Designated Ministry: Field Ministers/Ministry—June 22, 2008

Suggested worship service for this day.
PowerPoint presentation to support the story.

For stories about what’s happening in the Asia Mission Field, read the June Herald “Sharing in the Field” section.

A. Disciples’ Generous Response Story: World

Asia Mission Field—Bringing the Gospel to Life

Each Sunday we are invited to “share equally” with Mission Tithes for local and world ministries. These stories are provided to keep us in touch with how your contributions to Mission Tithes are spreading the peace of Jesus Christ.

This story, Bringing the Gospel to Life, takes us to the Asia Mission Field. As we give our offerings each week, we might wonder exactly how our World Ministries Mission Tithes make a difference in places that we will never personally visit. After all, it’s a long way from our door steps to the Asia Mission Field. To find out, let’s take a look at what’s been happening in there over the past few years—then remember that this same story is happening in mission fields around the globe.

In the Philippines, Seventy Chito Magabilin reports that three new congregations began in the past three years. Three more are underway this year. In Sri Lanka, Seventy Henry DeSilva started yet another congregation this year in that war-torn nation—truly a place where the peace of Christ needs to be shared. In India, twenty new congregations have been planted in the past five years, with several more in the works. New efforts in Taiwan will soon begin. And we continue to build friendships and networks of contacts in mainland China. All of these efforts translate into transforming peoples’ lives. Do you still wonder what happens with your World Ministries Mission Tithes? The witness of Christ is being extended throughout the whole world. The message of God’s love for each person is shared from pulpits and in homes in some of the world’s largest cities and in some of the most remote jungle villages—literally bringing the gospel to life. Your generous response makes all this possible. Thank you for responding faithfully by sharing so very generously.—Steven L. Shields, field appointee, Asia Mission Field

B. Disciples’ Generous Response Story: Local

What is happening to you or in your congregation as a result of giving to local ministries through Mission Tithes? Share those experiences as part of your congregation’s Disciples’ Generous Response.

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C. Blessing on Our Offering

From Psalm 86:8 – 10 (NRSV) (adapted), we read: There is none like you…O Lord, nor are there any works like yours. All the nations you have made shall come and bow down before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name. For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God.

Sharing our Mission Tithes equally between local and world ministries allows others to share the witness of Jesus Christ. Let us share in the prayer of blessing for our offering.