The international missions outreach at St. James is continually increasing, as we honor the commission that Jesus that gave to His disciples: “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere.” (Mark 16:15) Those who go out to bless and encourage other people often return being even more blessed themselves while introducing others to the Lord. This has been a life-changing experience for the many who have been team members. Those who support the mission teams, both financially and through prayer cover, also serve a vitally important role in the work.
St. James UMC's first mission trip was to Panama, followed by many trips to Mexico and Paraguay in 1998 and 1999. In 2000-2007 there have been trips to Mexico, Scotland, Russia, France, and Africa. Teams have built and painted churches, conducted Bible schools, helped with summer camps, worked with disabled orphans, prayed for cities, provided leadership training, preached, taught, worshiped and ministered to the people of the world.
This year is even more exciting. In 2008, five mission teams are planned
(note that exact dates may not be yet determined):
 France (March
29-April 6). We return to France this year, but going
to a place new to us. We will work at a Missionary Retreat Center
in Brittany, primarily doing landscaping and basic construction
work. Brittany is one of the least evangelized areas in the world.
(Team testimony sharing: April 27 -- 8:30, 9:40, and 11:00
a.m.)
Team Leader: Trisha Marsh-Johnson (trishamarsh@earthlink.net)
 Mexico (May
4-10). We are excited this year to send our Praise
Team to minister to local congregations in the area around Juamave,
Mexico. We will also help construct some new living
facilities for our missionary contacts, Mark and Mari Dover. This
year's team, totaling 19, will focus on two primary areas:
praise and worship and Bible teaching, and construction. (Team
testimony sharing: May 25 -- 8:30, 9:40, and 11:00 a.m.)
Team leader:
Michael Shurtleff
 Tanzania (June
1-12).
As we head back to Tanzania for our fourth year, we are excited
about the doors that the Lord has opened. We will dedicate
two churches that were constructed with money donated by St.
James and continue the relational ministry done on previous
trips. There is the possibility of a second trip later in
the year concentrating primarily on women’s ministry.
(Team testimony sharing: Date to be determined)
Team leader:
LaMurl Morris (lmorris@sjumc.org)
 Russia.
Our planned mission trip to St. Petersburg has been cancelled for 2008,
but we will almost certainly send a team in either Winter or Summer of
'09. Read about our work in Russia below.
We will send a team again to St. Petersburg, Russia, which is exciting
as it represents the 9th year that we have been making and deepening
relationships there. Our work there has always centered around
ministering to disabled orphans there, working through MIR.
In 2007, our team of 10 served children from several orphanages by taking small groups on field trips to the Zoological Museum
("Zoopark") in St. Petersburg. When the children could not go on a
field trip, we worked in the orphanages. The team visited orphanages in Pavlosk, Peterhoff,
and in St. Petersburg to share the love of Jesus the children there.
This ministry is entirely relational, connecting with both the children
and the orphanage workers. This year, we hope to work with orphans at a
summer camp, working one-on-one with them for the length of the trip.
 Montenegro (July 2-16). Our newest
international missions effort! We are assisting
Mike Cantrell, who lives in St. Petersburg, Russia, with a
first-of-its-kind Christian youth camp in the country of Montenegro.
The primary focus will be on leading youth, ages 15-21, into learning
about what God says about Christian relationships.
Team Leaders:
Mike and Cindy Sobel
For more information about our International Mission, please call the church office at 548-1680 or contact Dave Himmelsbach (706-769-7686) or email: info@sjumc.org
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