FM World Conference Bishops and Delegates

FREE METHODIST BISHOPS

Back row, left to right: B. Tuan, B. Chauke, B. Thomas, B. Sartele, B. Jeremias, B. Lahara, B. Peña, B. Chembe
Front row, left to right: B. W’elongo, B. Nerenda, B. Buconyori, B. Elford, B. Imai, B. Kendall, B. Kayinamura, B. Roller, B. Gollapalli

FM WORLD CONFERENCE DELEGATES

There are many outstanding delegates. Many heroes of the faith. They do not tell you about themselves. The delegates are intent to carefully serve the Worldwide Church.

Free Methodist World Missions

Against a backdrop of the history of FM World Missions, executive director, Dr. Arthur Brown, made several suggestions, all of which helped us see the current forces which are molding the future of the worldwide church:
1 – suggested a coordinated stewardship plan for both the rich and poor.
2 – suggested that our future will involve systems and relationships of high accountability but low control.
3 – suggested that AIDS intervention will be key for us.
4 – suggested that our development efforts should focus on development that helps the poor help themselves.

General Conference Report Summaries I

Bishop Ellie Buconyori of Burundi reports…

Primary accomplishments:
1. Churches growing (From 1997 to 2007, membership increased from 75,000 to 84,000)
2. Leaders are being raised up
3. Churches have been planted in nearly every province of the 3 countries within the General Conference.
4. The church in Kenya has begun work in Uganda.

Primary needs:
1. Teaching resources.
2. Funds for ministry.
3. Pension for their pastors.
4. Strengthening new churches, especially in Uganda.

Primary dreams:
1. Church plant in each mega city in Kenya and Uganda.
2. A church within 10 km of all people in Burundi.
3. Each pastor having a bicycle to reach his parishioners.
God is doing a great work in Burundi, Uganda, and Kenya.

Bishop W’elongo of the Democratic Republic of Congo reports…

The country has experienced war which has killed many people and displaced others as refugees. There’s also been a breakout of AIDS and HIV.
In spite of this, the church has grown from 139,000 members in 2003 to 147,000 in 2007!
They have also started a work, for the first time, among members the pygmy tribe.
Their challenges include: the consequences of war, poverty, displacement, sickness, deaths destruction, a lack of funds and the spiritual decline of the country. (And we thought WE had problems!)

Going forward, their goals are:
* Pursuing sanctification
* Opening more training schools and a university
* Developing work in the DRC, Tanzania and Congo Brazzaville

They thank God, wholeheartedly, for the wonderful work of Child Care Ministries and for the continuing support being provided for needy children.

God is doing a great work in the Democratic Republic of Congo!

Bishop Elias Peña of the Dominican Republic reports…

The General Conference in the DR has 148 FM Churches, 92 additional churches in formation, and baptized 1,277 people during 2006 and 2007. Dominican immigrants minister in the U.S. and other countries. Most churches have daughter churches. Some have 3. Some have as many as 10!

The DR Free Methodist Seminary offers classes in 5 locations and hopes to add both Masters and Doctorate degrees. 112 students currently attend the seminary. There are 7 centers caring for children. One center cares for 550 children, some of whom have AIDS, some of whom are street children, and most of whom are very poor. Through this children’s ministry, many parents have come to know the Lord. They currently have 14 Schools throughout the country and 2 Book stores.

The dream of the FMC in the DR is to take the message to every town and city. By 2009, they hope to have 300 churches! 24 church buildings are currently under construction. God is doing a great work in the Dominican Republic!

(submitted by Larry Roberts, FMCNA)

From One Generation to the Next

In 1978, Pastor Isaac Shembe and Bishop John Ellis met in South Africa. Their two sons, Bishop Lincoln Shembe and John Ellis have worked together over the years and meet again at World Conference in 2007.

Devotional by Bishop David Kendall (FMCNA)

Bishop David Kendall thoroughly elevated hearts and minds by taking us deep into the complexities of church, as the miracle which God does in the world. The church is an inexplicable miracle, aside from the power and presence of God. God invites the church to participate in His eternal and universal plan, this is His wisdom.
According to Ephesians 3:10 God shows his wisdom through the church. The church must choose and follow the way of Jesus in these 3 ways:
1. The privileges Jesus enjoyed, became the gifts he offered to others
2. The Jews and Gentiles were no longer divided. For us that means that no human divisions can stand before the cross of Christ.
3. Our focus is Praise and our Priority is to Pray. Otherwise the evil powers will supply false solutions.

God wants the powerful to know that privilege and power become an opportunity to bless others.
God wants the powerful to know that all people are welcome, are cherished by God, and are candidates for his blessing.
God wants the powerful to know that the way of self-sacrificing love is the only path to true victory.
This is the way of Christ, expressed through the church to the world.

submitted by Bishop David Roller (FMCNA) and Larry Roberts (USA)

Prayer Request for Europe

European Area Director, Jerry Coleman, asks us to pray for Europe, one of the younger areas of Free Methodism. The European Church Leaders’ Conference , a semi-annual leadership gathering will be held November 16 – 20, 2007 in Budapest, Hungary. Jerry asks, “Will you pray?”

For more information, visit the Europe FMC website.