February 2010

THANKFUL

As a ministry, we could not exist without YOU. You don’t hear it enough. Plain and simple. And it’s not just about thanking you, it’s about connecting with you and empowering you to reach students for Christ. We are committed to listening, learning, and loving you as partners of the gospel of Christ. And before you read anything else, we want to say “Thank you!” With a humble and sincere heart, we thank you for believing in us, the ministry of Wings Global Outreach, and limitless possibilities of impacting the Kingdom for the glory of God.

OUR JERUSALEM

Ever since we moved up here to Georgia, we have been praying that God would show us how to get involved in reaching students through our local church. While we work full-time with Wings, we believe our passion to reach people for Christ, disciple them, and instill a passion for missions should also pour out of our personal lives. While work will require us to be out of town on a regular basis, we want to be available whenever possible to mentor and disciple students in our own Jerusalem.

After meeting with the high school youth pastor at First Baptist Church Woodstock, we will both begin co-teaching junior guys/girls on Sunday morning this month! God is also opening other doors locally. At the end of January, we were able to participate in an evangelistic service with the high school students where 65 students received Christ as their Savior! We will also have the opportunity to minister on the campuses of a few public high schools. Ryan may even lead pre-game chapel services for some high school sports teams!

CALM BEFORE THE STORM

We are still in need of vocalists and musicians for our worship team, Wings of Morning. While the past several months have been filled with interviews and auditions, we are still waiting for God to provide the right individuals. But despite not having a team on the road, we have had plenty to do! God willing, we will have our music team assembled in mid-May for Training Camp to begin touring across the country in June. There are two GO Mission Projects planned for this summer (Nicaragua and Romania), and we already have several Extend Student Leadership Conferences and church events booked for the fall. And we’re still meeting and calling church leaders every week! This fall may shape up to be our busiest in many years!

ROAD TRIP!

For the first half of March, we will be traveling to Texas for a missions conference and for church meetings. We have been invited to Dallas Theological Seminary’s World Evangelism Conference where we expect to have many opportunities to share the vision and passion of Wings Global Outreach. We will also be visiting some of our supporters, as well as some of Katharine’s relatives who have invited us to speak at their local church! Please pray for our safety as we travel and for divine meetings with people that would like to partner with our ministry.

A BLESSING IN DISGUISE?

It is well known that businesses are not the only ones affected by the economy. Churches and organizations like Wings are feeling the crunch all over the world, some more than others. According to a study conducted by The Barna Group, “The typical church has lost, on average, 14% of its budget.” While this statistic is unfortunate, perhaps there is a blessing in disguise nestled within these difficult economic times.

We feel this is an opportunity for the body of Christ to reach out to a lost, hurting, and dying world. We must communicate that there isn’t a need that Christ cannot fill, namely the need of eternal peace with God through the Cross. But Christians will not be able to communicate this well if they continue to find security in bank statements, investment earnings, and material possessions. What a testimony it would be to see believers become more caring, generous, and intentional in their relationships during this time!

Personally, the Lord has revealed to us how He has been providing in ways that we previously ignored. We are learning the attitude that lies behind the words of Philippians 4:19, “My God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus!” And this has brought us into a deeper, more dependent relationship with Him.

Cultivating Missions in Youth Ministry

Ryan recently wrapped up a blog series for the Wings Blog with the same title as this post. The idea was to encourage youth pastors to teach and motivate their students to a lifestyle of missions, then give practical ideas to get them started. Here’s the outline of the 2 week series and links to each article.

Preface: No Excuses (it all starts here)

1. Teach It!

2. Pray Collectively

3. Service Projects

4. Attend Campus Outreach Groups

5. Partner with other Youth Pastors/Leaders

6. Get a Map, Get a Clue

7. Missionary Guest Speaker

8. Sponsor a Child

9. Missions Food Fair

10. Take Them on a Mission Trip

Now what? It’s important to take a step back and look at the implications of what we’ve covered. As I mentioned in our very first post, this isn’t about adding another program to your list of activities. Your ultimate goal with your students should be to make disciples of Jesus Christ and instill (by example) a passion to be on His mission.

Hopefully you never got the impression that any one of these ideas was jotted down simply to fill a gap on our list. Every singe one was intentional; there are some key biblical concepts providing the foundation for each (some require more critical thinking than others).

If you study early Church History (particularly the pages in Acts), you will likely realize there are certain universal characteristics every body of believers should exude. More on this in a later post.

But for now, here are the basic principles (and how we trust our ideas correspond)…

Dedication to the study of God’s Word, for both theology and life-application.

• Ideas 1, 4, 5, 7

Gathering together (both formal and casual) to share life experiences.

• Ideas 2, 5, 7, 9

Prayer (corporate and private) to intercede for friends and strangers, to discern the leading of the Holy Spirit, and give praise & thanksgiving to a worthy Father for who He is and what He has done.

• Ideas 2, 6, 8

Meeting needs through selfless service and generous giving (with believers and the lost).

• Ideas 3, 5, 8, 10

Being a witness in your community by investing time & sharing the gospel.

