John 15 is one of GoCorps’ core passages. Every year at GoWeek, we share a devotional with the Goers about the importance of abiding in the vine. We share this because as Goers begin their journey in ministry, It’s easy to let the ministry aspect of their lives be obfuscated with their prayer life and personal relationship with Christ. It’s a core passage that we encourage Goers to read each month they are on the field to remind themselves to that no fruit and life can come if we are not living and connected to the vine. It’s a reminder I think all of us need from time to time! I know that personally, as the worries of the world and the weariness that comes from this time as the pandemic is entering its third year, I need to be reminded to consider if I am abiding in the vine! Our next big thing: The GoCorps 100 Yesterday (2-22-22), at 2:22pm, we did a fun Facebook Live event where we unveiled a brand new partnership with the Urbana Mission Conference! Urbana has been the standard bearer of collegiate global missions conferences since the 1940s. Every 3 years, over 10,000 students gather for 5 days of speakers, missions exhibitors, workshops and scripture study, all centered on helping students discern their place in God’s global mission. For many years, it was said that over 41% of all American missionaries pointed to their Urbana experience as central reason for their being on the mission field. So, it is with great excitement that we announce that Urbana has decided to make mid-term missions and 2 year global placements the central part of their mobilization and messaging in the 2022 conference happening Dec 28-31, 2022! And they’ve asked GoCorps to take the central role of enlisting conference attendees to begin their journey to the nations. Together, we hope to see over 3000 students make a commitment to pursue a mid-term commitment and we hope to see at least 100 students find a way to serve through GoCorps beginning at the conference and getting to the field in 2023! This new partnership is going to be a game changer for GoCorps! We can’t wait to see it all come together and we’re glad you’re on this journey with you! GoCorps on your Phone! Last week we started using an app to send texts directly to your phone! Did you get a couple nexts from GoCorps with links to videos of me? If not, then please tell us your mobile # by filling out this form and we’ll make sure you get opted into future texts. We anticipate sending updates and stories, announcements and other ‘breaking news’ in this way. You can expect 2 or 3 texts a month as a way to stay connected with what God’s doing through our Goers and ministry partners! Walk Week Team Captains - Sign Up Now! Walk Week 2022 is happening on April 24-30. We are looking for 50 people to sign up to be a team captain and recruit a team from they church or friends and family! Team Captains are the backbone of Walk Week, committing to recruit others to be a part of this unique prayer and fundraising event! Watch this video to learn about being a team captain, and please fill out this form if you want to sign up to be a captain or send me an email to find out more! Together for God's Global Work, Paul Van Der Werf President and CEO MINISTRY TOOLS OF MATTHEW
The facility of Emanuel Mexico Mission is a ministry tool straight out of the book of Matthew. For over 50 years, it has helped children, youth and adults. For the past 30 years, it has housed the Ontañon Church of Christ, another place for children, youth and adults to come and hear the Gospel preached. Because it is located in the inner city that provides us with many challenges and opportunities to serve those that are living in poverty, overcrowded housing, gangs, drug related needs and the like. But that does not detour us from sharing all that God has blessed us with. Food, water, clothes and medical needs are just a few examples how we help our neighbors in need. When the city cuts off our water supply to the inner city, which happens many times throughout the year, our neighbors come to us for this major need. We have two large underground water tanks and three roof top tanks. Enough to supply us all during those tough dry desert months. We provide clothes through our annual open door bazaar and food drives give us the opportunity to meet face to face with those in need and simply lend a helping hand. We help with medical needs in the neighborhood. One great example was the past two years as we provided housing to families and individuals in need of special housing during the Covid crisis. We housed several infected individuals and families that needed a safe clean place to quarantine. The facility is large enough to house individuals separately but at the same time continue to maintain our church services and give Jose a secure place to live within the mission. We provide medicines when the opportunity is there and take people to and from doctor appointments when necessary. Another tool of ministry that we provide is outside the facility and with that we need our transportation tools. A 2003 compact Chevy and 2015 