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Transcript of MOTH Winter 09
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8/14/2019 MOTH Winter 09
1/8
Mattersof theHeart
W i n t e r 2 0 0 9 E d i t i o n
A m o r m i n i s t r i e s Q u A r t e r l y n e w s l e t
in this issue:
t lcaCc(Two-Part Series)
Page 2
GpladCMeet the Pastor
Page 4
o hzThe Founders
Fund
Page 5
Bd FdMexico Unites toHelp Their Own
Page 6
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When you compare your local church to others within your
own neighborhood, you will likely discover a dierent mode
o worship, ministry, and people. Travel worldwide and these
dierences can grow and yet as believers, these dierences
o culture, aith, and even economic
background must be reconciled in some
way when we meet or worship alongside
our Christian brothers and sisters in other
countries.
In the United States alone, roughly
80% o the adult population identiy
themselves as Christians, according to
veteran researcher George Barna o the
Barna Group. With such a considerable number o Christians, it
is inevitable that church traditions, doctrine, and personal daily
demonstration vary throughout the nation. A church on one
corner may hold a Vacation Bible School while another may host
an outreach at the local bar yet both are equally appropriate in
the way they serve the people o their communities.
Even in Mexico, our continental neighbor, these dierences are
evident. A service at a local church, or example, bears little
resemblance to that o the archetypal American church. In a
2000 Mexican census, 76.5% o the population was identifed
as Roman Catholic, and over six percent
as Protestant, with an estimated 5,000
to 7,000 churches ound throughout
the country. Yet when you consider
a typical service, they rarely, i ever,
start or end on time. What a contrast
when compared to the punctuality o
American Churches! This, however
does not diminish the vastness o their
aith or the many community outreaches perormed by such
congregations. Mexican churches provide immeasurable help
supplying ood and clothing to the deeply impoverished within
their own neighborhoods.
In South Arica, where approximately 79.7% o the populationconsider themselves to be Christian, the local church is also
Matters of the Heart Winter 2009
The LocalChurch
(Two-Part Series)
And while worldwide
worship services, prayer, and
community involvement look
different in each and every church,
our salvation is what unites us.
Now serving in the continental United States!
Serving in San Carlos Year Round.
In partnership with Arizona Reservation Ministries, Amor is
launching its pilot house-building program on the San Carlos
Apache Reservation.
Register online atwww.amor.org/Registrationor contact
LaDonna at 619.662.1200 extension 121.
San CarlosReservationMission Trips
http://www.amor.org/registrationhttp://www.amor.org/registrationhttp://www.amor.org/trips/locations/sancarloshttp://www.amor.org/trips/locations/sancarloshttp://www.amor.org/trips/locations/sancarloshttp://www.amor.org/registrationhttp://www.amor.org/trips/locations/sancarlos -
8/14/2019 MOTH Winter 09
3/8
Dear Friends o Amor,
As you know, serving in
Mexico this past year
has had its challenges
the likes o which Scott
and I have never beore
experienced in our 29
years o ministry. As a
result, the most common
question we have been asked is, What will it takeor Amor Ministries to decide to no longer serve in
Mexico? My answer is always the same. Nothing.
There is nothing that would cause the Ministry to
leave Mexico because Amor remains committed
to spread the Gospel.
As you read this newsletter, you will be reminded
about what is important to those o us serving at
Amor. It is the Pastors and their churches that
matter most in whichever location we are working.
It always has been that way and always will be.
So, be encouraged that in the midst o ear and
adversity, it is the Pastors shining presence and
their ministries that continue to be the much
needed ray o hope and light in a darkened world!
