A NEW MISSION INITIATIVE AT ALL SAINTS

I had never heard of Helen Roseveare until she spoke at Queen’s University Christian Union in 1988 - I was a student struggling with a Chemistry degree at the time. I later learnt that she had been a missionary doctor in the Belgian Congo with WEC and experienced at first hand the trauma of it’s civil war in the early 60’s. When I first saw her she struck me as a very non descript character, small and simply dressed, not someone who you would give a second glance to. Yet her outward appearance hid the fact that here was a woman who had literally lived on the edge of faith, experiencing the trauma of imprisonment, beatings and rape and yet refusing to give up her beloved Congo.

When I hear the word “missionary” I can’t help but think of Helen Roseveare. Yet reflecting on it I reckon this is a mistaken perception. I believe firmly that every Christian is a Missionary and every Christian has a Mission. That mission field may well be the office we work in or at home being a full time parent or the gym where we work out.

Yet having said that, we all recognize that mission opportunities arise which, if they are to be realized fully, need people to leave paid employment and be supported prayerfully, financially and practically by the local church. All Saints’ has a number of such mission partners and this edition of Contact Magazine has been given over to bringing you up to date with how they are doing.

There are so many mission opportunities in the world today – just type “mission” into Google and see for yourself. So why, amidst all this need, do All Saints’ support the people we do? In straight forward terms all our mission partners are either home grown or share our vision and purpose statements.

Our financial commitment to mission has developed over the years. At one time our focus was upon worthy mission projects which we supported through mission gift days peppered throughout the year. More recently those mission gift days have focused less upon mission projects and more upon our mission partners. And now as we enter 2008 the Chaplaincy Council believes it is time to take the next step forward.

Firstly, instead of giving a one off annual donation to our mission partners, we wish to commit ourselves to giving monthly. As I am sure you understand, this approach will contribute to their financial security as they exercise their mission and ministry. Secondly, we are committing ourselves to supporting Robin & Val Brookes, over the next three years, and their Church planting initiative in Northern Cyprus. And finally, in recognition that we are in a living partnership with ICS, we are committing ourselves to giving to them annually in order for their work among English speakers can continue to develop throughout Europe. This decision will go some significant way to our commitment to giving away 10% of our total annual income.

Of course financial giving is only one apart of supporting our mission partners. Regular information will be available at the back of the Church and you are welcome to take this and support them all in prayer. In addition we will be having quarterly Mission Sundays which will be given over to our renewed focus on mission.

Asked why she stayed in Congo when others were leaving, Helen Roseveare replied, "If Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for him." I can’t think of a better motto for All Saint’s as we enter 2008, seeking to grow in our understanding and commitment to Mission.

Mission Partners

All Saints has a number of mission interests that it supports. Information about some of our missionary links is available below. The sensitivity of the location of some of our missionaries does not allow us to publish them here. Their prayer needs require our support all the more however.