Once every three months a group of men and women gather to discuss missions in New England and Europe.  They drive to Boston from the north and south, east and west.  They even fly in over the big ocean all for a chance to pray, share, encourage and plan for God’s work in this world.

April 28, 2007, was a visionary and historic day in many ways.  First, Samuel Gelzer had flown in from Zurich, Switzerland, to be the first, official board member from a European church.  The Zurich congregation has contributed an amount over the minimum level for board membership ($10,000+).  The IMS truly now has an international board.  The European Executive Director, Shawn Wooten, also came in from Kiev, Ukraine, to report on the good news of all that God is doing in that part of the world.

View Pictures!

Val Koha from Boston opened the meeting to a full review of the agenda ahead.  It was a long list that was to start with an early morning meeting at 8 AM and conclude at approximately 4 PM.  Brian Scanlon, also from Boston, led a moving devotional thought from Jesus’ own words in John 17.  Jesus’ prayer was for unity.  We must be the answer to His plea.

Jimmy Allen from Hartford was approved as the point person for New England missions.  He shared next about three church’s pleas for help and prayers in New England.  Specific plans and dreams are now underway for the first New England planting of the 21st century!  Much more will be discussed and communicated in the coming days.

Shawn Wooten then shared a number of “good news” stories from overseas.  An evangelist training time has begun monthly and the spirit has been very enthusiastic at this event.  A recent French retreat bonded brothers and sisters in deep ways.  Madrid and Milan have seen six baptisms so far this year.  Zagreb, Croatia, has hired a new staff couple to work with in the mission, with the help of IMS funding.  Berlin, Germany, has seen growth in her congregation and evangelist, Mirko Russo, is teaching a series on “How To Study the Bible.”  Instead of the usual “Seeking God” Bible study, he has renamed a fresh look at a few verses of Scripture, “God is seeking you!”  Churches from the Baltics and London are also taking advantage of the many encouraging sessions that the Euro churches are putting on. 

Much of the meeting time was spent on discussing the best possible ways for raising funds.  Many creative and exciting plans are in place to communicate with and inspire all the Christians.  David Adams, Gary Slebodnick and Val took us through some additional business issues of financing, board governance and prioritizing. 

But we finished out the day with the best plan possible – prayer.  Samuel Gelzer and Walter Siegwart from Zurich, two of our European brothers, prayed passionately for our international mission’s partnership.  We all prayed along as the dreams for many souls being healed and helped by the gospel were catching fire in our hearts and soon leaving with us to the corners of New England, Europe and, by God’s power, the world.