PLEASE REFER TO OUR "HOME" PAGE REGARDING INFORMATION ON OUR INVOLVEMENT IN HAITI!

Through the years, Providence has been involved in International Missions.  Our first pastor, Rev. Gordon Weekley, traveled to many countries with the Billy Graham Crusade teams.  In more recent years, members of the church have been involved in mission work in Africa, Europe, South America, Central America, and Canada.  We have sponsored medical mission trips to Honduras and Chile in recent years.  In December 2007, we sponsored a medical missions trip to Ghana.

In July 2009 our  Youth Mission Trip was to Kingston, Jamaica.  We usually think of Jamaica as a vacation paradise.  It is also a country very much mired in poverty.  Our youth and adults worked with inner city ministries in a myriad of projects to provide a better life and hope for those who find themselves in need of the basic necessities of life.

Not everyone can personally participate in international missions.  Through  contributions to global missions through Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, the International Mission Board of the SBC, Wycliffe Bible Translators, Project Ruth in Romania and others, we support missions in many places throughout the world.

Pictured to the left are David and Naomi Coward, missionaries with the Wycliffe Bible Translators, an organization known worldwide for translating scripture in the languages of unreached people groups.  David is the son of Rod and Eva Coward.  David and Naomi were commissioned by Providence prior to their assignment with the Wycliffe organization.  During most of 2009, they have been in the states on furlough.  They have shared their experiences with many groups in our church and on July 20, they shared their ministry with the entire congregation during the morning worship services.

Pictured to the right are Jeremy and Crystal Nelson who have been appointed as missionaries to Peru by the International Missions Board.  Their first stop was Costa Rica in order to attend language school for 12-15 months.  Following language school, they relocated to the northwestern area of Peru for their permanent assignment.  On a recent Wednesday evening, they were re-introduced to our congregation, given a gift by the WMU, and a special prayer was offered for them and their ministry.   Crystal is the daughter of Anne and Sam Allen, members of Providence.  Jeremy's parents are currently serving as missionaries to Chile.

Melinda Staples:  Since 2008, Melinda has been working with New Directions International (NDI).  Prior to that time, she served the Assemblies of God World Missions in Africa and India.  At NDI, she serves as the Director of Projects overseeing the different needs throughout the world and initiating responses to these needs.  Located in Burlington, North Carolina,  New Directions International is a non-profit missions organization that has be in existence for 40 years.  NDI is an evangelical missions organization that connects followers of Christ with strategic leaders overseas to help fulfill the Great Commission.  Currently, NDI is working in 21 countries throughout the world.

Melinda may be contacted at the following addresses:
*  3930 Braxton Drive, Charlotte, NC  28226
                 *  2728 Kirkwood Drive Apt. D, Burlington, NC  27215
 
Please visit www.newdirections.org and www.feedthehunger.org.

DENNIS and JANET KIRKLEY have Providence roots.  His parents were faithful members of our community for many years.  Currently Dennis and Janet are serving in Indonesia.  Both are teaching at the Universitas Pelita Harapan (University of Light and Hope) in Jakarta.  Dennis teaching English in the Teacher's College of UPH and biblical studies (both Old Testament and New Testament) to students in other department of UPH. Janet directs three students choirs and teaches music through five children's choirs in the community at large.   They write "Thanks for continuing to pray for our ministry here among very loving and committed students, who desire to serve God and Indonesia!"

MISSIONS IN ROMANIA

Recently, two Providence members were in Romania ministering in the country.  Dr. David Jordan and Dr. Tandy McConnell made the trip to teach in the school for Romania pastors.  In addition, they visited and ministered through the Ruth School for Children which Providence has supported financially for several years.

Recently  Rev. Andy Brockbank, Coordinator of the Romanian Project was the guest preacher in our  Morning Worship Service.  Rev. Brockbank is from England, and he has been ministering in Romania for the past seven years.  He shared many stories of the ministry to Romany children through The Ruth School.  Providence has financially supported this mission project and at the close of the service, an affirmation was given to Rev. Brockbank indicating a gift of $7,500 from the Missions Committee and Endowment Committee. 

SPECIAL SITUATIONS:  In addition to these international missions in which Providence members are associated, we have missionaries who are serving in countries where their identities should not be revealed.  The political and social conditions in the areas they are serving are not friendly to other religions including Christianity.  Therefore, we cannot publish their names and/or locations.  However, everyone can pray for these who serve God under these special circumstances.