Christmas Review 2014

2014 Christmas Letter

It’s always interesting to look back at the last year and see a snapshot of how you’ve spent your time and energy. And this year is no exception! We’re grateful for good health and the strength God gives us to accomplish all that we do. So, peek into our lives from this past year and see a quick pic of all He has done through us as well as some of the highs and lows we experienced.

January: We started the year with frigid temps and deep snow, which my brother Gary braved to drive all the way from New York to help us remodel the bathroom for our bedroom…what a blessing. We also held our first Renewal of the year with a great group of missionaries coming “off the field” to head into Home Ministry. We love these special days we get to share with them and hear their hearts.

February: We were once again privileged to have sessions in Orientation Camp (the last step for missionaries heading off to their field of service). We also traveled a good bit to continue raising support.

March: This month brought joy as we watched our beautiful daughter, Jessica, join her life with our new son, Zac Hiser. Friends and family came from far and near to share in this fun and blessed day.

April: As many of you will remember, we were scheduled to leave for Africa on April 1, but the day before my sweet oldest sister, Brenda, started losing the battle she had fought so valiantly against lung cancer. We headed to South Carolina and hung out with her precious family at the hospital until she passed from this life to the next on April 5. To say our hearts were broken would be an understatement. She is so greatly missed by all of us. Just two weeks later we found ourselves able to smile again as Marlene’s niece, Amie (Larry’s daughter) was wed in a beautiful ceremony in Tennessee to her beau, Dave. Marlene’s mom also fractured her hip in April and needed surgery to repair it.

May: We traveled to Nevada to be with the husband of one of our retired missionary couples as he, (Les Madsen) was treated in the hospital for injuries sustained in an accident that took his precious wife, Ruth’s life. Their daughter, Priscilla Kunkle (WGM missionary to the Texas/Mexico Border), was also there and we were grateful we could be there in this time of great tragedy to hang out with them and try to be a support.

June: A visit to Dearborn, MI gave us insight into the ministry our missionaries have had there working with Muslims.
July and August: These two months proved to be some of our busiest yet. We spent July 4-12 in Bolivia to attend a Discipling Nations Conference with our missionaries serving in South America. What a great time to reconnect with them and learn as well. We got back to the States just in time to do another Renewal with a large group of our faithful servants. God always shows up at these and we love it. We also once again got to do a bit of training in CMS and Orientation Camp. Then, off we headed to Colorado so Marlene could be trained in our Child Protection Policies and Procedures. (She used the word grueling to describe it.) Then we headed to Nigeria to debrief two of our precious single missionary ladies who were robbed at gunpoint in their apartment as well as experiencing some physical trauma. What a challenge, but blessing, that we were able to respond to this tragedy and walk with them on part of their journey of recovery. When we returned from that trip, we spent several days out West traveling to visit champion supporters as well as visiting with longtime friends. At our friend Jo’s Band B in the Black hills of South Dakota, we celebrated our 29^th anniversary. What a joy to still be so in love after all of these many years.

September: This brought us to our 3^rd Renewal of the year as well as leading more sessions in Orientation Camp and CMS (Champion Building). We also had the blessing of spending nearly a week at Lake MI in our friend’s cabin, far from internet and cell phone service...ahhh.

October: October 10^th found Marlene finally able to take the licensing exam for Indiana counseling licensure and passing! Apparently being licensed in MI for 10 years and passing the National Counseling Exam years ago was not good enough! J Five days later we headed out for our trip to Kenya, Uganda and Spain. We were overwhelmed by the amazing ministries our hard working missionaries are involved with. To read more about this trip, see our link below. This month also marked my mom needing to start dialysis three days a week for continued kidney failure.

November: We came home from our almost 4 week trip overseas on November 9^th and jumped back into our Stateside ministry. The third week of this month found us at The Member Health in Missions Conference in Angola, IN, learning and networking from and with some of the best in this type of ministry. Thanksgiving was spent in Ohio with Ned’s family and all three of our kids and son-in-law! What a fun time of hanging out, eating, laughing and, of course, watching the Buckeyes beat Michigan!

December: So, that brings us to this special time of year! A time for all to hopefully slow down just a bit and soak up the True meaning of why we celebrate! We started this month with The Gathering at headquarters. Missionaries who are home on Homeland Missionary Assignment as well as retired missionaries and office staff enjoyed several days of sharing together in sessions and meals.

