LUKE AND SARAH SUMNER | August, 2009
The mission highlight for August is the Sumner family. Luke and Sarah are currently making plans to enter into full time missionary service with Agape Flights.

Agape Flights is a flight ministry that serves established missionaries in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Eleuthra. They make weekly flights delivering mail, critical supplies, and equipment to the missionaries. They receive and deliver millions of dollars worth of medicine, medical supplies, nutritional supplements, Bibles, school supplies, building materials, and other mission-critical items.

These missionaries run feeding and clean water programs, schools, medical clinics, and building projects, among other evangelistic ministries. They reach hundreds of thousands of people with the gospel. Without Agape, their ministries would be immediately crippled.

Luke has committed to a Chief Pilot position. His main roles will be to develop a training program for their new airplane as well as look for ways to expand their ministry – to serve more people in more places.

Ways you can be involved:
• Pray for Luke and Sarah as they’re raising a support team and making plans to move to Florida.
• Pray for Agape Flights – that God will continue to bless their ministry and people will continue to be reached with the gospel.
• Join us on August 2nd, when Luke and Sarah will be giving a short presentation and answering questions about Agape in the Fellowship Room at 6:00 pm.

Check out Agape Flights website! www.agapeflights.com

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 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Matthew 9:37-38

 CORNERSTONE AMONG WOMEN | May, 2009
Cornerstone Among Women is our May mission focus. This faith-based pregnancy center’s purpose is threefold: to share Christ, to save lives, and to change hearts while meeting pregnancy and parenting needs, both practically and spiritually. There are centers located in both Elyria and Rocky River. They have reached more than 15,000 women and families since opening their doors in 1986.

Cornerstone Among Women is a pro-life organization that provides numerous services that are all free of charge to the community. These services include pregnancy screening, adoption resources, parenting education, healthcare and housing referrals, providing infant supplies, abortion healing, and many others. They also offer a variety of programs regarding purity, marriage, parenting, pregnancy loss, and pregnancy decision making.

Specific ways you can get involved:

• Pray the staff will remain faithful to their principles, and in the process, save many babies.
• Currently, there is a training program for volunteers. Pray for this new team of people as God uses them. If you’re interested in volunteering, there is another training class scheduled in the fall. 
• There is a Walk for Life is planned for Saturday, October 3 at 9 am in Elyria. You’re invited to come and walk. They are also looking for liaisons from area churches to help recruit and encourage walkers. Call Barb if you’re interested at 440-284-1010. Liaison orientation is planned for June 17. Pray for their success! 
• Among Other Things is a resale shop adjacent to the Elyria location, created to provide ongoing support to the ministry. They accept donated items, or support them by shopping there!
  

Visit Cornerstone’s website! www.cornerstoneamongwomen.org

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Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Matthew 9:37-38

YA KOUASSI JACQUES and YA AMENAN JULIENNE | April, 2009
Our highlighted April missionaries are Ya Kouassi Jacques and Ya Amenan Julienne along with their son, Samuel. Jacques and Julienne are natives of the Ivory Coast and currently serve there today as full time missionaries with Steppin Out Missions. Jacques graduated from Bible college in February 2009. He is currently pastoring 23 different churches, some as far away as 22 miles, which is all walked by foot!

Jacques is incredibly intelligent and hardworking. He can speak five languages. (He taught himself English by studying a French Bible alongside an English Bible, translating it verse by verse!) He is also trained and extremely proficient in making concrete blocks used for construction purposes.

Jacques and Julienne’s greatest desire is to see a church built in their home village. Generations ago, their village was dedicated to evil forces. Witchcraft is still commonly practiced there today. There are currently plans being made to begin construction on a local church next year. Jacques is also in the process of developing local AWANA programs for children in the area.

