Volume 1 Issue 10
T h e M c C o l l u m Fa m i l y
April 2006
AMERICA PRAISE & PETITION Praise • Grace Church of Eden Prairie has chosen to partner with us! • Ian is adjusting well to being homeschooled again. The smiles are coming much more easily! Petition • Pray for us as we make so many timing decisions as we near our projected departure date. • Pray that God would call forth many more financial partners quickly so that we can get to Croatia in September. • Pray for us as we make decisions about curriculum for homeschooling all four kids again next year. Monthly Pledges
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Z AG R E B
PROCLAMATION, DISCIPLESHIP & REPRODUCING CHURCHES What is church planting? It is starting a church where there is none. It means actively seeking nationals to be involved. It means clearly telling people the Good News that Jesus died for the sins of mankind, was raised from the dead, and now sits at the right hand of God the Father in Heaven seeking us for a personal relationship with the Creator of the Universe! Church planting also means discipleship which is the process of instructing a new believer in the Word of God so that he or she can become a mature and devoted follower of Christ. Our work will not be done
just when people are won for Christ. Nationals must be taught and trained to be church leaders. It was William Carey (1761-1834), the father of modern missions, who determined the measure of missionary church planting success with the “three self” theory. This philosophy states that in order for a missionary church planting endeavor to be considered successful the church must be “selfgoverning,” “self supporting,” and “selfpropagating.” When these three objectives have been accomplished then the missionary should move on to church planting in another area.
Real Change. We will settle for nothing less. Excerpted from The Vision of SEND’s General Director, Warren Janzen
49%
Outgoing Support
45%
“At SEND, we are seeking real-life change in individuals and whole communities in some of the toughest places in the world. …Life-change among Serbs and Croats in southern Europe. …Better living conditions and better education are important, but we are after the heart because God is after the heart. The efforts of everyone in this organization are targeted at joining with the Holy Spirit to proclaim, disciple, and then establish the Church of Jesus Christ and to serve it where it does exist. …You’ll find that SEND missionaries are speaking the local language and are aware of key cultural attitudes and beliefs. Why all the effort? We want to see real-life change. Real change comes through the proclamation of God’s Word. A proclamation that is seen, not merely heard. A proclamation that is felt, not merely read. A proclamation made by an authentic witness to our LORD Jesus Christ. How will they hear unless many are sent?”
A faith promise form is included with all mailings. If you are already supporting this ministry, thank you. If you are not and would like to, please use the form. As contributions are tax-deductible, they are sought with the understanding that SEND International has complete discretion and control over the use of all donated funds. If you would rather not receive this newsletter, please tell us so we can honor your desire.
NOW IS THE TIME! Michael & Brenda McCollum 7486 157th Street West Apartment #109 Apple Valley, MN 55124 952-223-4859 mccollum@sendcroatia.org
What would you like to see at http://mccollum.sendcroatia.org?
The next two months are vital in our support discovery process. Our goal is to leave for Croatia during the second week of September so that we can get settled before starting language school in October. If we miss this deadline then the next term of language school doesn’t begin until the following February. We are so anxious to get going and to fulfill the call that God has so firmly placed in our hearts. •
We must decide if Michael should take a class at Moody Bible Institute in May.
If God brings more support in quickly it will be easier to take time for the class. •
We must make a decision in April about whether of not to renew the lease on our apartment. If we do not renew we will be required to move out by June 30th.
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We must decide on the right time for Michael to stop working at InfoComm and begin full-time support discovery. In order to do this we must be at a minimum of 60% of our monthly support pledged.
If you have been considering partnering with us to reach the Croatian people with the Good News about Jesus Christ then now is the time. We need more teammates for God’s work in Croatia. Please don’t delay, join us today!
SEND International P.O. Box 513 Farmington, MI 48332 248-477-4210 www.send.org
I M P O R TA N T D A T E S April 21-22—Attending homeschool convention (MÂCHÉ) in St. Paul. June 9-10—Attending homeschool conference (NICHE) in Des Moines. June 13-20—Graduate class, Communication of Biblical Truth, on Moody campus in Chicago, pre and post class work required. Registration deadline is May 1st. June 22-24—Garage sale to sell our remaining possessions that aren’t going on the airplane with us. June 30—Move out of our apartment. July 3—21—Member Orientation Program (MOP) at SEND campus in Michigan. This is SEND’s final training before we leave for Croatia. July 24-Aug. 4—Language Acquisition Training (PILAT) in Colorado. This is our final training requirement before leaving for Croatia. September—Hopefully on our way to Croatia!
ARIÉL My name is Ariél Moriah, which means “lioness of God, chosen by Jehovah.” I am eleven years old, but I’m nearly twelve. My mom has homeschooled me since I was three, but I’m getting harder and more assignments. I love history, but I don’t like English and I struggle with math. I accepted Jesus when I was eighteen months old. It was hard since I could never remember accepting Christ so sometimes I had doubts. I was baptized three years ago. After my baptism I felt more confident that I was a true Christian. This July we are going to the SEND campus in Michigan. I’m very excited because it feels like one big family there. I have also been invited to go to a Christian camp this summer with a wonderful friend! I would love it if you would read Jeremiah 29:11-13 because it has helped to keep me on my feet through this difficult time.
PASTOR ROBBIE CAME FROM A LONG LINE OF CHURCH PLANTERS
A faith promise form is included with all mailings. If you are already supporting this ministry, thank you. If you are not and would like to, please use the form. As contributions are tax-deductible, they are sought with the understanding that SEND International has complete discretion and control over the use of all donated funds. If you would rather not receive this newsletter, please tell us so we can honor your desire.