Spring 2007 - New Mission Systems International

thecenterforglobaloutreachfosteringworldwidecommunityalso inside:the president’s letter p. 2functions of the corporate office p. 4NMSI community p. 8international highlights p. 14

NMSI Newslinkis a periodical publication of:New MissionSystemsInternationalP.O. Box 547Fort Myers, FL 33902phone: 239.337.4336fax: 239.461.0686www.nms-intl.comEditorAngela Nelsonanelson@nms-intl.comContributing writersPictures and text are by NMSImissionaries and short-termparticipants.Our visionNew Mission SystemsInternational fosters the emergenceof Jesus-following communitiesglobally. Our vision is tosupport and place people infields of service to minister God’slove so that people of all nationsmay be saved.NMSI President Phil Hudson withchildren from a Pygmy school inthe Central African Republic.2 Spring 2007thecenter for globaloutreachThe corporate officeBehind each NMSI missionary onthe field are the individuals workingat the corporate office in Fort Myers,Florida, which is part of the Centerfor Global Outreach (CGO).Here, NMSI trains new missionariesto prepare them for overseas serviceand then provides technical, spiritualand directional support for themwhile they are on the field. All of theback office functions like accounting,human resources, payroll, publications,legal matters and general oversightare located here.NMSI’s mission statement includesthe words “fostering Jesus-followingcommunities globally.” In order to dothat, we believe it must first starthere at the CGO, so we work hard tomake our work and living environmentreflect Christ.Read on to meet the people whowork at the Center for GlobalOutreach and learn about the criticaljobs that go into keeping missionarieson the field. The staffing of the CGOis constantly changing as many individualsdeploy overseas while othersprovide more of an anchor at thehome office.meet some of the people at the cgoMarty & JeannetteSteinerWhen Marty and JeannetteSteiner encouraged their sonJohn Tuggle to participate in anNMSI summer internship toKenya, they had no idea whatthe final outcome would be.Immediately falling in love withthe country and the people, Johnaffiliated and began raising supportto minister in Kenya.Marty resigned from a worshipministry in January 2004,which gave him and Jeannettetime to visit John at the CGO inFort Myers. They ended up volunteeringin the office for fiveweeks. Then they were encouragedto attend a Discover NMSIclass and consider joining NMSIfull time because their skillswere greatly needed in the office.After much prayer and wrestlingwith the idea of raising their ownsupport, they finally receivedconfirmation that God was callingthem to this ministry.Jeannette now serves inAccounts Receivable/Donorrelations, and Marty works inthe Information TechnologyDivision. Their son John recentlycame back from Kenya tomarry Jenny Mott, and the newlywedswill soon return to ministrywith the AfricaHope team.NMSI Newslink 3

