Missions

DISCIPLES MISSION FUND

Disciples Mission Fund receives contributions from more than 2,800 Disciples congregations to support the worldwide mission of the church. This is done through annual contributions to Disciples Mission Fund & through Special Offerings.

The Mission of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) denomination is “to be and to share the Good News of Jesus Christ, witnessing, loving and serving from our doorsteps to the ends of the Earth” (Acts 1:8).

MISSION OPPORTUNITIES

SAMARITAN'S PURSE INTERNATIONAL RELIEF - "OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD." The chief goal of Operation Christmas Child project is sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. People pray intentionally and regularly, all year round, for the children they reach. A shoe box filled with small toys, school supplies, other gifts, and a personal note can introduce a hurting child to God's love.

CHURCH WORLD SERVICE "TOOLS & BLANKETS PROGRAM" - Some 8,000 congregations and groups across the U.S. hold "Tools & Blankets" events, providing more than $3.7 million to help people in some 80 nations, including the U.S. The warm blankets can provide warmth, security, and even shelter to those in need. Tools such as tents, bedding, plastic sheeting, and other emergency supplies in the wake of natural disasters and human calalmities... Priceless! 

CHURCH WORLD SERVICE "HEART-TO-HEART KIDS KITS" - The Heart-to-Heart Kids Kit recognizes that even as faces must be washed and bellies must be fed, laughter must be heard as well.

WASHINGTON COUNTY CHILDREN & YOUTH SERVICES "SOCK & MITTEN TREE" - Donations of new clothing, diapers, and personal hygiene items are collected year-round for CYS.  A special donation of socks, mittens, gloves and scarves is received to be included in the CYS Christmas packages.

WORLD VISION CHILD - The CWM/CWF group has sponsored a child for many years.  Our "child" is now 15 years old.  We recently received a picture of our beautiful "grown-up" child.

OTHER LOCAL MISSION OPPORTUNITIES

CHURCH FOOD PANTRY - The "Helps Committee" oversees the food pantry.  The ministry of the committee is to assist church members or others in need who are referred by church members.  Monetary donations and non-perishable items are received year-round for distribution to those in need.

MEALS ON WHEELS MINISTRY - Delivers meals once a week to those who need a little extra help preparing meals.

DISCIPLES MEN'S FELLOWSHIP - Sponsors local church events; supports the "Timothy Ministry" of the Tri-County Men's Group that provides scholarships for those enrolled at Bethany College or in a ministry degree program; and does work projects in the community.

BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA, TROOP 1448 -  The troop has met at First Christian Church for the last 50 years. The scouts and leaders participate in Scout Sunday during a Morning Worship Service each February. This year's troop has 20 young men. It’s great to support the community and the young people by providing the space and time for these young men to develop into the fine citizens that they are becoming.

Joe & Erica Burgan Family

Joe & Erica Burgan, Jr. & their children visited FCC & brought the message in word and song during our Thursday night Praise & Worship Service on July 27.  The Burgans were called to be missionaries to La Sombra Iglesia Bautista, San Luis Rio Colorado, in Sonora, Mexico.  Recently, they have begun the ministry of Hope House International in Sonora, Mexico.  With Hope House, they plan to establish a live-in training program & refuge for single mothers & their children to rescue them from the sex industry or abusive situations & to also provide training for teen girls which will include biblical life principles and parenting skills, English as a second language, computer skills, sewing, cooking and general life skills such as handling money and banking. If you wish to read more about Hope House International, please go to their web site at http://hopehouseinternational.blogspot.com   Please keep the family in your prayers as they minister to those in need in Mexico.  If you wish to make a donation to their ministry, the address is 340 West 32nd Street PMB 382; Yuma, AZ 85364.

TOGO (TOGOLESE REPUBLIC) AFRICA

Jessie Dean

At the age of 74, and after retiring twice from teaching, Jessie Dean heard God's call to go and teach the children of Togo West Africa.  While home on furlough, Jessie presented a program to our Christian Women's Ministries (CWF) group on August 28, 2006.  She spoke of her love for the children of Togo and all of the people there and how she was treated "like a queen" while living there.  When she returns to Togo, she will not be teaching the children, but a group of 35 teachers.  Jessie will teach them how to teach the children by using the love of God to guide them. 

HONDURAS

Roger & Katrina Engle Family

While serving the Miskito people of Eastern Honduras, Roger and Katrina minister to many sick & disabled children with cleft-palate, club-feet, malnourishment, cancer, hydrocephalus, spina bifida, AIDS, severe burns, and broken bones. After many years in Honduras in only a small home filled with numerous children to care for, their dream was realized May 29, 2005 when the House of Hope was dedicated. Dr. Tom Brian, the founder of Send Hope and the House of Hope, along with contributions from many supporters helped make that dream a reality. Children range from infants through teenagers since mothers sometimes travel many hours by boat or by walking to bring their children to receive the care that they cannot give them. Katrina and her team also administer the newly completed School of Hope, recognized by the government. Two of the 3 teachers are provided by the Honduran government.

The Engles visited our church in January & December 2007, and Katrina presented the program at the Christian Women's Ministries (CWF) group. If you would like to contribute to the support of the Engle family, you may send donations to New Testament Church & Mission; 604 Lemon Ave; Sebring, FL  33870 (Mark check memo "For Katrina Engle" or the check will go to the church's budget since it would not be designated for the Engles.)  If you would like to contribute to the support of the children in the House of Hope, you may send donations to Send Hope; 720 East Main, Suite A; Allen, TX 75002 (Mark check memo "House of Hope" so they will know which account it is designated for.)

Wes & Denise Wiles Family

And how can they preach unless they are sent? (Romans 10:15) ...and how can they land on a remote jungle air strip loaded with food, medical supplies, and the gospel unless somebody gives them an airplane and trains them to fly it?   Missionary Air Group helps prepare pilots to meet the challenge of bringing hope and help to those in need.

   The Wiles family serves in the remote Moskitia region of Ahuas in Eastern Honduras where Wes works as a pilot-mechanic maintaining missionary aircraft and flying medical evacuation, humanitarian relief and logistical support flights.  Denise operates the radio for ground-air communication and teaches a home school & Bible studies in her home.  The Wiles family visited in our church in March 2006.  If you would like to contribute to their ministry, you may send contributions to Missionary Air Group (for Wiles Family) 370 Broadway; Haverhill, MA 01832.

MOZAMBIQUE

Dave & Ann Dedrick

in May 2006, Dave & Ann Dedrick visited our church and shared their testimony of how they decided to go to the mission field and what God is doing today in Mozambique. The vision for Mozambique is to train men and women in Biblical studies to seek a holy walk with God and serve Jesus Christ as His witnesses in evangelism & church multiplication. A generation of war throughout the country compelled people from all tribal homelands in Mozambique to seek refuge in Maputo, the capital city. They have  established families, and the migration to the capital continues. Through those called from OMS International churches and other partnership groups, the plan is to disciple & train in such a way that former refugees will return to their people with the love of God in their hearts and the gospel on their lips to plant and lead new churches.  If you wish to contribute to their ministry, donations may be sent to OMS International (For Dave & Ann Dedrick # 802334); P.O. Box 1648; Monument, CO 80132-1648.  They plan to be in Mozambique sometime after March 1, 2007. If you wish you keep up with them via the Internet, their blog address is http://360.yahoo.com/adedrickmz