INTERNATIONAL UPDATE JULY 2010

Dear partners in the ministry,

Greetings in our Lord Jesus Christ. Last week I was in the USA and Germany to attend meetings; the first was for the global board of Biblica (www.biblica.com). It was very encouraging to see the ministry returning to some degree of stability after the very difficult days of the loss of ministry in the UK (formerly known as STL). There are difficult days ahead and the board and executive leadership team would appreciate our prayers. We still have a very close, important relationship with Biblica, particularly in India but also in other parts of the world. The second meeting was the board of OM Ships International in Germany—another ministry that has gone through difficult times with the loss of MV Doulos and a change of Chief Executive. Again, it was excellent to see the ministry coming through the difficulties and, though there are continuing issues and tough decisions to face, the team seemed in very good heart indeed.

While in Mosbach, I heard from Gary Witherall, the Director of Transform 2010, that there have been a good number of applicants in recent weeks. We are looking forward to a good conference in Rome, Italy starting on 19 July from which teams will spread out around the Mediterranean basin, proclaiming and demonstrating the love of Christ. I also heard that the numbers expected for Teen Street Germany this year are excellent. Please pray for Josh and Debs Walker as they put the final touches together for that programme. A busy summer of opportunity is ahead and we rely on your prayers.

Last week, Andrew Scott took over the leadership of our work in the USA, a very important role which will affect almost every other field in the ministry. Rick Hicks, his predecessor, will concentrate on his role as Area Leader for North America. Rick has done a brilliant job in leading the USA ministry during which time there has been very considerable and essential growth. Please pray for these brothers in their respective roles.

Malaysia: Kindly be in prayer for a key leadership retreat planned for 15-17 July in Malaysia with leaders from our East Asia Pacific region. Such meetings are vital but also intense; wisdom and unity are needed to advance our ministry and impact in the region in the coming year. Pray for Area Leader Mike Hey who will chair the meetings.

muslim peoples

Turning Point (UK): Muslims from over 40 countries, where there is little opportunity to hear about God's love, live in London today. OM teams reach these communities with God's grace through friendship and practical love. Two international church teams spent Easter doing that. Several team members talked with Muhammad, who initially spoke against Christianity, barely allowing or listening to responses. Yet he gradually softened, listening patiently to Bible passages that addressed his questions. "During this outreach, I learnt about prayerfulness during street ministry; we can take breaks to pray!" Dave (UK) recalls. Pray for the OM team responding to requests from 10-15 people as a result of the outreach. 

Middle East: A group of women went to a mall, where they met four sisters dressed in black. One, 17, sat down next to Sarah*. Suddenly the sister asked, "Are you a Muslim?" Sarah answered that she was a Christian. The sister said they had a Filipina driver who is also a Christian. "She has a book she reads every night. What book is that?" she asked. Sarah answered that it is probably the Bible. "We read and study this book, because we believe it is the Word of God." The sister looked at Sarah for a long moment and then told her she should become a Muslim. Sarah smiled and said, "Christ and the Bible are the only thing for me." The sister quickly looked around to see if anyone was listening and then asked Sarah for her mobile number. Please pray that during this conversation God planted a seed in this woman's heart to learn more about Christ—that she, and other women like her, can find freedom to seek Christ.

Pakistan: Twenty-five years ago, a Men’s Travelling Team visited a town where they showed the Jesus film. Many responded to its message and the subsequent presentation of its importance in individuals’ lives. The following day, the driver of the team van had a terrible accident and died; a number of others were injured.

A small boy watching the film talked to a friend of the driver about the issues the tragedy raised and their meaning in his own life. What did that mean for him? A year later, he made a decision to follow Jesus. When he grew up, he joined OM Pakistan, and is now the national leader!

emerging mission movements

Angola: OM leaders Joan and Wessel got to know Gode, who sells fuel near the base in Luanda. At one time, Gode had been a believer in Christ, but had slid away and became a Muslim.