Christmas will look a little different for us this year with Jessi heading to Florida to celebrate with Zac’s family and Josh only having Christmas day off. But, we’ll head to Ohio later that day to prepare to celebrate together with family on Saturday, December 27^th to celebrate Ned’s mom’s 90th birthday and Christmas with our kids! Then, on to Florida to see Marlene’s family and speak along the way.

So, as you can see, we are on the go go go, but so very thankful for those of you who travel this journey with us through thoughts, prayers, encouragement, and even financial giving. Thank you seems so inadequate. We pray you have a blessed Christmas filled with laughter and joyful moments, even those of us who will be doing that with memories of loved ones who have left this earth this year. We love you and thank God for you in our lives.

And, as always, we love to hear from you, too!

Blessings, Ned and Marlene
Rev. Ned and Marlene McGrady
World Gospel Mission
Box 948
Marion, IN 46952
765-671-7240

www.wgm.org/mcgrady for more information or to make a secure online donation.

"Oh the Places you'll go..."

Dr. Seuss said it well when he penned, “Oh the places you’ll go…you’re off to great places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, so…get on your way!” And get on our way, we did on October 15^th! When I (Marlene), was a little girl, I would lay on the lawn at our house in Upstate New York and watch planes fly by, wondering in my little country bumpkin mind what that would be like! Well, let me just say, I wonder no more. We were on a total of 10 flights on this trip, some as long as 9 hours long and we counted 12 different beds we slept in. We went Lots of places, Dr. Seuss, and saw lots of mountains and plains and people galore. Journey with us as we share some of our adventures. (We promise not to make you go through airport security, eat airline food or get your temp checked to make sure you’re not sick with Ebola)! By the way, we were in East Africa, which is a very long way from where the outbreak is!

October 15^th we left our home in Indiana and a total of 32 hours later, we landed in the home of Jon and Vera Steury in Nairobi, Kenya. We slept very well that night, then headed out to our medical work at Tenwek to spend several days. Driving across the beautiful Rift Valley, we began to have a glimpse into how amazing Kenya is.

Ned was able to share that evening to doctors and staff at Tenwek an encouraging message. Tenwek’s motto is “We treat, Jesus heals” and it is certainly lived out every day there. One of our highlights was being able to observe 3 of our missionary doc’s performing surgery. It took Ned back to his hospital days and me to working as an OR nurse in Chillicothe, Ohio. Ned also was able to spend some time with the chaplains and we were blessed to enjoy a tour of the nursing school with Barb Pinkley and meet and pray with the leadership team there. A full tour of the hospital, provided by the very knowledgeable Steve Manchester, gave us insight into the history of Tenwek as well as the exciting growth and changes happening every day there.

In the midst of all of that, we were able to share many meals and teatimes with several of our missionaries serving there, as well as a few others who aren’t with our mission but gave us opportunity to hear their hearts also. On one Sunday there, we were able to attend the African Gospel Church by Tenwek hospital and worship with many of our missionaries as well as our African brothers and sisters.

In Nakuru, we were privileged to spend an afternoon presenting a Renewal time with several of our

Kenyan mission leaders (Kenyans who are now missionaries themselves). As I was writing this blog today, I received a Facebook message from the director’s wife, Josephine. She said, “Thank you so much Marlene for sharing your lives with us the time you were in Kenya. We were indeed renewed. I tried (to share it) recently with two of our missionaries and they were happy. They appreciated it so much and said they need more. One of them said "people have been always concern about what we do and not interested with our personal lives but this renewal made me think twice about my relationship with Christ”. I asked Josephine if I could share that and she responded, “Yes u can, I don’t mind you letting others know what God can do through people!” We are so grateful to be used to try to encourage these dedicated people serving in very challenging situations!

We weren’t all work and no play. We did have a down day where we were able to go on a safari in Nakuru! Wow, Lions and giraffes and Zebras and hippos and, well, you get the idea! What an amazing experience! And, no, we weren’t there to hunt! Just observers of some of God’s awesome creatures!

Our last day in Kenya, we attended church at RVA (Rift Valley Academy), a boarding school that many of our MK’s attend. What a joy to eat lunch with the MK’s there and share some treats with them from our Member Health Team.

Then, it was on to Uganda…are you tired yet? (Believe me when I say that jet leg and an 8 hour time difference can mess with one’s sleep patterns)! Once again, we were blessed to hang out with missionaries and their sweet children. We even got to watch some MK’s play soccer at their school, Heritage (Where Lisa Mayo is principal of the high school). We were just so impressed everywhere we went to see the varied ministries our missionaries are involved in. From Josh and Kelly Hallahan evangelizing and discipling students at Kampala University to Kenneth Hopson’s print shop where the first scripture for two tribes in Uganda was printed. We even got to pray with Pastor Kennedy, the National Pastor over the ministry at the University! And, those were only the ministries we were able to see…there are so many more.

