Connecting People, Churches, and Businesses to the World

THANK YOU

Many of you know that I have been working on several projects whose end goals are to mobilize people, businesses and organizations to a global world. This is way of life for us. Some people work with the harvest field and some with the harvest force, we focus on the latter.

By setting more and more people into motion the global church grows, multiplies and expands. Thank you for being part of our efforts.

Did you know that there are 144 Unengaged People Groups in Europe?

“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” — Matthew 24:14

The phrase “of all nations’ is found throughout Scripture, but what does it actually mean? When Scripture speaks of nations, it is NOT referring to the modern day nations, like the United States, Belgium, or China? This phrase in Greek “panta ta ethne” means ethne, which is very similar to our English word ethnic. So, another way to say this is that the gospel will be preached to all the ethnic peoples or people groups of the world.

So people in the mission world have created terminology like “unreached” and “unengaged” in order to help get our hands around the unfinished task. The term, “unreached” means that there less than 2% of the group who call themselves Christian and additional help is need to reach the whole.

The term, “unengaged” means that there are NO known Christians and NOBODY who is trying to reach or engage the group.

Tapa is one such person. Moving his family from a country at war they try to find a safe haven, a place to have a job, educate their children, sleep in safety without fear of someone breaking in your door and raping your daughter in front of your own eyes and taking everything you own as you beg for your family’s life. Close you eyes and imagine this taking place in your home tonight… its horrifying.

In Acts God speaks about how he moves people to places for His good reason and I believe that one of His grand plans is so they can see the love of God and receive His grace.

So what are the roadblocks? Well, one is; Where are they? To that end a colleague and I have developed a methodology that uses the Internet and social media to find them. The paper is being presented to the Evangelical Mission Society March 29^th at 3:00 pm. We have already received great feedback from global mission groups like the Lausanne Diaspora Committee and others. This could revolutionize the way we search and locate people and mobilize people to these groups.


The Ignite justice Conference Charlotte 2014

The Ignite justice Conference Charlotte 2014 is in the books. I was able to lead a team of people to plan and execute a conference, which attracted about 450 people to discuss justice issues both locally and globally. We hosted 42 breakouts in three groups of 14 so people could attend issues in tracks. Issues such as human trafficking, orphan and life, poverty, child homelessness, religious injustice, education and development, and many others.

We are excited that people challenged themselves to understand the issues and see what God would have them do whether it is in Charlotte or around the world. The ability to impact the issues our world and communities face is in our hands. These are our children, our families, and our communities our brothers and sisters.

I love the quote from Nelson Mandela, “Sometimes it falls upon a generation to be great. You can be that generation.” Join us and be that great generation!


March 2014 Global Leadership Meetings

I would appreciate your prayers as we are assembling a large group of leaders from around the world. This discussion will include some ideas I have been placing on the table about advancing international leaders and their groups from around the world.

The world is changing in so many ways and according to the Prophet Habakkuk God’s desire is to have His glory the world like the water covers the seas. Won’t you pray for these meetings? They take place from March 24^th to the 29^th in Charlotte.

Please consider joining our financial support team? You can send contributions to: United World Mission, PO Box 602002, Charlotte NC 28260-2002 and write ACCT# 11013 in the memo line. Further info about on-line giving and other programs see United World Mission. Thank you to our present supporters that allow us to impact the many lives across the planet. Again, THANKS!

This is your investment. This is your joy.

Mark Szymanski
www.mszymanski.com
mski1957@gmail.com
704.517.0255

Going Off With A Bang:

FAMILY UPDATE

Well, Cathy and I are grand-parents again. Number six is here, Elijah Mark Ellis. See the picture on the side bar, Bailey (big sister) and Elijah. He was born, January 11, 2014 6lbs 14oz and 20 1/4 inches. Kristen is doing fine.

DO YOU KNOW WHO IS MOVING IN NEXT DOOR? - UPDATE

On January 24th. I'll be meeting with a group of researchers as we compare note of what we are learning about how to use social media to find unreached and unengaged people groups. In today's connected world people are moving from places that have been oppressive to places offering freedom and economic opportunities. As missionaries this can help us to locate people who up to now have been in difficult places to reach for the gospel. These Diaspora people have many struggles but as authentic Christians lead with love and motives that are pure and Christ-like the Holy Spirit is able to change hearts and new lives are started. Lives leading to Jesus and a new legacy for their children and their children's children.