A conversation between him and Wessel became a back-and-forth exchange about Christianity and Islam. Wessel ceased conversation saying, "You surely did not understand who Jesus is and what He has done for you. That is why you have denied Him." Yet three months later, they could see a difference in Gode's face: his heart had changed. Another Muslim friend, Mario, is the husband of Chileshe, who volunteers with OM. Last year Mario received a bursary to study in the United States; Chileshe and the rest of the family planned to join him later. Great was their joy when they heard that Mario had started attending a Christian Pentecostal church in the USA, and has experienced love and care from the pastor and his wife. "We are amazed and have no words to offer to God when we receive his emails and hear about the things God is doing in his life," said Joan. Please pray that both Gode and Mario will know Jesus personally.

Ecuador: OM has begun its annual 6-week missions training program (ECTM) in Guayaquil. The program runs until 31 July and welcomes four Latinos from Ecuador and Colombia interested in missions. Participants are exposed to a mix of classroom-style academic study and implementation of material through practical service. Classes focus on intercultural communications, cross-cultural leadership, inductive Bible study, evangelism and support raising techniques. Practical service consists of working alongside local ministries, churches and OM team members to further a ministry’s impact, implement a new programme or complete a project.

Pray that God will use this time in the students' lives to shape, guide and direct them, as well as redeem the experience for His purposes in the future.

Brazil: OM is organizing a Global Challenge event in São Paulo 23-31 July, reaching out to poor people and street kids in the city through creative evangelism, together with local churches. Please pray that a large group of people will join for this campaign and that God will use the volunteers.

europe

Russia: (Siberia) Bron (OM) met Vitali, 40, while handing out tea and sandwiches. "Vitali was proud that he had studied medicine in Poland," remembers Bron. Educated, intelligent and once with a family and children, he now slept on the floor with no prospect of a job. "With tears," continues Bron, "he told how he had gradually lost his wife, his job and his children, and how he had ended up living on the streets. He had recently had serious thoughts of hanging himself." Vitali had lost the will to live and make decisions for himself. How do you share the love of God with people like him? How do we help them re-gain their lives? How do we integrate them into the church? How do we make a difference in a city like Novosibirsk? If you would like to help the OM Russia team find answers, visit www.om.org/en/job/s2409 to learn about the Extreme Siberia programme and how you can get involved.

Albania: Nigel and a local doctor visit families with small children who have autism. "It has been amazing to meet these families," said Nigel. "There are no facilities for these children or their families. Our visits give them a chance to talk with someone who can reassure them, give simple help and advice...or just listen." Nigel recently visited a neighbour needing help with their autistic boy. "The wife was open to our help and discussed visiting the boy's nursery to see how we could improve his communication. But her mother-in-law said that the family did not want others to see the boy. The door was closed. We are hoping to start a group for preschool autistic children and their parents," continued Nigel, "so that these children will have the opportunity to leave the house, to play and to smile."

Lifehope (UK): In partnership with Hillfields Evangelical Baptist Church in Coventry, OMers asked residents how Christians could best assist their community. One common response: help clean the neighbourhood! A new Street Champions initiative listed tidying up streets as one of their activities; after explaining the values and goals of OM to the organisers of Street Champion, one of them immediately offered the OM team funds to get started! Equipped with the means to serve, the team has set about its new task with enthusiasm, knowing this is something the community has asked Christians to do.

Kosovo: An old school dormitory with broken windows, peeling paint and a disgusting smell houses 16 squatter families—the poorest of the poor, whom the OM team has come to love. Lumi*, an ex-soldier, is paralysed and fully reliant upon others as a result of an accident. Years have passed as he lies in his bed; his sole visitor is a lady, also living in poverty, and her daughter who try to help however they can. This month, OMers in Peja brought him to enjoy their garden - the first time outdoors in a very long time. "Though he doesn't know Jesus yet," said an OMer, "His face glowed."

