Letter from our Bishop - March 11, 2008

Grace and peace to you in the name of the risen Christ!

I have exciting and urgent news to share with you.  I am contacting you well in advance of Annual Conference to invite your prayers and participation in a Miracle Month to retire the debt from the creation of Mission Central. As I travel around the country and across the world and meet with other bishops I am aware that the Central Pennsylvania Conference has an asset in Mission Central which is making a difference in thousands of places, wherever people are desperate.  The extraordinary ministry of providing goods and resources in times of crisis and in times of need is truly a gift through which we are bringing hope and healing to a broken world.

The Seasons of Miracles made possible through Mission Central provide constant inspiration, with new stories daily of astonishing connections of needs met.  And yet, so much more could be accomplished if we can retire the $1.75 million indebtedness and free up these funds for direct ministry and mission.

I need your help!  We are about to announce a “Miracle Month, the Bishop’s Campaign for Mission Central” which will be formally launched at Annual Conference, June 5 to 7, 2008 and will culminate at the end of August. During this period we expect to raise enough money from people like you to pay off this debt and begin an endowment fund, which has been a dream since the founding of Mission Central five years ago.

What can you do?  I will be commissioning you as a member of Annual Conference to go into the vineyards and find 12 disciples who will contribute $100 each. It is my prayer that every member will come forward to be commissioned.  Beginning immediately, I am asking that you join others in the Conference with the guided prayer which you will find each week in QuikLink. I am inviting everyone to participate in a weekly prayer vigil to be held each Wednesday at noon until we reach our goal.  With God’s help, and with your help, we as faith-bearing individuals can make this happen.

Mission Central has been and continues to be a “grass roots” volunteer-driven ministry.  We can move to an even more exciting, intentional ministry if we can succeed in retiring this debt and making funds available to do even more good works on behalf of Christ.  This hands-on miracle will succeed, just as it did five years ago with forward thinking people, with new vigor and, yes, even bigger miracles. Please watch for more information.

Be a miracle worker! Come to Annual Conference using your hands as Christ’s hands.  Pray for God’s help. Be prepared to experience a miracle!

In Christ’s service,

Jane Allen Middleton

MISSION CENTRAL “MIRACLE MONTH” PRAYER VIGIL – APRIL 23, 2008

Passing the Faith

Many who give of their time, service and financial support of various ministries are often asked a question: "Why do you do what you do?" If you haven't thought of your own answer lately, perhaps it's time you consider how you would answer this question.

While we all complain from time to time, I hope most days I realize how blessed I am. I do what I do because I liked what I saw in others as a young boy. I enjoyed the witness of countless others before me. I think of Bill my scout leader who dedicated his life to Boy Scouts, never expecting return, only creating great leaders. I think of those who worked with me in a local fire and ambulance division. They trained, worked fund raisers to purchase equipment, and put their lives at risk at all hours of the day or night, in all sorts of heat, snow, rain or ice. I think of school teachers and college professors who went the extra mile. I remember every dedicated Sunday School teacher and the love they expressed. I think of great stories of Bible characters who demonstrated what it meant to pass on faith. Pass on what they believed in, what they would die for, but even greater, what they were willing to witness to and live for in day to day life.

When I think of Mission Central, I think of children, youth, and adults who are passing on their faith. Why do we pack school or health kits? Why do we get dirty and fill containers? Why do we serve on committees? Why are we asked to give so generously? I do all of these because I hope I can pass on a practice, pass on my faith that says, this is vital, this is important, this is life changing and live giving. I also find great joy in being part of God's witness.

I give because God has first given to me, and boy am I ever thankful that God didn't wait until I earned it or deserved it. God just freely said in John 3:16 (KJV): For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Are you ready to pass on your faith? Let's pray to God to enable us to be a faithful witness.

Rev. R. Jeffrey Fisher, Member, Mission Central Board of Managers

“Jesus looked straight at them and answered, “This is impossible for human beings, but for God everything is possible.” Matthew 19:26 TEV

“Miracles” – a word you will be hearing us use more and more as we anticipate our “Seasons of Miracles” theme which will begin at Annual Conference, 2008.

A “miracle”, according to my old Webster’s dictionary, is something that can’t be explained by our understanding of natural law and effort – appearing to be supernatural in origin. For many in our fast paced, data driven, self-reliant, “show me the proof” world, we seem inclined to relegate miracles to times past, when for some reason, we appear to think that God may have been more directly in touch with His creation!

In contrast to this, I believe God is active around us every day. Daily at Mission Central we experience things that go way beyond what we could possibly have dreamed or accomplished alone! As we look forward with the expectation of more “miracles”, let us pray that our hearts, eyes, and ears will be open to recognize the Holy Spirit moving among and in His people.

Harry Overholtzer, Executive Director of Mission Central