World Missions Committee

Participating in Global Mission on any level transforms our perspective of God and His plan for the nations. Seeing God at work in the world inspires and reminds us of our purpose and role in both the Great Commission and the Great Commandment given to us by our Lord Jesus Christ.

The World Mission Committee is appointed to provide resources to the congregations of the Diocese so that each church can receive the blessings participation in mission can bring.

The goal has always been for every church in the Diocese to participate in Global Mission in some way. Participation can be through prayer, financial support, or sending and receiving missionaries.

As a Diocese, we continue to focus on strategic partnerships and relationships in order to provide congregations with opportunities for engagement.

The Diocese seeks to support its neighbors in Mexico, its friends in Malawi; and now it is reaching towards countries where Christianity is a small minority, by beginning to partner in prayer with the Diocese of Mandalay in Myanmar.

I encourage every congregation to find ways to participate. Look through the pages of this Web site to see what God has already done and see where he may be calling you to join him.

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Sad News

It is with great sadness that I inform you that Carlos Mendez passed away on Christmas morning. Carlos was a graduate of the LGF home and brother to Rigo, Esme, and Gaby. Carlos arrived at the home a little over 20 years ago when he was about 4 years old. He came with his siblings and mother. His mother worked at LGF for a while before she ran off leaving her children behind. Carlos graduated from high school and had nearly completed a degree in architecture. He was living in an apartment with his 3 siblings and working at a shoe store in downtown Cuauhtémoc.

He had been sick for over 4 months and sadly was misdiagnosed several times. About a month ago he had lost quite a bit of weight. He was very thin and had trouble breathing and walking. LGF Director Martin took him to Chihuahua City to receive treatment with a specialist. His health did not improve. On Christmas Eve he took a turn for the worst and was admitted as an inpatient to a Cuauhtémoc hospital with a suspected case of pneumonia. At 8:00am Christmas Day he went into cardiac arrest and despite best efforts, the medics were unable to revive him. He passed from this earth in the presence of his sister, Esme.

Carlos will be remembered for his smile and friendliness. He always attempted to communicate in English with visitors from the US. His creativity and his love and concern for his siblings will be deeply missed.

Director Martin is helping the siblings with medical expenses and the cost of burial arrangements. Please keep his siblings in your prayers during this difficult time.

Any donations will be appreciated for help with medical bills and hospitalizations over the past 4 months. Also, there is need for help with the funeral expenses. You may make a check out to La Gran Familia with LGF Carlos Mendez in the memo line. You may mail it to the Diocesan Office.

Thank you so much for your support through prayers and donations.

Blessings,
Barbara Hautanen, WMC Mexico Sub-committee Chair

Letter from a former resident of La Gran Familia who is now a chef at a seafood restaurant in Cuauhtemoc.

Hi,
My name is Rito Adrian Castillo Saenz. I am a resident of La Gran Familia de Gregory, a place where the mission is to help children and youth to be, not only professionals, but also good people that will help their community.

We are proud to be studying in school whether in elementary, secondary, high school, or at the university level. We share a common goal: to help people that need it most. One day we want to be able to give back to LGF, even a small part of what it has given to us. We want to become sponsors just like you.

For all of us here you are very special and have earned the love and respect that you deserve. You have a big heart. I know this because you help people without expecting anything in return. However, what you don’t know is that you have won a place in our hearts and an eternal home in heaven.

Thank you for helping us,
Love,
Rito Adrian Castillo Saenz

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Opportunities to Engage

Engaging the church in mission can feel like an overwhelming task, even for congregations that have been mission focused for years; maintaining commitment, and enthusiasm can prove difficult. We want to help.

The World Mission Committee understands the importance of consistently providing communication that updates, inspires, and challenges each of us to make commitments, remain engaged, and push ourselves into new mission frontiers.

The World Mission Committee provides resources and mission opportunities through three main strategic relationships:

•  Diocese of Northern Malawi Partnership and Centurion Program
•  La Gran Familia Relationship and Sponsor A Child Program
•  Diocese of Mandalay, Myanmar Partnership

The World Mission Committee provides opportunities for participation in these relationships through:

•  Short term mission trips 
• Prayer guides 
• Support through Centurion Program and Sponsor A Child Program

We strive to provide updated and consistent communication through newsletters and web updates.

The Rev. Alan Horton
regularalan@hotmail.com 
817 417-7714