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| Life360 Church welcoming the new missionaries |
The
Park Crest Assembly campus of Life360 Church in Springfield, Missouri,
where
Ted Cederblom is lead pastor, hosted the 35 new missionary families in
their
Sunday morning service on June 17.
The
new
missionaries are in their pre-field orientation that is being held on
the
Central Bible College campus in the same city.
The
missionaries began their day at church by speaking in the Sunday school
classes
of the children, youth and adults. They shared how God had called them
to
missions and their plans for taking the message of Christ’s love to the
country
or ministry of their calling.
After
the
worship time in the sanctuary, they formed a missions parade as they
walked
down the aisle toward the platform. The congregation responded with a
standing
ovation and noisy applause as they enthusiastically honored these new
heroes.
When they reached the front of the church, a shower of streamers and
confetti
began raining down on them as another demonstration that they were
recognized
as heroes.
Then,
each
family or single missionary received more applause as they were
introduced
by name with their photos appearing on the three screens in the
sanctuary.
A
stack
of gifts were piled high on the platform made up of computers, Ipads,
Kindles,
camcorders, cameras, televisions, luggage and other valuable items.
GIFTS
GIVEN
AT “RANDOM”
The
gifts were distributed by Pastor Ted holding up the unwrapped boxes and
describing the contents, with his wife, Robbin, drawing names from a
bowl.
Applause followed as each missionary family or single missionary
received their
gift.
Between
the
gift-giving Pastor Ted briefly interviewed some of the missionaries
asking
them to introduce themselves and tell about their ministries.
Even
though
the gifts have been given at random (or maybe by the leading of the
Holy
Spirit), during the several years that Life360 Church has honored the
new
missionaries in this way, it’s amazing how often the gifts match the
needs of
missionaries.
For
example, a missionary family received a Phillips portable DVD player.
The unit
has two screens that are designed to be placed on the back of car seats.
“We
don’t have anything like this,” said the husband, surrounded by his wife
and
two small children. “This will be perfect for entertaining the kids
during our
itineration.”
Another
missionary
family came to Springfield with their clothing in bags and boxes.
They received a new suitcase set. Another missionary’s camera died the
week
before the service. His gift was a new camera. Another family with a
broken
laptop received a new one.
A single missionary, when asked what she received, said, “A part of my gift was a Nook Reader. This will be perfect for me since they don’t have a lot of English books where I am going. “But,” she added, “to be welcomed and loved by this congregation was the best gift.”
Each missionary unit was also given a banner listing their name and where they are going.
After
the
adults had received their gifts, the children were handed
brightly-colored
wrapped boxes they were asked to hold. After all the gifts had been
handed out,
a signal was given for the boys and girls to open them. The noise and
activity
level on the platform suddenly shot up as all the children at the same
time
began tearing off the wrapping paper, excitedly looking to see what they
had
been given. Soon, dolls were hugged, cars rolled across the platform and
clothing
admired as the children examined their gifts and proudly showed them to
their
parents and each other.
The
youth, already at camp, each received a gift certificate.
After
the
service the church provided a banquet for the missionaries in the Family Life Center.
“WE
THINK OF MISSIONARIES AS OUR HEROES”
Pastor
Ted,
son of missionaries Larry and Dorothy Cederblom, grew up on the mission
field in Latin America. He continues to have a heart for missions that
has
energized the whole church in their love and care and prayer for our
missionaries.
“Pouring out all these gifts upon the new missionaries,” commented Pastor Ted, “is our way of saying that we think of missionaries as our heroes. We want them to remember in the middle of raising their support and the trials they will face that there is a church in Springfield that loves them and believes in them.”
To view more photos go to http://www.facebook.com/AGWorldMissions.
These new missionaries will now be going out to share their burden for missions with pastors and congregations. Click here to find your district office. Check with them to find which missionaries are in your area.
By Owen Wilkie, AGWM U.S. Relations web editor
Copyright ©2012 The General Council of the Assemblies of God.
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