functions of the corporate officeBel Muñoz (Affiliation), Corey Huckaby (COAT Director),Ashleigh Leenerts (HR Director), Laura Sutton (Family Care),Kathy Long (Medical)Human ResourcesThe Human Resources Divisionexists to help NMSI personnel byfacilitating their ministries worldwidethrough attention to member’sneeds from the initial point of contactto disaffiliation. HR overseesthe affiliation (acceptance andemployment) process, initial orientationand pre-field training (calledDiscover NMSI and COAT), benefitsmanagement, member care,continuing education and thedebriefing/evaluation/disaffiliationprocesses.Spiritual FormationThe Spiritual Formation Divisionhelps us as a mission maintain ourfocus on Jesus Christ and encouragesspiritual and personal growth by:• Providing ongoing care, counseling,accountability and prayer support• Crisis care when needed• Encouraging mentoring andproviding resources for mentoring• Encouraging and promoting prayer• Providing resources for spiritualgrowth (Spiritual FormationWorkshop, Spiritual WarfareCourse, Seven Steps of Freedom,weekly devotionals, daily officedevotions, etc.)Andrew Olsen (Counseling), Blanche Hunefeld (Mentoring),Bob Krepps (Counseling and curriculum development)Campus Development and FacilitiesThe maintenance team at the CGO plays a crucial role in ministry and missions.As our personnel increases in number, so does the need for quality upkeep of ourproperty, which includes office space as well as housing for furloughing missionaries,trainees awaiting deployment overseas and staff. In the last few years, theteam has been able to repair NMSI’s buildings and vehicles, renovate old housesthat we have purchased and design a master plan for the future development ofthe campus. We are currently in need of a full-time maintenance director and generalhandyman help as members of our current team head overseas full-time. Forinformation, contact Andy Gross at 239.565.0832 or agross@nms-intl.com.David Pickering (Leader), Kyle Maloney (1-3 week projects) RyanRussell (Youth ministry), Bottom: Kevin Foster (1-3 week projects),Mary Helms (Internship Director), Mike Sheagren (Youth ministry)Short-TermMinistriesThe Short-Term MinistriesDivision builds relationships withstudents and churches to providethem global short-term missionopportunities. These projectsallow participants to experienceGod in new ways and grow in anintimate relationship with him.Specific opportunities includeyouth projects and mobilizationretreats, 9-week summer internships,11-month apprenticeshipsand 1-3 week mission projects forall ages.David Fontana, Gabe Hillman, Andy Gross (FacilitiesManager), DerekRyan RussellRyan Russell graduated fromJohnson Bible College in 2005with a youth ministry/preachingdegree. That summer, he wenton an internship to Bulgariaand Russia and knew God wasasking him to join NMSI.Months later, he began as Co-Director of Go Global – NMSI’shigh school ministry that focuseson the spiritual growth ofyouth through short-term projectsand missions retreats.Since then, Ryan has heldseveral youth mobilizationevents, led or co-led trips toHonduras and Bulgaria, taughtyouth ministry in Myanmar andhelped a youth ministry bookget translated and printed intoBurmese.He lives on the NMSI CGOcommunity. “Living in communityhas been difficult but good.Learning to be open with people,loving them and forgiving theirshortcomings has shaped the way Isee God's relationship with me.God sees imperfect people beingtransformed by Jesus. They arepeople that still fall sometimes andneed a hand to help them up.There is a lot of grace at NMSIwhere people can come as they areand be helped to become who Godwants them to be.”4 Spring 2007 NMSI Newslink 5

Duane Crumb (HIVHope), Lowell Hunefeld (Mobilization),Marty Steiner (Information Technology)HIVHopeHIVHope is based at the CGO.Director Duane Crumb travels overseasto teach positive motivationalHIVAids education, as well as producesliterature for internationalchurch and mission use.MobilizationLowell Hunefeld endeavors to facilitateand/or contribute to strategicpartnerships that result in the plantingand multiplication of churchesglobally and provide churches withaccess to the missions resources theyneed to discover and accomplish thevision God desires for them.Information TechnologyIT maintains the network and communicationsfor the home office and,where possible, assists overseas missionarieswith their technology needs.Stewardship ServicesThe purpose of Stewardship Servicesis to encourage and facilitate biblicalstewardship by everyaffiliate and ministrypartner God brings toour mission family.Mike Osborn workson supporter relations,church partnerships,grant writing andMike Osborn(Stewardship Services)6 Spring 2007donor development.International MinistriesThe goal of InternationalMinistries is to help missionarieshave fulfilling ministries whilethey’re serving around the world.Dave Weinman is in charge ofconnecting each missionary with astateside contact at the CGO whocan write, call, visit, consult, praywith, advise, laugh and cry withthem. Strategicplanning, oversightand evaluationtools arealso available toNMSI missionariesthroughthis office.David Weinman(International Ministries)FinanceEach month we receive approximately2,000 donations. Thefinance division is our missionaries’link to their donations, providingconstant communicationbetween the CGO and the field,processing reimbursements forministry expenses and field projects,creating monthly giving andexpense reports, providing salaryand overseeing every financialneed for field and stateside missionaries.The division also managesongoing ECFA membershipand an annual independent audit.Kathy Crumb and Jeannette Steiner (Accounts Receivable),Sarah Sheagren (Accounts Payable), Susan Caple (CFO),Danielle Foster (Accounts Payable)Heather (Publications), Angela Nelson (Newslink),Twila Schofield (Illustration), Mara Pickering (Media Leader),Bottom: Melissa Hillman (Publications), Abby Alter (Web/Video)MediaNMSI’s Media Division designs andproduces materials for NMSI missionariesand the organization as awhole. This includes communicationpieces such as newsletters, videos,brochures, our website, displays,Newslink and illustrations that facilitateministry and communicate whatGod is doing through NMSI aroundthe world.Erin O’Connor (Executive Assistant), Joy Muñoz (Executive VP),Phil Hudson (President), Matt (International Security)President’s officeThe President's office oversees themission and advises the differentdivisions of the CGO as well as themissionaries on the field. PresidentPhil Hudson reports to the Boardof Directors on the overall vision,direction and strategic initiatives ofthe mission at the tri-annual boardmeetings.Susan CapleSusan Caple, NMSI'sChief Financial Officer(CFO), started volunteeringin the finance division duringthe summer of 2003. Earlierthat year, she had been working10 hour days at a job shefelt had little meaning. Psalm127:2 inspired her to quit herjob and ask God for direction.She and her husbandended up selling their houseand downsizing.After volunteering for acouple of months, she feltcalled to full time work withNMSI and began raising support.The mission had about53 affiliates at the time, andSusan was the only person infinance. As NMSI has grownto over 160 missionaries, herjob has constantly changedand the finance division hasgrown to five people.Since coming here, Susanhas learned about surrender,humility and waiting on God.Her favorite thing aboutworking with NMSI is theopportunity to build relationshipswith others around theworld and encourage theirministries. She now knowsher work is an investment ineternity!NMSI Newslink 7

