Carry the Wood

Vol. 70
ACTION
MAGAZINE
SUMMER 2023
The official publication of Men for Missions
Carry
The
Wood

Table of Contents
Volume
3 Where’s the Fire?
By Doug Tankersley
MFM Vice Global Executive Director
4 Puerto Rico
So Many Opportunities
By Bill Evans
MFM U.S. National Director
5 Find the Fire
By Carl Poynter
MFM Regional Director
6 Opportunities in Spain
By Aaron DePue
OMS Regional Business as Missions
Coordinator
7 Sharing Christ in
the Digital Age
By Garth Cartledge
MFM Regional Director
8 Tribute to Stanley Tam
By Men for Missions
2023 Men for Missions Ministry Team List
Dates Country Location Description Est. Cost
9/5-9/13 Spain Aunon Prayer Team 2200
9/9-9/16 Mexico La Piedad Evangelism Team 2000
9/19-9/26 Mexico Mexico City Prayer Team 1800
9/27-10/8 Japan Tokyo Work Team 2700
10/7-10/14 Colombia Cucuta Evangelism Team 2000
10/14-10/21 Colombia Medellin Evangelism Team 2000
o Please send info about team to ____________ Dates__________
o My Gift for ACTION budget: $_____________ (Proj. #444520)
o Please send ACTION to the names and addresses enclosed.
o Please remove my name from the ACTION mailing list.
Name_________________________________________________________
Address_______________________________________________________
City____________________________
9 Education in Haiti
By Jackie Evans
MFM SHEEP Administrator
10 A Miracle Through Prayer
By JF Crouse
12 A Great Work
By Debra Oaks
13 Live the Adventure
By Elaine Fahrenkamp
14 The Legacy of MFM
By Marlowe Janke
Former MFM Canada National Director
15 Where’s the Storehouse
of Wood?
By Doug Tankersley
MFM Vice Global Executive Director
16 A Prodigal Restored
By Josh Branscomb
State/Prov______________________
ACTION
MAGAZINE
70 No. 2/2023
ACTION magazine is a unique missions-focused
publication that tells the story of Men for Missions.
As our people share their experiences, you can
better grasp the magnitude of God’s use of laymen
throughout the world and also keep informed of
major events, which impact OMS, MFM, and the
Great Commission.
Executive Editor | Kent Eller
Office Editor | Mykaela Alvey
Managing Editor | Bill Heubner
Graphics | Seth Grandidge
Consultant | Gene Bertolet
Founder | Dr. Dwight Ferguson
Cover | MFM team in Spain
INTERNATIONAL
Executive Director | Kent Eller
Vice Executive Director | Doug Tankersley
Global Ambassador | Warren Hardig
Director of Business Development | Steve Rehner
CABINET PRESIDENTS
Canada | Dave Busch
United Kingdom | Alan Russell
United States | Michael Shaferly
NATIONAL DIRECTORS AND OFFICES
U.K. National Director | Alan Russell
30 Longhries Road, Newtownards Co. Down N Ireland
Canada | Kyle Martin
#25-31255 Upper Maclure Road
Abbotsford, BC Canada V2T 5N4
604-760-3351
Canadian Office Administrator | Charlotte Kroes
Box 265, Mount Forest, ON N0G 2L0
Cuba | Allen Quesada
Liberia |
Colombia |
United States | Bill Evans
P.O. Box A, Greenwood, IN
Director of Follow Up |
Director of Ministry Teams | Bill Evans
REGIONAL DIRECTORS
South Central | Gene Pollic
Southeast | Paul Chance
Northwest | Mike Miner
Northeast | Carl Poynter
Great Plaines | Al Gaines
Carolinas | Garth Cartledge
If you would like the E-Mail address of an OMS
missionary, direct your inquiry to the U.S. MFM office at
mfm@onemissionsociety.org
Follow us on:
facebook, instagram - @menformissions
linkedin.com/company/men-for-missions-interntl
Zip or Postal Code________________ Country__________________________
Phone___________________ E-Mail_____________________________
2 Please | make MFM checks ACTION payable to Men for Missions and mail to the office in your country.
ACTION (ISSN 07440375) is published three times annually by Men for
Missions, a ministry of One Mission Society (OMS), 941 Fry Road, P.O.
Box A, Greenwood, IN 46142-6599, USA. All correspondence and
changes of address (please include old address label) should be sent to
the Greenwood address above.

