UBC Mission Update - 2022, Issue 1
Prayer Focus: Mike & Libby Wild (Beyond the Reef Foundation)
The Wilds moved to Southeast Asia in 2003 after training in biblical studies and linguistics. They helped create a written language for their target people group, and worked to translate the Bible into the tribe’s new written language. Eventually, the Lord used them to help establish the first ever church amongst this previously unreached group, which continues to grow. In 2017, they established Beyond the Reef Foundation (BTRF), which is an organization comprised of Western families and indigenous workers seeking to reach additional unreached people groups in the South Pacific. They are embarking upon a new venture which incorporates a business platform into their ministry. The Lord has already provided a large support vessel (boat), which will serve as a crucial link as they transport personnel and supplies between islands. They are still raising support and seeking partnerships with this new venture.
Prayer requests:
1. For the seven unreached people groups they are seeking to reach, and for the indigenous workers who will be working alongside them.
2. For the additional funds needed for the infrastructure to support their agricultural business and ministry.
3. The unreached groups do not have the Word of God in their own language. They are animists (spirit worshippers in things), folk Islam, and folk Christianity. Pray for spiritual blindness to be lifted to see the light of the glory of the gospel.
4. For their family–they spent Christmas with their children in the US. They left their youngest [17 years old] who is still in high school, with his brothers in the US due to COVID-related factors. Pray that their youngest son would thrive and that his brothers would be an encouragement to him and one another while their parents are overseas.
Note: If you would like more information about Mike & Libby Wild and BTRF, please reach out to Tim West or Jeff VanScoy whose Growth Group has graciously “adopted” the Wilds.
Recent Highlight: Gospel Conversations Class
Eleven students completed the Gospel Conversations class here at UBC during the fall semester. In the first half of the class, Jim and Sandy Corbin taught methods for sharing the Gospel by answering 4 questions: (1) WHY we share; (2) WHO to share with; (3) WHAT we share (the Gospel and our story); and (4) WHEN (setting goals and discipleship). They also taught the 3 Circles evangelism tool, an easy, visual method that can be shared anywhere. In the second half, Sharon Kerestes facilitated the Bridges video-based study published by the Crescent Project. This study covers the basic tenets of Islam to equip Christians to connect with and share the gospel with Muslims. We learned that understanding what we have in common helps us to build bridges, while knowing the essential differences allows us to extend the only true and lasting hope. The class will be offered again in the spring of 2022.
Stop by the Missions Table for more information on these evangelism tools or visit https://www.ubcbeavercreek.com/mission and scroll to Tools & Resources.
Spotlight:
Janessa Colburn and King’s Kids/No Longer Strangers
Janessa Colburn, a junior Early Childhood Education major at Cedarville University and a college member of UBC, has been volunteering with the refugee ministry King’s Kids for two-and-half years. King’s Kids is part of a larger ministry in the heart of downtown Dayton called No Longer Strangers. Their goal is to welcome refugees and immigrants living in the Dayton neighborhoods through Christ-centered programs. King’s Kids is about meeting the children’s needs and showing them the love of Jesus. About 30 children, from ages 3 to 14, attend each week. They come from countries such as Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, and Eritrea. Janessa co-leads a team of about 20 volunteers from Cedarville. They pick up the kids from their homes and bring them to the church where they start off with fun activities like soccer, hula hooping and blocks. Snacks come next and then the children break up into age-based groups for a Bible lesson. Janessa works with 1st–3rd graders and she has been teaching them about the Armor of God this semester. As a team leader, she plans the agenda each week, preps lessons, and coordinates communication between the volunteers and the full-time staff at No Longer Strangers. “I do what I do and love it because I love these children. I have learned so much about child-like faith, how to love the most vulnerable, and how to share the gospel with someone who has never heard it, or someone who has but has a lot of misunderstandings,” said Janessa. She has experienced the joy of leading two little boys to Christ as well as the challenges of behavior issues and dealing with the tough circumstances the kids come from. “The kids are asking very hard questions that cause me to think about my own faith and encourage me to ask hard questions as well!”
Learn more about No Longer Strangers at https://www.nolongerstrangers.org/
Opportunity:
Volunteer with International Friendships, Inc. (IFI)
Have you ever wanted to get involved with an international ministry and reach cross-culturally but felt reluctant due to time constraints, distance, lack of training, or funding? Did you know there is a way to do this right here in our own backyard? There are several universities in Dayton where cross-cultural ministry is already happening through organizations like International Friendships, Inc. (IFI). IFI is a national organization partnering with local churches, universities, and volunteers to provide life-changing hospitality and friendship to international students.
International students often struggle with culture shock, stress, and loneliness when leaving their homes to study in the US. IFI works strategically to make the world feel at home and extend God’s love globally — right where we are. So, whether it's volunteering at an event, being part of a small group, hosting a meal, or even having a student live in your home for a time, this is a great opportunity to do international ministry without having to travel anywhere!
If this interests you, please talk to one of the Mission Team members at the table on Sunday or visit https://dayton.ifipartners.org/ to find out more.
To read past Mission Updates or to get more information about UBC on Mission, visit www.ubcbeavercreek.com/mission.