• Ideas 3, 4, 5, 10

Missions in Scripture

Here is a list of Ten Scripture Texts on Missions, originally posted on Ed Stetzer’s Blog (which you should check out):

GENESIS 12:1-3 The Lord said to Abram: Go out from your land, your relatives, and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, I will bless you, I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, I will curse those who treat you with contempt, and all the peoples on earth will be blessed through you.EXODUS 19:5, 6
Now if you will listen to Me and carefully keep My covenant, you will be My own possession out of all the peoples, although all the earth is Mine, and you will be My kingdom of priests and My holy nation.

ISAIAH 6:8
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying:
Who should I send?
Who will go for Us?
I said:
Here I am. Send me.

MATTHEW 24:14
This good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed in all the world as a testimony to all nations. And then the end will come.

MATTHEW 28:18-20
Then Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

MARK 16:15
Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation.

LUKE 24:46-48
“This is what is written: the Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead the third day, and repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And look, I am sending you what My Father promised. As for you, stay in the city until you are empowered from on high.”

JOHN 20:21
Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”

ACTS 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

1 PETER 2:9-10
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood,
a holy nation, a people for His possession,
so that you may proclaim the praises
of the One who called you out of darkness
into His marvelous light.
Once you were not a people,
but now you are God’s people;
you had not received mercy,
but now you have received mercy.

The Cycle of Missions

I had a brief discussion with the folks at Missions Launch (@MissionsLaunch) regarding the last post “Defining Missions“, and they made a valid point that is worth repeating. Worship is the ultimate goal and missions is the means. However, involvement in missions tends to inspire deeper and more affectual worship from participants. Call it the Spiritual Circle of Life, the reciprocal process naturally builds on itself. Proper understanding of God’s desire for worship leads to greater commitment to be on mission. Increased involvement in missions leads to greater worship of the Father. Deeper worship leads to greater impact…you get the picture.

Hmm…it’s almost like that’s the point?

Defining Missions

WHERE’S YOUR STARTING POINT?

No place in scripture will you see that the call of missions to be compartmentalized within the local church. It is to be the life-blood of a congregation; the underlying passion that drives every aspect of each member’s personal life, as well as every ministry within the church.

I’m not proposing you begin a movement in your congregation to dismantle the mission ministry or string up your missions pastor/director/committee; our Director of Administration is a former missions pastor. Just don’t let the folks in your missions department be the only people focused on missions; their role should be training and facilitating missions throughout the rest of the church. My point is, periodical involvement in a missions program is not enough.

As John Piper states in Let the Nations Be Glad!, “Missions is not the ultimate goal of the Church. Worship is. Missions exists because worship doesn’t.” GOING on mission is a means, not the final objective. GATHERING worshipers of the Father is the chief aim of the Church because it’s the utmost priority of our God.

If you grasp a proper vision of God’s desire for mankind – that every human being would lovingly and willingly respond to Him in worship (surrender, gratitude, reverence, praise, etc.) and entrust their soul’s salvation to Him alone – then you will have a proper understanding of missions. God desires His creation to worship Him, so the Church must LIVE the MISSION of bringing others to Him in worship together.

WHAT IS OUR MISSION (HOW DO WE GATHER WORSHIPERS)?

Enlightening others to the nature and character of God, informing them of the human condition (born dead in sin) and its consequences, explaining Christ as the only means to salvation, illustrating the new life birthed in you by the Holy Spirit, baptizing those who receive salvation, instilling in them the truths of God’s Word, teaching them how to study the scriptures, helping them discover their spiritual gifts, challenging them to spiritually reproduce themselves, and charging them to maintain a mindset of sacrifice and worship to the glory of their Creator and heavenly Father.

Year End Recap 2009

Lives Captured by the Love and Power of Christ

Whether singing in a church, sharing a testimony in a public school, or partnering with missionaries, 2009 can be characterized by “lives captured by the love and power of Christ.” As you read this newsletter, be encouraged by the places God has allowed us to go, the people with whom God has allowed us to work, and the results of all our efforts. You, through your prayers and financial gifts, have had a vital part in all of it. We thank you for your involvement and your faithfulness on our behalf. Together, we are making a difference.

2009 Marks 25-Year Milestone for Wings

A significant mile-marker for the ministry was celebrated in the Summer of 2009. From all over the United States family, friends, and alumni came to honor David and Jackie Edwards, as well as the Lord’s faithfulness, for 25 years of fruitful ministry. What a blessing to know that over 85 alumni are currently involved in full-time ministry! It was a time to remember what God has done, what He is doing, and what He will do through Wings Global Outreach. Wings is making a difference for eternity. Thank you for your prayers as we continue to seek the Lord andmake His name known among the nations.

Mission Trips Blaze New Territory for Wings
Wings takes the Gospel overseas on six GO Mission Projects!

Philippines –Wings ofMorningministered for the first time in the Philippines upon the invitation of former alumni, Daniel DeTablan. Daniel currently directs his own evangelistic musicministry patterned after Wings of Morning called PrAsia. Wings held evangelistic outreachmeetings in schools, open-air plazas and local churches throughout the nation. A unique experience was being exposed to stone-aged cultures in several remote regions. Over 100 people received Christ during this campaign.