Where’s
the Fire
EDITORIAL
By Doug Tankersley
MFM Vice Global Executive Director
S
erving as a missionary with One Mission
Society allows me the joyous privilege of
introducing the who, what, why, and how’s of
Men for Missions to potential new ministry partners
in many countries. I’m passionate about the
mission of MFM, which challenges men to Do, Go,
and Give in total obedience to Jesus Christ. I’m
convinced and confident that the mission and vision
of Men for Missions is more critical today than
when it was founded, as we consider the growing
deceptive influence that the enemy has on our
world today.
A foundational building block
of MFM is that we desire to come
alongside our national partners and
help them do what God has called
them to do. We are always looking
for fires that the Holy Spirit
already has burning, and we are
charged to carry the wood to
help keep the fire burning.
Over and over again, our
partners have
affirmed that
our desire to
come alongside
them is
different and
refreshing,
as many
other ministry
groups
often want
to carry in
their own
ideas and
agendas rather
than helping carry
the wood to support and encourage their existing
ministries.
Just as a fire needs fuel, ministries need fuel,
too. Who can help provide this fuel to keep the
fires burning? You can! We continue to search
for and recruit men and their family members to
join teams and help carry the fuel to the fire. This
fuel consists of supporting and encouraging our
national partners through prayer teams, work
teams, evangelism teams, and other means. The
apostle Paul reminds us in 1 Thessalonians 5:11
to encourage and build each other up. Our willingness
to come alongside our national partners can
provide incredible fuel to encourage them and help
sustain and even grow their ministries.
May you be encouraged as I am to read the
testimonies of MFM team members that are willing
to Do, Go, and Give towards helping fuel a ministry
fire that is burning in the world today. Then, observe
how they return home with a fire and zeal for
the Lord that comes from their simple willingness
to obey the Lord by helping to carry the wood.
Thank you for reading this edition of Action
magazine and for your faithfulness in praying and
giving to the highlighted ministries. Though you
may not have been physically present in some of
the ministry locations you will read about, please
know that your support has been vital in helping
carry the wood.
“For lack of wood, the fire
goes out,”
Proverbs 26:20 ESV
MFM ACTION |
3

Puerto Rico
CARRY THE WOOD
By Bill Evans
MFM U.S. National Director
So many opportunities!
I
n your mind’s eye, can’t you see the beauty of Puerto
Rico? Imagine living on that beautiful Caribbean island.
Think of the sunshine and warm temperatures.
Did you know you don’t need a passport to fly to
Puerto Rico?
Now think about hurricanes battering the island and the
fact that there isn’t any place to evacuate.
Damaged building from the hurricane
On September 7, 2017, Hurricane Irma hit Puerto Rico as a category five hurricane.
On September 20, 2017, Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico as a category five hurricane.
On September 18, 2022, Hurricane Fiona hit Puerto Rico as a category four hurricane.
Those hurricanes caused much destruction and great need.
Immediately after the 2017 hurricanes, MFM tried to find a way to
go and be of assistance, but we couldn’t build that bridge of help;
however, we didn’t give up so easily. We knew that OMS missionary,
Mateo Hess, had many Puerto Rican contacts in and around the
Rochester, New York area. So, we asked Mateo to consider setting
us up with one or more people in western New York who could help
build bridges into Puerto Rico. Mateo was pleased to help and introduced
us to our new friend, Louis Colón.
MFM Vision team in Puerto Rico
We began working with Louis, discussing the possibilities, and
getting to know his background and relationships. Louis worked
hard to set up meetings with pastors and church leaders around
the island. Our small team of five planned to go to Puerto Rico from
September 20-24, 2022. Did you know you don’t need a passport
to fly to Puerto Rico? The third hurricane (listed above) hit two days
before our arrival, so we had to reschedule our trip.
Louis worked with his contacts to schedule a new date, and we
left for Puerto Rico on November 29, 2022. We met with 10 different
ministries over four days. Much work still needs to be accomplished,
and many opportunities exist to share the Gospel and invite people
into a loving relationship with God through Jesus. If MFM had 500
people today, we could keep them busy in Puerto Rico.
Damage from the most recent
hurricane
Establishing an MFM style of ministry to challenge men to the Lordship of Christ as they DO, GO, and
GIVE whatever God asks would be an excellent opportunity for men in Puerto Rico. This could easily go
along with the other ministry team opportunities on the island. Did you know you don’t need a passport
to fly to Puerto Rico? So, what’s keeping you from going with us? Let’s go!
To learn more about short-term teams to Puerto Rico, contact us at teamsmfm@gmail.com.
4 | MFM ACTION

