news from "above"

Hi Folks,

 

     We received news from "above," not the "above" you're thinking of, but the board of directors of the Church of God's World Missions department.  We received this news along with every other missionary in the field. 

 

     It seems that some years ago, the board of directors included a statement that "currently appointed missionaries" may "not be allowed to operate private 501 - C3 organizations." 

 

     The email was to the point, and said that although in the past this has been disregarded, that NOW it will be enforced.  So ANY missionary for the church of God that operates a private nonprofit entity, like Casa de Servicio will be "reported" at the next board meeting.  It was a surprise to us, and the many pastors and evangelicals which we work with in the Church of God here in Nicaragua. 

 

     Let me reassure each and every one of the many people, organizations and Churches that send us support that even if we were no longer a part of the church of God, your donations are still wholly and completely tax deductible.

 

     We are duly concerned about this news for the obvious reasons:

 

   1) We operate a private nonprofit organization (Casa de Servicio) and are therefore subject to whatever ramifications this entails from our "parent body" the World Missions department of the church of God. 

 

     2) Of GREATER CONCERN for us is that this policy has potentially wide ranging effects upon other branches of the church of God organization.  For instance, I know of many churches that also operate private nonprofit entities, and our fear (although there is no direct evidence of this, admittedly) is that the church of God may ban churches from operating nonprofit entities as well (for instance, food kitchens, or clothing distribution networks, or orphanages under private nonprofit entity charter). 

 

     3)  If this policy is enforced, and not changed, then Carolyn and I will be obligated to cease our missionary activities for the Church of God.  We will effectively be back to "square one" as we begin anew to fulfill the vision which God Himself has laid upon our lives.   We will of course no longer have the participation of the church of God,   The bulk of our donations for the mission here in Nicaragua comes from private parties, and churches outside the charter of the church of God. 

 

     4)   After hurricane Felix hit the Miskito coast of Nicaragua the church of God sent three containers of relief goods to the area.  What a HUGE blessing the church of God was to the Miskito people in their time of need.  Additionally, the office of emergency response headed up by Brother Richard Baker was what can only be described as "ultra-responsive" in their efforts to alleviate pain and suffering.  Brother Baker actually came down to Puerto Cabezas in person to assist and distribute the goods which were so desparately needed at that time.   One of the things we would lose, would be this immense response to emergency and cataclismic occurances.  What a huge blessing the church of God was at that time....we would miss their assistance dearly in a time of need.  Although, realistically, they came for the churches here, not because we were here as missionaries. So perhaps our beloved Miskito people wouldn't have to suffer after all. 

 

       We intend to continue the mission here in Nicaragua, until God Himself sends a replacement for us.  This mission is of God, and has been blessed at every juncture because it is a mission which He desires.  We expect these blessing to continue as we endeavor to fulfil the wishes of our Heavenly Father for the Miskito people.

 

      The only effective change in our mission will be that we no longer carry a card in our wallet which says "church of God missionary"...if this policy is enforced.  I don't know how reactive the church of God organization is to grass roots efforts concerning their policies, or if the church of God will listen to input from the various persons and parties and churches which have thus far supported our mission in Nicaragua.  However should anyone desire to contact the World Missions department with questions concerning this newly enforced policy please write them at:

 

Church of God, World Missions

ATTN: Dr. Douglas LeRoy, General Director

PO Box 8016

Cleveland, TN 37320-8016

423 478-7190

 

      DLeRoy@cogwm.org

 

Or Ken Anderson, my regional supervisor at:

 

    kanderson@cogwm.org