The Mission Commission
Top to bottom image, left to right.
- Gail De Graaf, Commission Deacon
- Diane Skinner
- Sherie Whitehead
- Somer Gillett
- Wendy Reed
- Cynthia Fisher
- Dan Marvin
- Russ Norem
- Terrie Bishop
- Lois Lundgren Stecker
- Bryan Sharp
Mission Commission Statement of Purpose
To support local and foreign ministries to enable them to make Christ known by prayer, offerings, and service.
Foreign Missions
Westkirk is pleased to support these fine missionaries as they serve Christ in distant lands. Pray for them often, send notes of encouragement as you think of them, and always be open to the prompting of the Holy Sprit in your own heart to serve in full-time ministry. There is much work to be done.
Gary De Graaf - Greater Europe Mission -
Gary has now served in Tours, France as a church planter. There is now a group of 50-60 people who have been able to rent a facility for worship there. In November, 2008, Gary became engaged to Catherine Hooks, an English woman who teaches English in Nancy, France. They will be married in July, 2009 and establish their home in Lille, France. This will be Gary's next church-planting work for the Lord. Gary uses his music abilities as well as reaching out to people in cafes, public markets, English classes, and any other means, to share the gospel and bring people together for worship.
Jonathan and Becky Schuster - Greater Europe Mission -
With children (Caleb, Andrew, and Evan) they have bought their own home in Rush, CO. Dublin, Ireland. They have also built an office there for church planting. They launched their church-planting project by gathering people for a Thanksgiving supper at a near-by, newly built elementary school. They were able to rent this facility for their church. They praise God for their first meeting on December 14, 2008 at 5:00 pm. The new church has been named "Cornerstone". Jonathan also teaches at the Irish Bible Institute and has many dedicated students, some of whom also are a part of the Bible study. Becky is involved with a women's Bible study. The Schusters will be in the U.S. this spring, and Jonathan will be at Westkirk for Sunday, March 22 and a few days to visit with us. Mission Commission is planning some special time with him.
Dr. Peter and Ana Lucaciu - Romanian Evangelistic Medical Mission
Dr. Lucaciu and his wife are the founders of the ministry. The Mission's desire is to reach people of Romania with the Gospel message. Peter is the executive director of REMM. Ana overses all mission teams that travel to Romania and directs the REMM adoption/child placement services. Casa Josif is the orpahanage in Beius and the Bridge Coffee House is located in dowtown Beius which offers a place for teachers, town officials, townfolk, and teens a gathering place to build relationships and talk about Jesus Christ. During the school year, Peter and Ana reside in Gurnee, Illinois. They have four children.
Jessica Duff - Wycliffe Bible Translators -
Jessica works in the language software development area of Wycliffe Bible Translators.
She is particularly involved in the ministry of the SEED COMPANY, an affiliate of Wycliffe,
as she travels to many places in Africa to train nationals in using the computer software.
This enables them in the translation of the Bible in their native languages, and cuts the time in doing so.
More than 500 New Testament translations have been completed, and there are 1,000 language projects in progress.
Translation, literacy, and Scripture-use programs bring the Word of life all over the world.
January, 2009 Wycliffe informed us that Jessica has been placed on health leave so she may officially
rest from her full-time duties and give full attention to medical treatment.
She has been battling health issues for some time. When she was in Nigeria, she contracted malaria,
and was treated there and back at home when recurring symptoms occurred.
She presently has migraines due to her treating of the fevers related to malaria.
A year ago she had several surgeries on her injured knee, and she was also having problems with Carpal Tunnel due to so much time spent on the computer.
Please pray for Jessica in this time of need while she takes time to heal and recover.
Cathy & Greg Huffer - Back2Back -
Greg and Cathy Huffer, and sons Ben, Luke, and Mark were in ministry in Lebanon, Indiana.
In January of 2007, we moved to Monterrey to partner with Back2Back in serving the Lord to reach the orphans and poor.
Greg is interested in serving the American mission teams that come down to serve.
He most likely will be a co-captain for one or more of the Casa Hogars.
Home Missions
America is a culture in need. With the support of Westkirk, and others, servants like these are reaching out to hurting people, meeting their needs, and pointing the way to Jesus. Please pray for these friends and their ministries.
