April 2007

Evangelical Friends Mission Director Praises God for Expanded Ministry Among Friends Worldwide

Evangelical Friends Missions Executive Director Chuck Mylander shares about EFM’s ministry in 2006 from his heart in this year-end report. His position keeps him “on the road,” traveling to visit mission points around the world.

When Friends fast and pray for missions, an explosion of grace is the result. That explosion is happening around the world because of the concerted efforts of missions leaders and participants. Chuck Mylander, Executive Director for Evangelical Friends Mission (EFM), submitted his end of year report in praise of God’s work through the ministry of the mission “arm” of    Evangelical Friends.

Through this report and the stories that follow, Friends will catch the vision and excitement for ministry in Nepal , Rwanda , Ireland , and more.

The Book of Acts all over again

What’s happening among Friends in India and Nepal is like the Book of Acts all over again. In fact, at East Whittier Friends, I was asked to report on Nepal . I read or referred to various passages from Acts, and then told a true story from Nepal that   paralleled Acts. The whole time was taken with stories from Nepal . I had   additional stories from India that had to remain untold.

Miracles, growth, persecution, changed lives, extraordinary leadership—it’s the story of Acts in our time. Join with me in saying from the bottom of our hearts, “Praise the Lord!”

Expanded training

In Africa, the graduates of the Great Lakes School of Theology are now training pastors and leaders in Rwanda , Burundi , and Congo . The program is developing to the point that well over 100 leaders received training last year.  The goal is to train 500 leaders in five years. Pray for added funding to make this possible.

New mission fields

The new fields in Bangladesh and Bhutan are doing well. The newest field is Mexico . Since Aguascalientes and Sinaloa, Juarez, are progressing at such a great rate, the Missions Commission decided to adopt the whole country. Friends already have ministries in Coahuila State , Mexicali , and Mexico City . These are small, so pray that the Lord will move in a mighty way to make Friends a powerful force in all of Mexico .

Every church a sending church

The first-ever EFM Missions Conference was held in Kathmandu , Nepal , for nearby leaders. Through the generosity of Rose Drive Friends Church , missionaries and their wives were brought together for a three-day conference. They loved it. As evidenced by the examples below, the missionary vision is catching on. 

Bob Adhikary’s preachers moved two or three families to new districts in Nepal to establish churches there. They are praying about sending someone to Malaysia . John Vanlalhriata is praying about sending workers to Assam , India .

Dr. Samson Retnaraj is burdened for a district of Nepal next to Tibet that has no churches. Bhutan already has a worker in Sikkim , India . When mission fields send missionaries, addition changes to multiplication.

Taking good care of our missionaries

My heart’s desire is that EFM will take good care of our missionaries. Here is how that desire is being fulfilled.

EFM offers debriefing when missionaries return to the US , including professional help for marriage and family problems.

Proactive systems are in place for the unexpected emergency on the field—emergency exit plans and powers of attorney to attend to children separated from parents and other legal matters. 

EFM provides coaching for new missionaries.

New candidates enlist prayer partners (500 minimum). The growing number joining EFM in weekly prayer and fasting for missionaries is bearing fruit. God hears and answers the cries of His people.

Call to prayer and fasting

You have read in past issues about the call to prayer and fasting, which was issued by the Missions Commission over a year ago. As you can see, the results are tremendous. The practice of prayer and fasting is not a ploy to manipulate God; rather it is an act of obedience and spiritual discipline.

Some participants fast a meal; others fast for several meals. There are those who can’t fast meals but can fast from other activities in the spirit of the biblical fast.

Perhaps you have considered partnering with EFM in this way. How about now?