 |
   |
The following is an excerpt from Amy Hanson's newly released paper on innovations in older adult ministry which can be downloaded here.
 |
Bobbi Baxter with a new friend in Nicaragua. |
|
Bobbi Baxter always wanted to go on a mission trip, but didn't have the opportunity until she was 80 years old.
While other retired women might be baking cookies or watching television, Bobbi joined the Second Half Ministries team from Northshore Baptist Church (Bothell, WA) on a short-term mission trip to Nicaragua.
She is not the only older adult who has invested time and energy in the lives of the poverty stricken people of that country. In fact, 45 to 50 percent of all the volunteers from Northshore who do
short-term mission work in Nicaragua are 50 years of age or older. |
Older Adults Serving Overseas
The mission to Nicaragua was started in 2004 when Northshore adopted the small town of Los Cedros.
According to Richard Bergstrom, pastor of Second Half Ministries, "Our church has a strong mission mindset and some of our leaders had a vision to establish long-term relationships in a mission environment. We wanted to make missions real to the entire church, rather than something general."
Northshore serves the Los Cedros community through an elementary school that it built and through the Ebenezer church. The church was already established in Nicaragua, and Northshore has come alongside to assist in its ministry.
More than 400 people have visited the town as part of church teams that are involved in construction projects, medical clinics, feeding programs, Vacation Bible School and economic development.
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
New Church Health Assessment Tool
Wouldn't it be great to start the ministry year with fresh perspective and optimism?
A church assessment is a great way to distinguish high priority issues from all the rest. Healthy Church's online Church Health Assessment Tool (CHAT) will give you the clarity to focus on the issues that matter most.
|
| |
|
 |
"Focus on 5" Symposium
Seacoast Church (Mt. Pleasant, SC) and the Association of Related Churches is hosting the "Focus on 5" symposium October 29-30, 2007--an intense two-day symposium for pastors who are trying to break out of a growth plateau and move to the next level.
|
| |
|
 |
Salaries Growing for Women in Ministry
Female clergy who serve as full-time solo pastors earn more than their male counterparts, a new study of church workers shows. But women who serve as senior pastors--with other clergy as subordinates--earn less than males in the same position.
|
|
 |
|
 |
NEW Digital Initiative Blog
Leadership Network has launched a new blog that's all about current technology trends and what those trends mean for the church.
The new blog space will cover the Internet, social networking, mobile phones, podcasting, wiki, and more. Add the blog to your Favorites list and check in often to learn how technologies can help your church.
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