David and Karen Eggert
Campus Crusade for Christ - Iowa State University
David heads up T.I.P. (The Ishmael Project of Bridges International) by contacting several universities to reach out to International Students and more specifically Muslims Students that are interested in getting to know about Jesus Christ. Karen works with International wives teaching them English.
Ward and Gwen Schmeidel
Campus Crusade for Christ - Upper Midwest Region
Ward and Gwen Schmeidel (Children, Preston and Julia) are staff members of Campus Crusade for Christ. They oversee the upper Midwest region working alongside ministry directors from various Universities. (Univ at Wisconsin La Crosse, Univ of North Dakota, Iowa State Univ. Univ of Minnesota, Cloud State Univ. Mankato University and many others.) Gwen works with developing and editing of a newsletter for staff wives. They have presented their ministry to us in the past year and will hopefully be here for Mission Sunday in April.
Freedom for Youth Ministries, Des Moines, Iowa
Mark Nelson is the Executive Director at this Ministry. Various HouseKirks as well as the Mission Commission have served food to the young people. Non Perishable food has been collected and brought there for future dinners. One House Kirk has even provided canned foods for specific meals. Mark provided tours of the facilities and has a definite vision for the future. He came out to Westkirk and presented the Ministry to the adult classes.
Hope Ministries, Des Moines, Iowa
Leon Negen is the President/CEO of Hope Ministries. There are three ministries involved (Bethel Mission, Door of Faith and Hope Family Center) Julie Norem is Westkirk's Ambassador to this Ministry. Cynthia Fisher is another Ambassador helping in the Hope Ministry. These two keep us well informed about needs. We are grateful for the Lord's leading us to help in this ministry.
Heather and Brian Hanneman - The Navigators -
Brian and Heather with baby Timothy, their first child, have been involved in sharing the Good news on Saturdays during the summer months as they worked with the Navigator Camps. They now look forward to one of their weekly gatherings called SNASM (Sunday Nite at Snow Mountain) as well as building relationships during this upcoming school year. Pray for them as they witness to the college students at Colorado University.
Ruth Harbor, Des Moines, Iowa
Ruth Harbor is a Christ-centered home for young women who are alone and facing unplanned pregnancies. Mark McDougal is the Executive Director . They sponsored a "Walk for Life " fundraiser this spring.
Westkirk took part in the "Baby Bottle Project and raised over $1300.00 for this Ministry.
Diane Skinner is our representative for Ruth Harbor.
Mark Mc Dougal provided a tour of the facilities for several of us earlier this year. We are pleased to participate in this ministry
Warren Hunsberger - Teen Challenge of The Midlands, Colfax Iowa -
Warren and his family have moved to Jacksonville, Florida where he now serves as Executive Director for Teen Challenge International Ministry Institute and still serves as Regional Director for the Colfax center. Bob Larson is the Executive Director for the Induction and Training Phase Center in Colfax. Isaac Hunsberger is the Executive Director for the Admissions Center in Des Moines, Iowa. Candace Wilson is the Executive Director for the Women's Center in Pella, Iowa and Michael Hunsberger is the Executive Director for the Re-Entry Center in Omaha, Nebraska. Continue to keep all these in your prayers.
Special Mission Projects
We provided special
gift offerings of money, service projects, food, clothing etc. to several
agencies:
- Restoration Ministries
of Alleman, IA sends teams to Cuba to help in various projects.
- Jane Hammarlund has gone
to Cuba twice and will be returning with a team in March, 2009. We have given
towards taking items that would help the Presbyterian Church there reach out
to those in need. Medical items are high on the list, and Westkirk is happy to
be a part of this ministry.
- Operation Christmas
Child
www.samaritanspurse.org/OCC.asp We had "CHRISTMAS IN JULY" in 2008,
and it worked so well that we will participate in it in July, 2009. We find
that items for the boxes can be purchased all year round and we filled over 60
boxes in July, and another 140 in November.
- International Messengers
www.internationalmessengers.org is a group locally based in Clear Lake,
IA. Dan Marvin, a member of Westkirk and the Mission Commission, has been
going to Hungary to participate in English camps during each summer. He shared
this ministry on Wednesday, January 21 after treating us to Cold Fruit Soup!!!
We support his ministry.
- Through special offerings and gifts, after the Mission Team returned in November, 2008, from Back2Back, Monterrey, Mexico, we were able to help provide a stove/oven and fuel necessary to use it for the lady who runs the soup kitchen in the shanty town.