Find
CARRY THE WOOD
By Carl Poynter
MFM Regional Director
the Fire
Rejoicing together in
Japan
T
he founder of Men for Missions, Dr. Dwight
Ferguson, used to say, “You don’t have to
build a fire; find out where it’s burning
and carry the wood.” As I began to ponder those
words, I was taken back to my first trip to Japan.
Our team of men was there to cut trees, which also
required carrying a lot of wood. We didn’t make
the connection then, but we realized later that God
sent us to Japan to help keep the fire burning that
started almost 130 years ago. Japan was the first
mission field of OMS - known then as the Oriental
Missionary Society.
I have had the pleasure of leading many MFM
teams to various countries; however, knowing
OMS’s rich history in Japan and reading the stories
of Charles and Lettie Cowman, Juji Nakada, and
Ernest Kilbourne made
this trip extra special
to me. Over the
two-week period our
team carried a lot of
wood from the many
trees we cut down.
More importantly, we
Wooden cross in Japan
established strong
relationships with the
Japanese men we worked alongside and the OMS
field missionaries who had asked us to come.
Several months later, when the fire was still
burning hot, we returned with another team to work
on missionary housing and other campus projects.
While on that trip, we also provided evangelism
training utilizing the Evangecube, which led to the
introduction to Pastor Saeki. Later that same week,
Pastor Saeki returned to share his vision to build a
church in Kochi on one of the southern islands in
Japan – God had a new fire burning.
During the 15-hour flight home, all I could think
about was building a church in Japan. I also knew,
as an MFM Regional Director, that I had a lot of
work to do before I could return. First, I had to get
approval from our cabinet and staff to take on this
project. Next, I had to find more wood carriers. Almost
six months later, we did just that. God sent the
next team to Kochi, Japan, so that we could start
the church project. I can’t help but chuckle because
the church was built from a log-style structure, so
to say we carried a lot of wood, well, would be an
understatement. It went well beyond us, as seven
more teams ultimately came to build the church,
working alongside Pastor Saeki and our Japanese
brothers and sisters to complete the project.
I am thankful for all those who have carried their
share of wood with Men for Missions over the past
69 years in the more
than 70 countries we
are blessed to serve
in. Thousands upon
thousands of faithful
men and women have
answered the call to
Do whatever God
asked them to do,
to Go wherever God
asked them to go, and
to Give whatever God
Carrying the wood
asked them to give!
The fire still burns; will you carry wood with
us? We just learned of a couple new projects in
Japan, and we would like to send teams to help
in October. There are also fires to keep burning in
Mexico, Puerto Rico, Spain,
the Dominic Republic, and
Colombia, to mention a few.
You can see a complete
listing of our teams at
menformissions.org or
use your smartphone to
scan the QR code.
MFM ACTION |
5

Opportunities in Spain
P
eña de Horeb is
a One Mission
Society camp in
Spain that serves the local
church and thousands of
children and teens every
year. Its vibrant and busy
summer camps are well
known nationwide, and its ministry
is essential to OMS’s vision in Spain and Europe.
CARRY THE WOOD
By Aaron DePue
OMS Regional Business as
Missions Coordinator
Camp in Peña de Horeb
Fifty years ago, faithful missionaries
gathered wood and lit
the fire to develop a camp and
retreat center about an hourand-a-half
from Madrid, in the
countryside of Castilla de la
Mancha. Over the years, many
people have carried the wood to
keep that fire burning at Peña.
Today, our ministry is working on
managing a full-scale renovation
and reorganization of Peña de
Horeb camp.
From the beginning, the camp’s vision
has been to support the local church
and to be a part of the surrounding
villages and community. To accomplish
this vision, we are developing a
sustainable business model for the
camp to honor its legacy, expand our
ministry, and grow our influence in the community
and beyond.
We will achieve sustainability in two ways. The
first is to ensure we manage the camp finances
well, cut costs, and attain maximum occupancy
in the summer months. The second is to develop
programs, such as retreats and conferences, that
will help bring in revenue during the off-season.
Transitioning Peña from a summer camp to a yearround
ministry center is crucial for the financial
stability of the camp.
The first step in the plan is to renovate and
modernize our existing property. Renovations are
already underway on the Hogar, one of our bunkhouses.
This fall, we will begin renovations on the
6 | MFM ACTION
Spain work team
Spain Work Team
exterior of the Casa Grande, our largest bunkhouse.
We are recruiting three teams through MFM
to help with this project in October and November.
In addition, we are looking to bring teams to do
concrete work and tree maintenance in the spring
of 2024. Next summer, we would like to recruit
an MFM partner church to organize and host our
Sports or English camps at our facility. In the fall of
2024, we plan to build a new chapel at the camp
and plant a church onsite. Every summer, there are
opportunities for individuals to serve up to 90 days
during our busy camp season in the kitchen, on
the grounds, or in general maintenance.
Both campers throughout Spain and Americans
on short-term teams have experienced the beauty
and ministry of Peña de Horeb. It is a truly special
place. We invite you to be part of the ministry in
Spain, either through prayer, financial giving, or
short-term service. We hope and pray that through
good stewardship and the support of our brothers
and sisters in Christ, Peña will have another 50
years of fruitful ministry in Spain.
To learn more about serving on a
short-term team in Spain, contact us at
teamsmfm@gmail.com.

