compelledThe love of Christ compels us...2 Corinthians 5:14

Dear Faith Church Family,

It has been an exciting season for Missions at Faith Church; we continue to see God’s hand at work here at home, and around the world and are excited to have a role in God’s grand story. Through our Community Development focus, we celebrate our 5th year in partnership with World Vision in Karaba, Rwanda, and continue journeying into Haiti. In early 2012 we launched a Leadership Development focus which rightly lines up with Faith Church’s desire to equip young leaders. We are also excited to begin a journey discerning a potential focus on Unreached People groups and what role God may have for Faith Church. In addition to these things happening globally, we’ve begun a relationship with a network of churches across Northwest Indiana seeking to bring Salt and Light to our neighborhoods. All of these things are the tip of the iceberg when we think about our long-standing relationships with over 20 missionaries serving around the globe, the development of unique ministry opportunities as each multi-site develops, and serving those within our own faith community through ministries such as the Faith Family Market. We truly are “Making His name great among the nations” (Malachi 1:11). As Faith Church continues to discern how to steward our resources locally, regionally, and globally, we are excited to have the opportunity to be a part of something so much greater than ourselves and to be just one piece of the puzzle. In Him,

Pastor Bob Bouwer, Senior Pastor

Corrie Vos, Missions Director

Mission Focus Areas:1. Community Development2. Leadership Development3. Unreached Peoples

* all pictures in this book are from Faith Church Global Serving Teams.

community developmentServing in Rwanda through World Vision In 2008 Faith Church began a journey with World Vision in Karaba, Rwanda. Through this narrow focus, in the last 5 years we have had a tremendous impact on the community of Karaba and the surrounding area. Our children, students, and adults have all gotten involved through Team Rwanda, Kid Team Rwanda, End Malaria projects, Caregiver Kit packing, Child Sponsorship and basket sales in support of micro-financing. In 2010 a team of leaders from Faith Church traveled to Rwanda to deepen relationships and see firsthand how Faith has been a supporter in Rwanda. On a dual purpose trip, we focused on building key relationships as well as participating in filming projects, with the goal of capturing the experience for our Faith Church family. Much of this project was celebrated through the Hole in Our Gospel series in 2011.

This year after 5 years of partnership in Rwanda we celebrate:

• 481sponsoredchildren• $242,468raisedthroughTeamWorldVisionwhichsupportsclean water, education, peace/reconciliation projects, hygiene projects, HIV/AIDS awareness programs and more. • $9,792raisedthroughKidTeamRwanda• 2,200CaregiverKitsAssembled• 17bikesgiventoCaregiverstoreachremotepartsofKaraba• $10,015Micro-financingbasketsales

When we calculate the amount of money given in each of these areas (including the multiplication of annual support given through sponsoring a child) Faith Church has given over one half million dollars in support of World Vision in Karaba, Rwanda!! We have seen through this partnership the power of individuals participating in something bigger than themselves, stepping out in faith, and seeing God-sized outcomes.

Serving in Haiti

A country rich in history, culture, beautiful countryside and pristine waters, Haiti is most widely known as the poorest country in the western hemisphere. Wracked with corruption and political turmoil, Haiti was devastated furtherin2010whena7.0magnitudeearthquakehitthecapitol of Port Au Prince. It is estimated that between 10,000-50,000 NGO’s (Non-Government Organizations) are working in Haiti at any given time. Faith Church has been on a journey since 2010, evaluating these organiza-tions and discerning what our next steps will be. While continuing to push forward in our long-term relationship in Haiti, the Mission Team desired to offer short-term serving opportunities in Haiti. We found these in God’s Littlest Angels Baby Ministry. We are excited to have sent our first team to Haiti in June of 2012. We have been encouraged to hear how God has enlarged the team member’s view of the world and increased their understanding of where He is working and how Heinvites us to join Him in His work.

“To say it changed my life is an understatement. Even though it is beyond words, I want to express my love for the people here. The work they all do is tireless. I have cried and laughed more this week than I think I ever have. The poverty is immense everywhere you look. Yet, they love Jesus and are able to praise him.”

- Patti Harris

“Pictures can’t even express the extreme poverty that we experienced. I have a new perspective on my blessings and how I serve the Lord with what I have been given. This trip has made my relationship with the Lord stronger, and has given my spirit renewal and ‘rest’ that I feel I’ve been needing for a long time.”