VW van keep us safely on the move . The ministry has been involved in the teaching opportunities of Colegio Cristiano del Centro (Central Christian College) since its conception in 1974. Jose is no exception to that rule. This semester Jose is teaching three classes: Hebrew History II, Apologetics, James and I and II Peter combined. He was struggling each day to take his computer and TV screen to his classes for teaching purposes, Tuesday through Friday. But thanks to the Shining Light class of the Markle Church of Christ, Markle, Indiana, and their bi-monthly gift we were able to provide Jose with a new ministry tool, a projector to better teach his students who are eager to learn. The projector will be a great asset and ministry tool at the college but also in our church classrooms, camps, VBS and other children's activities. God has given us the ministry tools we need to share the Gospel in a variety of ways and it is our responsibility to use them wisely. With that being said we are very proud to say that 100% of all gifts given to E.M.M. goes directly to Mexico and the opportunities we have to share the Gospel. Jose receives his salary and medical needs through the ministry. We maintain the facility with your funds. Autos are kept in the best possible condition at all times and our evangelism opportunities are unending. There is a food expense column which provides food for those in need. We have two part time staff members who diligently work to help in the office and with maintainence and cleaning of the facility. Matthew 25:35-36 In a nut shell, we are simply following Christ´s example of sharing with others in need, feeding those that need fed, a cup of water to those that thirst, help provide shelter when needed, praying with the sick when they need a helping hand and we have been in the prisons as well visiting when called upon. Thank you for helping us be the Ministry Tools of Matthew to the inner city of San Luis Potosi, Mexico. Jose - Field Director David and Sheri - Mission Directors Emanuel Mexico Mission 2950 E. - 350 N. Bluffton, IN 76714 "WELL DONE, WELL DONE"
The following is a missionary tribute to my father who served unselfishly with us as a steadfast and quiet voice cheering us on for over 30 years as we served on the mission field. An American farm boy and farmer, a Korean war veteran who fought on the front lines as a Tank Platoon Sergeant of the 73rd Heavy Tank Battalion, a successful salesman for 60 years, a father of three boys, a loving husband for 69 years, and a missionary dad who once told his doctor, "I´m too busy for this operation, I have missionary work to do." Needless to say, he missed his last trip to Mexico and followed his doctor´s orders. That was my dad, Floyd W. S. DeBolt, who passed away at the age of 93, on January 10, 2022. He loved living the country life, he served his country with honor and we never missed a Sunday going to church including Sunday School, no matter how bad the winters would get. He proudly served as a church trustee and church deacon at the Markle Church of Christ, Markle, Indiana. The small 40 acre farm that he loved to till and harvest was a place for all our city cousins to spend their summers helping us walk and hoe the fields, bale straw and bale hay. His success as a salesman was well known as he not only sold furniture, he sold with confidence the product he was selling and with every sale he made a friend. He once took his 3 speed on the column, 1963 Chevy pickup to Joplin, Missouri. He loaded up his truck to take Dick and Eunice and their 3 little boys so Dick could study at Ozark Bible College. Twenty four years later, he would load up his truck once again and help his middle son and their family of three little girls as they began their missionary journey at Cincinnati Bible College and later to Mexico. He never complained, never said when ya coming home. There were many a tear shed each time we left to go back to serve. We knew he was proud but we also knew down deep inside he was hurting as we boarded each flight. He taught us to live with no regrets and that we´ve done as we said our final goodbye that early January morning in his home at River Terrace. Thank you dad for teaching life´s most basic skills on that small plot of ground near Zanesville, Indiana. For serving with honor and dignity your country during war times. For making each one of your boys work as you did at Sears Roebuck and Co., by saying, I want more for you but at least you will have learned how I provided for our family". You and mom were a team for over 69 years and you both taught us the joy of giving to missionaries that visited our church each year. You would say, "take the quarter you earn each week and give it back to God." "Well, done, well done My good and faithful one Welcome to the place where you belong Well done, well done My beloved child" (words from the song, Well Done, by the Afters) He recieved full military honors on January 14, 2022. An American flag was draped over his casket, he recieved an honorable 21 gun salute for his military service, Army