The latest ministry of ARM is that of building low-cost housing on the San 

Carlos Apache Reservation.  Last October, FCC took a team to Globe every weekend.  We started a home the first weekend and finished it the last.  Also, that last weekend, the traditional house blessing was held. 
     This year we will be doing a modified version of the same thing.  We will be taking teams up September 4-7, September 25-27, and October 23-25.  Other groups will be working on the house in between times so we won't be under quite as much pressure as last year.  Sign-ups will begin the weekend of July 18 & 19 during our International Outreach Weekend.  We would love to have families go on these trips. Young people 13 and up are urged to accompany their parents. The teams are limited to between 15-20 members, so you need to get your spot reserved early.  You will be asked to make a $25 non-refundable deposit when you apply.  When a weekend reaches capacity, it will be closed to further registrations.  The cost will be $45 per day per person.  The first weekend is Labor Day, so it will be considered a three-day weekend.
     The plans, as of now, are to leave around 4 on Friday afternoon and return after lunch on Sunday or Monday. 

     Exciting and touching are two of the adjectives heard over and over again as people have commented about the International Outreach Weekend of July 18 and 19.  Having several "real live" missionaries here certainly helped create excitement.  The enormous map in the lobby, flanked by booths of various international ministries, contributed to visual stimulation.  Yet, basking in the afterglow, I realized it was teamwork that brought it all together. 
     I have long been an advocate of team ministry.  The Missions Ministry Team has been organized into task groups for almost 20 years.  Each person on the team must take responsibility for a task group to earn the right to make decisions on support and long range planning. Those task groups are prayer, education, hospitality, transportation, member care, administration, AIDS in Africa, short-term trips, and International Students. 
     The planning and execution of the weekend we called "From the Heavens to the Nations" elevated team ministry to heights we had before only dreamed of.  From the top down, and from the bottom up, an incredible number of people contributed to the weekend's success. 
     Senior Minister, Dan Trautman, was gracious in allowing Walter Ridgley to preach.  He also gave credibility to the purpose of the weekend by introducing Walt and explaining why there were displays crowding the east end of the main Lobby.  Walt then gave an enlightened sermon on the theme of missions that begins in Genesis 12:3 and does not end until Revelation 7:9. That is team ministry.
     Children's Minister, Rick Keeling, not only loaned us a backboard for the world map that was the visual centerpiece, but he also painted it and moved it several times.  Sacrificing time off from work, Karen Edwards put her remarkable talent to work to draw the map. She then enlisted her niece and nephew to help color it and redeemed the time by witnessing to them. That is team ministry.
     Nothing stirs hearts like the sight of the flags of 18 countries carried by people in the traditional dress of those countries.  We heard over and over again how touched members of the congregation were to see people who serve in various areas carrying the flags.  As with any production, a flag parade does not happen by accident.  Kappy Bickel recruits flag bearers, including alternates, so that in emergencies there is still a carrier for all the flags.  She also irons the flags and the costumes.  She and Noel Morago help the participants to be as authentic in dress as possible.  They are back stage to give each participant his or her cue.  The flags, poles, and costumes are carefully stored for the next use.  That is team ministry.
     The flag bearers themselves are here from early to late on Sunday.  This time they arrived for practice at 3 o'clock on Saturday afternoon and stayed through the Twenty4/7 service that evening.  Kappy and Noel are determined those practices will begin and end on time and are always looking for ways to make the parades more effective.  That is team ministry.
     Darrin Akin, Paul Mondragon, and Jorge Pantoja partnered with me to plan the music, content, and flow of the services.  Darrin and Jorge made time on Saturday afternoon to be at the practice.  Paul was on vacation, but was back for Sunday just daring the computers, microphones, and cameras to fail.  He also provided a DVD of the service for all the workers who were present.  That is team ministry.
     If you have not seen the booklet we produced to tell the story of what FCC is doing around the world, they are available in the turnstile at the west end of the lobby and in the Welcome Center.  Terry Sanders, Jenny Matthews, Carole Trautman, and Darrin Akin used a plethora of hours formatting, proofreading, printing, and assembling yet another tool for world evangelization.  That is team ministry.
     Alan Dyson allowed us to move the Involvement Center furniture for the weekend.  He and his wife, Kari, constantly make themselves available wherever needed.  Les and Jul Gompert provided housing for Diana Lawrence. That is team ministry.
     Kevin and Karen Hershkowitz are the newest members of the Mission Ministry Team.  They planned, provided the main dish, set up, and cleaned up for the lunch on Sunday where our guests, the staff, the elders, and the Missions Ministry were fed.  The latter three groups brought salads and desserts and stayed to visit and encourage.  Once everyone had eaten, many, many in the group joined forces to clear and move tables and help tear down the booths.  The Twenty4/7 Grill Crew planned delicious, inexpensive food for our guests Saturday after service.  That is team ministry.
     There are not enough superlatives and adjectives to express the appreciation I feel for this team effort.  If I have forgotten anyone, I am sorry.  I do know that God was glorified, Jesus was lifted up, the Holy Spirit was present, and our partners in ministry were encouraged. 
     As I looked around the café Saturday evening, I saw the Ridgleys,  Robertsons, Liles, Nixes, Linda Stanton, and Diana Lawrence visiting with and encouraging each other.  We have been intentional about making our international partners feel like they are members of the FCC family.  It was obvious we have been successful in that.  Of course, we support outstanding workers.  Where there could be competition and rivalry, there was only love and affirmation.  Now that's team ministry. 

Because He Lives,

Laretta K. Shrader