–Kristin DeVries

“The visions and images of Haiti are burned into my mind. This week I found myself longing – longing to stay, longing to love, and longing to be used by God.”

–Becky Vanderzee

“God has revealed so much to me on this trip. It is by far the mostamazing experience in my walk with God. The poverty in Haitioverwhelmed me. However, the operation of GLA had the most impact on me. The tireless commitment and dedication of its staff and volunteerscannot be fully explained. The love and care that they give to the children will never be forgotten.”

- Marty Schmidt

Serving in Aira, Ethiopia through Onesimus Nesib Seminary

Since the late 80’s Faith Church has been involved within the community of Aira, Ethiopia, first through support of RCA missionaries Carl and Margaret Toren, and later through ongoing support of the seminary’s library building project, spring protection project, and medical trips. Most recently, Faith spearheaded a Pastor Sponsorship program at the local Onesismus Nesib Seminary (ONS) in Aira. The sponsorship program assists needy students who are in their final years of seminary. In early 2012 Faith Church sent Jason DeVries, Valparaiso Campus Pastor along with Carol Toren, Faith Church elder, missionary, and doctor, to Ethiopia. While in Ethiopia Jason spent his time at ONS Seminary teaching two classes to the students there; meanwhile Carl worked at the local hospital, nursing school, and oversaw many spring protection projects. We look forward to deepening these relationships into the future, especially through continued pastor sponsorship.

2011: 11 sponsored pastors 2012: 13 sponsored pastors

leadership development

Serving in Indonesia through Leadership Resources International

Ed and Jan Kotynski have been missionaries supported by Faith Church for many years. In 2008 our church cel-ebrated with Ed and Jan when they presented the com-pleted New Testament scriptures to the Tabaru people of Indonesia. As missionaries of Wycliffe Bible Translators, Ed and Jan, along with Tabaru translator Tonga, spent more than twenty years working on this translation. Since its completion Ed and Jan continue to work with the Seed Company, an affiliate of Wycliffe. They are translating the Old and New Testaments for the many people groups that live in Indonesia. Through long-standing connections with Leadership Resources Inter-national (LRI), Ed and Jan approached Faith Church in early 2011 to propose an idea that Faith partner with LRI. This partnership would help Indonesia to develop national leaders in preaching and teaching the Word through the TNT (Training National Trainers) program, including the Tabaru people. They had seen the benefit of having the scriptures in the national language and the deep need for the training of pastors and lay leaders in Indonesia. Faith Church accepted this proposal and in early 2012 LRI shared news with Faith of the on-going work of 1st and 2nd generation pastors and teachers reaching more than 2,000 people! We look forward to watching this partnership unfold in the months and years to come.

Over the course of 2012 the Faith Church mission team continued to feel an urgency to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to unreached people groups, defined as groups of people where there is no indigenous community of be-lievers. It’s hard for us to imagine living in an area where there is no faith community, because as we drive to work or the grocery store we likely pass by several churches! We believe it is part of God’s calling to every Christian to play a role in reaching these peoples with the gospel. As Faith Church begins this new journey of discerning where we can best use our time, talents, and resources we ask you to be in prayer for those living in remote parts of the world, living in darkness because they have not yet heard God’s gift of salvation through Jesus.

unreached peoples

Local Missions: Salt and Light

While Faith Church has a long history rooted in global mission, we also have been working diligently over the years to provide ways for everyone at Faith Church to be a part of local mission in tangible ways. Faith Church has many ongoing relationships with local organizations working to serve the needs of those right in our own back yard. In late 2011 the Salt and Light guidebook was published and distribut-ed widely to ministries and organizations throughout Northwest Indiana. The purpose of the guidebook was to discover the greatest needs throughout Northwest Indiana and find out which organizations were working to meet those needs. The guidebook is an excellent resource for those desiring to get connected and can be found on the Salt and Light website (saltandlightnwi.org).

In early 2012 a steering team was formed which included staff from Faith Church and 12 other regional churches. While the ultimate goal is for us to love our neighbors as we love ourselves, we understand we need to first know our neighbors. From this our summer initiative was birthed. It has been encouraging as we hear stories of people getting out into their communities and getting to know their neighbors. We encourage you, if you have not yet, to pick up a Salt and Light brochure from the Welcome Center and get to know your neighbors!

