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Newsletter Navigation |
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The Adventures of Amy
Inman - Donovan
The Biggest
News: His Name is Andrew Donovan
The
First Glimpse of Middle Earth
The Bottom Line: We Are
Going Back
Our Vision, Our
Call, and the NZ Church
We Need Your Partnership
How to be a Partner
Closing Comments
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The Adventures of Amy
Inman - Donovan! |
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What a year! This has
been the most exciting time of my entire life. God has been doing some
incredible things since I returned from my year of adventure and
ministry in Japan. He is leading me to begin another great adventure
and new ministry opportunities as well. This letter is to fill you in
on the recent details of my life.
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The Biggest News: His name is
Andrew Donovan |
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On December 21st,
2004 the man of my dreams asked me to marry him. So we will begin the
adventure of marriage this July 16th and I am very excited
for what God has in store for us next. We have been seeking His will
and desiring that He be the center of our life together. The Lord has
called us to serve in vocational ministry and that has led us down an
exciting path. We want to share with you our future plans and dreams as
we enter this new phase of life together. Please read on and share our
hopes, dreams and plans.
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The First Glimpse of Middle
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In February this year
Drew had the opportunity to take part in a mission trip to New Zealand
organized by the Wesleyan Church. Though I hated to be left behind, I
enjoyed hearing all about his experiences during his life changing
ministry with the people on the other side of our great planet. I Could
not begrudge him as the trip was more than an escape from the Canadian
winter to that beautiful land. It was a special time of ministry to
young churches attempting to grow. The churches of New Zealand opened
his eyes to the enthusiasm and passion for Christ in other places.
After seeing the pictures and hearing the stories a spark was also lit
in my heart for this country. God has brought about some incredible
events due to this experience that I want to share with you.
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The Bottom Line: We are going
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Here comes the big news.
Drew and I are going back to New Zealand together! Allow me to tell you
how it all happened. During his time in New Zealand, Drew had the
opportunity to meet and work closely with the Wesleyan National
Superintendent, and pastor of East City Wesleyan Church (ECW), Rev.
Richard Waugh. Richard shared how his church was in need of a pastor of
creative worship and youth ministry and was interested in branching out
in the area of counseling/life coach ministry. Of course, when Drew
told me this, it peaked our interest since he has spent 7 years in youth
and music ministry here in North America, and I have an MA in
counseling. As scary as it seemed (moving to the other side of the
planet) the possibility seemed to make sense. It is a bit overwhelming
as we hit all of life’s big decisions at once, but when God calls you
need to listen. So, after Drew’s return we continued to pray and
consider the options (while planning our wedding in July and his move to
Toronto). As we waited on the Lord, it became more and more clear that
he was calling us to NZ. The church of NZ was also getting a clearer
vision and asked us to return as a sort of interview/honeymoon/job
hunting trip in July. That is where we are at now. We have committed
to travel to NZ in July for 2 weeks in order for me to experience the
land, people, and church there. We will also be looking into the
details for a possible future move and employment opportunities for me
while ministering to the people together at East City Wesleyan Church.
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Our Vision, Our Call, and the
NZ Church! |
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I’d like to take a few
moments to share with you about the Wesleyan church of New Zealand. It
is only 5 years old, yet it is growing at a rapid pace. I have heard of
their passion and enthusiasm for the Lord and His work. East City
Wesleyan is the country’s central church led by the National
Superintendent, Richard Waugh. The church is a mixture of languages,
cultural and ethnic background yet they have a clear vision and
dedication to Christ, a passionate people with a desire to do the work
of the Lord. They’ve already started a second and third congregation to
meet the differing needs of the people in the area.
The
enthusiasm and growth is there. However, there is a lack of trained
ministers in that part of the world and they often have to look overseas
for pastors with experience. The Weso’s (Wesleyans) as they say in NZ
do not have the resources or personnel that we have in North America.
They need the help of trained leaders to continue in growth.
It is our desire to
participate in that ministry. Drew has already had the opportunity to
meet and teach the teenagers and to participate in a worship service.