center for global outreachcommunity housingNMSI owns 11 housesin close proximity tothe offices. Two of thehouses are for singlewomen, one for singleguys, and the othersare occupied by couplesand families. Thehouses are eachnamed after famousmissionaries.This is an artist’s renditionof the NMSI officeand houses where staffand missionaries staybefore heading overseas.It’s located in a neighborhoodin downtown FortMyers, Florida, next toCleveland Avenue, one ofthe main veins of the city.(Houses not owned byNMSI are not pictured.)Campus housing is both a residentialcommunity and a ministry center. Themain goal is to facilitate ministries ofNMSI. We desire to honor Christ bybeing a place of caring, sending,learning, healing and fellowship.NMSI’s corporateoffice occupies thetop floor of ourbuilding. The bottomis rented by sixother tenants,which helps paysthe mortgage!Local businessIllustration by Twila Schofield, amember of the NMSI Media Division.8 Spring 2007 NMSI Newslink 9

how does nmsi define “community”?Editor Angela Nelson reflects on three years of community at the CGOI always struggle to describe whatwe mean by the word communitybecause words don’t seem to do thetrick. One has to feel community tounderstand it. It has to become part ofyou before you grasp what it means.Christian community is centeredaround Christ. People experiencingrich community are teachable andwilling to become like Christ – theylove people that are difficult to loveand allow people to love them whenthey themselves are difficult to love.They experience great joy from beingknown and loved deeply.Community must be intentional andon purpose. We must strive to put othersbefore ourselves and invest intheir lives.We love people despite their faults,but cannot leave it at that. We striveto do the hard thing and tell peoplewhen they are wrong – even those inleadership positions. It’s much easierto ignore someone’s faults than to confrontthem. But if it is never done,they remain the same and never allowGod to change them.Everyone carries baggage picked upthrough cultivating destructive habitsand dead-end methods of self preservation.This is often fueled by awfulthings that have happened to them –rejection, abuse, rape, abandonment.The Trinity is a beautiful community - a cosmic dancebetween Father, Son and Spirit. We are invited intothat dance, and we are compelled to invite othersThings we do and things done to usoften feed on each other. It’s ugly.There is hope. People dochange. God changes them.He uses us, the body, to do so.We all need to be loved. When wetruly see people as the creation thatGod intended them to be, regardless ofhow much mud and grime are coveringthem currently, we can’t help butlove them. People who feel the joy ofbeing loved and accepted tend tobecome more lovely. It’s beautiful.Community is a difficult task, madeeven more difficult by the fact that weourselves are fighting to be free of sinand be the people God made us to be.In the end, it’s never us who canchange a person – it’s God. The morewe become like Christ, the more weexperience Him actually inside of usmaking us feel and love and be theway He is. We learn to know himmore, and we experience his sufferingsas He cares for people. I haveknown and felt this as I weepfor sin that isentanglingthe lives ofso many Ihave grownto love.10 Spring 2007 NMSI Newslink 11Angela in the Central African RepublicThe great news is that I get toequally rejoice with Christ as I seethese same lives change and beautyshine forth.The concept of community iscomplex, and I'm continuallylearning it myself. I must let communityhappen to me as well. Ihave to let others love me evenwhen I feel unworthy. I have totrust them with my fears, insecuritiesand sin and allow them to helpme work through them so that Ican also radiate the beauty forwhich God has created me.The Trinity is a beautiful community– a cosmic dance betweenFather, Son and Spirit. We areinvited into that dance, and we arecompelled to invite others as well –to be in communion with the trinity– even as Christ prayed beforeHe went to the cross. As His creation,we are created in His image,and so the more we reflect the creator,the more He is glorified andrevealed to others. The act of livingin community reveals God'scharacter to the world.My reflections on Christiancommunity end up no differentthan what Christ’s life is all about.I’m convinced you can’t understandone without the other.Joy & Bel MuñozIn 2000, God led Joy Bodento quit her teaching job andjoin NMSI to start a youthmissions ministry. Joy recountslessons she has learned atNMSI – grace and deep relationships.One girl at the CGOwas particularly open and vulnerableabout her struggles.This allowed Joy to love hereven more, not less, and itmade Joy realize that thesame thing could happen forher if she was open herself.In 2005, shortly after her30th birthday, Joy went on ablind date. Beltran Muñoz hadbeen a teacher and coach fornine years and was activelyinvolved in his church. He haddeep relationships with a fewmen who were praying for theright woman for him to marry.Joy and Bel married, andBel joined NMSI as well. Henow works in the affiliationdepartment, helping new applicants.He and Joy, along withtheir son Joshua, are headedto Brazil in Fall 2007 to assistNMSI-Brazil in developmentof a Center for GlobalOutreach, similar to the one inFort Myers but adapting tocultural differences and needsof Brazilian missionaries headedto the field.