Sharing Christ in the
CARRY THE WOOD
By Garth Cartledge
MFM Regional Director
Ihave a love/hate relationship
with my cell phone. It is a
necessary convenience for
many purposes, but
it can be a source of
wasted time. I recently
had the opportunity
to see how a cellular
device can be used
to extend the Word of
the Lord.
I had the chance
to go to Ghana, Africa
with Ryan Hicks,
Associate Church
Multiplication Facilitator
for Ghana, Africa,
and Dean Davis, OMS
Village Church Planter
facilitator for Africa.
Village Church Planting is a
project with the goal of planting
a church in every African village
by the year 2050.
During this trip, we visited
three of the nearly 600 VCP
training centers in 31 African
countries. Each training center is
led by a pastor/trainer who mentors
15 church planters. At each
center, our small team used a file
Jesus Film training
VCP church planter
receiving the Bible on
her phone in more than
2,000 languages
transfer application to transfer
The Jesus Film, and other digital
Bible tools, onto the students’
cellular devices. The church
planters can then use these tools
in their evangelistic efforts.
The Jesus Film application is
available in over 2,000 languages.
There are also 60 short video
clips and a curriculum available
for use in a small group setting.
Additionally, we provided the
students with the
digital YouVersion
Bible application.
This is also available
in over 2,000
languages and
several hundred
versions of the
Bible.
The exciting
vision of this
effort is the rapid
transfer of these
Showing the Jesus Film
tools. We no longer have to
print, transport, and pay for hard
copies of the Bible because it
is all available through a quick
download and transfer from
one cellular device to another.
The other exciting aspect
is many of these tools offer
audio capabilities. If someone
doesn’t have good reading
comprehension skills, an audio
version of the Bible, in their
language, is available for them.
Men for Missions has been
asked to provide four teams to
continue this effort. If you can
use a cell phone, you have the
needed skills to facilitate training.
These trips are very rewarding,
and you can be a part of
extending the Word of the Lord.
Feel free to email me at
gcartledge@onemissionsociety.org
if you have any interest or
questions about one of these
upcoming trips.
MFM ACTION |
7

Tribute
to Stanley Tam
W
hen the Lord and Dwight Ferguson prevailed on Stanley Tam
to visit the multitudes of Asia in the early 1950s, the seeds of
Men for Missions, a movement of God’s Spirit, were sown.
God placed a burden for the lost around the world on Stanley’s heart.
Stanley’s passion for the lost and using his business as his pulpit
opened doors to tell multitudes about Jesus. Churches wanted to
hear his story. We had Stanley in Men for Missions dinners and
retreats, Soul-winning Seminars, and God Owns
My Business Seminars. In the evenings before the seminars,
we would host a dinner for the participants. Everyone in attendance
heard the Gospel and was encouraged to surrender to Jesus
Christ. Many God Owns
My Business plaques are
hanging on the walls of businesses
around the country. Attendees have given millions
of dollars because God’s spirit worked through His servant Stanley.
Stanley’s story is in several books and publications. Every
person Stanley could communicate with was fair game for him
to share Jesus. He used all his resources for the Lord’s work. At
an OMS Conference, during the Men for Missions luncheon, he
presented the president of OMS a check for one million dollars for
evangelism.
“Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another”
(Proverbs 27:17). Stanley sharpened the lives of countless men.
As a result of sitting under Stanley’s ministry, a Men for Missions
staff member set a goal of telling one million people about how he
came to Christ. Stanley was his hero. He achieved that goal several
years ago. Recently, Stanley said he led over 400,000 people
to a personal faith in Christ.
Men for Missions is proud of the great heritage of Dr. Stanley Tam
as our first layman in ministry for men.
During his lifetime, Stanley gave more than $124
million to OMS both personally and through his
business profits. Additionally, OMS and its partners
have reported nearly 8.7 million decisions for Christ,
thanks, in part, to Stanley’s generosity.
- OMS Communications
8 | MFM ACTION

