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My Ministry
5 YEAR PERSONAL/MINISTRY GOALS
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My first year in France has to be primarily occupied with language study. Language is very important to the French, and while I have a good start, I need to be sure I’m focused on that during my first year. I do plan on going to Châlons every weekend to be a part of their church though, and my ministry would have to be limited to playing/singing with their music team and keeping up friendships with the people. There are some girls in particular in Châlons with whom I’ve been able to cultivate friendships. It is very possible that I could be involved in the discipleship process of their lives. Other than these ministry opportunities and getting established in France, I will primarily need to focus on my language studies and cultural assimilation.
My second year would consist of getting established in Châlons. I would work with Don and Sue Marshall and their church as to where they would like me to serve. As a church, they have discussed my ministry and want me active in the following capacities initially: Music, Children’s Bible Club, and Discipleship and Mentoring of young girls and even some women. I will have an active part in the college/career (young adult) group. They have special needs that match my area of giftedness. I would like to work with them in serving the church and in evangelism. Lastly, there are various secretarial type jobs I can do for Don and Sue. Because of their position as European Regional Coordinators, I will be able to assist them with the computer, help in logistical planning, or simply fill in the gaps when needed. There will be roles that I will play as well inside the EBM France team. This first year of ministry is a trial year to test out my gifts in as many areas as possible and to find out where I want to concentrate. It is possible that we as missionaries feel we are needed and good in an area of ministry and the French local church sees and needs something totally different. I will be sensitive and listening to the group of French Christians God allows me to partner with.
The following three years would be the continuation of the same as above. I will use these years to become more effective and proficient in the areas of my giftedness and responsibilities. I will remain under the guidance of Don and Sue, stay sensitive to the church’s needs, and above all, the Holy Spirit’s leading. I want to know God’s dreams for me and I want them to become mine. He holds the direction of my life.
During my fifth year I want to evaluate my role in Châlons. If anything is worth doing, it is worth evaluating. I will be asking myself these questions: Does God want me to continue in Chalons? If so, should my ministry stay the same or should there be change or adjustment? Does God want me to go to another city and church? I want to be willing to change and evolve into something that is always going to look more like Christ. I will go wherever He leads. Being a single girl, I will always be working with someone else inside of a team. I also have great flexibility as a single if God chooses to change my location.
PATH FORWARD:
I plan on presenting this idea of a “five year plan” to churches and individual supporters with the intent of requesting a commitment of support from them for these first five years. As I evaluate my ministry during the fifth year, I will communicate with my supporters. My supporters need to be kept informed as to my intent to continue on and/or any change of ministry or placement. If I continue on in France, (which is my current desire) then I will inform them of my continued need of support and ask them to commit to continued support.
A WORD FROM DON AND SUE MARSHALL:
We have taken time to review and edit these goals and strategies as presented by Amy. After having spent an internship together on site, Amy has a good grasp of the real need in our church. This places her in a position whereby she can think clearly as to her potential on the field. Her strategies here developed and proposed to all of us, clearly come from her spiritual, emotional, and intellectual preparation and approach to a specific ministry. Having worked with singles before, we welcome wholeheartedly, the arrival of Amy in the fall ’06 God willing. The need for Amy and her gifts in our French church is now.
Don and Sue in front of their house in Chalons.
