International mission is not the exclusive domain of a few elite specialists called missionaries. It is a challenge for the whole church. Each person can participate in some aspect. While direct ministry overseas, including proclamation of the Gospel, discipling, healing, training, or encouraging is the most glamorous, actively participating in a wider support network is just as important. One can learn about mission opportunities and inform other members of the church; pray for missionaries and the people with whom they serve; intercede for opportunities to share the Gospel and establish the church; mobilize financial support. For five years now, International Ministries has put a special emphasis on getting as many people like you involved directly in our ministries overseas.

As people who spend 80% of our time focused on ministry with our Congolese partners, we covet U.S.-based partners who take the mission seriously, know about the challenges and opportunities, pray for the ministries, covenant to support expenses and communicate with us. As Miriam and I prepare to start another 4-year assignment in Congo, we are praying that God will show us new ways that you and others can be connected more meaningfully to the ministry. We want you not only to feel a connection to Congo, but to have the opportunity to participate directly in ministry in some way, even if coming to Congo is not an option.

Here's one opportunity. One of you might be or know a person who would want to put design talent and web-savvy skills together to support missions. We need someone who would be willing to design and coordinate a web-site reporting on our Congolese ministries. The site has to be easy to use, regularly updated with current material from Congo, and attractive enough to keep people visiting. If Miriam and I spent our time on a website the results would be amateurish at best and we would be forced to sacrifice ministry time (a lot of it) in order to do something we're not very well equipped to do. The right person (or team of people) working with us could free us up to focus on ministry.

If you think that God might be able to use you (or someone you know and respect) as a volunteer Congo mission web coordinator, drop us an e-mail telling us a little bit about yourself and how you think the web-site might develop to connect partners to mission in Congo. We'll put you in touch with our partnership coordination team. It might be just the opportunity for your everyday, ordinary life to connect with God's eternal purpose in a special way. Even if you're not the person we're looking for, please pray that God will raise up the person or people we need.

May you delight in God, serve Him with all that you are, and bring Him glory in all that you do,

Ed and Miriam Noyes