Education in
Haiti
By Jackie Evans
MFM SHEEP Administrator
HAITI
M
any Men for Missions teams have traveled
through Port au Prince, Haiti. One team in
particular visited a village west of Port au
Prince, called Gressier, and built homes for needy
families while sharing the love of Jesus. During this
trip, MFM friends Bill Glace and Jim Kesler visited
the Christian school that Pastor Vengione Vital’s
family started. God was touching the lives of the
children and families in this school. The school
was just a short walk from one of Pastor Vital’s
daughter churches.
Our friends asked themselves, how could we
help get more needy children into this school so
they can learn about the Gospel of Jesus? The
idea of a child sponsorship ministry began. With
the help of their local church, Northridge Church
in Sabetha, Kansas, the Students of Haiti Endowment
Education Program (SHEEP) began.
By 2015, it was apparent this ministry was too
much for the church to handle. Under One Mission
Society’s guidance, Men for Missions began
administering SHEEP, renamed Southern Haiti
Evangelism and Education Program.
SHEEP allows children to hear the Gospel of
Jesus Christ while receiving a quality education. In
June 2022, Pastor Vital organized a conference for
the children where he showed a movie to present
them with a personal relationship with Jesus. As a
result, 56 children accepted Christ as their savior.
Many families now attend the daughter church in
Gressier, with over 300 children gathering to worship
on Sunday mornings.
The sponsored children can communicate
through correspondence as part of the sponsorship.
To the right is a sampling of letters from the
children in May 2023.
Dear Sponsor:
My favorite subjects in school are French, mathematics,
and religion (Bible).
My most fun activity is to play hopscotch.
God is teaching me to stop doing what is wrong.
Good Morning. How are you with Jesus? I am
well. May God continue to bless you and hide and
cover you. Even though there are problems in all
countries, you still pay for my school. Thank you
for your patience. Thank you for everything you
have done for me.
Your Friend,
Chery
Dear Sponsor:
My favorite subject in school is Economics.
My most fun activity is jump rope.
God is teaching me to love my brothers
and sisters.
I want to thank you for the way you have helped
me. Thank you for everything you do for me, for
your support. It’s the biggest gift someone could
give me, better than any riches. I am frankly in awe
and don’t know how I could repay you.
Your Friend,
Rebecca
“Train up a child in the way he
should go; even when he is
old, he will not depart from it.”
Proverbs 22:6
For only $25 a month or $300 a year, you can become a child sponsor
and introduce a needy child to Jesus. Please contact our office at
sheep@onemissionsociety.org to inquire about sponsorship.
MFM ACTION |
9

Miracle
A
COLOMBIA
Through Prayer
By JF Crouse
M
y wife, Kathy, and I lived in Cartagena,
Colombia as a young family for two years.
During our time in Colombia, we served
as missionaries with a small church. Michael, our
oldest, was one when we moved there, and my
wife was pregnant with our second child, Ruth. We
recently had the opportunity to return to Cartagena
after 40 years.
I knew to expect many changes since it had
been 40 years since we’d lived there. Some of the
most significant changes were that the city had
tripled in size and traffic was now chaotic. Bus
travel was the norm 40 years ago, as very few
people had cars or other means of transportation.
Today, the constant roar of traffic, horns, sirens,
buses, trucks, and motorcycles is overwhelming.
Through the night, it never quieted down.
church. This neighborhood was similar to the
community we lived in 40 years ago, so Kathy and
I were drawn to it and eagerly awaited our chance
to minister in that area.
The plan for our team was to meet each
morning with the members of that day’s assigned
church. We went through the neighborhood in
groups of three: a missionary, a local church
member, and a translator. We ministered on streets
that were bathed in prayer by the local church
That being said, some things were still familiar
upon our return. The hoards of people walking,
standing, waiting, and shopping along the streets,
as well as the friendliness and receptivity of the
people, were exactly as I remembered.
On our first full day in Cartagena, we attended
two church services. These were two of the four
churches we
continued to work
with throughout
the coming week.
The first church
service was in Villa
Hermosa, a poor
neighborhood on
the city’s outskirts.
The service was
along the street
under a corrugated
roof, and it was
the first Sunday
morning service for
JF and Kathy
the newly founded
Nasley and her family
Church in Colombia
10 | MFM ACTION

