next steps and what types of teams could help complete the project. Possibilities exist for some team members to carry out other ministries besides construction.Priority Needs in Latin America
Colombia: VISA construction teams are needed to help finish the building of a fast-growing FM church in Bogotá, Colombia.
Bogotá is a modern, beautiful and strategic city, and the church there is reaching out in effective and compassionate ways that have great potential to multiply opportunities for the gospel to be shared. Your church's investment in the Colombian FMC will yield great relationships and a chance to have a hand in a truly exciting move of God to expand His kingdom!
Priority Needs in Europe
Bulgaria: Evangelistic outreach and youth ministry teams are needed.Portugal: Teams are needed for outreach, prayer ministry and children's ministry in Lisbon.
Spain: Evangelistic outreach and youth ministry teams are needed in Madrid.Priority Needs in North Africa and the Middle East
Interested in opportunities for the North Africa/Middle East region? Write Connie Kratzer to learn more (connie.kratzer@fmcna.org).Priority Needs in Asia
Bancasi, Philippines: A team is needed to construct a ministry center at the graduate school. There is an old tennis court over which they would like to place a roof and then perhaps later wall in.
Umri, India: A team is requested to teach English at the Marathi school. Repair and painting teams are also needed.
Nepal: Children's ministry and medical teams would be appreciated.
Thailand: English as a Second Language (ESL) teams have been requested to minister in Bangkok, Zion Land Camp and Chiang Mai.
Thailand:Several construction projects exist at Zion Land, a campground that is part of the ministry of the Thai FMC.Priority Needs in Africa
Rwanda: 1) The Gikondo church needs additional renovations and completion of the existing church building, as well as construction of a free-standing cement block kitchen; 2) Four other churches need work to equip them to be pastoral training centers; and 3) All of the mission houses at the Kibogora Mission need rewiring and minor upgrades.
Kenya: 1) There are six churches that have been constructed up to the wall plate and now need roofing; and 2) There are between four and six International Child Care Ministries schools that need additional classroom blocks and/or renovations.
Cameroon and Ethiopia both need pastors or teachers who can conduct one to two-week pastoral training sessions.
The VISA Ministries staff works continuously with our mission leaders to identify the most urgent team project needs around the world and post them here.
If you have interest in adopting one of these projects, or would like to inquire about other opportunities, e-mail Connie Kratzer (connie.kratzer@fmcna.org) or call 800-342-5531 and ask for VISA.