New Missionaries Commissioned
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| Missionaries taking their places in the sanctuary to prepare for prayer. |
Eighty-one newly-appointed
career missionaries going to 30 countries were commissioned June 30, 2011.
These missionary candidates
arrived June 11 at the Central Bible College campus in Springfield, Missouri,
to begin three weeks of training. The missionary associates joined them during
the first two weeks and were commissioned on June 23.
During the remaining week of
training they were joined by veteran missionaries on itineration, making a
total of about 418 adult missionaries in attendance. There were also 257
missionary kids who went through the MK program.
The missionary training and
renewal culminated with the commissioning service held at Praise Assembly in
Springfield, Missouri.
Dary Northrop, pastor of
Timberline Church in Fort Collins, Colorado, preached the message. The choir,
made up of the new missionaries, sang, “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name,” and
“The Lamb Has Overcome,” directed by Roger Thomassen.
Then, family by family, the
missionaries’ names were called. As they left the platform and spread out
across the floor of the sanctuary they were joined by their children as their
photos were flashed on the overhead screens.
When they were in place, AGWM
Executive Director L. John Bueno issued the commitment statement and
presentation to the new missionaries.
At that point their district superintendents, pastors, family members and others came to lay hands on them as General Superintendent George O. Wood prayed over the new missionaries.
COMMENTS ON THE COMMISSIONING SERVICE
John Bueno believes this event
is an important turning point for each missionary. He said: “This commissioning
service is not only a highlight in the lives of the missionaries, but I believe
it is also a public commitment on their part declaring their intent to serve
Jesus Christ overseas for the rest of their lives. With their district
officials, parents and friends in attendance I believe this service seals and
confirms this commitment in the hearts of not only the missionaries but of our
Fellowship. So we count this as a special moment in their lives.”
Rick Johnson, who gave the
invocation and call for new missionaries and elders in the service, added: “In
my estimation this is one of the most sacred services we have in the Assemblies
of God. Along with our national and district leaders and many others, we
dedicate a part of this service to pray for our new missionaries as they are
being commissioned. It is perhaps the most powerful service I’m ever privileged
to attend.”
George O. Wood observed: “This
service represents the fruit of the Assemblies of God fulfilling one of its
core reasons for being, which is to share the gospel of Jesus Christ in the
nations of this world. I absolutely get thrilled in this annual event. I wish
every pastor and every layperson in the Assemblies of God could be here for a
moment like this. If they were they could never be passive about missions ever
again.”
The newly-appointed missionaries
and missionary associates are now in the next phase of their missionary
endeavors which is to visit churches and individuals seeking prayer partners
and financial support.
Click here to check with your district office to see which new missionaries are in your area.
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