Missions & Missionaries

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).

GLOBAL 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.  

CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST) - DISCIPLES HOME MISSIONS - "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.

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 calamities...Priceless! 

CHURCH WORLD SERVICE HYGIENE KITS - In the face of natural disasters, violence, or grinding poverty, Hygiene Kits can mean the difference between sickness and health for struggling families.

WORLD VISION CHILD - The Disciples Women's Group has sponsored a child for many years.  Our last "child" has "grown-up" -- so now, in 2009, we have a new child, a 5-year old boy that we will continue to sponsor until he finishes high school.

LOCAL MISSION OPPORTUNITIES

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH FOOD PANTRY - The Pantry Committee and Helps Committee oversee the food pantry.  The ministry of the committees 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.  The food pantry is also open to members of the community and those passing through who need assistance with food items.

BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA, TROOP 1448 -  The troop has met at First Christian Church for over 50 years. The scouts and leaders participate in Scout Sunday during a Morning Worship Service each February. We support these young people by providing the space and time for them to develop into the fine citizens that they are becoming.

MEALS ON WHEELS MINISTRY - Delivers meals once a week to those who need a little extra help preparing meals; Call the Monongahela Senior Citizens Center to join this valuable ministry.

WASHINGTON COUNTY CHILDREN & YOUTH SERVICES - Donations of new clothing, diapers, and personal hygiene items are collected year-round for CYS.  The "Sock and Mitten Tree," a special donation of socks, mittens, gloves, scarves & underwear, is received in late November each year to be included in the CYS Christmas packages.

WASHINGTON CITY MISSION - WASHINGTON, PA - Washington City Mission is a non-denominational, Christian, social services organization, which provides critically needed goods and services to homeless, poor, and needy of Western Pennsylvania without regard to race, color, creed, national origin or religion. In Fiscal Year 2008-09 WCM served 382 individual unduplicated homeless men, which represents 19,052 nights of shelter. With more homeless men staying in the long-term recovery program, the turnover of utilized beds for men in the program has been less than in past years. Consequently, as high numbers of homeless men continue to enter WCM with fewer beds available, the Men’s Shelter continues to shelter men in the overflow Chapel area. As demonstrated by the above numbers, the need for the WCM Men’s Shelter and Recovery Program continues to be significant. In Fiscal Year 2008-09 WCM served 157 individual unduplicated homeless women and 27 children. The need for WCM's services is further reflected in the fact they turned away 121 women and 56 children in the last quarter alone for Fiscal Year 2008-09. According to the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions - the fastest growing population of homeless people continues to be single women with children. This same increase is being experienced in the region serviced by the Avis Arbor Women and Children’s Recovery Program. To meet the increased need for critical services for homeless women and children, WCM tripled the number of beds since 2003 from 13 to 40 in Avis Arbor.

TIMOTHY MINISTRY OF BETHANY COLLEGE - The Disciples Men's Group sponsors the Timothy Ministry Fund of the CC(DOC) Tri-County Men's Fellowship.  The group provides scholarships for students at Bethany College or for students in a seminary ministry program of study.

Joe & Erica Burgan & Family

Joe & Erica Burgan, Jr. and their children visited FCC on July 27, 2006.  The Burgans were called to be missionaries to La Sombra Iglesia Bautista, San Luis Rio Colorado, in Sonora, Mexico.  They began the ministry of Hope House International.  Through Hope House, they are establishing a live-in training program and refuge for single mothers and their children to rescue them from the sex industry or abusive situations and to also provide training for teen girls which includes 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 contribute to their ministry, please send your donations to The Burgans (Hope House International), 1042 West Devonshire Road; Mesa, AZ 85201.  You may contact them directly by e-mail at adamantstone@gmail.com

If you wish to read more about Hope House International, their blog site is http://hopehouseinternational.blogspot.com

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 Disciples Women's Ministries (DWM) group on August 28, 2006.  She spoke of her love for the children of Togo and all of the people there and how she is treated "like a queen." Now she is teaching a group of 35 teachers how to teach the children by using the love of God to guide them. 

HONDURAS

You may see pictures of the Engle and Wiles ministries by checking out the 2008 Mission Trip Links at the left.  In February 2008, we were blessed to have a team go to Honduras to minister with the House of Hope, Mama Tara's Orphanage, and Missionary Air Group.

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.)

You may contact them directly by e-mail at rogerkatrina@gmail.com

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.

You may contact them directly by e-mail at wesdenise@yahoo.com

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.  

If you wish you keep up with them via the Internet, their blog address is http://adedrickmz.blogspot.com

Aimee Howarth

Aimee was working as a substitute teacher in San Diego in 2001 when she surrendered her life to Christ.  A short time later, the Lord called her to serve Him in Africa.  She applied to OMS International & taught at the Christian Academy in Mozambique.  She also worked on language & culture learning, hosted a women's Bible study, & helped with the showing of the JESUS film.  Aimee has a heart for the people living north of Maputo and wants to be involved in the women's leadership of the rapidly growing church planting ministry.  To prepare for this work, Aimee completed a 3-year cross-cultural and theological course at Fuller Theological Seminary.  During those 3 years, she attended a Brazilian church to learn and practice Portuguese.  Aimee plans to build relationships based on love and respect, to serve those around her both physically and spiritually, and ultimately, to disciple Mozambicans in their relationships with Christ. She will also disciple Mozambican leaders through Bible studies, teaching and leadership training.

Aimee visited our church on September 25, 2008.  If you wish to contribute to Aimee's ministry, donations may be sent to OMS International (for Aimee Howarth # 802284), P.O. Box 1648, Monument, CO 80132.

You may contact her directly by e-mail at aimee.howarth@gmail.com

HONG KONG

Judy Chan

Judy Chan is a missionary serving with the Global Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ.  She has served the Hong Kong Christian Council since 1994.

Judy has an ecumenical radio broadcasting ministry for the Hong Kong area.  On October 23 while she was in the United States during her 2008 visit, Judy visited FCC and shared her testimony of how she left the United States, learned a very difficult language, and shares the love of God through the air waves of Hong Kong radio.  This was Judy's second visit to FCC. 

You may contact her directly by e-mail at judycchan@yahoo.com.hk