I spotted a lady, crippled on her left side,
maneuvering through the city streets. Her left
arm and leg were deformed, and as she walked,
she stepped on the top of her twisted foot. It was
heart-wrenching to imagine how hard everyday life
was for a woman in such a condition, especially
in Cartagena. My heart broke! I prayed that God
would bless her and be good to her.
Team praying with the church
members. The church member knocked at the
door and introduced us, saying, “I have a friend
from The United States who would like to tell you
a story if you have time.” The homeowner almost
always had time. Then, we told our testimony
to them via a translator. When we finished, we
asked if we could tell them about Jesus using
the wonderful Evangecube tool. They always
readily accepted, and we explained God’s plan for
forgiveness and salvation. Then, we asked them
if they wanted to receive God’s gift of grace, and
nearly every one of them eagerly prayed to receive
Christ.
Even though the four-and-a-half mile trip took
45 minutes by bus, we were excited to return to
Villa Hermosa to share the Gospel through the
neighborhood. As we neared the neighborhood,
As we started through the neighborhood,
we came to a home with two walls and a roof
extended between two existing houses. The rough
floor sloped from the level of the floor in one house
to the level of the floor in the next house. There
were no signs of water and just an extension cord
for power. The house had no front door, only a
piece of corrugated roofing leaning in place of
one. Tanya and her son lived in the house. She
welcomed us to her home, offering chairs to sit on
as we talked.
As we finished the presentation, she eagerly
acknowledged her desire to receive God’s grace,
but someone came to the door just before we
could pray. I needed to get out of my chair to
allow the individual to enter the house. To my
amazement, it was the same woman I had prayed
for along the street! Nasley entered, and we went
through the plan of salvation again. Nasley had no
Bible and was thrilled to receive her own copy of
the Holy scriptures. Before we left the home, all
three had prayed to receive Christ. Praise God!
MFM Team ACTION with the | church 11

A Great Work
By
COLOMBIA
Debra Oaks
In February, God opened a
door for my first mission trip
with Men for Missions to
Bogotá, Colombia. I was filled
with many emotions, such as
excitement, happiness, and nervousness.
I had always wanted
to go on a mission trip; however,
this trip proved to be more than I
could have imagined.
People on our team faced
many obstacles before leaving,
including accidents and illnesses.
For example, some team members
had coronavirus the week
before we left. Satan tried to discourage
us and prevent us from
going until we got on the plane,
Debra Oaks and team mate with
Colombian girl
but we didn’t give up! We stood
firm in our faith and steadfast in
our prayers. Praise God we were
all able to go!
The mission was well-planned
and organized. We began the
work by witnessing and gathering
the information of those who
accepted Christ. Then, at the end
of each day, we presented the
local churches with Bibles and
Evangecubes to carry on with the
mission in the community.
I felt welcomed by the people
of Colombia, and each day presented
us with new opportunities
to witness and share our testimonies
with them. Hoping souls
would be saved, we witnessed
to many different people. My testimony
touched people’s hearts,
especially the young women’s.
God purposely sent me across
the world to witness to them; He
spoke through me, and I was
humbled by how He used my life
to witness to theirs.
One day, a young lady’s eyes
filled with tears when she told
us she had come to sit for a few
minutes to breathe. She said she
never does that. I told her, “God
sent me to share my heart with
you.” She said it was exactly what
she needed, and she accepted
Christ. God had a plan for this trip
and a design for such a time as
this.
God powerfully used our team
to reach others, but He also did
a great work in our team’s hearts.
We all had such different stories.
We all had ugly truths, pain, hurt,
and difficulties before we accepted
Christ. Our team was designed
by God’s mighty hand specifically
for this trip to Colombia, and He
knew what we needed. Although
we didn’t realize it while witnessing
to the people there, God was
healing us, mending us, and
breaking chains in our lives, too.
I made so many new friendships,
and I cannot wait to go
on another team. I am forever
changed, renewed, touched, and
incredibly humbled by this experience.
My eyes are wide open to
the great need all over the world.
So many more people need to
hear the Word of God. One hundred
and sixty-nine souls were
saved on this trip. One mission at
a time until Jesus returns.
MFM team preparing to evangelize in the neighborhood
Debra and team mate with
Colombian children
12 | MFM ACTION