So stay tuned for the results of our research. many, many hours have been invested to determine if the technology is ripe for this opportunity. If the discover of this methodology is proven then mission groups around the world could benefit by drastically reducing their costs by first performing a digital research trip.

There is still time to contribute to help us reach our goal or $4500. Go here and select “Give Online” and under “Designation” select “Projects” and find “Europe: Vision 5.9 – 63480”. THANKS!

THE JUSTICE CONFERENCE CHARLOTTE 2014

We are well into all the aspects of planning a major conference as we put together the myriad details. Along with many great ministries that will be there to whom we will be connecting people for ministry involvement we will have some great speakers. Two things... go to our web site here and to our Facebook page here to check out the details.

One speaker in particular that I am partial to is, Amy Brooks. I want her to be a part of the conference due to her story and our friendship. Also she's from Pittsburgh and of course a a huge Penguins fan! Seriously, now. If you don't know Amy go to Amazon and pick up her book, Unseen Arms.

"Can you imagine being born without arms or legs? What would be the quality of your life? How would you cope? What would your attitude or personality be like? How about the depth of your humor, the level of your faith, or your compassion for others?"

Amy was born with an extremely rare condition called Tetraphocomelia—having no arms or legs. She was then left abandoned at the hospital by her birth parents where the staff was asked if they could “put her in a room and not feed her.”

To see the other speakers go here and for those sponsors who help make this possibly go here.

Two things you can do to support us here in Charlotte: The first is PRAY for us, those who will attend, and those who will serve by speaking, exhibiting, and meeting the many needs of attenders. The second thing is to promote the conference to people in TN, NC, SC, GA, and VA. Last year we were able to set in motion nearly 650 people. We are praying for more this year.

LATIN AMERICAN MISSION and UNITED WORLD MISSION UNITE

Some of you know that Latin American Mission has join United World Mission. Their rich ministry history as well as ours will prove to strengthen the opportunities we get to participate in God great redemption of the world. As we partner around the world together with people in 45 different nations we see the church growing, becoming more sustainable and making a greater impact.

As the Global Partnership Director our work intensifies and grows. Will you consider partnering with us again this year to see the Kingdom of God come to more people here in the US and around the world?

Please consider joining our financial support team? You can send contributions to: United World Mission, PO Box 602002, Charlotte NC 28260-2002 and write ACCT# 11013 in the memo line. Further info about on-line giving and other programs see United World Mission. Thank you to our present supporters that allow us to impact the many lives across the planet. Again, THANKS!

This is your investment. This is your joy.

Mark Szymanski
www.mszymanski.com
mski1957@gmail.com
704.517.0255

A Story from UCBC in Beni DR Congo - "UCBC has Given Us a New Way of Defining Ourselves"

Jimmy Tsongo (pictured right with Dr. David Kasali) is a winsome, charming young man--one of UCBC's brightest. He is personable, self-confident, intelligent, and entrepeneurial. If you met Jimmy today, you would probably find it hard to believe that he began his studies at UCBC 6 years ago unable to speak or understand any English! Recently, Jimmy and some of his fellow graduates of UCBC gave testimony of how UCBC has changed their lives. As you read what Jimmy had to say, think about what it would have been like to come to a brand new university that barely had a building, no track record, no history, no tenured professors . . .and in a post-conflict zone, no less! An improbable project, in the most improbable of places. Yet that's exactly what Jimmy did when he audaciously agreed to be part of the first class of students at UCBC. They were trail blazers in the truest sense. Here's what Jimmy had to say:

I came to UCBC from another university considered to be one of the best in all of Congo. I've recognized one big difference from that university and UCBC. I could fill my head with a lot of theories; I had very good teachers. But coming here to UCBC has let me find out that it is not only academics that will help young people to change the situation in our communities. For my fellow graduates and myself, our time at UCBC changed all dimensions of our lives - spiritual, social, and intellectual. Our Christian faith has been sharpened. We have learned a whole new way of seeing the world. We have come to believe that even simple people can effect change. We will be the change.

We learn here that a successful person is the one who has not only developed his own life, but has been blessed enough to bless people around him. When we get out of this school, we are equipped not to improve our personal lives [only], but to work as agents of development. When we choose our jobs, we [always] have that in mind. There is a way to develop our individual lives [as] we are serving others. 

I came to UCBC not able to speak a word in English. Now, without fear I am addressing this assembly. The way was long and we faced many challenges, but as a community, we overcame all of them. Our lives have been marked for good. UCBC has given us a new way of defining ourselves. If we had the means, we would like the whole world to know that if all Congolese schools were like UCBC, in not more than five years Congo would be a different place.

