Our Missions

EXPLANATION OF PROJECTS:

LIVING LINK IS A PROGRAM OF MISSIONARY SUPPORT BY WHICH A CONGREGATION IS GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE PRAYERFULLY AND FINANCIALLY IN THE MINISTRY OF A MISSIONARY FAMILY OR AN INDIVIDUAL MISSIONARY. THROUGH LIVING LINK, THE MISSIONARY, THE COUNTRY WHERE HE/SHE IS SERVING, AND THE PEOPLE AMONG WHOM HE/SHE LIVES BECOME A PART OF THE CONGREGATION’S LIFE. LIVING LINK HELPS THE CONGREGATION TO LEARN ABOUT A NEW CULTURE AS MISSIONARIES SHARE THROUGH CORRESPONDENCE, PICTURES, VISITS, ETC.

Mission Trips:  The church actively supports mission trips and work camps on individual and group basis.  The youth go to Mexico every two years for a week to build homes for the poor in boarder towns.  The adults have done work camps to Jamaica in 1995, and Santa Domingo in 1998 and 2000.

About our Missionaries....

Lorenzo & Margaretha Mondragon - Missionaries in Venezuela
The Mondragons are assisting national leaders in developing and implementing evangelistic and church-planting strategies. They lead seminars and lay leadership courses and are working to strengthen the doctrinal identity of the churches.

Gary & Gwen Bistritan - Missionaries in Guam & Micronesia
Gary and Gwen are ministering in leadership development, pastoring, and counseling. They are also developing and pursuing strategies for planting churches on other islands in Micronesia. Visit their web site at: www.bistritan.com, or e-mail them at: gary@bistritan.com

Tom & Norma Smith - Missionaries in Cairo, Egypt
Tom & Norma have spent most of their ministry pastoring churches in Ohio & Illinois. While many people think of retirement, the Smiths have launched out to impact Egypt for Christ. Tom travels to several churches preaching and providing training to national leaders. Norma, a school teacher, has used her educational skills in several outreach ministries with the Arab community.

Don & Paula Riley – Missionaries in Nairobi, Kenya  

Don & Paula Riley have been regional director for Africa since July 1998.  They are based in Nairobi, Kenya and are responsible for strategic planning and implementation of ministries throughout Africa.  They serve as a liaison between Outreach Ministries of the Church of God, the missionaries and the national leaders.

Tammie Tregellas – Missionary in Kenya, East Africa

Mark & Amy Hoffman – Missionaries in Zambia

Mark & Amy Hoffman are special assignment missionaries to Zambia.  They are involved in church building, relief efforts and youth ministry.  Mark’s parents Stan & Marion Hoffman were long time missionaries to this area.

• COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP - A PROGRAM WHICH ATTEMPTS TO ENCOURAGE OUR CHURCH YOUTH TO PREPARE FOR THEIR CHRISTIAN VOCATION. THESE SCHOLARSHIP MONIES ARE RESERVED FOR THOSE YOUTH FROM OUR CHURCH WHO PLAN TO ATTEND A CHRISTIAN COLLEGE NEXT YEAR. OFTEN CHRISTIAN COLLEGES HAVE MATCHING FUNDS WHICH INCREASE THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR OUR YOUTH. EACH YOUTH RECEIVES $250.00 TOWARD TUITION COSTS.

• THE FAMILY LIFE CENTER - A CRISIS PREGNANCY CENTER AFFILIATED WITH THE NATIONAL NETWORK KNOWN AS "CARENET". THE CENTER OFFERS FREE PREGNANCY TESTING, REFERRAL SERVICES FOR MEDICAL CARE, LEGAL ASSISTANCE AND OTHER COMMUNITY RESOURCES, EDUCATION ON PREGNANCY AND ABORTION ALTERNATIVES AND CLOTHING AND FURNISHINGS FOR MOTHER AND BABY. THE CENTER OFFERS A CHRISTIAN APPROACH TO A CRISIS PREGNANCY. SEVERAL OF OUR MEMBERS HAVE VOLUNTEERED THEIR TIME AT THE CENTER. TWO MEMBERS HAVE COMPLETED TRAINING TO SERVE AS COUNSELORS. PASTOR FOZARD WAS ONE OF THE ORIGINAL DIRECTORS OF THE CENTER’S BOARD.

? 2004 Effingham First Church of God
admin@effinghamcog.org.