December 2023 – Headquarter Happenings

by John O’Malley

Recently, an interviewer asked me:
“What was one of the biggest changes for you as you transitioned from the mission field to directing or helping missionaries and churches in the area of missions?”

My answer:
Missions-work, Gospel-work, and people-work are not about the worker. It is about the One for Whom we work.

Changes are His decision. His changes for me meant He chose to make me better for Him, His work, His glory, and the good of the Gospel.

Phil 1:13-17 teaches two things about changes, challenges, and obstacles: hardships set our determination to the furtherance of the Gospel, and hardships establish our positioning for the defense of the Gospel.

In leadership, whether Pastor, Church Planter, or Missionary Helper, if I know God picked my context, He believes I am capable of the task. How I feel has nothing to do with my responsibility.

The big change? Practically speaking, it was nil.

Yes, geography changed. Yes, accents and culture changed. Responsibility changed. But the work of the Gospel means I am where the Lord of the Harvest placed me. If I spend all my time worrying about how change affects me and not what He is doing in me, then the change becomes my focus.

I don’t want that.

I want to be poised or set for the furtherance of the Gospel and the defense of the Gospel. I am not more significant than the Gospel. I don’t want my hardships to be my testimony. I don’t wish the way people treated me to be my testimony.

My daily questions should be, will I further the Gospel today? Did anything I faced yesterday change me in my defense of the Gospel?
Gospel work is about Him, not about me.

If we fixate on the personal impact of a context or condition, our stories supplant the Gospel. Our message is the Gospel. No matter where He puts us or what He asks us to do. Our story is what He has for all of humanity.

Big changes? My hope is I am changed more into His image and less into my image.

What is your response to change, challenges, and obstacles?
Do they strengthen your resolve?
Do you permit them to advance or further the Gospel?
Do you allow them to solidify your defense of the Gospel?
May God give us biblical responses to changes, challenges, and obstacles.

Yours for the harvest,

John O’Malley

If this article has been an encouragement to you, you can email Bro. O’Malley to let him know.

Dates to Know

January 1 – November Financial Reports will be due for US Missionaries. This includes FNPO Reports for those with Foreign Non-Profit Organizations.

January 1 – December Financial Reports will be due for Non-Resident Missionaries. This includes FNPO Reports for those with Foreign Non-Profit Organizations.

January 10 – All Missionaries will receive their statements of December Support Received.

January 12 – All Missionaries (except those on an R-1 Visa) will receive their final December support on this day, regardless of the day they normally receive support.

January 15 – Missionaries on an R-1 Visa will receive their deposit(s) as usual.

January 15 – December Financial Reports will be due for US Missionaries, along with any remaining receipts or financial paperwork for 2023. This includes FNPO Reports for those with Foreign Non-Profit Organizations.

January 29 – Those who normally receive funds on the 29th will receive their deposit(s) as usual.

February 1 – 1099 Forms and other tax documentation for the 2023 tax year will be available on SecureCloud.

February 5 – those who normally receive funds on the 5th will receive their deposit(s) as usual.

April 8-12, 2024 – Family Fellowship Week at Caraway Conference Center in Sophia, NC.

SecureCloud Packets

At the end of each month, we scan any mail that has come to the Office and place it in your SecureCloud folder. This would include check stubs for all bills paid by the office, as well as any cards or correspondence from donors. Please be sure to check SecureCloud periodically, especially once you receive the notice that December packets have been uploaded, as many missionaries have received Christmas cards and letters which are available to you there.

New Excel Template for US Missionaries

A new Excel template for the year 2024 will be available on February 15. This will give us time to review the need for any possible updates. January financial reports for US Missionaries will be due on March 1. Should you wish to complete your January report before the new template is available, you are welcome to submit it on the 2023 template. However, starting with the February report please be sure to use the new template.

New Mileage Rate

Beginning on January 1st, the IRS mileage rate has increased to $0.670 per mile for business/ministry miles. This change will be reflected in the new Excel template for 2024 which will be available on February 15.

Family Fellowship Week

Family Week is fast approaching! We are excited about the new location and hope you are planning to attend. The week will begin with dinner on Monday evening, April 8, and will end with the Thursday night service. There will be free time in the afternoons so you and your family can enjoy the facilities or take in local attractions. Attendees are asked to stay for the entire week. Check-out will be Friday morning after breakfast.

If you have not yet contacted us to reserve your spot please do so ASAP by clicking here. Your final plans regarding attendance for you and any guests need to be communicated to our office by February 1, 2024. Changes made after this date will affect our contract billing with the retreat center. Click here to see more information and details about the week. We look forward to seeing you there!

New Baby

Dastan Eliel Ortiz was born on December 5 to Rolando and Hannah Ortiz, who minister in Mexico. He joins older siblings Amelia (9), Viana (8), Amadeo (5), Selicia (3), and Tirza (1). Dastan is also the grandson of Fred Jr. and Beth Daniel.

December Graduates

Morgan Dickens graduated with a degree in Theology from the institute in Brazil. Morgan was recently appointed as an associate missionary with World Wide, and has already begun an internship with a missionary in Brazil. Morgan is the son of our missionaries, Joel and Cynthia Dickens.

Bryce Gilliam graduated from High School. He has enrolled in the university in Australia, where he will study dentistry. Bryce is the son of our missionaries, Kelly and Becca Gilliam.