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Newsletter Navigation |
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The Call of a
Lifetime
The Biggest News: Her
Name is Amy Inman
The
First Glimpse of Middle Earth: A Special Thank You!
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 Call of a Lifetime |
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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 and this letter is to fill you in on the
details of my life, and to share the upcoming events that God is leading
me into.
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The Biggest News: Her Name is
Amy Inman |
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On December 21st last year I proposed
marriage to Amy Inman and the most incredible thing happened, she
accepted! Needless to say to any of you who are lucky enough to know
this incredible woman, but I am an extremely fortunate man. We will be
married this July 16th and it is the most incredible gift that God has
ever given to me. I simply could not be more excited and happy about
what God has in store for us in His will and ministry as we head into
full time service. The Lord has called us to serve in vocational
ministry together and that has lead us on a path that has lead to this
letter to you. We are excited to fill you in 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 Earth: A Special Thank You! |
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In
February this year I sent out a similar newsletter to many people
speaking of my intentions to take part in a mission trip to New Zealand
and Australia that the Wesleyan Church was planning. Thanks to many
people and their tremendous support I was able to make that trip and
experience a life changing ministry with the people on the other side
of our great planet. It was a dream come true to visit these beautiful
places but even more so it was a special time of ministry to young
churches attempting to grow. The churches of New Zealand in particular
opened my eyes to the enthusiasm and passion of Christ in other places.
This is a special thank you to those of you who supported me with prayer
and finances. I could not have experienced this without you. And 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
back! |
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Here comes the big news. Amy
and I are going back to New Zealand! Allow me me to tell you how it all
happened. During my time in New Zealand I worked closely with the
National Superintendent of The Wesleyan Church, and pastor of East City
Wesleyan Church (ECW), Rev. Richard Waugh. Richard shared with me how
his church was needing a pastor of creative worship and youth ministry
and was interested in branching out in the area of counseling/life coach
ministry. Of course this peaked my interest since I have spent 7 years
in youth and music ministry here in North America, and Amy has her
masters degree in Christian counseling. Very quickly we engaged in a
discussion about the possibilities of Amy and I serving in New Zealand.
As scary as it seemed the possibility seemed to make sense. I spoke
with Amy on the phone from New Zealand and shared with her about this
opportunity. I was wondering how she might respond to moving to the
other side of the planet. To make a long story shorter, I came home and
we continued to pray and consider the options while planning a wedding
in July and a move to Toronto. As we waited on the Lord, it became
clearer and clearer that he was calling us to NZ. The church of NZ was
also getting clearer vision and has asked us to return as a sort of
interview/honeymoon/job hunting trip in July. It just all seems so
overwhelming and a bit on the insane side of life decisions, but when
God calls you need to listen. So now we are at this place. We have
committed to travel back to NZ in July for 2 weeks in order for Amy to
experience the land, people, and church there. We will be looking for
work for Amy and exploring other possibilities 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. Only 5 years
old the Weso’s as they say in NZ do not have the resources or personnel
that we have in North America. However, they are growing at a rapid
pace. The passion and enthusiasm for the Lord and His work was
invigorating as I worshiped with them and witnessed their desire to give
Him glory.
East City Wesleyan church is the
countries central church led by the National Superintendent. Their
clear vision and dedication to Christ was inspiring. I can only
describe them as passionate people with a desire to do the work of the
Lord. It is our desire to participate in that ministry. I had the
opportunity to meet and teach the teenagers and to participate in a
worship service. There simply was an immediate connection with the
people and their ministry. 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.
There are some great possibilities
for Amy in New Zealand as well. They have the desire to begin a
counseling ministry and to explore other uses of her skills as a life
coach in the church and community. Amy 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. I want to
keep you informed and will be emailing consistently, to everyone on our
mailing list, to keep everyone interested informed in our process and
fundraising. 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
Amy and I need your consistent and faithful prayer. This is the most
complex and financially difficult situation we have ever experienced and
requires 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 will 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 much
money we 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 me clearly in life that we live by
faith, so Amy and I purchased our tickets last week 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. Amy and I are 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.
(All of the details are on the below.)
This way we will stay apprised of our situation and can adequately
explain our need to anyone asking us. You can contact Amy and I by
sending an email to pastordrew@msn.com or by phone to (506) 662-3015.
Thank you one last time for your support.
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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.
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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