Specific ways you can pray:
• There are many praises! Jacques’ need for a motorbike has been met, so he’ll no longer have to walk the long distances to the churches he serves. Money has been provided for his family’s health needs. Also, 100% of the finances needed for the new church have been pledged.
• Steppin Out is developing a team to build a church and dig a well in Jacques’ village in the year 2010. Pray for their preparations as they plan. Ask the Lord if He would like to use you in the effort!
• Jacques will be joining Steppin-Out Missions in Liberia as they put a new roof on African Bible College. (They have partnered with Samaritan’s Purse in this project.) Pray for his safety as he travels across the border and works with the team.

Read Jacques’ complete story on Steppin-Out Mission’s website: www.steppinoutmissions.org. Click on the “missionaries” tab.

If you have any interest in mission opportunities or would like to learn more about serving on the mission team, please contact Ed Drury or email the church office.

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Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Matthew 9:37-38

GOD CARES MINISTRY | March, 2009
The mission highlight for March is God Cares Ministry. God Cares is a nursing home ministry that seeks to “equip Christians to help meet the spiritual needs of people in long term health facilities.” It is an organization located right here in Avon Lake, though they have developed a training program that has been used to educate thousands across North America. It was started in 1994 by Bill and Mary Ann Goodrich who still operate and volunteer with God Cares.

Their mission is to first recruit volunteers from a church that will adopt a local facility. Then they train this “care team” in techniques to meet the spiritual needs of the residents by sharing God’s love. This is done primarily through visiting with and enjoying the fellowship of the residents as well as hosting Bible studies and church services in the facilities. God Cares also purposes to support the efforts of ministries committed to encouraging spiritual development of people living in these care facilities.

God Cares is always looking for volunteers to start a ministry in a new nursing home or join an existing ministry already in place. If you feel called to this type of service, you can contact their organization at
930-2173.

Specific ways you can pray:
• Bill feels the Lord telling him to increase the visibility of God Cares. He’s currently trying to discern the best way to do this. Pray for God’s wisdom and direction.
• Like so many non profit organizations, God Cares has been affected by the struggling economy. Pray for their financial viability during these difficult times.
• Mary Ann is going to be traveling to Washington during the first half of March to visit family. Pray for her safety and for rejuvenation.

Visit God Cares website at www.godcaresministry.com.

If you have any interest in mission opportunities or would like to learn more about serving on the mission team, please contact Ed Drury or email the church office.

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Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Matthew 9:37-38

CALVARY MISSION TRIPS | January, 2009
Our mission focus for January is a local work team that will be traveling to the western coast of Africa at the end of this month. Calvary’s own Fred Berner and Tyler Hudson will be heading to Liberia along with nine others from January 31 to February 15 on a construction mission trip organized by John Corley of Steppin’ Out Missions.

The second Liberian Civil War recently ended, leaving much of the country destroyed. The conflict had forced out many refugees who are finally beginning to return home to unlivable conditions due to the war and thievery.

This mission trip will consist of multiple types of construction including concrete work, floor repair, plumbing, electrical, roofing, framing, and woodworking. Their focus will be the home of Jerome Siakor, a local pastor. He operates 38 AWANA groups out of his house in addition to the regular church services he holds there as well. His house was demolished by fighting during the war. The team’s plan is to rebuild this pastor’s home in order to multiply the effectiveness of his ministry.

The cost of the trip for each individual is about $3000. If you feel the Lord asking you to support Fred and Tyler financially, checks can be made out to Calvary Baptist Church with the designation “Africa Mission Trip”.

Specific ways you can pray:
• Pray for the safety and health of Fred and Tyler and the rest of the team. Pray for protection as they are traveling and working.
• Pray for unity and effectiveness as a team.
• Pray that financial support will be raised.
• Pray for the people they will be ministering to. There is a great Muslim influence in Liberia. Two of the local pastors have faced direct personal persecution because they proclaim the gospel of Christ. Pray for opportunities to exemplify and share Jesus with local people.

If you have any interest in mission opportunities or would like to learn more about serving on the mission team, please contact Ed Drury or email the church office.

