Sunday, July 29, 2007

Expansion - Reaching People for Jesus


Recently I have been asked by United World Mission leadership to head up an initiative which includes several people and direct what is being unofficially called "Expansion Ministries." This will be a group which includes Expedition237, Career Missions and Global Church Partnerships. Our vision will be to develop a new structure which mobilizes a new generation into the world and to continues to look for strategic nationally lead partnerships to connect both long term people and forward thinking churches.

God is permitting me to assemble a team of people which includes Keith Keller (next generation leader); Diana Carney Kauffman (communication and mobilization specialist); Ken Campbell (church mobilizer/mission coach), Rick Slager (West Africa ministry developer), Tom Telford (church mission consultant), and possible one other person I am presently in dialogue with.

Will you pray for us? Our desire is to see God's heart for the nations become a reality by seeing the US and National Church being everything Jesus set it in motion to do. Things immediately in front of us are:

1. Successful transference of mobilization activities
2. Tweaking of am appointee coaching process
3. Additional development of the Expedition237 structure
4. Building the church partnership process

I often find myself working hard to get things done but then God brings my back to the place of trusting Him for results. So pray with us to The Lord of the Harvest for His dreams for His creation to become a reality.

Blessings,
Mark and Cathy

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Pennsylvania Trip


What a day!

It was a great day for food and fun as Cathy and I had a chance to reconnect with many of you that pray and support us in ministry. After several days of meetings and talking to people I had the privilege to share our heart about how we can be a blessing to the peoples of the earth at Crossway Church.

Then we changed clothes and got down to the business of eating and having some fun with you, our friends. They sky was as beautiful as could be, the days was cools and sunny. It could not have been better.

Cathy want to thank all of you who could make it and for those who could not we will try to connect on future trips to Pittsburgh.

Please pray as we are expanding UWM. Not only are we adding a few more staff but we are growing by adding more missionaries. My prayer was for 50 new people this year and I think we may end up over 40. This is the most ever. God is at work both in the nations as well as peoples heart who want to be on the front lines.

Thank you for all you do with us - we are blessed to be your friend.

Mark & Cathy Szymanski

Saturday, July 14, 2007

Trip to Wisconsin


I just returned from a trip to Wisconsin and Illinois where I had the chance to meet with some individuals considering missions as their next step into God and some missionaries already serving with United World Mission. As I traveled across the state I could not help but seeing the beauty of God world all around me. This is America's dairy land. There are fields as far as the eye can see. It was a real treat to experience this state.

Please pray for two couples (the Skeltons and Van Cleaves) as they consider and move into their next steps of serving God overseas. While in Wisconsin I had meetings concerning Mission Inter-Senegal. I am involved in bringing some solutions to issues dealing with their rapid expansion. I have been discussing these for some time and we are preparing to implement these soon. I will be traveling to Africa this fall.


Thanks for your prayers and gifts.

Mark & Cathy Szymanski