He felt an immediate connection with the people and their ministry. I
am also eager to be a part of encouraging new and deeper growth to the
glory of God. And there are some great possibilities for me in New
Zealand as well. They’ve expressed the desire to begin a
counseling/life coach ministry in the church and community.
Drew and I are both
excited about what this could mean for our experience and future as we
grow in our walk with the Lord and His call on our lives. It simply is
where the Lord is directing us and we believe, without a doubt, that we
need to be obedient to His call and do all we can to make this happen.
We want to keep you informed and will be emailing consistently, to
everyone on our mailing list, to keep those interested informed in our
process and fundraising. You can find us online at
https://members.tripod.com/donovansnz/.
Thank you so much for your interest in our future together and the
Lord’s call on our lives.
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We Need Your Partnership! |
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First and foremost Drew and I
need your consistent and faithful prayer. This is the most complex and
financially difficult situation we have ever experienced and the
decisions we need to make require a great deal of wisdom. We simply
cannot do this without God and the support of His people.
East City Wesleyan Church
has offered support, however they do not have the financial strength to
support a second pastor nor can they fly us to NZ. So in order to serve
we will become missionaries which requires us to raise our financial
support. First we need to raise the money to fly to NZ and then we may
need to raise support to live there in January 2006. Here are the
financial details of our situation as it is today:
Two plane tickets to New
Zealand cost a little over $4,250 CAD. For that ammount we have prayed
extensively about this trip. Was it the right thing to do? Quickly we
received confirmation from many sources that it was indeed God’s will.
God has taught us clearly in life that we live by faith, so Drew and I
purchased our tickets on faith that we could raise support for this call
to serve in New Zealand. The church of New Zealand has committed $1000
NZD (~$900 CAD) and we have been given the support of The Atlantic
District of The Wesleyan Church to go as a district sanctioned mission
trip which means that any contributions are tax deductible charitable
donations. We are personally prepared to commit $1000 CAD plus our
expenses during the time away which leaves us with a need of
approximately $2,250 CAD. The need is immediate, since the tickets
have already been purchased on credit, therefore the sooner we raise
funds the less we have to pay in interest.
We appreciate any and all
support sent. And please remember, big or small, it is all helpful and
necessary. We request that you don’t delay if you plan on supporting
us, and we ask that you send us an update if you are sending funds on to
Hillside Wesleyan Church. (details below) This way we will stay
apprised of our situation and can adequately explain our need to anyone
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How To Be A Partner! |
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We need to hear from
you! Please take the time to fill out the attached commitment card.
I’ve kept it simple so it won’t take you much time. We are requesting
prayer as we look forward to the future. We are also asking for you to
look for ways you may be able to support us financially. Some of you
may be involved in auxiliary groups of a church or organization and may
be able to hold fundraisers or things of that nature. Or you may be
able to provide support yourself. ANY SUPPORT IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.
No amount is too small and every donation will be receipted as a
charitable donation by Hillside Wesleyan Church.
There are 2 ways you can
return the card and support.
1. Return the card to me personally including any support.
Click here for card
2. Mail the card and your support to:
Hillside Wesleyan Church ATTN: New Zealand Missions
50 Ritcey Cres. Cole Harbour, NS B2W 6J8
IMPORTANT: Make cheques
payable to Hillside Wesleyan Church. Anyone providing financial support
WILL receive a receipt for charitable donations given. This is a tax
deductible donation. This receipt is issued by Hillside Wesleyan Church
and not the Atlantic District so please do not send support directly to
the District.
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Click Here for a printable support card!
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Closing Comments |
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Thank you again for
taking the time to read our newsletter. If you have further questions
please feel free to contact us by sending an email to
pastordrew@msn.com. Or by phone: myself at (416) 495-1435, Drew at
(506) 662-3015 or (506) 662-4822, or Peter Moore (Hillside Wesleyan
Church) at (902) 435-4773. May the Lord richly bless you and your
household this year and may his hand be on your life. (Return
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In His Service:
Amy Inman
and Drew Donovan
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