I have a special message for any person interested in supporting this school: I came here 6 years ago. And today when I am leaving, I am thankful, and I ask you to not stop supporting [UCBC]. More men and women like me will be transformed and impacted by this philosophy. Today we might be [few]. Tomorrow, with your help, we will be hundreds. And hundreds more will be changed through us. Thank you for everything!

Jimmy plans to continue developing his entrepeneurial passion through business ventures grounded in Christian ethical practices. Jimmy's story is but one of many, of lives transformed from timidity and lack of purpose to men and women equipped to live out their full potential in service to a nation crying out for healing and restoration. You can be part of this story! Your pledge of support enables students just like Jimmy to be nurtured intellectually, morally, and relationally. Your decision to be part of the change happening in the Democratic Republic of Congo is a commitment not merely to a charity or project, but to a community and its way of life, where Congolese men and women discover "a new way of defining" themselves. To donate to UCBC click here. Thank you!

This is your investment. This is your joy.

Mark Szymanski
www.uwm.org
www.mszymanski.com
mski1957@gmail.com
704.517.0255 

2013 Year End Update

DO YOU KNOW WHO IS MOVING IN NEXT DOOR?

As we give thanks for Jesus during this Christmas season I would like to ask if you would want to consider a small special gift to a project that I am working on. So, do you know who is moving in next door?

Well, I do, or should I say I could find out. My friend Trevor and I are directing a group from Columbia International University in a new initiative to discover who is moving to where by creating a digital method of identifying where unreached/unengaged people live using social media. Why? By knowing this we can build teams to move into those communities and begin the process of evangelism and church planting.

This new solution would save the global mission community hundreds of thousands of dollars annually by performing a digital research trip before performing a field visit. I need to raise $4500.00 for this project. If you want more information please call or email me.

If you want to contribute this project you can go here and select “Give Online” and under “Designation” select “Projects” and find “Europe: Vision 5.9 – 63480”. THANKS!


What The World Needs Now is Love Sweet Love

More than a lyric in a song it is the truth. Jesus declared that they would know us by our love. I am deep into the planning stage of The Justice Conference Charlotte 2014. As the Director I am leading a team that is working hard to attract more than 1500 people and 300 to 500 youth around justice topics that only people of faith can bring complete solutions to.

Without faith we only tackle part of the problem. The heart of men, women, youth and children need to be radically changed in order to revolve human trafficking, extreme poverty, racial reconciliation, domestic violence, homelessness, and the many other issues that plague our world. So it all starts with the gospel of Jesus.

Pray for our team and the countless hours it will take to attract, educate inspire and mobilize as we unite and ignite a generation around a shared concern for the vulnerable and oppressed becoming a single voice for justice. The ability to impact the issues our world and local communities face is in our hands. These are our children, our families, and our communities. Join us and be part of the solution. I love the quote from Nelson Mandela, “Sometimes it falls upon a generation to be great. You can be that generation.” Join us and be that great generation!

Finally, Cathy and I want to say thank you. I pray you will have a great Christmas and New Year. I pray you will deepen your relationship with Jesus and know Him more passionately.

Won’t you please consider joining our financial support team? You can send contributions to: United World Mission, PO Box 602002, Charlotte NC 28260-2002 and write ACCT# 11013 in the memo line. Further info about on-line giving and other programs see United World Mission. Thank you to our present supporters that allow us to impact the many lives across the planet. Again, THANKS!

This is your investment. This is your joy.

Mark Szymanski
www.mszymanski.com
mski1957@gmail.com
704.517.0255

It Takes a Team

Wow, another month has flown by and speaking of flying it seems like life is a blur.

As the Conference Director for The Justice Conference Charlotte 2014 my teams and I are well into the planning and development of this conference.  Our goals are simple; to attract believers into discussion around justice issues effecting people both local and global bringing education on these issues, and connecting people to opportunities. 

With about 30 pre-conference sessions ranging from human trafficking, to extreme poverty, racial and religious conflict, to homelessness and many other topics we seek to set in motion thousands of people of all ages. Check out our web site and like us on our Facebook page. If you are in the southeast region of the US, plan on being there. Make sure you let me know so I can connect with you. Please pray as this is a huge undertaking.