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Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Matthew 9:37-38

This is a very busy time of year for the City Mission with the adverse weather upon us. On top of so many other ministries they provide, the weather greatly increases the workload for providing shelter and warm food for the needy and homeless around the Cleveland area. The City Mission makes an immense difference in the lives of thousands of people. Please pray for the City Mission and its volunteers so that Christ’s love may be spread to everyone they come into contact with. Much more information is available on their website at www.thecitymission.org

Ways you can serve:
* Pray!!! Because the City Mission is such an effective organization, Satan always works against it. Pray for spiritual and physical well being of the organization and its workers.
* Volunteer for the City Mission. A significant amount of the work completed for them is done so by volunteers. If you’re interested, check out their website for more information.
* The City Mission receives no government funding so they are always in need of financial support. In addition, they also have a ‘wish list’ on their website of specific items they could use to enhance their ministry.

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Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Matthew 9:37-38

PASS IT ON MINISTRIES | November, 2008
November’s mission highlight is Pass It On Ministries, located in Lorain, Ohio, headed up by Pastor Kelly Melendez. Pass It On is a faith based organization that provides for needy, working class families in the northern Ohio region. Their goal is to minimize the impact of the economic downturn on local residents. They offer furniture, appliances, clothing and food at NO COST to needy families. They are also in the planning stages of creating a job training program to better equip people to provide for their families. Pass It On Ministries works with local shelters, juvenile detention centers and other community groups to spread the gospel by meeting local needs.

God has recently blessed Pass It On Ministries by providing them with a 25,000 square foot facility. This has greatly enhanced their ability to organize and serve our community. The building has a huge amount of potential. The ministry is prayerfully considering many different ways they may be able to impact the community with this gift, including a teen center, soup kitchen, distribution point, and office space. The building has been a huge answer to prayer for Pastor Kelly! Through donations and the network of distribution centers Pass It On has created, the ministry is able to bless a tremendous number of local needy families.

Ways you can serve:
• Pray!!! Pass It On has been held up by the prayers of our community. Pray for their spiritual, financial, and physical well being as an organization.
• Pass It On accepts donations of clothes, food, furniture and appliances. They will even pick up items from your house. They’re currently in need of winter coats, hats, gloves, and shoes, as well as non perishable food items.
• Volunteer for Pass It On! They’re currently in need of help setting up and renovating their new facility by putting together shelving, painting, organizing donations, as well as distributing items to less fortunate families in our community.

To learn more about Pass It On Ministries, visit www.passitonministries.org.

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Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Matthew 9:37-38

JOHN and MISSY MAURER | October,  2008
Our mission focus for October is the Maurer family. John and Missy and their three children serve with Athletes In Action at Rutgers University, the largest university in New Jersey. Athletes in Action is a leader in sports ministry. Their goal is to spread the gospel and increase faith using the platform of sports. School is back in full swing for the Scarlet Knights at Rutgers and that keeps the Maurer family very busy! The school year brings a barrage of AIA activities, including athletic events, prayer groups, Bible studies, retreats, and concerts. A big focus of John's is to raise up internal spiritual leadership within the teams and create disciples that can have a bigger impact on other students they come into contact with. One of John Maurer's biggest prayers is that they would see more athletes, coaches, and their families come to Christ and grow in their faith.

Despite their busy schedules, the Maurers were able to free up a little time over the summer to spend traveling together as a family and working on their house. John and Missy are excited to have the extra space in their home to have more friends over for meals, Bible studies, and fellowship.

Ways to pray for the Maurers:
• Pray for Missy's father, Everett Smith, who was diagnosed with lung cancer and is undergoing treatment. Also pray for Missy's mom, Marilyn, that God would comfort her and give her the energy she needs to care for Everett.
• Pray for schedules. The Maurers are always planning and preparing for the next event as they continue their work with Athletes in Action.
• Pray for the students that the Maurers work with, that God will work in their lives and in turn help them to have a positive effect with their fellow students.