In Christ,
Gayla Cooper CongdonFounder and Chie Spiritual Ocer
Would you like to hear more from the
Founders? Visit www.amor.org to receive our
monthly eNews from Gayla or visit the Simply
Scott blog online.
www.amor.org
Letterfrom the Foundeactive in working to meet the unique needs o the
people. A local Baptist church, or example, reaches
out to the community by providing an anonymous
baby bin or desperate mothers. Because o the AIDS
epidemic, women ear raising their children in close-knit
communities under such a stigma. Instead, this church
provides an alternative to dumping babies in a garbage
can and oers these kids an opportunity, in some cases,
to be adopted. In the U.S. where such practices might
be questioned, one must refect on the singular needs
o each locale and consider what unites us all.
How are we to explain these dierences when, as
Websters Dictionary denes, the church is all
Christians considered as a single body? In the U.S.
alone, however, there are multiple denominations
and ways to practice ones aith. And how do these
dierences impact the work o the local church in
ministering and serving those within their communities?
Whats more, how are believers to reconcile these
dierences when serving abroad on short or long-term
missions? In a uture publication, we will consider
these questions and more.
In the end, though Websters provides us a simple
denition, the most telling comes directly rom the
Bible. Paul himsel says, For we were all baptized by
one Spirit into one bodywhether Jews or Greeks,
slave or ree Ultimately, we are all part o one body
called to love, serve, and live in righteousness. Millionso people around our globe are included under that
broad umbrella, and the vastness o it is seen in the
varied maniestations o our aith.
And while our worldwide worship services, prayer, and
community involvement look dierent in each and every
church, our salvation is what unites us. Gods love or us
transcends all borders, races, and governments to unite
all Christians as one Church, one body, and one bride
or the groom known as Christ.
AMOR MINISTRIES
CELEBRATES
30 YEARSOF SERVING THE POOR
Celebration Tour coming to a city near you!
Visit www.amor.org/30years for details.
1 9 8 0 - 2 0 1 0
http://www.amor.org/http://www.simplyscott.org/http://www.amor.org/30yearshttp://www.amor.org/30yearshttp://www.amor.org/30yearshttp://www.amor.org/30yearshttp://www.amor.org/30yearshttp://www.amor.org/30yearshttp://www.amor.org/30yearshttp://www.amor.org/30yearshttp://www.amor.org/30yearshttp://www.amor.org/30yearshttp://www.simplyscott.org/http://www.amor.org/http://www.amor.org/30years -
8/14/2019 MOTH Winter 09
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Meet the Pastorby Erin Illingworth, Mission Trip Coordinator
Amor Ministries is devoted to the Pastors with whom we
partner with in Mexico. The Pastors who serve on our
Mexico Ministry Planning Board work behind the scenes
to make your Amor Mission Trip possible and to maintain
relationships in the communities. It is Pastors who selectthe families that will receive an Amor house, and then later
return to visit with them after the house is built and your
group has returned home. They work countless hours on
behalf of Amor (though most groups never see their faces)
but you can change that by adding an outreach to your
Amor Mission Trip.
Take an afternoon away from building and connect with
the local Pastors. They love to meet groups and welcome
the time spent to make your trip more meaningful! You
can also get involved with the work of the local church by
sponsoring a Pastors outreach. Typically, an available
Pastor prepares the materials and location for you so that
your group can show up ready to share your love with the
community!
Group leader David Lobos has been participating in
Pastors outreaches during his trips with Go, Inc. for
years with the desire that they be a means for us to
come alongside our brothers as they pastor the needs
of their community. After Go, Inc.s Amor Mission Trip
in June 2009, he said, The joy we felt as we saw them
take ownership [of evangelizing within their areas] was
very satisfying. An outreach is an excellent way for your
group to connect side-by-side with the ministries of the
local church and experience how they work in their own
neighborhoods.
Matters of the Heart Winter 2009
Group LeaderCorner
P.S. If you cant spare a day while building, there are other ways to interact
with the Pastors. Contact Mission Services at 619.662.1200 extension 6 to
learn more!
Amor Pastors Outreach, Puerto Peasco, Sonora, Mexico, Feb
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The Founders Fund
On the Horizon
www.amor.org
Ater completing fve homeduring summer 2009, Amorsouth Arica i in ull-wing!
