In the ten days since the conclusion of the 18th Annual World Missions Conference at Wings of Faith Fellowship we have repeatedly heard these words, “This was the best one yet!” And, we are inclined to agree with those commenting.  It was an amazing weekend!

“If YOU Know HIM – YOU Can Tell THEM!”

The gathering opened on Friday evening with a brief video entitled “Wake Up” based on John 4:35:

“Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest?’ Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!”

Then the choir led the Call to Worship, singing Take Up Your Cross and Follow Jesus while flags of various nations were paraded in and children dressed in ethnic costumes cavorted about the stage.  They were accompanied by “Jesus” who led them off stage at the conclusion of the song.  It was a powerful audio/visual presentation which set the tone for the entire weekend.

Next was a presentation by Darryl Whittington, representing Honoring The Father Ministries highlighting their work in Cuba, Honduras and Nicaragua.  We heard from Bishop Richard Notice, a Jamaica national who pastors Fresh Oil Ministries Church of God in Orlando.  He brought a message from John 4, centered around the encounter Jesus had with the Samaritan woman at the well at Sychar, which further amplified the theme of the meeting.  Our hearts were challenged to take the message to the world, both locally and abroad.

On Saturday morning our guests, the missions committee and WOFF staff enjoyed breakfast together followed by a “round table” discussion.  The topic centered on how the ongoing violence in the Middle East and elsewhere is affecting mission work in the various areas where we minister.  It seems that the Bible remains true: “in the last days… evil men will grow worse and worse.” (2 Timothy 3)

Saturday evening some 250 people from the church and community “showed their passports” to the immigration official at the door and gained entrance to the International Dinner.  They dined on ethnic cuisine from China, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Puerto Rico, Romania and the USA along with coffee from five nations.  The food, the costumes and decorations, and the fellowship made this a truly memorable event.

The dinner was followed by a second general session featuring a worship segment led by the WOFF youth band, Emmaus Road.  That was followed by a presentation by Danny Thomas, director of Harvest International (HI). HI has missionaries stationed in eleven countries around the world.  Then Jeanette Chesser presented.  She is a career Church of God missionary who served many years in Russia and now travels there as well as to Scotland, Ukraine, Kenya and several other east African countries teaching and ministering in leadership conferences.  Both Danny and Jeanette call Wings of Faith their church “home.”

We learned of a mission opportunity with requires NO international travel from Taralea Johnson of Education First / Educational Homestay Program, where international students are hosted by American families for a few weeks during the year, offering a chance to “demonstrate the gospel” to them. And, the evening concluded with an exhortation from Rev. Alex Abiola, the Church of God Overseer of Nigeria.  It was a great day!

Sunday morning dawned bright and clear; another great day to hear about missions.  In the first service, Mary Ann Cassidy, president of Leadership Training International, spoke of the LTI’s 20+ year history of training national church leaders in Ghana, India, Nigeria and, most recently, Uganda.  In the second service, Peggy Liss representing New Frontiers Health Force spoke about their medical work among the Maasai people at the Ngoswani, Kenya clinic and the expansion planned at the village of Empaash with another clinic.

In both of the Sunday morning services we were blessed to have as our speaker, Dr. Samuel Chand,  Dr. Chand has been my (David’s) friend for more than 20 years.  I first met him when he was President of Beulah Heights University in Atlanta, GA.  He is Founder and President of Dream Releaser Coaching and Dream Releaser Publishing.  In telling his story of how others “invested” in him, Dr. Chand challenged us to become “rainmakers” for others by  investing in the their lives.  Dr. Sam’s is a powerful story!  We can make ours powerful, too!

YOU CAN HEAR DR. CHAND’S MESSAGE by visiting the Wings of Faith Fellowship website and click in the Latest Message window (on the left).  If “Becoming Rain Makers” is no longer the current title, click the Archive button and select “Becoming Rain Makers” from the list.  It will bless and challenge you.

THANK YOU to all the Wings of Faith folk who worked so tirelessly and gave of their time, treasures and talents to make this 18th Annual World Missions Conference such a success!!

• November 8 – 15, 2012

For the third year in a row, I (David) will lead a team to Haiti in November where we will undertake a construction project, helping restore some of the  damage  incurred during the 2010 earthquake.  While the quake occurred two years ago, there remains much that has not been repaired or replaced.  It is  projected that we will repair roofs on a couple of houses of workers assisting Tom and Ginger Schmidt of Harvest International, an Ocala-based ministry.  Airline tickets for the team of five men have been purchased and we are sitting on “go.”

• December 4 – 11, 2012

Since 1992 Diane has made annual trips to the Transylvania region of Romania, sharing the love of Jesus at Christmastime to young and old.  We have a team of  14 people from Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Maryland going to minister God’s love through the distribution of staple foods, fruit, hygiene items, and toys for the kids.  Hundreds of pounds of food will be purchased to help sustain village families during the winter months.  Staple items like flour, cornmeal, sugar, rice, oil, margarine, and dry beans will be such a blessing.  Extra treats of canned pork, pasta, peas and even grits will make the Christmas season a little more special.  It will cost about $60 to supply the needs for a family of four.  If you would like to help provide food for these families, indicate so on the  enclosed form.  Thank you.

THANKS to Pastor Bobby Inman, Jr. who gave me (David) an opportunity to share earlier this month during the Annual Convention at First Christian Fellowship in Greenville, SC.