Netherlands: Marijke (OM) said that they often leave Heelal Youth Centre with a feeling of pain. "We want to invest our lives into these youth," she said, "but in the real world, things get broken and youth badmouth us." As a result of recent events, some boys have been banished from the centre until after the summer holidays. "We explained to them why we had to make this choice,"said Marijke, "despite the great things we have done together and the many good conversations we have had in the past. It seems crazy that their actions leave us no option, and our work has now been jeopardised." Pray that Marijke and the OM team would not lose contact with these boys, and that something good would arise from this unfortunate situation.

relief & development

Bangladesh: Life has never been easy for Pari, growing up poor in a small village. When her father left, she, her mother and her younger sister had to earn money to eat and to continue the girls' studies. Recently Pari joined our computer training course. She worked hard and did well, and secured a part-time job in a local development organisation, greatly supplementing the family income. This brought more stability and renewed dignity to them all.
As a result of the training, Pari's prospects for marriage increase, thereby providing a regular, larger income that could bring even more stability into their lives and, subsequently, their families. "I am very grateful for the computer training that I received," remarks Pari. "Without it, we would be facing many difficulties. It is great to have been able to bring a smile back to my mother’s face."

Haiti: OM Caribbean continues to minister to people since the earthquake. Several orphanages receive regular food and relief shipments from the local team. OM has assisted in critical repairs to the orphanages as well, but the process of rebuilding lives is a long-term process. Another team arrived recently to conduct trauma counseling training for pastors and leaders to help people within their churches and communities deal with the earthquake.

Praise God for the impact that the Jesus film and other Christian videos are having in communities. The movies have been a pleasant distraction and yet many people, especially children, have come to know the Lord through them. Just last Friday, two boys, Bazelais (11) and Wenley (5) talked with Pastor Marc after a movie and realized their need for Jesus.

OM Caribbean's future focus in Haiti is in four areas:

1. Help the people of Carrefour through three community-based ministries
2. Minister to IDPs (internally displaced people) through two churches in Cap Haitian
3. Assist in the planting of a church in Thomaszeau/Santos area
4. Provide some economic development options

Thank you for your ongoing prayer and financial support from across the OM world.

pioneering initiatives

SportsLink: and Fellowship with Christian Athletes (FCA) hosted Impact 2010, an international sports leadership training (ISLT Level 2) at Forterocca in Bobbio Pellice near Turin, Italy again this year. "This 9-week experience is designed to equip the next generation of sports leaders to impact the world for Jesus," said David Guehring (SportsLink). From 4-30 June, speakers and trainers from around the globe brought theory and practical training to athletes and coaches in sports ministry. Participants will be sent to different European countries to help host sports camps and clinics throughout July. Pray for the sports interns as they deepen their faith and serve God with their lives, as well as for the children impacted through the Sports and English Camp in Torre Pellice.

South Africa: The atmosphere of celebration surrounding the World Cup enhanced the Ultimate Goal Challenge, an outreach to share the good news of Christ with locals, visiting athletes and tourists. Participants of all ages arrived in Magaliesburg from Pretoria and as far as Singapore and Alaska, USA. OM Director Pranesh introduced the theme—One Team & One Goal—saying, "The ultimate goal for our lives is to bring glory to God and win souls for eternity with God." The night ended with joyful and energetic worship. Pray for opportunities for the participants to share God's love with many, especially with those visiting from other nations.

world faiths

Israel: Our Field Leader recently returned from mainland China, where many pastors long to bring the Gospel to the world and back to Jerusalem. Says Jonathan, "This past week we hosted two groups from Hong Kong in practical outreach: prayer-walking, postbox tracting, drama, dance and even painting a wall mural on the community centre of a Bedouin town.

"Our team formed a link with a young Bedouin who has a vision to develop after-school enrichment programmes for his community. Two girls on the team ran a short English program last year. And last week a group from Hong Kong painted a mural of the Good Samaritan on the wall of the centre, sharing the story with the children in drama and dance."

Please pray that God will bless and guide this growing relationship and vision of the Chinese Church.

Hong Kong: OM reaches out to Indonesian maids in the city. Lili's heart was moved when she read about their situation: many are underpaid, exploited by agencies and ignorant of their rights. Lily joined Grace and Benny, offering English and Cantonese classes, training in needlework, Bible studies and, with others, health-care and discrimination seminars.