July 24-August 7, 2010
Contact LaDonna at 619.662.1200
extension 121 for information
about Amor South Africa 2010.
Register online at www.amor.org/registration.
AmorSouth Arica
Mission Trips
On any given day, one o the Pastors rom Amors Mexico Ministry Planning Board could
be interviewing amilies about their need or a new house, guarding Amors Rancho Camp,
pouring a slab or an upcoming house project, or visiting a amily who is settling into their
new Amor home. It is through the Pastors that the reach o Amor is continual, lasting, and
perpetual, and so the Ministry strives to meet their needs as quickly as possible.
The Pastors ministry is not limited to leading a congregation
and providing houses or their communities through
Amor; many have planted mission churches and distribute
ood throughout the week. One Pastor has started a drug
rehabilitation center, while another runs a Christian radio
station. Amor Ministries essential philosophy o ministry is
to aid in growing the local church, and so we also support
the many and varied ministries o our Pastors.
The Founders Fund allows Amor to respond to the ever-
changing circumstances o the mission feld. Whether a
new opportunity arises to reach more lives through the
local churches, or there is an immediate need or the daily
operations at our Global Headquarters in San Diego, the
Fund provides the monies to cover those unoreseen costs.
The Ministrys desire is to be the best stewards o our resources possible, efciently usingwhat God has provided. And the ultimate goal o Amor is to expand the local church in each
country and every community where we serve.
A git to the Founders Fund is more than a donation; it is a commitment to the ministry, to
the people o Mexico, South Arica, the United States, and wherever else God may call Amor
in the uture! To partner with the Founders Fund, please send your git to Amor Ministries in
the enclosed envelope, or visit www.amor.org/WaysToGiveand note Founders Fund in
the Comments Box.
The ultimate goal of Amor
is to expand the local church
in each country and every
community where we serve.
Pastor Jose Luis Hernandez deliverskeys to proud new homeowner.
http://www.amor.org/registrationhttp://www.amor.org/registrationhttp://www.amor.org/trips/locations/southafricahttp://www.amor.org/trips/locations/southafricahttp://www.amor.org/trips/locations/southafricahttp://www.amor.org/trips/locations/southafricahttp://www.amor.org/waystogivehttp://www.amor.org/trips/locations/southafricahttp://www.amor.org/registrationhttp://www.amor.org/waystogive -
8/14/2019 MOTH Winter 09
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MexicoUnites toHelp TheirOwnby Alyssa Robinson,
Ministry Resources Summer Intern
Our western culture oten makes the
mistake in assuming that missionary
workers only come rom industrialized
nations. Recently, a local church in
Mexico turned that assumption upon
its head. For the frst time in thehistory o Amor Ministries, a mens
group rom Pastor Juan Briseos
church, Divino Salvador in Tijuana
joined together to build homes with
Amor Ministries.
Amor houses are usually built by
Mission Trip participants rom the
And so the project was brought back
to where it startedto the Pastors o
the Mexico Ministry Planning Board
o Tijuana. Ater learning o the
circumstances, the Pastors collectively
oered to build the house using
members o their own congregations
Undeeated, they immediately
gathered groups and jumped into
action to serve the people o thei
very own communities. Inspired by
the Amor Mission Trip groups who
had come to build, and provided with
U.S., Canada, and the United Kingdom
within three to fve days but earlier this
year, one house remained unfnished.
Ater beginning the building process,
suspected drug activity in the area
caused Amor to reassign the group
to a new worksite, leaving the project
in its earliest stages o construction.
Instances such as this have occurred
in Tijuana or decades yet because
Amor values the saety o its
participants, they moved the young
builders out o potential harms way.
Beyond the Field
Matters of the Heart Winter 2009
Cant make theAmor Mission Trip?
You can still transform lives by
becoming a Casa de Amor Partner.