taps were played in his honor and his great grandson, Alexander David Lobo, who is now serving in the military, helped fold the American flag that covered his great grandfathers casket, Honor where honor is due. I truly believe that missionary parents sacrifice much more than their missionary children. They sacrifice time not spent with their children, grandchildren, holidays with empty chairs at the table and special family gatherings throughout the year. They sacrifice their time making sure their children are not forgotten by the churches that support them. They sacrifice their personal income. Dozens if not hundreds of letters written each year always sent with love. Countless stamps and mailings for the ministry are a labor of love not a burden. The list is nearly endless in the love and sacrifice they give. I´ll close with a few lines from a song called, Nothing to prove by Phillips, Craig and Dean "So many things I learned from you ´Bout life and love and play But I learned more by how you lived Than what I heard you say Saying live with no excuses Live with no regrets Laugh a lot and leave this life With nothing left unsaid Make this world a better place Don´t be afraid to cry When it´s finally time to say goodbye There´s nothing´ to prove, nothing´ to lose Nothing´ to hide I only wanna live my life Half as well as you To leave behind what I recieve Is all I wanna do" Thank you dad for giving your very best to the Lord, to your family, to your country, to your church and to the many who you never met but were touched by your love and generosity. I´m sure there were many to greet you that early January morning and many more will some day say, "Thank you for giving to the Lord, I am a life that was saved." (words from the song, Thank You, by Ray Boltz) "WELL DONE, WELL DONE MY GOOD AND FAITHFUL ONE WELCOME TO THE PLACE WHERE YOU BELONG WELL, DONE, WELL DONE MY BELOVED CHILD" Emanuel Mexico Mission David and Sheri DeBolt - Directors Jose Manuel Gonzalez - Field Director ![]() Greetings from GoCorps! We recently had our first in-person staff gathering for a time of spiritual retreat and to begin planning for the year ahead. We were so grateful to have no issues with travel and no COVID complications as our 9 staff and a few spouses flew in to Minnesota from Alabama, Texas, Virginia, Michigan and Indiana. It was tons of fun to be together, play games, walk on a lake and experience Minnesota in the wintertime together! Needless to say, we were very grateful for a big fireplace in the cabin where we gathered! Sanctification and Glory The theme for our time together was ‘Prepared in Advance for Great Things.’ We were blessed to have one of our Goer alum be our special speaker and share a series of devotionals on this topic. The key lesson that he taught was that whenever God does great things in our world and through his followers, and we can always find these fruits: his people are sanctified and God is glorified. As we enter into 2022, we are expecting God to do great things in calling this generation to see a different way and to give themselves with wholehearted abandon to his purposes. And it’s a great reminder that God wants to be sanctifying us as he’s using us. Check out this fun video. One of our staff, Melody, is also a talented dancer and dance instructor, and she had a vision to make a video of the staff team singing one of our favorite worship songs with her worshipping through dance. Of course, it was in Minnesota in January, so the setting of the dancing is pretty epic! Year-End Giving Praise We were excited to have a faithful donor to GoCorps give a special challenge grant to encourage others to give generously at year end. And we are equally excited to report that your giving helped us surpass the goal and end up with $28,000+ given for year end. That means we met the match threshold and will receive the $22,000 challenge match. This puts us in a strong position as we launch our GoCorps 100 initiative next month. Stay tuned! Praise God and Pray with Us
What’s Ahead!
Together for God's Global Work, Paul Van Der Werf President and CEO Dear Prayer Warriors,
We wish you nothing but health and happiness as we enter into the month of February! Please continue to pray for the list below as well as the couple specific requests. You can view the February Prayer Calendar HERE.
Please pray for April as she was diagnosed with breast cancer in April and is still in treatment. Pray for the next stages in my treatment plan, restored health, and for her family as well. Fields Family Please pray for the Fields family as they just lost their dear HopeKid, Cary Lynn. Please pray for healing for the whole family and specifically for her brother, Marvin, who misses his sister and is having challenges. With Hope, Ariel “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 -- Ariel Lindahl, Family and Community Manager HopeKids Minnesota | "Restoring Hope. Transforming Lives." P.O. Box 44712 | Eden Prairie, MN 55344 | 612.836.8783 [email protected] | www.hopekids.org |
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