Bits & Bytes... May 2010

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~ Bits & Bytes for Bagley Backers - May 2010 ~
Africa Area Missionary Retreat Easter weekend we had the privilege of sharing time with all of Global Partners' missionaries in Africa at the annual missionary retreat held in Livingstone, Zambia. What an honor to work with some of God's most prized servants! Jerry & Jody Manwaring did a superb job of arranging the details of the retreat which was designed to meet three major needs of the missionary family: Rest & Relaxation: Many of the missionaries serve in remote areas under difficult living conditions. The daily stress of managing life without reliable electrical service or water supply or the frustration over difficulty in locating essential basic supplies can build up over time, without even considering the stress of ministry demands. To provide relief the retreat was held at a relaxing retreat center and missionaries relaxed with activities such as a visit to Victoria Falls, a morning game drive in a nearby reserve (photo above), and a short "cruise" up the Zambezi River (below). Professional Development: As with any profession, missionaries need to continue to develop their skills and work on increasing the effectiveness of the service. During the retreat Bob led a series of workshops to introduce the new MUME (Mutually Understood Measurable Expectations) process that Global Partners is using with all personnel to help with goal setting and ministry evaluation. Spiritual Renewal: Missionaries often get home sick to hear a sermon in English or to sing familiar hymns and choruses. Regular worship times were held during the retreat with missionaries leading devotional sessions; Pastor Gary VanRiper from Camden, NY bringing solid Biblical messages; vigorous singing of choruses and hymns; and the celebration of Easter with a sunrise service. Pastor-to-missionaries, Phil Nettleton, was present and available throughout the weekend for individual counseling, prayer, and encouragement. The four days flew by rapidly and now everyone has returned to their places of service seeking to exalt Christ by ministering to physical needs in hospitals and clinics, training up a new generation of Africa leaders in Bible colleges, and mentoring and encouraging emerging young leaders on the rapidly expanding "front lines" of African church growth. (Click here to see a slide show of the retreat.) In This Issue Africa Area Missionary Retreat Home Ministry Suspended Prayer Requests Praise Points Our Event Calendar Support Team Forward to a Friend Our Event Calendar May 23 -- Bolivar, OH - Bolivar Wesleyan Church May 25 -- Indianapolis, IN - Theological Education Consultation May 26-28 -- Indianapolis, IN - Leadership Council June 6 -- Shokan, NY - Wesleyan Community Church June 8 -- Brockville, ON - International Partnership Team for Ghana June 13-18 - Indianapolis, IN, Missionary Training Institute June 27 -- Bellaire, OH - United Wesleyan Church July 2-11 -- Browns Flat, NB - Beulah Camp Aug. 23-Sep. 10 -- Manzini, Swaziland - Emmanuel Wesleyan Bible College (Brenda) Aug. 26-29 -- Lusaka, Zambia - National Conference Sept. 16-19 -- Likasi, Democratic Republic of Congo - National Conference Support Team We are grateful for all who have made a commitment to become part of our regular prayer and/or financial support team. If you haven't done so, you can join the team by clicking the link below. Thanks! Forward to a Friend You can help us by forwarding "Bits & Bytes" to friends who will be interested in the work of Global Partners in Africa. Just click on the link below. Friends who receive the email will also be given an opportunity to sign up to receive it in the future. Forward this message to a friend An easy to print version of this email can be found here. Home Ministry Suspended Global Partners has given approval for us to suspend Home Ministry activity for August through October so we can spend that time in Africa giving attention to important ministry matters there. Among other things there are two national conferences scheduled, consultations with church leaders needed, and Brenda will be teaching a course at Emmanuel Wesleyan Bible College in Swaziland. Since we still have not reached 100% support, the plan is for us to return to North America in November to continue support raising. Churches can contact us about scheduling a missions service or conference in November or early December. Prayer Requests Please help us pray for the following needs: Pray for the meeting of Global Partners' Leadership Council May 26-28 as they meet to refine GP's vision and strategy for ministry. Please continue to pray for God to supply the support that is needed so that we can give our full attention to the work of giving leadership to GP's work in Africa. On their way home from the DRC, missionaries Mike & Cindy Helvie received word that their home in the States had been destroyed in a fire. Pray that God will comfort them and guide them as they work on rebuilding from thousands of miles away. Mrs. Thabsile Thwala, Director of the Fortress and the Children's Village in Swazilan has recently had serious surgery. Please pray that God will grant her a full recovery. Praise Points Randal and Candy Cheney have just been appointed by Global Partners to serve as career missionaries in Africa. Praise God for this wonderful addition to the Africa team. The missionary team that visited the Democratic Republic of Congo reported a very productive time of ministry. In Selinda Ingalls' words: 2704 km driven, 12 police checks, 8 churches visited, 6 nights stayed, 6 tolls paid, 4 languages spoken, 4 feasts eaten, 1 speeding fine, 1 driver (me), meetings with national church leaders, countless pictures taken, lots of fellowship and friends made... all in all the trips was a success and we are very thankful to be safely home! Jim Pickett reports recently having baptized 53 new believers in a service in northern Mozambique. Praise God for the advance of His kingdom!
Bob & Brenda Bagley | rbagley112@gmail.com