The Casa de Amor Giving Program
provides funds to purchase building
materials for homes in Mexico.
Casa de Amor A single Amor house only costs $2,400!The $25 monthly gift of a traditional Casa de AmorPartner is grouped with seven others to provide a familywith a home.
Or, you can be creative and explore new ways to give likeKurt Blake, whose 30th Birthday Party With a Purposeraised $3,600 for Casa de Amor!
To learn more about Kurts party and to be inspired, visitwww.amor.org/blog.
Pastor Adolfo Escamilla and Armando Ponce with local volunteers. Maclovio Rojas in Tijuana, Mexico
http://www.amor.org/give/casadeamorhttp://www.amor.org/bloghttp://www.amor.org/give/casadeamorhttp://www.amor.org/blog -
8/14/2019 MOTH Winter 09
7/8www.amor.org
PuertoPeasco
Mission Trips
Just in time or spring and summer!Shop now at www.amor.org/store.
Youll fnd mens and womens T-shirts,
hoodies, and accessories in new designs
and styles or all ages.
All proceeds from the Amor Store
support the programs of Project Hope.
Back by popular demand!
Now Serving Year-Round!
Amor Ministries has extended our season to
serve the people o Puerto Peasco, a small
fshing town on the Sea o Cortez, just south
o Arizona. Mission Trip groups can register
online athttp://www.amor.org/Registration
orcallAndrea at 619.662.1200 extension 135.
the materials that were supplied by Casa de
Amor partners, the local church built an Amor
house in the Amor style.
In spite o the violence that has surrounded
Tijuana or years, God has encouraged the
local church. This pivotal event has urther
promoted these Pastors desire to continueto build in their communities and even send
their youth to work alongside Amor groups.
Perhaps one day soon, we will see churches
on both sides o the border working together
to ulfll the Great Commission.
If you have a story about how the Amor
Mission Trip transformed your life along with
the interesting work youre now doing as a
result, we want to hear more! Please contact
Cristy Booher at 619.662.1200 extension 115or e-mail her [email protected].
Pastor Armando Ponce and local volunteersMaclovio Rojas in Tijuana, Mexic
June 200
http://www.amor.org/trips/locations/mexicohttp://www.amor.org/trips/locations/mexicohttp://www.amor.org/trips/locations/mexicohttp://www.amor.org/storehttp://www.amor.org/registrationmailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.amor.org/storehttp://www.amor.org/trips/locations/mexicohttp://www.amor.org/registration -
8/14/2019 MOTH Winter 09
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1664 Precision Park LaneSan Diego, CA 92173
619.662.1200
www.amor.org
NON-PROFIT OR
U.S. POSTAGE
PAIDOXNARD, CA
PERMIT NO. 121
We Welcome Your FeedbackIf you have story suggestions
or photos to contribute, please
email Cristy Booher, our editor,
Calendar ofEvents
South Africa Mission TripsDela, south Afica
Jul 24-Augut 7, 2010
Register online at www.amor.org/Registration
or contact LaDonna at 619.662.1200
extension 121 for more information.
San Carlos ApacheReservation Mission Tripssan Calo, AZ
seving All yea-round
Register online atwww.amor.org/Registration or
contact LaDonna at 619.662.1200 extension 121
for more information.
30th Anniversary
For Celebration Tour dates andinformation, visitwww.amor.org/30years.
Puerto Peasco Mission TripsPueto Peaco, sonoa, mX
seving All yea-round
Register online atwww.amor.org/Registratio
or contact Andrea at 619.662.1200 extension
135 for more information.
http://maito:[email protected]/http://www.amor.org/registrationhttp://www.amor.org/registrationhttp://www.amor.org/registrationhttp://www.amor.org/30yearshttp://www.amor.org/30yearshttp://www.amor.org/registrationhttp://maito:[email protected]/http://www.amor.org/30yearshttp://www.amor.org/registrationhttp://www.amor.org/registrationhttp://www.amor.org/registration