Missionary Council

Summer 2024 Update Letter

The theme for this missionary council was "Cornerstone."
This concept highlighted Christ as our cornerstone and acknowledged that we are living stones being built and shaped by God, our master builder. It was a fantastic time of being molded through teaching, which built us up internally and provided us with skills to use externally. However, two of my favorite moments were hearing leaders from around the world share their victories and struggles and having OMS ministries present to provide continued inter-OMS collaboration. 

So what happens at missionary council?

While my colleague Jessica handled most of the logistics, it was wonderful to see months of planning and schedule-building pay off. The main goal of the council was to gather leaders and ensure they were aware of what is happening across OMS worldwide. We also used this opportunity to challenge and set a standard for how OMS leaders should act and function. 

The talks throughout the week were excellent, covering topics like resiliency, conflict management, HR, and finance. The standout session was by OMS President Jeff Edwards and his wife, Laura. They discussed integrity of heart and skillfulness of hands (Psalm 78:72) and posed the question:
 "Are you building for your eulogy or your resume?"

While skills are crucial for leadership roles, they emphasized that good character and a relationship with God matter most. 

Some specific highlights:

Japan

In Japan, where OMS began, it was inspiring to hear about the exciting developments God is bringing to the field. A fantastic analogy was drawn to a beautiful old house, highlighting both the challenges and the amazing aspects that come with working in a field that has over 100 years of ministry.

Italy

OMS’s newest field provided insights from the field director about refugee ministries and the challenges of working with a transient population. We also learned about the bike shop and community garden, which blend humanitarian care with sharing the gospel. One of my favorite conversations involved vision casting an opportunity for missionaries from South Asia to minister to South Asian refugees in Italy.

Africa

The continued work and significant numbers of new churches and believers is incredible. However, what stood out more was the Q&A session, where we learned about the number verification process, including pictures of baptisms, visits to villages where churches meet, and ongoing relationships with supervisors, giving true meaning to the amazing statistics coming out of revival in Africa.