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"R" You Getting Together?!
It's always great to "get together" and reconnect, reflect a bit and refresh. Reminiscing and recounting all that God has done is, well, rejuvenating.
These recurring events can take place anually, bi-annually, monthly or even more or less frequently. We are encouraged in Scripture to be careful to do it often . . . to "not forsake the assembling of yourselves together," for the greater purpose of biblical fellowship, instruction and worship.
This issue of the UIM Connection! is designed to report some of the "getting together" we've recently done in UIM. I praise the Lord for our UIM family of missionaries, scattered from Canada to Mexico. Once every five years the "whole gang" gets together.
Many of you made it all possible. Your prayers and gifts provided the opportunity for this reunion, for young and old, for veteran missionaries and young appointees just getting started. What a marvelous mix giving testimony to the magnitude and multifaceted nature of God's redeeming and refreshing grace!
One great day our Lord will return for us in the greatest "getting together" event of all time. Until that day may we remain faithful and diligent to serve Him!
Thank you for staying connected with UIM International. Enjoy your UIM Connection!
Rejoicing in His grace,
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Dan Fredericks
Executive Director |
P.S. Visit our UIM Website to listen to Dr. Elwood Chipchase, keynote speaker at our UIM 55th Anniversary Staff Conference Reunion. www.uim.org and click on Resources.
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A 55-Year Celebration in Nebraska
Under the theme "Through the Years and Beyond," most of UIM's missionaries serving in British Columbia, the United States, and Mexico enjoyed a refreshing 55th anniversary staff conference August 2-6 at Maranatha Bible Camp near Maxwell, Nebraska. Dr. Elwood Chipchase, pastor of 38 years and former president of Calvary Bible College and Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri, for ten years, inspired their thinking during the Bible hours. Focusing on the necessity of love, he stated: "If you don't love the people you minister to, you'll never reach them." "It takes time to teach. Time speaks of love." "Love those whom God loves; love is serving others. Such love includes seeing value in everyone, exchanging anger for love, desiring only what God gives, and having a transformed attitude."
Conference participants also benefited from several seminars: "Worldviews" by former UIMer John Cosby, "Practical Evangelism" by GoodSeed International trainer/consultant Tom Leger, "Effective Ministry Fund-raising by UIMers Jim Pieters and Bryon Brock, "Internships and Short-term Mission Trips" by UIM International Representative Warren Cheek, and "The Titus Template: A Biblical Model for Church Planting" by UIM Executive Director Dan Fredericks. Joy Chipchase, wife of Elwood, presented a seminar on witnessing and spoke at the ladies' tea; UIMer Val Beard facilitated an exchange of creative ideas for children's ministry.
Evangelical Bible Church of Omaha provided a much-appreciated ministry to children, and Danny Fredericks, youth pastor of Wheatland Bible Church in Wyoming and son of UIM Executive Director, challenged the youth. The Frederickses' son-in-law Colin Lundstrom worshipfully led music for the general sessions.
One of the three couples that started United Indian Missions, Dr. Don and Donna Fredericks, were presented with a plaque commending them for their 55 years of loving and faithful service to UIM. Don was General Director for 24 of those years.
Should the Lord delay His coming, the next anniversary conference is slated for 2016. We desire that many Natives, Hispanic, and Mexicans will have come to Christ and become part of growing indigenous churches by then. Pray to that end!
Pictures from Conference |
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