Jump on the plane again, we’re changing continents this time, heading to Spain! Thankfully Nathan Vitatoe met us at the airport in Barcelona and helped us to navigate the train system as we traveled to their home. What a great time we had with this family hanging out with their adorable little girls, walking along the Mediterranean, walking to the local bakery and listening to Nathan and McKenzie’s hearts of their ministry to Muslims from Morocco. We finally arrived back home on Sunday November 9^th, grateful to collapse into our own bed.

Two words would sum up our trip in my mind…blessed and impressed…we feel blessed to see our missionaries in the impressive work they are doing on the front lines. Yes, Dr. Seuss, we went to great places and saw many many great people there.

The McGradys in Ministry - Kenya - Uganda - Spain

October 14, 2014

 

 

 

On Wednesday, Oct. 15, we will be flying from Indianapolis to Kenya, where we will be actively involved in ministry along with our co-workers, Frank and Sharon Martin. We will be ministering for 12 days among our nearly 50 missionaries plus children in their places of work, ministries and homes. Tenwek Hospital is a thriving medical center in the nation of Kenya. This full-service hospital is one of the largest mission hospitals in existence. It will be a real joy to meet the nurses and doctors, both missionary and national, and with our medical background (Marlene as a nurse and Ned as a chaplain), this will be an exciting adventure for us. Many of you would know that Ned served as the Manager of Pastoral Care at Allegiance Health System in Jackson, Michigan for over 10 years, before returning full-time to missionary work. A highlight of this trip will be to round with the Tenwek Hospital Chaplains and see their training program. We will be meeting with each of our missionaries, participating in several seminars on Sabbath Rest, Prayer, and Transition to name a few. We have a very important training session on Member Care with the mission leadership of the African Gospel Church as they begin to develop their Member Care for the Kenyan missionaries serving in other parts of the country. We ask an interest in your prayers as we have these important meetings and are fully engaged in pastoral care, counseling, and ministry. We will also have a chance to visit the baby center and several of WGM's mission stations. (We even get to go on a mini-safari.)

 

On Oct. 26 we will fly from Nairobi to Kampala, Uganda where we will be excited to see the work and ministry of our nearly 30 missionaries plus children serving in various WGM ministries as well as the work of Heritage International School. We will have an opportunity to share in ministry, counseling, and pastoral care among our WGM missionaries serving Christ in this nation. We are asking for your prayers for us as we are introduced to this country and the creative ways in which Christ is being proclaimed in this country.

 

On Oct. 31 we will fly to Barcelona, Spain where we will be met by our WGM Missionaries for a visit to this part of the world. This visit is particularly exciting for us because it was hearing Global Partner's Missionaries Ken and Marilyn Blake that challenged our hearts to return to missionary work in October of 2005. We were serving at our home church, Trinity Wesleyan Church in Jackson, Michigan and were in charge of the mission convention that year. The Blakes were our keynote speakers and we were sitting in a Sunday School class as Ken shared about the work in Spain and it was at that point that our hearts were challenged to go back into missions. God never sent us to Spain, until now, but we are excited to make this visit. Our missionaries are involved in immigrant ministries among Muslims in the country of Spain. Pray for us as we seek to serve, encourage, and minister among the people of this nation.

 

On Nov. 9 we return back to the USA. Many of our prayer team and supporters have expressed concern about the dangers of illness and disease as we travel. We believe that it is safe for us to travel and believe that we are doing what God has called us to do. With that said, we also know that we need your prayers very much. We will be in East Africa which is very far away from the main threat of Ebola virus in West Africa. Please pray for this virus to be controlled and people to be spared from the suffering from this terrible virus.

 

Please pray for traveling favor as we have long flights many connections and much travel ahead by air, as well as on the road and by train. We covet your prayers for God's mercy as we travel these many, many miles.

 

Please pray for each of the sessions, seminars, sermons, etc., that we will have God's direction and wisdom as we seek to be Jesus to our missionaries and to the nationals that we come in contact with.

 

Please pray for Marlene's mother, Mary Post. She was diagnosed with Renal Failure just yesterday and must immediately go on dialysis. It is difficult for us to travel this extensively knowing that family in Florida have to undergo this type of treatment. Pray for our family.

