Your “Giant” Challenge

By James M. Helms

If you talk to a dozen missionaries and ministries that struggle in their fundraising, one common theme is heard: Fundraising is one of the Goliath’s that are faced for short and long-term missions and ministry.  The truly motivated individual wanting to get to the root of understanding the fundraising giant would perhaps even find ministries that believe raising support is a “necessary evil” the one aspect of the job that very few would ever want to do, a task that is rift with sleepless nights and night terrors! Fundraising is not something that is to be dreaded or feared it simply requires a David to slay the Goliath. 

Why We Partner

By Bryan Austring, Pastor of Helvetia Community Church

How do we get there?

How do we fulfill the mandate of Ephesians 4:11-16—“to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up”.  

A True Journey Begins

By Sandy True

Ryan and I attended the Portland “Journey Deepens” conference in March, 2013. It has been quite a journey since the ‘Journey.’ We loved the conference and left excited to work on our goals. Our timeline was to hit the mission field in summer of ’14. Finding an agency/ministry to work with proved to be a lot harder than we’d thought. We’d contact ministries, and they would each want us to fill out five or so different applications and then plug us into some kind of ‘job.’

Write Your Plans in Pencil

By Jodi  and Duane Decker / China Outreach Ministries

“Make plans, but write them in pencil; for God may redirect you as you follow Him.” “Remember, it is much easier to steer a moving car than a ‘parked’ one.”

These are bits of advice that someone gave me in my 20’s, and my husband and I have seen to be very true in our own lives…

But We’re Already Fully Engaged on Mission!

By Dan Larsen, Executive Pastor at Cedar Mill Bible Church

Since its inception, Cedar Mill Bible Church has been a strong supporter of Mission ConneXion Northwest (MCNW).  

Back in 2001 when Bill MacLeod first approached us about the idea of launching a joint effort among churches in the Portland area to strengthen and multiply their engagement in missions, we were hesitant.  It wasn’t that we didn’t like the idea.  It was simply that we were already so engaged in missions and had plenty on our plate already!  

Vital Support for This Local Church

By Mike Hildenbrand, Missions Pastor, Sunset Presbyterian Church

My name is Mike Hildenbrand and for the past eight years I have been the missions pastor at Sunset Presbyterian Church in Portland, Oregon.  I am a non-paid volunteer giving leadership to Sunset’s global outreach minsitry.  I am part of a ten person team that in partnership with our Elders develops and implements the philosophy and strategy of Sunset’s worldwide missions effort.

To accomplish that task I am constantly looking for ways to learn more about what God is doing around the world, and I have found Mission ConneXion Northwest to be a key resource for me and our missions team.

I have personally attended every Mission ConneXion Northwest conference since its inception, except one when I was out of the country.  I go because it is without a doubt the best place on the west coast to learn, be equipped, and challenged as to what God is doing around the world and to discover what my role as a Christ follower is in His Great Commission.

The first year I was on staff at Sunset I took our whole missions team to the first ever all day leadership intensive workshop.  The investment of the time and money to take our team there proved to be pivotal in the future of our team and the development of a philosophy of ministry for our church.

Additionally, each year we advertise the conference within our church and encourage widespread participation because there is no better way for our congregation to be equipped and mobilized for mission at home and abroad.  We have felt so strongly about this that our church has hosted the Mission ConneXion Northwest conference three times.  We have also hosted several other Mission ConneXion workshops.

My experience is that Mission ConneXion provides the educational opportunities but it is up to individuals and local churches to take advantage of them.  The local church benefits to the extent that it invests and participates.

Sunset financially supports Mission ConneXion each year as part of its mission’s budget.  We feel if we are going to benefit we should help support this important missions mobilizing tool. I would encourage other churches and individuals to do the same.

Thanks Mission Connexion Northwest for your vital support of the local church.

Mission Connexion – The Gospel – and Alaska…

Andrew Palau with Wayne and Virginia Clark during “Fairbanks CityFest with Andrew Palau”How is the Lord preparing YOU to impact your city?Mission ConneXion Alaska was birthed in 2005 in Fairbanks, Alaska, three years after we had launched in Portland, and by the fall of 2007 I received an unusual request from my friend, Wayne Clark, its director. He knew I was working out of the Luis Palau Association (LPA) headquarters by then and wondered if I might have any access to resources that could move believers toward evangelism. They were experiencing a level of unity and cooperation among the churches of Fairbanks as a result of churches participating in Mission ConneXion, and he wondered if it could be harnessed toward city-wide evangelism. That started some conversations among the staff at LPA. A year later, in November 2008, Colin James of LPA, along with Andrew Palau, and I flew up to Anchorage, where Dr. Dan Jarrell, pastor of ChangePoint Church in Anchorage, had pulled together a series of pastor gatherings there and in Wasilla to give clergy an opportunity to get better acquainted with Andrew. Timing was not ideal to consider starting anything, so active pursuit went dormant for a number of years while Palau staff stayed in contact and, on occasion, traveled up to meet various leaders. Andrew spoke at Mission ConneXion in Fairbanks in 2010, and that same weekend preached the gospel at the largest church in the city. When men responded to his invitation, the pastor of the church began to feel an urgency that perhaps the time was ripe for a city-wide, public proclamation of the gospel in Fairbanks. Pastors from all across the region then extended an invitation in the fall of 2013 and Luis Palau came and shared a vision for how God could use a united church effort called “Love Alaska with Luis Palau” in Anchorage and “Fairbanks CityFest with Andrew Palau” in Fairbanks, Alaska.Beginning in late May and extending through to the final weekend of June 7-8, the gospel was declared throughout Alaska – first by LPA’s partner Next Generation Alliance evangelists, and finally by Andrew Palau in Fairbanks (June 7) and Luis Palau in Anchorage (June 7-8). Some of the largest crowds either city had ever seen, assembled as churches worked together in unity and in conjunction with city officials, for the wholesale proclamation of the gospel. In the lead up to these activities, both Luis and Andrew Palau stated publically that Mission ConneXion Northwest had opened a door for the gospel, and for the Luis Palau Association in Alaska. However, much of the momentum began when Fairbanks businessman, and owner of Graphic North Printing, Wayne Clark, approached us for evangelistic “resources” early in 2007. He had no idea how his simple, heartfelt request would impact the largest State in the USA. Luis Palau Association – Love Alaska with Luis Palau How is the Lord preparing YOU to impact your city?