When we met in San Antonio in 2001, a new activity was introduced to the auxiliary, "Sharing Time." Based on the very positive feedback from the respondents using our evaluation forms, the leadership team decided to make this activity a regular part of the agenda.

The purpose of "Sharing Time" is to provide a platform for members to exchange ideas on a variety of subject matters. The topics of discussion are selected, based on your requests on the evaluation forms.

This year, we were blessed to have two facilitators for each of the break-out groups, listed in the reports section below. I believe, when your read this report, you will agree that we have again received some valuable information. We thank God for the contributions of the facilitators and all who participated in the Sharing Time activity.

Despite having only twenty minutes to share, the groups developed some of their ideas with enough detail to help interested readers implement them in their organizations. Please let us know if you find any of them helpful

THE GROUP REPORTS:

Group 1
Facilitators: Jean Williams and Clover Jones
Area of Discussion: Evangelism

Idea 1: Greeting Card Ministry

Hand greeting cards to individuals in a variety of settings, such as on the street corner, in the market place and other places the Spirit leads you to share Christ. Prepare cards for various occasions, such as Christmas, Thanksgiving, Halloween (Yes, Halloween, but do not use traditional Halloween messages, but rather a message of concern about the person), and other occasions. On the back of the card, print a simple plan of salvation and a warm invitation to visit your church.

Purpose: To share the love of Jesus in a caring and uplifting way.

Target Group: Unsaved and/or unchurched people

Idea 2: Project Dine

If you have somebody you visit in a nursing home, arrange to take that person and a friend of theirs from the nursing home to lunch. During the luncheon conversation, talk to them about the love of Jesus, and if they are unsaved, share the plan of salvation with them.

Purpose: To demonstrate concern for the whole person, thereby opening the door to introduce them to Jesus.

Target Group: People who are confined and may not be able to attend church on a regular basis, but still need to hear about Jesus in a personal way.

All of the witnesses use a three-way telephone. The first person connects to two others, then each additional person connects to another. After all of the witnesses are connected, the designated person then connects to the person they are to minister to.

Purpose: To reach out to the unsaved and/or to minister to members or others in need of such contact.

This is another holistic ministry, in which we can meet physical, spiritual and emotional needs. Many recipients of meals-on-wheels programs do not know Christ, or have been isolated from the saints by circumstances.

Purpose: To win souls and restore and strengthen those in need, targeting the shut-in.

The entire church can get involved in this project, especially the young adults.

Use your ministry to target battered women and children, homeless, even new converts who may not fully understand Christianity.

Idea 1: Mentoring children one-on-one

Purpose: To help our children grow spiritually, physically and mentally.

Target Group: Youth and young people.

This ministry has been sponsored by Mission II, Brotherhood and the Sisterhood for eighteen years, on a weekly basis. We have observed spiritual growth, attitude changes, and more open communication.

Provide support for breast cancer survivors and training for caregivers. If you have medical professionals in your organization, their assistance will be invaluable to this ministry.

Purpose: To provide support to help survivors, patients, and/or family to be encouraged and to "keep hope alive."

Target Group: Anyone impacted by breast cancer and/or Alzheimer

The Mission II Auxiliary has been engaged in this ministry for nine years, on a monthly basis. God has used this ministry to help families cope with their problems thorough education and faith. Also, our church members have benefited from the education.

Each member is encouraged to make themselves available to listen to, pray with, and provide support as directed by the Holy Spirit.

Purpose: To help heal damaged emotions

Target Group: Anyone in need of the ministry

Mission II, the Brotherhood and Sisterhood have been involved in this ministry for thirty years, on a bi-weekly and monthly basis, and more often depending on needs. Results have varied. Some of the benefits include increased joy and better communication and relations.

We prepare food and collect clothes and take them to different parts of downtown and inner city areas, ministering the Word as we go, through tracks and the spoken word.

Purpose: To help meet some of the most basic needs of people, food, clothing, and Jesus.

Target Group: All in need

For the past twenty-two years, each month the Mission II and the Brotherhood have been blessed by this ministry. We are now involving our youth and young people in this project. Some of the recipients have called the church for more assistance, and others have come to church services.

Idea 1: Prayers for Missionaries

Local or District Mission II Ministry would come together to pray for Groups of Missionaries traveling to foreign countries

Purpose: Prayer of Protection

Target Group: Any group interested in traveling to work in Foreign Mission

This "Prayer of Protection" Ministry would be on-going, and would be sponsored jointly by Local and District Mission II Auxiliaries once a month. This result of this ministry would be that the missionary groups would be covered in prayer. This is needful for their protection and effectiveness.

Each member of the local Mission II gives a small amount ($1.00) once a month, and the annual contributions are sent to appropriate agency to feed the children.

Purpose: To support "Feed the Children" Missions

Target Group: Children

The local Mission II Ministry has been sponsoring this project for ten years, making small donations on a monthly basis, and are grateful that God is using them to support the work of the "Feed the Children" Mission.

Purpose: Bible reading, Sunday school and study material to enhance spiritual growth

Target Group: Families

Mission II and the local church have sponsored this ministry for one year, collecting monthly and disbursing annually, because of the plea from the Foreign Mission coordinators on the state level. Our efforts, added to that of others, have resulted in an over abundance of Biblical material for Foreign Mission.

Purpose: To share out of our abundance to help provide for basic clothing needs in other countries

Target Group: Families (men, women and children)

Local churches and local Mission II Ministries have provided leadership for this ministry for one-to-two years. Items are gathered on an on-going bases and sent once a year, resulting in much-needed clothing and shoes being made available to families.

Idea 1: Prepare a light dinner to be served at the meetings. Announcement placed in bulletin.

Purpose: To accommodate people whose work hours prevent them from eating before coming to the meeting, and anyone else who is hungry.

Target: Inactive members

This activity was only begun four weeks ago, and we have not had a chance to evaluate it adequately. A few new people have come one time. The activity is sponsored by the Mission II Auxiliary.

Personal invitations are prepared, requesting attendance at meetings, which are usually hand delivered

Purpose: To increase awareness of the meetings, and to let them know they are needed.

For about four years, the Mission II Auxiliary has delivered invitations on a weekly basis to some inactive women. The result has been inconsistent attendance for the most part, but they do get the Word when they attend. We are blessed that one person has joined and is working with us on a full-time bases. It is extremely difficult to get the young women to be consistent.

Conduct classes where the Bible lesson targets the needs of the people, as revealed by the Holy Spirit and through personal knowledge, instead of using the general lesson from the Mission II guide.

Purpose: To meet Spiritual needs and challenge people to study the Bible

NOTE: This idea has not gotten off the ground yet.

May God bless all who read this report, and may the ideas that were shared by the groups benefit you in your Kingdom Building efforts.

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!