methodistdisciple

Helen Sheperd (Top, Center) with school children in Mongolia

When you think of someone being in mission, I’ll bet Mongolia is not a place that pops right into mind. In this podcast, we introduce you to Helen Sheperd who has spent the last 8 years in this very isolated place that she now calls ‘home’. Helen spends time on this broadcast talking about the growing United Methodist community in Mongolia which now has three churches with several other minitries. She also helps us understand something about this very old and isolated society…the story is compelling.

You should also know that missionaries such as Helen are supported by sponsoring churches and individuals who reach out with financial support both in prayer as well as in dollars. For those of you wanting to tangibly help Helen, here are a couple of ideas:

1. Write Helen and share your prayers and support to her…remember, she is pretty isolated and hearing from you will  brighted her day. You can reach her at Helen Sheperd, CPO Box 1242, Ulaanbaatar 13 or email her at helensheperd@yahoo.com.

2. If you are moved to support her financially, you can do that by slipping a check into the collection plate at your local church stipulating tht the money go to  “Grace Hospice #14928A”.

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Melissa Crutchfield

This week’s program continues where last week left off with Melissa Crutchfield of UMCOR talking about her experiences on the ground in Haiti. She joins this program from the Dominican Republic where she is able to find both the time and the internet signal to be with us again. Melissa gives us a first hand description of the devastation and the resilience of the people of Haiti. You will hear the story of God’s healing hand and the amazing positive attitude of the people amongst the numbing destruction that the earthquake brought. The need is still for money and health kits…but the need to have volunteer teams on the ground is getting closer.

Stay up-to-date with the relief effort by clicking on the link below (you may also want to post this on your church’s website).  A convenient link to photos from the UMCOR Haitian trip…some of which show Melissa in action…is also shown below:

Here are the links for donations to UMCOR for Haiti.  Remember that 100% of your monetary gift goes directly to the aid project …as well as the Health kits:

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Melissa Hinnen                Melissa Cruchfield

You all know about UMCOR and the wonderful work that they do worldwide when disaster strikes. In this program, you will meet UMCOR’s Communications Director, Melissa Hinnen who will give you some background information on how UMCOR prepares for disasters such as the recent earthquake in Haiti. You will also meet Melissa Cruchfield who is the Assistant General Secretary of Internaional Disaster Response for UMCOR…two very qualified people who are helping to manage our response.  Melissa Cruchfield is interviewed from the field in the Dominican Republic as she makes her way into Haiti for an initial assessment and planning trip.

You’ll get an inside look at what your donations to UMCOR are doing.  And speaking of donations, they need your immediate help. There are three links below to take you to the donation site, the site to describe the urgent need for Health Kits, and a news site for up to the minute information. In this podcast, Melissa Hinnen also refers you to this special website for up-to-date information, bulletin stuffers, volunteer sign up forms, and much more.

Here are some more links below (click on link) to get additional information:

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If you have ventured into the path of starting a new church in the last 15 years or so, you probably have heard of Jim Griffith. Jim is a bit of an institution in that he runs New Start Bootcamps for several denominiations, has a staff of coaches that help new start churches through those difficult first few years, and has now written a book with his friend, Bill Easum to help us all understand the “Ten Most Common Mistakes Made by New Church Starts”. Jim’s experience comes from runniing the consulting business, but also from starting several new churches around the country. He had an early hand in starting Willow Creeek outside of Chicago among others…so when Jim says to lookout for these ten pitfalls, you really should listen to what they are.

You can learn more about Jim, his ministry and purchase his book by going to his website (Click HERE)

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In this podcast, you will meet Stephen Gray who failed at starting a new church and then went back to study what he did wrong. You will benefit from his journey as he shares the the research gleaned by surveying churches that were successful and those who were not in starting out. The results of his work give new church start launch teams great insite into what to do and what not to do in order to be successful. You can learn more about Stephen’s work and purchase his book by clicking HERE. Stephen also refers to some assements for new start-pastors that can be found at HERE.

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Carol Conger Cross receiving a special           Ken Weaver in Guatemala

gift in Guatemala

A true Methodist Disciple is grounded in the work of Jesus Christ that we refer to as Mission. We have an excellent example of such a Disciple right here in the Cal-Pac Conference in Carol Conger-Cross who is the point person within the ministry called the Guatemala Project. Carol is a well known and loved person in Guatemala and she has earned that distinction by her continued work in helping the people there for some 16 years. Often in country two times a year…once planning the work, and once as part of the work team, she takes on a glow when she talks about her friends there. She provides a real living example of what being a Methodist Disciple is all about. Listen to her passion, and then visit the Guatemala Project Webpage where you can volunteer to go on the next mission, help by sending money (sponsoring a child’s education only costs $75 per year), or purchase woven and other products to help support Carol and the work she does.

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They do music with a message…the message talks about peace, justice, and Christian love. Jim and Jeanie Strathdee travel the world and perform their music, teach, and fall in love with the people they encounter. You’ll fall in love with their story and their music as well. To learn more about this amazing couple, visit their website which can be found by clicking HERE.

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Today marks the first installment of a real treat to our listeners…we are interviewing two musical icons in the Methodist Faith…people who have made an impact all over the world with their music and message. Welcome with me Jim and Jeanie Strathdee who will talk about their musical ministry and give us the benefit of some of their favorite songs. Jim and Jeanie have been doing this a long time…starting when they were both children at opposite ends of the country. They formed their roots in the faith through their families, and then were thoroughly grounded during those interesting years that were the 60’s. Jim and Jeanie’s passion and untiring energy comes through as they encourage us all to…Stand for What is Right! This first program focuses on their their formative years and their ministry in the United States…next week we will learn more about their travels in the world. Settle down into an easy chair and listen to the story of these Methodist Disciples! You can learn more about them and purchase their music albums by following this link to their website.

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Paul Cogger, Director of Cal-Pac Camps

Do you remember camping? Did you have one of those life changing experiences at Church Camp or have a child who went to camp and came back a changed person? Well if you are interested in learning more about Methodist Camping, you’ll want to hear the Podcast featuring Paul Cogger who has been involved in camping for over 30 years and now heads up the Cal-Pac Camping Ministry. Paul talks about the nuts and bolts of the camps, the lives he has seen changed over the years as well as giving listeners an update on the fire damage to our camps in the wake of the Station Fire.

Paul also brings along another camping disciple in the person of Bob Rhodes who adds some personal experiences. You probably have some experience as well and perhaps this will, at the same time, help you remember how God worked on you at camp as well as whet your appetite for a camping experience with your your church family. To learn more about Cal-Pac Camps, you can click HERE to go to the Cal-Pac Camping Website.

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Larry Hollon, General Secretary           Mark Barden

United Methodist Communications     Director of Communications, N.C. Conference

Well, if you are trying to figure out how to put together a mission project in your Cluster, District, or Conference, you will want to listen to this Podcast. Larry Hollon is the General Secretary of the United Methodist Communications and has he got a deal for you! Larry is joined by Mark Barden of the North Carolina Conference and they both will give you great ideas on how you can put ReThink Church to work. The program is called “Impact Community”. More information is found by clicking this LINK.

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