If you have any interest in mission opportunities or would like to learn more about serving on the mission team, please contact Ed Drury or email the church office.

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Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.
(Mark 16:15)

JOHN BAXTER | September, 2008
Our mission highlight for September is the Baxter family. In 2002, John and Jan Baxter joined the International Ministries of the BGC and now serve in the Philippines as full-time missionaries. John works as a professor at the Cebu Graduate School of Theology training pastors and church leaders. He also provides theological and ministry resources to the Filipino International Network, a ministry of discipleship training and missions deployment to Filipinos working overseas. Jan received her Masters of Education from the University of the Philippines in April. Her focus is teaching English as a second language, allowing her to help prepare Filipino students to serve as missionaries overseas while working as English teachers.

The Baxters are currently in the United States on home assignment. They will be visiting more than thirty of their supporting churches over the next year.

John and Jan will be visiting here at Calvary on September 28th to share more details about their ministry in the Philippines. John will be speaking to the adult Sunday school classes as well as having a short Q&A time during the worship services.

Ways you can pray for the Baxters:
• Pray for endurance and wisdom as they travel throughout the Eastern half of the United States visiting church partners, raising support, and sharing their stories.
• Their youngest child, Ellie, just started school at Belhaven College in Mississippi, majoring in drama. Pray for Ellie, and also pray for comfort for John and Jan as they are empty nesters for the first time.
• Pray for a year of encouragement and rejuvenation during their home assignment.

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Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.
(Mark 16:15)

STEPPIN’ OUT MISSIONS | August, 2008
Our mission highlight for August is Steppin-Out Missions which is directed by John and Joel Corley. Their ministry’s purpose is threefold: They want to challenge and mobilize believers to the call of mission opportunities, connect solutions to ministry needs, and continue the expansion of the gospel and strengthening of Christ’s church.

Steppin-Out leads short term mission teams both internationally and stateside. This fall, they already have work projects planned in Mississippi, Tennessee, Indiana, Michigan, and Guatemala.

Steppin-Out reports a great summer of ministry. There were three youth groups that served over the course of four weeks. They had a VBS in at Amor Viviente Church in New Orleans, along with children’s ministries and other light construction projects in Nashville. Calvary’s own Tyler Hudson spent six weeks of the summer serving with Steppin-Out in Tennessee, Louisiana, and Texas.

Ways you can pray:
• Pray for wisdom and direction, that Steppin-Out would choose the projects they take on wisely.
• Pray for Megan Corley (Joel’s wife) and their kids, as he will be traveling without them frequently throughout the fall. Praise for their newly purchased house.
• Pray for Steppin-Out financially. Due to the economy, some of their supporters are no longer able to give, and project costs are continuing to rise.

Check out Steppin-Out’s website for more information!
www.steppinoutmissions.org
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You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
(Matthew 5:14)

CAMP BURTON | July, 2008
Our mission highlight for this month is Camp Burton. Calvary has helped to support the camp and their ministries for many years. Camp Burton is a Christ centered organization which has served youth and adults in a wilderness camp and retreat setting for over 50 years. It is located in Burton, Ohio which is about 45 minutes east of Cleveland. Our church has completed two work trips at Camp Burton in recent months to help prepare them for their busy summer. Many of Calvary’s own children attend the summer camps.

Here’s what’s currently happening at Camp Burton:
• They have just completed their 4th week of camp.
• Summer camps are planned for students through the end of July.
• A family camp is scheduled in August.

Ways you can serve:
• Pray! Many kids are saved every summer at Camp Burton. (Several of our own church members received Christ while attending camp as a child.) Pray that God would bless the efforts of the camp staff and prepare the hearts of all who will hear the gospel there this summer.
• Camp Burton accepts applications for anyone who is interested in volunteering during their summer camps.
• Invite a student to attend camp. Calvary is offering ten full scholarships for any unchurched child who goes to camp.

Check out Camp Burton’s website for more information!
www.campburton.org