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A MESSAGE FROM OUR NEW PRESIDENT

As your newly elected president of the mission society, I would like to thank the board for entrusting me with such a large task. I pray for God’s guidance and blessings in making us more missions minded. If there was ever a time in the life of the Moravian Church when missions was most important it is now.  We have all been called to help our brothers and sisters on the Golf Coast after Katrina, restoring youth camp facilities and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with those near and far. To fulfill our calling, this summer we have seen an increase in requests from our Young Partners in Missions fund, to the extent that we have exhausted our budgeted amount to date. We have awarded support to 20 youth mission teams from 18 different congregations and also 17 adult short-term mission teams. Several teams have assisted in preparing Laurel Ridge for summer camp. Good news from the Jamaica Province, completion of the first floor of Camp Hope is in sight. New Philadelphia is planning to send a team in early September to help with painting.

A youth in mission summit is scheduled for September 1-4, 2006 at Laurel Ridge in response to a Synod Resolution to acquire new ideas and mission fields for North American Moravian Church. Young adults from around the US and Jamaica will attend. The young adults will prepare for this summit through readings and team research. Let’s keep our young people in our prayers.

Brother Sam Gray will be leading a team to Nepal to exchange North America’s music techniques, theory and hymns. This trip will benefit both the Nepalese as well as worldwide missions.  Please keep Br. Sam and his team in your prayers.

Last Sunday I had the opportunity to witness the consecration of Br. Sam Gray as bishop. This was truly an inspiring event. Congratulations! The Moravian church is truly blessed to have such a great facilitator of missions. He has re-energized each and every one of us to be more mission minded and to share the gospel through out the world.

The Nain Experience 2006

The Board of World Mission has the privilege to partner with the Moravian Church in Labrador in an Evangelistic effort focusing on the youth in Nain Labrador. The Experience involves a team of young persons with a pastor who will spend the summer in Nain sharing the good news of Jesus Christ on a very personal basis. The message of Jesus Christ will provide a source of Hope for the youth as the face the problems of drugs, alcohol, abuse and suicide that plague their lives. This message of Hope will replace the hopelessness and despair that controls much of their lives

Where is Nain?

Nain is the northernmost remaining community of those established by the Moravian Missionaries in the 18th century on the East Coast of Labrador. While remote Nain is quickly being introduced to the modern western world through modern technology.

Who are The Team Members?

Brad Wankewicz, Jessica Jonas, Sayward Green, Rebecca Angstadt, and Rev. Joe Moore and all those supporting the team including the Labrador Province and the Board of World Mission.
          What Can I Do?

We realize that all Evangelistic successes are the work of the Holy Spirit rather that the result of the effort expended by those in the field. We also believe that the Holy Spirit listens to the prayers of his people. We are looking for a Province wide prayer support team to remain in prayer daily for the team that is in Nain and for those whose lives they may touch.The project is also a considerable financial undertaking. The cost is being shared by the Moravian Church of Newfoundland and Labrador. The Board of World Mission and those individuals and groups that are moved to support this work in Nain. Your financial participation will allow us to expand the program and respond to yet unforeseen opportunities as they arise. Individuals, Sunday school classes, VBS’s, congregations and mission organizations are all challenged to respond to this outstanding opportunity.                  (EVON CROOKS)

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SEARCH FOR NEW EDITOR

ONWARD is in search of a new editor. If anyone in our reading audience would like to become the new editor of Onward please contact Evon Crooks at 336-940-3686.

 I would also like to thank Br John Giesler for serving as our chief editor for the past ten years. He began in 1996 and has reached his 75^th birthday so feels it is a time for a change for him and ONWARD.