H*, a Muslim, came to work for a Christian family and soon after became a Christian. Her older sister L* planned to go to Hong Kong to kill her, but the only way to get to Hong Kong was also to become a maid. She got a job with a harsh employer who confined her to the house. After four months she escaped. H* called her pastor to help; people from the ministry took her to a Christian shelter. After a week, she too became a Christian and said, "I came here to kill Christians but, when I was in need, Christians came and helped me."

For those who speak Chinese and/or Bahasa, there is great opportunity to reach such domestic workers in Hong Kong. OM is also looking to expand outreach to Pakistanis in the area. For more information: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

* name changed

On behalf of over 5500 workers from over 95 countries working in over 110 countries, I thank you for your prayers and support.

Your brother in Christ,
Peter Maiden

Think again - Transforming values

Whether we speak of personal, corporate, or cultural levels, 'values' describe what is important to us: what is beautiful and in good taste or what we think tastes good. Benjamin Hegeman tells us that cultural values answer two key questions: What do we really seek and cherish most fervently as a people? What do we fear and dread the most?¹

Values and behaviour

Values are transforming because they underlie behaviour. No matter what we post on www.om.org or include in our official documents, our actual (more than our stated) core values help govern our actions and decisions. Our stated core values implicitly call for personnel policies that reflect our desire 'to be people of grace and integrity'. Beyond policy, do we live that out in the way we treat one another, even in times of pressure? Looking at our core values and behavior from the perspective of Hegeman's second question, while we appropriately learn from sociological and marketing insights relevant to our ministry, do we resist if such input draws us away from 'living in submission to God’s Word'?

Values are also transforming because they can help bring about change through us. In Central Asia, 'loving and valuing people' is lived out in mercy projects that recognize the image of God in handicapped children, a concept foreign to the people of the land.

Values in transformation

Values are transforming because they themselves are in a process of change. Because values are a learned part of our culture, they can be modified through intentional, consistent behaviour. At a somewhat superficial level, by choosing to smile and eat the possibly strange (to us) foods of the lands where we serve, eventually those flavours may be among those we most enjoy.

At a deeper level, while mature Christians love God's Word, at the early stages of following Jesus it might have been a disciplined plan of early morning devotions that helped us develop our hunger for and value of the Bible.

Values can be transformed through mentoring and shared experience. I remember George Miley referring to himself and other leaders of my early OM days as 'weak people'. I kept it to myself but for some time thought, "I don't want weak people as leaders; I want strong leaders". Spending time around George, Dave Hicks, Mike Wakely and others refined my values and shifted my perspective on the qualities needed in godly leaders, as their lives matched their teaching (1 Cor. 4:10; 2 Cor. 12:10).

Finally, values are rooted in the core beliefs and assumptions of our worldview. If my worldview is centered on the concept of an angry, vengeful God it will be hard for me to join in OM's core value of 'loving and valuing people'. If the god I serve is my own self or the idols John warns us to avoid (1 John 5:21), then truly 'knowing and glorifying God' and 'serving sacrificially' will not be concepts with which I identify. While I can study the Bible and give some level of mental assent to the truth or falsehood of such beliefs, in this sense my worldview—and thus my values—will be fully transformed only as the Holy Spirit works at the core of my being.

Lasting value

Left as some sort of motivational poster on an office wall or website, or as the topic of a series of columns in the International Update, our agreed Core Values will have no impact. Without intentional reinforcement (Deut. 6:7; 2 Peter 1:5-8), we run the danger that they will slip into the archives of our earlier years. May that not happen!

Instead, as both the natural expression of our inner selves and as the fruit of intentional choices and deliberate action, let us continue to put them into practice so that, enabled by the Holy Spirit, these biblically-rooted values will contribute to ongoing transformation within us, among us, and through us today and in the years to come. 

Dr. David Greenlee is OM’s International Research Associate. Comments are welcome at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

1. Benjamin Lee Hegeman,'The Flight of the Swan: Discerning Hidden Values in Global Cultures', Evangelical Missions Quarterly, online edition, April 2010.