Global Mission Strategic Planning Meeting: Feb. 11 at 7pm, Church Library. All are invited to attend who have an interest in world missions and social justice issues.
The Global Missions Ministry Team wants to re-vitalize and re-energize the global mission program at Thornapple. During 2008-09 focus groups were created to focus on 1) Children and Missions (connecting children and families to missions at Thornapple); 2) Becoming a World Christian (connecting Thornapple to the needs of our world); and 3) Thornapple and Global Missions (connecting Thornapple to our missionaries and opportunities to serve in missions).
These focus groups led to new programs such as: 1) monthly mission presentations to Promiseland children; 2) "24 Flavors Club" summer reading program; 3) focused times of prayer for specific areas in the world (Burma, Zimbabwe); 4) Global Day of Prayer for Burma in March 2009; 5) Senior Scene focused prayer time for global missions; and 6) Life Group sponsorship of Thornapple missionaries. Global Missions also sponsored specific events related to the issue of human trafficking and slavery in connection with International Justice Mission.
The Global Mission team is hoping to increase awareness and participation related to global missions. We are hoping for more opportunities to respond to the issue of human trafficking and slavery. We want to find ways for the Thornapple church family to get to know our missionaries and become a church that upholds our missionaries in prayer. We want to move forward with specific action plans and need people who are passionate to help in this effort. For questions, please contact Ruth/Walt Wolf or Tim Friesen.