Percent of FC budget to Missions

2012 Budget: Missionary Support Shares: $105,875whichisapproximately2%oftotalbudget Supported Agencies/Benevolent Causes: $289,964whichisapproximately5%oftotalbudget

Mission Focus Areas, Trips, One Time Gifts: $88,575whichisapproximately1.5%oftotalbudget

RCA denomination Classis & Synod Askings: $285,900.50whichisapproximately5%oftotalbudget

Total 2012 Missions: $770,314.50whichisapproximately13.75%oftheTotal 2012 Proposed Budget

Mission and Benevolent Causes:

• AgapeCenterChicago• ChicagolandPrisonOutreach• Children’sHungerFund• PASS• RestorationMinistries• TheBibleLeague• NorthwestIndianaWomen’sHealthClinic• CaringHandsSoupKitchen,Hammond• BethanyChristianServices• Bethshan• ElimChristianSchool• TrinityChristianCollege• HopeCollege• NorthwesternCollege• ECFA• ProvidenceLifeServices• MFCA(formerlyTEA)• WesternTheologicalSeminary• areachristianschools

2011 Year Review “stats”

• 13PastorsSponsoredatONSSeminaryinAira,Ethiopia• 1875GiftsfortheAngelsofHopeProject• $3,000toEndMalariathroughStudentMinistries&WorldVision (matched by a World Vision Donor)• 625Children’sHungerFundFoodPaks• 1471ElimHopePacks($7585)• 105additionalchildsponsors(481total)• $40,468forTeamWorldVisionthroughtheHalfMarathon• 780CaregiverKitspacked($19,235)• $16,105tosupportMicroFinancethroughRwandanBaskets• $4967throughtheAMAZICraftFair

From the Budget:

• AnnualSupportof 23 missionaries in the field. • Supportof6shorttermmissionariesthroughmissionsscholarships• Scholarshipfor3studentstoattendtheJesusCultureconferencethroughRevolutionMinistries (Caring Hands connection)• Sponsorshipfor3studentstoattendHopeMediumSchoolthroughMissionPartnersIndia (RCA)• SponsorshipofcampusoutreachactivitiesatValpoUniversitythroughInterVarsityin partnership with Catalyst-Valpo• SponsorshipforOurFamilyCenterinHammondinsupportoftheirChristmasdrive• SupportgiventoGraceBeyondBordersfortheirworkinReynosa,Mexico• SupportgiventoPET(PersonalEnergyTransportation)insupportofbuilding10handcrank trikes for those with developmental disabilities in third world countries. • SupportgiventoCaringHandsSoupKitcheninsupportoftheirannualChristmas coat and shoe drive.

Supported Missionaries – listed with location/ministry serving

• PaulandBeckyBeck:WorldVenture• WayneandBarbaraBrink:CampusCrusade,JesusFilm• BillandRachelCarroll:ChristianAssociatesInternational,VintageChurch:Paris,France• LukeandLindaDalach:GreatCommissionMinistries• AndrewHarbert:Mentorlink• PaulandDoriHoekstra:TalkingBiblesInternational• MarkandSandyHoekstra:TalkingBiblesInternational• WayneandMihoJansen:RCA,Japan• BarbaraK.:RCA• EdandJanKotynski:TheSeedCompany• PhilandMaryManning:MAF(MissionAviationFellowship)• RichandJackieMansen:WycliffeBibleTranslators• MiltonandCynthiaMassie:CampusCrusade,Here’sLifeChicago• JanMulder:YoungLifeExpeditions• BruceSmith:WycliffeAssociates• RichardandDonnaSwart:RCA,EthiopiaWindmillproject• MikeandPrettyVanProoyen:WordofLife,Philippines• CurtandSheriWeerheim:CampusCrusade,AthletesinAction

* Others are not available for listing because of security concerns regarding the location in which they are serving.

Next Steps & Ways to get involved:

• Serve Locally• Serve Globally• Read the Salt and Light Guidebook and participate in the Summer Initiative• Serve on the Missionary Care Team• Pray for our missionaries and the nations where they serve• Support a child through World Vision• SponsorapastorthroughONSseminary(Ethiopia)

For more information go to www.faithchurchonline.org

www.faithchurchonline.org