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Missionary Partnership
Team Connections |
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Recently the Board of International Ministries sent a letter sharing the need of our missionaries. Executive Director Dr. Reid Trulson sent a message to all Regional staff indicating Missionary Partnership Teams (MPT's) would be in contact with churches, associations and ministry groups seeking to schedule appointments for missionary speakers.
(Click here for a downloadable copy of Reid's letter). |
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As a Region it is our heart's desire to partner with churches, missionaries, and MPT's to assist in that effort.
(Click here to read Rev. Frank Frischkorn's Response To Reid's letter) |
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Additional Letter Sent To Regional Churches: April 12, 2009
Dear Partners in Ministry,
Greetings in the Name of the Risen Savior!
One of the central points of our regional vision is as follows: To build a Healthy/Vital Partnerships with our wider ABC Family
In an effort to foster our partnership with the Board of International Ministries, we want to share with you the development of an exciting new resource on our regional website which we are calling, "Missionary Partnership Team Connections".
As you may have heard, International Ministries is calling for each Missionary and their Missionary Partnership Team to reach their MPT goal of support by the end of September, 2009. To do so, our IM missionaries will be looking for opportunities to come and share the exciting stories of what the LORD is doing in their midst with the churches of our ABC Family, and in so doing, ask for your support. As a region, we have significant relationships with a number of our BIM missionaries, and our hope is to help them in their efforts to communicate their mission and ministry by creating a webpage listing AB Missionaries who have requested the opportunity to speak to ABCOPAD churches, as well as the dates that they are available. If a church is interested in scheduling a speaking assignment, we ask that they contact the Pittsburgh office at 412-687-3940 or email Denise Veselicky at pghbaptist@aol.com. Following these contacts, we will, in turn, contact the appropriate MPT or Missionary and ask the MPT or Missionary to make the arrangements. After the event is planned and the date is set, we are asking that the church / MPT confirm the assignment with us, and we will then update the schedule listed on our website, so other churches and individuals can get the latest news of when a particular missionary will be in their area.
It goes without saying that this is a 'work in progress' for all of us, and there will be changes to the webpage as more information becomes available, so we encourage you to check back often.
God placed a passion for mission in the lives of American Baptists with the work of Adoniram Judson, and He continues to use our denominational family in the extension of His Kingdom around the globe. As we seek new and creative ways to 'tell His Story', may God grant us His wisdom and grace.
Trusting in His Leading
Executive Minister World Mission Support Liaison
Rev. Frank Frischkorn Rev. Mark Mahserjian-Smith
Downloadable Copy of Letter |
1. We will maintain this webpage listing AB Missionaries who have requested the opportunity to speak to ABCOPAD churches listing the dates they are available.
2. If a church is interested in scheduling a speaking assignment, we ask that they contact the Pittsburgh office at 412-687-3940 or pghbaptist@aol.com.
3. ABCOPAD will, in turn, contact the appropriate MPT or Missionary and ask the MPT or Missionary to make the arrangements.
4. Once the date is set, we ask that the church / MPT confirm the assignment with us. We will then update the schedule listed on our website.
It is our hope this structure will assist Missionaries, MPT's and Church families work together to keep our International Mission work strong and vital.
Below is a list of Missionaries and MPT's who have already been in contact with us.
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Current Listing Of Missionary Speakers Available
Click here for a downloable copy of the missionaries availability:
Downloadable Schedule |
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We are committed to this partnership. As missionaries come they will not only focus on their own specific support but also the need to support United Mission, Regional Ministry and Local Church Ministry.
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Instructions To Give To A Specific Missionary or MPT Group
 If you would like to make a contribution to a specific Missionary or MPT, select, "Give To A Specific Missionary or MPT" from the category list on our Donation web page. Complete the rest of the transaction form. In the "Comments" section of the form include the name of the BIM Missionary you would like to support. Important: This is only for ABC BIM Recognized Missionaries. If you would like your church to receive credit for your gift be certain to include your church's pin number or the name of your church including the town the church is located in your comment or in the Unique ID field on the form. (Example: First Bapist Church, Milton or Calvary Baptist Church, Allentown.)
Link To Donation Web Page
Giving Through Our Regular Remittance System: For churches and individuals wishing to make a gift to a BIM Missionary eligible for the Luther Rice Matching Gift Funds, please list these contributions on the Targeted Giving line of the Monthly Report of Mission Support. In the detail section, please include the missionary's name, as well as noting Luther Rice Matching Gift. The intention is for these to be new monies, over and above your other gifts to missionaries and/or the region. Remember, it is always possible to support a Missionary through Targeted Giving even after the Luther Rice Matching Gift opportunity has ended. |
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Letter & International Ministries Giving Report From ABCOPAD Treasuer Caryl Casey:
Many of you have had the opportunity to hear or read about International Ministries' Missionary Partnership Teams. Presently 7 missionaries or missionary couples have MPT's here in Pennsylvania and Delaware. Recently BIM has announced the creation of the Luther Rice Matching Grant Fund, that will be used to match "new" money given for the support of missionaries within a specific time frame this year. MPT Leaders have already contacted ABCOPAD staff, to assist in lining up opportunities for these missionaries to speak in churches here in the region.
As we seek to partner with both International Ministries and the missionaries who serve in countries around the world, we compiled information about the ways in which you presently support this good work. In 2008, 38 missionaries and missionary couples were supported by individuals and congregations throughout ABCOPAD. You will see on the spreadsheet that a total of $460,777.94 was given by the American Baptists in this region alone, just last year. In 2 Corinthians 8:7 it says But just as you excel in everything – in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us-see that you also excel in this grace of giving. ABCOPAD congregations have surely shown their grace in giving to International Ministries and the need continues as they seek to encourage gifts of new money, not shifting of support from other equally important ministry and work.
The chart shows giving that has gone directly to BIM; the percentage BIM receives from United Mission (provides through the covenant relationship, vital and basic support for all American Baptist mission and ministries); and giving for World Mission Offering, Specifics, Targeted Giving and Miscellaneous Objectives (personal gifts), through the mission remittance process. It is the partnership of ABCOPAD congregations that has made this possible.
ABCOPAD IM 2008 Contribution Report |
Each Mission Speaker is committed to raising new mission dollars. Below is a list of what you came expect a mission speaker to include in their presentation.
There are costs associated with bringing a mission speaker to your church.
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Room
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Meals
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Travel Expense
| Note: When missionaries come to your church to share their testimony and their work, you will need to help defray the cost of their visit. The host church/or churches is responsible for any and/all ground transportation, meals, lodging, and hospitality costs associated with the visit. International Ministries has limited resources dedicated to underwrite the cost of airfare when such travel is required and approved. If your church is able, a donation to help offset the cost is encouraged and appreciated. |
Please know Rev. Mark Mahserjian-Smith World Mission Support Liaison and Denise Veselicky Coordinator of Mission Deputation and our Area Minsters stand ready to help.
Rev. Mark Mahserjian-Smith,
1523 Smokey Corners Road
Williamsport, PA 17701
570-435-2001 (o)
Email: msmsmail@abcopad.com
Denise Veselicky
c/o First Baptist Church
159 N. Bellefield Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
(412) 687-3940 (o)
Fax: (412) 687-3941
Email: Pghbaptist@aol.com