Nicaragua –Another first,Wings partnered with Project Hope in Nicaragua. Evangelism, service projects, and a soccer
tournament provided opportunities forWings to see over 2000 responded to Jesus Christ! The soccer tournament alone involved 217 soccer teams and was attended by over 5000 people.

Romania – For the first time,Wings conducted a mission project in the country of Romania. Six college students  participated in the two-week campaign. Each day was filled with building relationships in mountain villages,  evangelistic services in the city, and encouraging the body of believers in the local church. A new partnership was  developed in Romania and we look forward to more projects in the future.

Dominican Republic –Wings has had the privilege of ministering in the Dominican Republic (DR) on 13 different occasions. The DR hosted Wings three times in 2009. Working with Kenneth Balootje, from Word of Life, our purpose was to conduct evangelistic campaigns, discliple young believers and encourage local churches. Wings’ newest  staff members, Ryan and Katharine Hurlburt, lead their first mission trip to the Dominican Republic with a group of 10 high school students from Bozeman, Montana. The team ministered in villages and schools through drama and gospel presentations with the help of Word of Life missionaries.

Churches and Students Equipped Through Music & Missions

In 2009,Wings of Morning had the opportunity tominister in 25 churches and eight schools across the United States. Mission conferences, youth emphasismeetings, youth camps and regular church services provided the  platform for Wings to challenge youth as well as adults through their music and missions emphasis programs. God also opened doors for us to lead four Extend Student Leadership Conferences. Our purpose of equipping next generation leaders through music and missions was evident as we saw over 1900 students exposed to the Gospel and impacted for missions.

Our First Christmas in Georgia!

Christmas trees, stockings, and snow? This year will be a true winter Christmas for us especially for Ryan since he has lived in Tampa, FL his whole life! When we look back on all that has happened in 2009 our hearts are filled with gratefulness to our Lord Jesus Christ for His many blessings. We are celebrating His life this Christmas season and the hope He gives us each day.

Fall 2009

TRINITY MISSIONS CONFERENCE

We were blessed once again with the opportunity to attend Trinity College of Florida’s annual Mission Conference (this is the Bible college we graduated from in 2007).  Dozens of ministries from (literally) all over the world were represented, continuing to remind and encourage us that God is constantly at work throughout the globe, using so many different people!  We are so humbled, as we trust you are, that God would use people like us to further His kingdom!  While at Trinity, we interacted with many of the students – some interested in singing with Wings of Morning, others burdened to take a trip overseas, while some just needed advice or encouragement as they seek the Lord’s will for their future in ministry.

We hosted two separate “workshops” to discuss the various avenues for college students to get involved with Wings.  During the first one, we shared our heart for international and local missions and the projects we are working on for 2010.  The second workshop was all about the worship band we will be putting on the road early next year.  Our meeting room was filled with vocalists, musicians, and technicians who were curious to hear how they could use their talents for God’s kingdom by investing in the lives of students on a personal level.  Please continue to pray for our ministry as we seek out the individuals God is leading to serve with our ministry next year.

GRANT TRAINING

This month, Katharine has had the opportunity to pursue new avenues of fundraising for the ministry. Not having any previous experience or training in corporate finance and fundraising, she has been seeking out any learning opportunities available.  She has been reading books and material on the subject and recently attended a seminar hosted by the The Foundation Center in Atlanta.  They discussed how to research charitable foundations and write effective grant proposals.  The Center also offers a library filled with resources specifically for non-profit organizations like Wings.  Not only is God opening doors for more long-term and substantial funding, but He has introduced us to several new people and organizations who are interested in partnering with Wings for future mission projects and student conferences. Please pray for Katharine as she continues to study and grow in this area, as she will be taking two more classes this month.

BAND AND VOCAL AUDITIONS

As mentioned before, our ministry is transitioning from a praise team of only vocalists to a worship band with live instruments.  We firmly believe that this is the direction God is leading us, and by His grace we are expecting to see radical expansion and growth in our opportunities to reach students.  We are still auditioning potential team members to serve with Wings beginning in January.  If you know of any college-age person with a heart for the ministry and genuine musical ability, please let us know!

END OF THE YEAR GIVING

It is hard to believe that 2009 is nearly over – we feel that our summer mission trips were only yesterday!  We realize that around this time of year, many people begin to contemplate end of the year giving for their churches and other non-profit organizations.  Your contributions during these next few months are an incredible way to assist us in building our support and setting a budget for the next year.  Remember all donations paid by check must be dated and postmarked no later than December 31, 2009 to receive a tax contribution credit for this year.

PRAYER REQUESTS

• Continued growth and health of our marriage
• Fervent passion to love God and serve others for His glory
• New friendships as we get connected at First Baptist Woodstock
• Our monthly support needs
• Katharine’s training in fundraising for the ministry
• Wisdom and surrender to the Holy Spirit for our ministry
• Planning of 2010 missions projects

As we near our 1^st holiday season on staff with Wings and living in Georgia, we are humbled by the faithful support of so many people.  This ministry could NOT survive without the support of people like you.  We are thankful for your prayers and financial gifts.  If you would like information of how you could become a financial partner please contact us.