John became interested in “missions” several years ago when I traveled to Gulfport, Mississippi to perform Katrina related rebuilding. As I prepared for that first trip my biggest concern was whether I would have the proper tools with me. It was, you know, a work project to help those affected by the hurricane. Would we be doing framing, roofing, dry walling, painting?? If I just knew, then I could pack the proper tools.
Since that first trip, I’ve returned to Mississippi on three other occasions and have traveled twice to Greensburg, Kansas to rebuild that town after it was as destroyed by a tornado. In April 2008 my wife, Susan, and I organized and began to coordinate the Williamsport District Volunteers In Mission Ministry. In addition to our out-of-the-area trips we have completed over a dozen and a half one to five day local mission projects.
After that first trip, I’ve not worried too much about tools. I now realize that Volunteers In Mission Journeys are about “Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World”. The purpose of these journeys is to share the love and hope offered by Jesus Christ. The “work” we do and the “tools” we use are always secondary to making a Christian difference. So now I pack my Bible, my faith, my surrendered heart, my love for Jesus Christ, and my desire to do God’s will rather than mine--and a few tools just so it looks like I know what I’m doing.
I am honored to assume the position of VIM Council Chair. It is my heartfelt prayer that God will use this outreach ministry to touch the lives of those who are serving and those who are being served--to Bring people to Christ and to Grow people in Christ! I also pray that God will involve us in tasks that we alone cannot accomplish, so that when they are completed it will be He who gets the glory. It is my goal to lead the Conference VIM Ministry to a new and heightened level. I believe that if we -as United Methodists, as the Central Pennsylvania Conference, and as our Local Churches-are to effectively minister, remain viable, and grow; then we must focus on outreach. And I believe that one of the most effective (but not the only) vehicles for outreach is VIM.
“We will arrive like a gang of ragamuffins unqualified to do anything and then God will transform us into a powerful work team able to accomplish whatever tasks we are assigned—all for HIS glory!”
John’s contact information is:
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. Telephone 570-326-1943, cell: 570-337-9048.
The Volunteer in Mission Council and the Disaster Response Team report to the Board of Global Ministries through the Mission Catalyst, Ken Mengel.
