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It would be hard to find two places that are further away from each other, both physically as well as
culturally. Dumaguete City in the central part of the Philippines and Olivet in the south-central section of Michigan are
worlds apart. Yet they share more in common than you might think. Both are college towns and each has a central
church that is co-owned by the congregation and their respective institutions of higher learning.
About 12 years ago the Olivet Congregational Church began a special mission program. They decided to
financially support a young man from undergraduate school through medical school at Silliman University, a protestant
school located in Dumaguete. The student was identified by Dan and Emily Byrens who were members of the
Olivet Church and former faculty at Olivet College while serving there as missionaries.
Each Sunday an individual or family would sponsor the student and they would
be recognized in the church bulletin. It quickly became a custom for people to
honor friends and loved ones with a sponsorship for their birthday or anniversary.
The student corresponded with the congregation on a regular basis and sent video
taped messages of thanks that included progress reports. The amount of money raised
was considerably higher than most other mission projects. Attaching a name and a face
to the project seemed to make all the difference.
Today that student is a medical doctor and is operating a clinic in the Philippines thanks to a Congregational
church on the opposite side of the world.
For the next year Tom Richard has invited me to write this column which highlights the congregations of
our Association. Rev. James Eaton did such a great job he will be a hard act to follow.
This month I choose to share the story of this mission project from my church because I felt that it was unique
and something every member of our congregation is very proud of.
If there is something your church does that you would like to share with all of us please pass it along.
SIGNS, SIGNS, YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE SIGNS
We can help you locate
companies for traffic signs, church signs, directional signs, and attractive
inside signage at your Church. Call the office for help.
EXECUTIVE STAFF VISITS
FCC, Wauwatosa; Heritage, Madison; FCC, Beloit;
Plymouth, Plainfield; Search committees together at Colonial,
Edina, Southcross Community, Burnsville, Colonial at Heritage
Square, Chanhassen, Duluth Cong'l, First Cong'l, New Richland, Union Cong'l, Warroad, MN; North
Shore, Fox Point; Community Cong'l, Kewaunee; St. Jacobi,
Richland; Faith, Greenfield; FCC, Mukwonago; FCC, Wauwatosa.
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