Live the Adventure
By Elaine Fahrenkamp
My church begins every
service by saying, “Life
in Christ is an adventure”;
however, simply saying
the words is only part of the
challenge–living the adventure
brings the challenge into reality.
In response to this challenge, I
took the adventure to GO with an MFM team to
Hungary and Ukraine.
It was a short turnaround from applying, to being
accepted on a team, to receiving our flight information,
and finally, to departing the U.S. During
the short period of waiting, we received multiple
emails from MFM about what might be required
of us and what we might experience. Though a
definitive schedule and itinerary did not exist, a
vague outline of probable scenarios did:
- Limited or no electricity
- Limited gas supply for running the generator
24/7
- Limited water and shower facilities
- Cold weather
- Probably 10 – 12 hour days working and/or
driving
- Long waits at border crossings
- Being on your feet all day moving food and
supplies
As I checked the above items off in my head, I
concluded that I could DO this.
A few days into the trip, the MFM Team Leader
asked, “How has your trip been so far?” I responded
with a laugh and grinned as I said, “It’s everything
you promised it would be.”
The biggest challenge for me was to GIVE. So
often, giving is thought of in monetary terms or
even the number of hours/days spent on a cause;
however, giving also includes giving of yourself
and being part of a team, sharing pieces of who
you are with strangers, and being vulnerable. As
an introvert, seemingly endless periods of activity
with multiple people can be emotionally exhausting.
Could I “give” of myself during the trip? Could
Shrink wrapping the boxes after
they were packed
Some examples of the types of
things that the team packed
I “give” to the group and be a productive team
member? Could I be the person God wanted and
intended me to be and “give” of myself to the
Hungarian/Ukrainian people? In the past, I had not
always been successful in this.
As the questions kept coming, I began praying
that God would:
- Send me on a new adventure to show His love
to others
- Help me be dependent on His grace and power
to make a difference
- Help me to offer hope and encouragement to
others who felt weighed down, lost, or
forgotten
Most of my time was spent sorting, packing,
and moving boxes for distribution to the displaced,
elderly, and disabled individuals in communities
further into Ukraine. With God’s strength, I was
also able to give in little ways:
- Flashing a smile at a border guard while waiting
to cross
- Sharing a Ukrainian “toast” with a priest while
making a food delivery
- Getting a chuckle out of our MFM Team Leader
- Lighting a candle and praying for the people of
Ukraine while in a cathedral in Hungary
- Welcoming a fellow volunteer from Wales who
joined our group, and I can now call my Christian
brother
I don’t know how God has used or will use my
interactions, but I am confident He will in His way
and in His time. By submitting my weakness to
God, there is strength in giving myself to others.
“That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses
… For when I am weak, then I am strong”
(2 Cor. 12:10).
HUNGARY AND UKRAINE
MFM ACTION |
13

The Legacy of MFM
By Marlowe Janke
Former MFM Canada National Director
MFM CANADA
M
en for Missions has always been an important
part of my life. As a boy, I remember
hearing Dwight Ferguson (MFM Founder),
Harry Burr (Former MFM Executive Director), and
Stanley Tam (First Layman of MFM) speak in my
church. In 1968, my mom and dad, Adolf and Anne
Janke, traveled to Colombia and Ecuador on an
MFM mission trip.
After that trip, Dad was asked to serve on the
Men for Missions International Cabinet, which
met in Greenwood, Indiana. In 1973, he was one
of a few Canadian men who established Men for
Missions in Canada. He served on the Cabinet for
many years and later on the One Mission Society
Canadian Board.
My first personal experience was when, as a
young man, I spent the summer of 1973 in Haiti,
serving alongside OMS missionaries and Haitian
nationals. It was one of many opportunities I would
ultimately have to travel, witness, and work on
overseas mission trips.
member, is currently funding so that he can become
the Canadian National Director. I previously
served with his grandfather, Lyle, and currently
serve with his dad, Marlin.
The extended Martin family has been integral to
Men for Missions for generations. Please pray with
us for God to lead and direct Kyle and his wife,
Destinee. Pray that many will come alongside them
in prayer and financial support. Kyle is required to
be 100% funded before he can begin his role as
Canadian National Director.
Thank you for your faithful support of Men for
Missions Canada. We are excited to see how God
will direct and lead Men for Missions Canada and
who He calls to serve alongside us in 2023 and the
years ahead.
Since 1987, I’ve been blessed to serve on the
MFM Canadian Cabinet, meeting many people,
making lasting friendships, and experiencing firsthand
how God is working and moving in the lives
of many individuals worldwide. Since 2006, I have
served as the Men for Missions Canadian National
Director.
I officially retired as National
Director on December 31, 2022.
Being involved in MFM is like
being part of a family. My wife,
Rose, and I will always remain
connected and interested in
whatever Men for Missions is
doing. As the Lord directs, we
will continue to pray, financially
support, serve, and keep in
touch with the friends we have
made worldwide.
Kyle Martin, a third-generation
MFM Canadian Cabinet
Marlowe and Rose Janke
China 2002
Marlowe interviewing his mom, Anne Janke (married to
Adolf Janke), at MFM Canada’s 40th anniversary
Adolf Janke, Marlowe Janke’s
father. Adolf served on the first Men
for Missions cabinet in 1973.
14 | MFM ACTION

