Forrest Cates, Minister of Programming at Marietta First UMC, leads a team in their first trip to Venezuela. This picture reveals why they fell in love with the people of Venezuela. (More pictures to follow.) 
They are now working to develop a 3-year partnership with one of the United Methodist congregations in Venezuela. Missionary Jon Herrin is working with them to select the proper congregation to benefit from their commitment to Venezuela.
Rev. Ken Cross, Associate Minister to Young Adults, taught a couple of classes in Wesleyan History and Theology to classes at the Assembly of God Bible Institute which included some of the students enrolled in the Wesley Seminary of Venezuela. He wants to return to teach a class in the Seminary in the near future.
Marietta First's desire to build a long-term partnership is indicative of the way Foreign Missions is developing in the more progressive US churches. Short-term mission trips within the context of long-term partnerships creates the greatest benefit to both the "sending" and the "receiving" churches.
One of the most beneficial aspects of the trip was the relationship built with pastors and youth working with the children of some of the churches and missions of the United Methodist Church of Venezuela. One mission with children is led by a girl of just 12 years of age. Others have teenagers who have created the mission work with children of neighboring communities. These young people reflect the dynamic youthfulness of the Venezuelan evangelical church.
Any church desiring to build a rewarding and transformational mission program is invited to contact Venezuela Now, Inc. at wlathem@aslangroup.com to learn more about the great potential for your church in working with the churches of Venezuela. Pray for the great people of Venezuela, especially as they face a Presidential Election on December 3, 2006. Pray for God's will to be done in Venezuela for the sake of the lost of that great country.
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