world missions
World Missions is an important part of the ministry of Friendswood Friends Church. Through our denominational mission organization, Evangelical Friends Mission, we help to support mission work all over the world – in places like Nepal, Mexico, Rwanda, Ireland, Hungary, India, and the Philippines.
In addition to our support of EFM, we have chosen to have a special relationship with several missionary families who have close ties to Friendswood Friends. Each year we raise thousands of dollars beyond our regular budget in order to participate significantly in the financial support of these families. But our support goes beyond just writing a check. We believe that our prayers are an important part of our partnership with our missionaries.
We also look for “hands-on” ways to be involved in our mission fields, like sending short-term mission teams, or taking on special projects like the shipping container full of computers and science equipment that we recently sent to Rwanda.
JACK AND CELESTA REA (CHINA)
Jack and Celesta Rea, our missionaries to Hong Kong, attended Friendswood Friends for many years before God called them to ministry in Asia. The Reas help give leadership to United Wesleyan Graduate Institute, an interdenominational seminary that is preparing leaders to serve in both Hong Kong and mainland China.
Jack’s skill with the Chinese language and his experience with theological training at the graduate level made him a perfect fit for this assignment. Jack makes frequent trips into mainland China with the seminary students to help provide training for pastors who lead house churches. Although there is still some persecution of Chinese Christians, God is opening many doors for ministry. Please pray for the Reas’ ministry and for the seminary.
Pray for the Reas - Read their recent prayer letter to see how you can pray.
The audio file linked below is a message that Jack delivered at Frazer United Methodist Church in Montgomery, AL on Sept. 17, 2006.
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audio
web
DAVID AND DEBBY THOMAS (RWANDA)
Our partnership with the Thomas family goes back to 1995, when they were first appointed as missionaries to Rwanda. David and Debby are working with Rwandan church leaders in evangelism, establishing cell groups, and church multiplication, with the goal of establishing a church planting movement. A key focus has been encouraging the Rwandan church to become more independent of foreign funds and leadership.
The Thomases have also been involved in development projects to help impact the lives of the many Rwandans who live in poverty. Projects like the moringa tree, fuel efficient stoves, and special gardening techniques are bringing new hope to individuals, families, and churches.
ANDREA BYRNE (MEXICO)
Andrea Byrne grew up at Friendswood Friends, and for several years her trumpet was a familiar part of our musical experience. Andrea is now a missionary in Aguascalientes, Mexico – a new field just opened by Evangelical Friends Mission in 2006. Together with Candi Foster and Jeremy and Betty Smuck, Andrea is working to plant churches in this area of central Mexico, which is one of the most unevangelized areas of the world.
Andrea spends a significant amount of her time working at a large university – the UAA or Universidad Autonoma de Aguascalientes. God has also opened the door for her to continue playing her trumpet as a member of Aguascalientes Symphony Orchestra. This has provided significant ministry opportunities as well. The Aguascalientes team will be joined by the Giron family as soon as they are able to raise their financial support. Pray for God’s blessing on this new ministry in a challenging area.
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prayer/news
BRIAN AND KYLIE (SOUTHEAST ASIA)
Brian and Kylie left in summer of 2006 to begin their ministry in southeast Asia through Pioneers. They are currently involved in language study, and are seeking to build relationships with nationals as they adapt to the local culture. Brian and Kylie are part of a team of 6 families and 2 single adults who will work together to share the gospel and establish churches among the 1 million Sumbi people on their island in southeast Asia. As of now the Sumbi people are 99% Muslim and have no viable way to hear the gospel.
Here are some easy long-standing prayer requests they have...
Pray that the Lord would soften the Sumbi peoples' hearts toward the gospel. Also pray that many of Sumbi families would choose to follow Christ.
Pray for fast language acquisition for B & K. Also pray for endurance and enthusiasm for language classes and practice time.
B & K's team are in the process of planning a strategy for reaching the Sumbi. Please pray for wisdom for the whole team and that God would lead them to the plan He wants the team to pursue.
The team is also creating an internship program to get national believers to work with the Sumbi for an apprenticeship time of 6 months. We are in the beginning stages of this program, but hope to get around 12 individuals over to our island. Our team will disciple them and teach them about church planting. The idea is that if it works well for the national, they might choose to stay to work with the Sumbi for the long haul. Pray that God would provide these individuals in His timing.
As of the beginning of January 2007 all of the team will be living on Sumbi island. (This is a huge praise because it is the first time in the 10 year history of the work among the Sumbi that a team has been able to live on the island.) Pray for favor in the eyes of the community leaders, for good relationships to be built with neighbors, and for wisdom on how to conduct team business without looking suspicious.
AARON AND ASHLY SWATY (COSTA RICA)
Aaron and Ashly Swaty are serving in Costa Rica with Young Life. They assist with after-school clubs for junior high students, and are also giving leadership to the Capernaum ministry which focuses on handicapped students. God has provided great contacts and support to help Aaron and Ashly begin Capernaum for the first time in Costa Rica.
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One of the significant happenings not only at Friendswood Friends Church but also among Friends throughout Mid America is that God is calling many of our young people to serve Him in missions. Our desire is to do everything we can to encourage these students as they prepare for ministry. Many of our students choose to participate in short-term missions, and they receive both financial and prayer support from this congregation. Mid-America Friends has also established a new scholarship program designed to help prospective missionaries with their educational expenses.
Evangelical Friends Mission has embraced the challenge, “Every church a sending church; every Christian a witnessing Christian.” At Friendswood Friends Church, we want to be obedient to God’s call upon us both for sending laborers to the uttermost parts of the earth, as well as sharing Christ’s love with those right here in our own community. We invite you to follow the links on this page learn more about our mission work.