Where’s the Storehouse
of Wood?
GLOBAL PRAYER
By Doug Tankersley
MFM Vice Global Executive Director
M
en for Missions founder Dwight
Ferguson often challenged folks
to “Find where the Holy Spirit
is building fires and carry the wood.”
Men for Missions is always searching for places
where the Holy Spirit is building fires to offer opportunities
for people to use their gifts, talents, and
testimony to come alongside those serving the
Lord worldwide.
Every Action magazine issue is full of examples
of people accepting the challenge to “carry the
wood” and share their life-changing journeys;
however, we’d be greatly remiss if we didn’t
acknowledge what fuels this experience and has
fueled this almost 70-year-old ministry.
What prefaces a person to accept the challenge?
What prepares one to move in obedience to a calling
in their life? What provides the staff we need to
send people to the mission field? What builds our
relationships as we connect with partners? In other
words, what’s the fuel to keep these fires burning?
Global Prayer Zoom
People from all over the globe gather together
on Tuesday nights and exercise their privilege
to come boldly to the throne room of God. They
know that prayer fuels everything and that every
effort would be futile without it. Here, the Lord
extends vision, increases passion, breaks strongholds,
provides, protects, heals, revives, renews,
and ultimately fills the storehouse with the wood
necessary to carry throughout the world.
As the wood has been carried, thousands of
people have come to know Jesus as their Savior,
churches and seminaries have been built, radio
stations and towers have been erected and
protected, and Bibles have been printed and
distributed. These accomplishments are God’s
handiwork, miracles only He can do. John reminds
us in John 21:25, “If every one of them [miracles]
were written down, I suppose that even the whole
world would not have room for the books that
would be written.”
Where’s our storehouse of wood?
These days, our main storehouse of wood is
located on Zoom every Tuesday at 8:00 pm
Eastern Time as a team of prayer warriors
focuses on praying for the MFM needs worldwide.
Global Ambassadors Warren and Velma Hardig
and life-long MFM supporters John and Karine
McLaughlin are faithful and intentional in opening
the storehouse each week and praising God for
His faithfulness, mighty protection, and provision
for the ministry of Men for Missions.
If God has moved you to serve on an MFM shortterm
mission team or with MFM in some way, you
can be assured that you are an answer to prayer!
May you attain vast confidence knowing that God
is going before you and laying opportunities at
your feet to draw you closer to Himself.
You are cordially invited to join us weekly as we
meet at the storehouse. You can contact Velma
Hardig at vhardig@onemissionsociety.org for a
Zoom link or to receive the global prayer list to use
during your prayer time.
MFM ACTION |
15

A Prodigal
By Josh Branscomb
COLOMBIA
Restored
For your
Visit...
MFM
Simply check the list of MFM
teams and the reply coupon in
this issue.
Men for Missions (MFM) has
arranged a full slate of teams to
go to the mission field to work,
observe, witness, and pray (page
2). Utilization of laymen is critical
to OMS as it seeks to expand its
ministry throughout the world.
For the past several years,
OMS has been a part of more
than one million decisions for
Christ each year. We now serve
in 77 countries, with more than
120,000 churches planted
through the efforts of OMS and
its national churches.
Many laymen are now forming
teams to go to the mission field.
You can be part of this great
movement of laymen as they
seek to honor Christ by giving
personal obedience to the Great
Commission.
Call MFM at (317) 881-6752,
or contact the national director
in your country (page 2), for the
latest team destinations, dates,
and costs.
Tax-receiptable gifts may
be mailed to MFM, P.O. Box A,
Greenwood, IN 46142-6599.
I
met Johnathan Ricardo in a
barber shop on a hot day in
Colombia. Johnathan was a
church worship leader when he
found himself as the rebellious
prodigal son. Sometime after
leaving the church, he started
using drugs and partaking in
many other things that life would
throw his way. I began to share
my story of how my faith in God
grew because of all the blessings
Josh and Johnathan Ricardo
He has given me, and Johnathan
began to break down. I watched the tears flow as I continued
my story of faith in Christ. Then, Johnathan stood up and walked
outside, grabbing a ripped-up T-shirt to dry and wipe his face. When
he returned, I finished my story and presented the plan of salvation
through Jesus Christ, and Johnathan wept even more, proclaiming
that he wanted Jesus back into his life. He missed his faith and was
tired of running. He worshiped while sitting in his barber’s chair, and
as we prayed, the tears flowed down his cheeks.
After praying with the translator and local church member, he
said, “It’s funny that you came to my place today. Yesterday I felt
that bad things were going to happen to me today. I was thinking
of going back to church and taking my family, and now your story
has inspired me to do just that. Nothing terrible happened; instead, I
received Good news!” He could barely get through the words without
hysterically sobbing.
At that point, I stood up, walked over to him, and hugged him
until he let go. I wanted to show him that someone did care. I knew
the tears he cried were tears of joy, not sorrow. He said it felt like a
weight was lifted off of him.
Praying with Johnathan
Before we left, I encouraged
him to stay strong in the faith
and gave him a Bible. In departing,
I promised him that if I never
got to see him again on earth, I
would see him again in Heaven,
and we would play music and
worship together in the presence
of the King. A new name wasn’t
written down, but a prodigal was
restored!
MFM ACTION |
16