Way to go, Holston Conference. You inspire, feed, equip, strengthen, love and lift up people in our communities and around the world every day. Through your love for Jesus Christ and generous giving, you've made a difference for generations past and still do today, in different places and different ways. Thank you, Holston. You'll never know how many lives you've changed. Way to go. Way to give! How can we communicate our gratitude to you and to the people in our churches? We are providing a year of videos and bulletin inserts, designed to celebrate Holston ministries and to share with our congregations each month. These resources are made available here at www.waytogiveholston.org for each month in 2014. It's recommended that you share the designated videos and bulletins on the third Sunday of each month -- or on a convenient Sunday within the month. Remember to visit WaytoGiveHolston.org and read "The Call" for resources throughout 2014.

Thank you for helping us share our appreciation. Way to go! Way to give!

Why Go To South Sudan?

     I have been questioned recently about why I would risk traveling to South Sudan with all of the concerns about the Ebola virus. Those questions have not only come from people around me. They have come from inside of me.

   First, let me say that the crisis that has developed over Ebola is being closely monitored by both medical and healthcare leaders as well as church mission leaders. In addition, we are traveling nowhere near the West African countries where this crisis if focused.

     It is amazing to experience the many ways that our enemy Satan will devise to try to prevent us from doing the work of our Lord, whether that is in some other part of the world or in our own home, neighborhood, workplace or school. And one of the best tools in his arsenal of weapons is fear. It is so easy to come up with reasons not to do something because of "what might happen." However, our God is not a god of fear. Our God is always leading us into the risky challenge of changing the world, whether in our own community or in another country.

     So our team is going to South Sudan because our God continues to call the people of Holston there. We continue to support the life-changing ministry that Fred and Libby Dearing are doing there. We continue to let the people there know that we care enough to come and be with them. As Mike Sluder likes to say, "The most important thing we do is get off the plane."

     We ask that you pray for us as we travel. Pray for the Dearings and all of the people of the Yei District. Pray for the people of the village of Logo and Pastor Simon Duku. And pray that all of us who call ourselves "Christian" will continue to overcome our challenges and fears as the Holy Spirit leads, that we may truly be the people of God whom we know in Jesus Christ!

Love, Grace & Peace,

Nathan Malone

Mission Opportunities:

• $1/Day for one year to pay for the new Wesley House! We invite individuals, families and groups to pledge $30/month for one year to pay off the loan for the new building which continues to grow our ministry to children in the inner city.

• Volunteer at Wesley House. Call 524-5494 to find out how you or your group can serve the children and staff there. Individuals and groups can make a big difference!

• "Raise the Roof" at Camp Wesley Woods. Several buildings there need a new roof.

  Any amount will help.

   

   

  Way to Go! Way to Give!

              Check out a new video message of gratitude each month on the Holston Conference website www.holston.org. These are excellent opportunities to share with the people of your church about the difference they are making in the lives of others.