In addition I am also working to coordinate a research project with Columbia International University designed to discover a new type of unreached people group identification and location. Using social media our hope is to learn where 142 unreached people groups are located in Western Europe. Follow up will entail mobilizing team to relocate and engage these groups bringing the gospel in relevant ways to them. Our belief is that God has moved these peoples from their native countries to places where it is legal to reach out, build relationships and introduce the gospel. Pray for this process.

A friend of mine is leading a team in Egypt right now. They are connecting with many churches that have been attacked and burned by extremists. Please pray for our brothers and sisters in Egypt and across the world who are threatened on a regular basis because of their faith.

Thank God for a special gift to our Cuban work to find the mobile training center for another year. This training center provides leadership coaching, churches planting training and evangelism preparation. Please pray for funding as we are trying to build a seed fund to start a trucking company that will permanently fund this training center as well as a fund that will be able to send Cuban missionaries into other parts of the world. I would love to talk to you if you are interested in hosting a fundraiser or willing to contribute to this fund.

This is your investment. This is your joy.

Mark Szymanski
www.mszymanski.com
mski1957@gmail.com

Won’t you please consider joining our financial support team? You can send contributions to: United World Mission, PO Box 602002, Charlotte NC 28260-2002 and write ACCT# 11013 in the memo line. Further info about on-line giving and other programs see United World Mission. Thank you to our present supporters that allow us to impact the many lives across the planet. Again, THANKS!

Hey, Is That a Curve in the Road… and ANOTHER Vehicle Coming!

 In a world where global travel is the norm perhaps many of you have experienced the tense feeling you get when your bus is traveling down a high mountain road approaching a bend when suddenly another vehicle appears and will pass you right on the bend! You find yourself staring out the side window down a mile deep gorge realizing that if the driver misjudges, even inches, you will find yourself tumbling end-over-end most likely waking up to see Jesus!

Well this summer has been a road filled with curves. As I am working with Columbia International University we are preparing to investigate a process to locate 142 unengaged Muslin groups in Europe. This is the first step in mobilizing people to reach these groups. Using census data gets us general information but we need more. Building this semester lab will attract the “social media gurus” needed to develop this new ethnographic research tool for the global mission community.

Whoa, survived that curve but I see the sign, “windy road a head”.

I am the Conference Director for The Justice Conference Charlotte planned for February 21-22, 2014. Last year’s conference was a huge success but not being satisfied with the thrill of this curve we are taking it to another level… we will be merging with the National Justice Conference leveraging the influence of having a national voice on justice issues with the power of mobilizing local people into opportunities in the southeast United States as well as overseas. Our model will be replicated in 50 cities across the US. We can see tens of thousands mobilized to touch people’s lives.

Whoa, we are in the curve now and holding on (I do have a smile on my face)!

Thursday evening, August 15^th, United World Mission (UWM) Board voted unanimously to take over Latin American Mission (LAM). LAM is a great mission organization and one, which has built extensive networks into the Latin World both with great ministries as well as Latin missionary sending groups. Due to some internal limitations LAM sought out UWM and discussions began. Over the next half-year the UWM partnership team will work to meet with and integrate about 150 or so missionaries and 87 national partners. This is exciting as we continue to build a global team of talented, passionate, workers made up of people from many cultures.

Whoa, I saw the curve but didn’t realize it would be that big of one… (Imagine me hanging out the window)!

Okay, last item or curve for now… please pray as I work with this Muslim movement in Europe. I am now starting to meet with and work with people from the largest church on the middle east/north Africa. They send hundreds of North African missionaries into Islamic nations all over the world. As we consider reaching European Muslims we will need missionaries not only form North America but also and most like more from Latin America and Middle East/North Africa.

Whoa, God saw this curve happening and has already built the needed roadbed for safe passage on the curve… (Hanging on and depending on His wisdom)!

As we navigate these curves I suddenly realize who the driver is, Jesus. We hold onto Him as we balance life and ministry. Our work is all about setting people and initiatives in motion so that lives are changed and Jesus made real... and you are a critical part of this work. We know you pray for us and stand with us as we grow the kingdom. THANK YOU.

Would you help us discover others who may want to help these efforts? PLEASE, consider helping us grow our support base.

This is your investment. This is your joy.

Mark Szymanski
www.mszymanski.com
mski1957@gmail.com

Won’t you please consider joining our financial support team? You can send contributions to: United World Mission, PO Box 602002, Charlotte NC 28260-2002 and write ACCT# 11013 in the memo line. Further info about on-line giving and other programs see United World Mission. Thank you to our present supporters that allow us to impact the many lives across the planet. Again, THANKS!