Monthly missionprayer breakfastof Fort MyersWith our newly renovated offices, the CGO has becomea place to host events from the local community such asCrown Financial Ministries training, Bible studies, churchmission committee meetings and the monthly missionprayer breakfast for Fort Myers. The prayer breakfastwill reach its two year anniversary this June. It was startedup out of a local Worldwide Perspectives class as a wayto provide a regular venue for people in the communityinterested in missions. On the third Thursday of everymonth a speaker talks on a mission related topic, and theattendees spend time in prayer for missions around theworld, including, but not limited to NMSI work.the joy of givingReceive income for life and supportmissions through NMSI...A lifetime income – a meaningful charitable giftYou can establish a single life or joint and survivor Gift Annuity with NMSIby donating cash or appreciated securities to NMSI. In return you'll receive afixed annuity income amount each year for the rest of your life.Reduce taxes – receive charitable deductionA portion of your donation is eligible for an immediateincome-tax charitable deduction, and part of theannuity payments may be tax free. Plus, you canreduce and defer capital gains tax by donatingappreciated securities. You get the peace of mindand a fixed rate income for life while helping NMSIplace people around the world to minister God's loveso that people of all nations may be saved.Call Mike Osborn at 239-337-4336 x138 for a confidentialpersonal benefits profile. NMSI also offersEstate Planning and Gift Design services at nocharge. Our desire is to promote biblical stewardshipand to endow the evangel to see missionaries andministries funded by Christ-followers!Return rates arebased on your age(s)when the charitablegift annuity is created.Rates are as follows:Age Rate Paid55 5.5%60 5.7%65 6.0%70 6.5%75 7.1%80 8.0%85 9.5%90 11.3%NMSI annuities may not be available in all states. This is not legal advice and you should seek theadvice of a qualified estate and/or tax professional to determine the consequences of your gift(s).Mike Sullivan from the Educational Concerns forHunger Organization (ECHO) speaks at a breakfastabout ECHO’s work around the world to helpthe poor.List of criticalCGO staffingneedsSome of these positionsare currently empty or areabout to be as peopledeploy overseas. Pleasecontact Human Resourcesto learn more.• Human Resource staff• Graphic Designer• Maintenance Director• Corporate Fundraiser• Field Advisor• Office Manager and/orReceptionist• IT (PC and Mac needs)• Web DesignerAll NMSI staff both at theCGO and overseas raisetheir own support. If youare interested in helpingfund any of these positions,please contact us.Andy GrossAndy Gross was an automechanic for four years aftergraduating from LincolnChristian College. He was frustratedby the competitive workenvironment, and he began topray everyday for God to showhim what to do with his life.He began to see God move inseveral ways, and when he wasfirst told of NMSI’s need for amaintenance person, he knewexactly that it was what Godhad called him to do. He movedto the CGO in 2003 and hasnot only done car and housemaintenance, but new constructionand renovation of severalhouses where NMSI missionariesstay for training. Healso leads worship and directs aguy’s Bible study.Andy has seen many missionariespass through theCGO, and he has learned howimportant his behind-the-scenesjob is to keeping the missionfunctional. God has changedhim and taught him about lovingand serving others, ratherthan competing with them.Andy remembers how alone hefelt before, but he now has peopleto share his struggles withand who can help him grow.He is also able to help others inthe same way.12 Spring 2007 NMSI Newslink 13

