an missionaries: endangeredspecies


An artist was commissioned to paint a picture representing a dying church. Those


who engaged him expected a fi nished product showing perhaps a decrepit structure, needing paint, in an overgrown yard, with broken windows, loose shutters, and other signs of neglect. Instead, the painting revealed a stately sanctuary with stained glass windows, rich wood paneling, deep carpet, and comfortable pews. At the back, a box was positioned to receive fi nancial gifts, and over it hung a sign


A church may appear from all outward signs to be prospering, but if the Great Commission is ignored or neglected, that church is moving inexorably toward certain death.


with the words, “For Missions.” Over the opening where money would be placed, there were cobwebs. A profound truth underlies the artist’s work. A church may appear from all outward


signs to be prospering, but if the Great Commission is ignored or neglected, that church is moving inexorably toward certain death. Last month, 21 of our missionary families were in defi cit in their budgets. Those


whose budgets reach too far below their needs eventually are forced to leave the fi eld. Missionaries are an endangered species! The diffi culties some donors face because of lost jobs explain, in part, why missionary gifts are below normal. However, we are still faced with the grim reality that we have been unable to convince hundreds of thousands of church members of their need for Great Commission obedience. Wonderful opportunities for ministry through the partial support of a missionary offer rich returns in terms of spiritual results. Blessings


accrue to those who give to a missionary (Ephesians 4:14-19). Thank you for considering a gift to a missionary. To identify one you would like to


help, visit www.cogwm.org, and click on Missions>Missionaries>Urgent Needs. Priority is given to missionaries marked “Career” and to those on the “Urgent Needs” drop-down menu. If you prefer, call 1-800-345-7492.


WORLD MISSIONS ADMINISTRATION Douglas LeRoy, Director Víctor Pagán, Assistant Director Dee Raff , Offi ce Manager Bill George, Coordinator, Education/Publications H. Grady Murphy, Coordinator, Missions Communications Richard Baker, Coordinator, Children’s Ministries Kenneth Blanton, Supervisor of Accounting


Summer 2010 Volume 48, Number 4


EDITOR Bill George GRAPHIC DESIGN Brandon Spell MEDIA TEAM Janet Polen Price, Team Leader, Veryll Doorasamy-Bowe, Carmen Faust Davis, Justin Rose, Brandon Spell


2 save our world


FIELD DIRECTORS Africa: Southern – Anton S. van Deventer Africa: West, Central and Eastern – Peter Thomas Asia/Pacifi c – Ken Anderson Caribbean – Fedlyn A. Beason Latin America – David Ramirez Europe/CIS/Middle East – Larry Hess


Save Our World (USPS 508-900) (ISSN 2796716) is edited and published quarterly by Church of God World Missions, 2490 Keith St, NW, Cleveland TN 37311 • The publication was begun in 1962 to promote world missions among the constituency of the Church of God • Save Our World is provided free to churches and individuals upon request. Present circulation is 65,000. • Address all inquiries to: Offi ce of the Editor, Church of God World Missions, PO Box 8016, Cleveland, TN 37320-8016 • 1-800-345-7492 • www.cogwm.org • Periodical postage paid at Cleveland TN and at additional mailing offi ces. ©2010 Church of God World Missions • All rights reserved • Postmaster: Send change of address to Save Our World, Church of God World Missions, PO Box 8016, Cleveland, TN 37320-8016.


ed from the editor BILL GEORGE Editor


Member EPA – Evangelical Press Association Member IPPA – International Pentecostal Press Association


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