Reaching out to theGypsies of BulgariaFor three years, Jeanée DePierrohas been the only missionary fromNMSI serving in Bulgaria. Duringher time there, God birthed a visionfor reaching Bulgaria with the messageof the gospel. This vision iscalled BulgariaHope. God has movednine people to form a team that willput this vision into action. The teammembers will be deploying to Bulgariaover the next two years beginning thisspring.BulgariaHope is a community outreachin the southern region ofBulgaria. This region is less servedwith the gospel than all other areas ofthe country and consists of thousandsof Roma people and Turkish Muslims.The Roma people, also known asTeam from left to right: Emilie and Travis Jones withdaughter Melilla, Christopher and Jeanée DePierro,Gabriel and Melissa Hillman, David and Mara Pickering,Donna Meeks, Michelle Arnold, Abby AlterGypsies, are an ethnic group livingthroughout Europe. The Roma facegreat discrimination both on personaland governmental levels. Most live inpoor, squatter communities that aresomewhat isolated from mainstreamsociety. The Bulgarian Gypsies are primarilynon-practicing EasternOrthodox and the Turkic Gypsies areprimarily uninvolved Muslims.The BulgariaHope community ministrywill serve all age groups and bethe springboard to a variety of ministries,such as education, sports ministries,discipleship groups, marriageand family ministries, church plantingand leadership development. Each ofthese ministries will work to share thegospel of Christ and promote theplanting and growing of the church inthe two target populations.Sex educationin a MuslimcontextOne important issue thatNMSI missionaries John andMary,* who work in a Muslimcountry, deal with regularly issexual abuse. Just as in manyplaces around the world, sexualabuse is common, but it’s not talkedabout or dealt with. Many men andwomen from this culture know verylittle about the human body andhave many misconceptions aboutsex and related issues. A child whois raped on the way to school or atan orphanage might not realize thatwhat happened to them wasn’t normalor acceptable.Since sexual abuse is such a neglectedtopic in this country, therewas no curriculum or illustrations touse in teaching about these things.Mary has worked with nationalbelievers to develop a curriculum inthe local language for teaching thismaterial. She and John train counselorsand teachers to teach truthabout the human body. Some oftheir work has even been highlightedon national television.Twila Schofield uses illustrations to communicate cross-culturallyTwila Schofield – a CGObasedmissionary illustrator –helped by illustrating many ofthese concepts in the local context.She spent several weeksthere studying the culture andthen drawing counseling tools,Bible stories, anatomical pictures,and illustrations of appropriateways to show love andaffection.Truth (i.e. honest facts aboutsex and the human body) is vitalto tackling these issues becauseit promotes trust in the giver.People have lots of questionsand desire to talk with someonethey can trust. Talking about itfosters trust and opens a link toshare the gospel.*Names have beenchanged to protectthe missionariesMelissa Hillman with Bulgarian Gypsy childrenHighlights fromour global communityIllustrations for teaching tools14 Spring 2007 NMSI Newslink 15

Come Come overseas overseaswith with us! us!2007 projectsKenya: April 12 – 25Russia: June 22 – July 7Bulgaria: July 6 – 21Kenya: August 9 – 22India: TBARussia: Dec. 26 – Jan. 6, 2008or, create your own!New Mission Systems InternationalP.O. Box 547, Fort Myers, FL 33902RETURN SERVICE REQUESTEDNon-ProfitU.S. PostagePAIDFt. Myers, FLPermit No. 473for information email shortterm@nms-intl.comor for long-term service email affiliation@nms-intl.com