 

Praise note - On Friday, October 10, Marlene passed the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination for Indiana. She will now receive her full licensure in the state of Indiana. The almost 4-year battle has been won. We are so thankful for this and say Glory to God!!

 

Praise note - We are very thankful for each one of you. Our ministry depends on your gifts and your prayers. What we do is not possible with out your partnership with us. We like to think of you as our Champions - you help us win for the things that are eternal. We love and appreciate you each one.

 

May the blessings of our Lord be yours today.

 

Sincerely,

Ned and Marlene McGrady

World Gospel Mission

Directors of Member Health, Missionary Pastor, Counselor

Box 948

Marion, IN 46952

 

To support our ministry go to www.wgm.org/McGrady

 

 

 

 

 



God's Faithfulness

We are mindful of God's faithfulness to us, as we have returned home to Indiana from our vast travel schedule over these past three weeks. We are mindful of the faithfulness of God to answer our prayers and provide for our needs. We are mindful of the faithfulness of God to lead us each step of this journey to give us just what we needed when we needed it each step of the way. We are mindful of the faithfulness of God through using each one of you to be a champion of this ministry. We are mindful, we are grateful, we are thankful.

So many of you let us know that you were praying for us and we want you to know that we felt those prayers as we traveled many miles in the air as well as on the roads. Your prayers were felt as we completed the Child Protection Training Conference in Colorado - much was learned to help World Gospel Mission continue to keep our children protected and safe within the mission and around the world. Your prayers were felt as we traveled from Colorado to Kansas to pick up the electronics and medical supplies that needed to be taken to Nigeria. With each computer, ipad, iPhone, and bottle of medicine that went into the suitcase your prayers were felt. On Aug. 1 we flew from Kansas City Airport to Lagos, Nigeria, arriving safely on Aug. 2, knowing your prayers were with us.

Our WGM missionaries, Shelley Chapman and Jennifer Bennett, have felt your prayers, since the July 17 incident when their living area was broken into by 4 Nigerian men who robbed and threatened their lives at gun point. While injuries were sustained, none were life threatening and we were interested to help them deal with the emotional and spiritual healing that was needed from this traumatic event. From the moment we arrived we felt your prayers. Many of you would know, Ned does not usually wear a Clerical Collar, however our missionaries suggested that it may be helpful for us to pass through the customs with less questions being asked. While he is fully ordained and licensed to wear such an outfit, it never was really his style. But with your prayers the custom's agent asked him the question, "Man of God?" and Ned inadvertently answered "si'" in Spanish. So we think that the Priest from Spain (Ned) got clear passage through the customs. We were mindful that all the medical supplies and electronics were allowed in with out question or concern, God's faithfulness in answer to your prayers.

As our time together progressed we were mindful that God granted us both wisdom to be His hands, His feet and His voice to our missionaries and the leadership of the West African Theological Seminary (WATS)  We spent extensive time together in Crisis Incident Stress Debriefing and assisting with emotional and spiritual counseling for all of the leaders there. Truly we felt the hand of God guiding us each and every day as He gave us just what we needed to do each day and helped us to accomplish His purposes. God's faithfulness amazed us. The area of Lagos that we were in reminded us a lot of Haiti. The conditions were very poor and the people there are living in a very needy situation. The WATS Seminary is reaching out to this area. Dr. Shelley Chapman is a professor at the seminary and on the leadership team there. Jennifer Bennett is a Nurse Practitioner and is providing leadership to the clinic.  Both of these missionaries have answered God's call on their lives and feel that He is directing them to continue in their ministries there. Shelley will be continuing her administrative work and teaching with the seminary as Jennifer works closely with the clinic to meet the needs of the seminary students as well as the outreach for medical care to the needy community in which the seminary is located.

You are aware of the Ebola outbreak that has hit in several of the West African Countries. Jennifer requests prayer as she leads the medical team at the clinic to take all of the necessary precautions to further enhance the sanitary conditions to help stave off the spread of the Ebola Virus. You will notice in the picture above that the seminary already has had the students from the most high risk countries not report to the start of classes which was held on Aug. 6. Nigeria is now in the news with many cases of the Ebola being reported. Pray for Jennifer, her medical team and Shelley and the Seminary leaders that God will protect them and give them much wisdom in dealing with these important health issues. WGM continues to monitor the safety and welfare of all of our missionaries and we know that your prayers make a difference as well as your financial giving. Thank you.

We felt your prayers as we arrived back in Kansas City. We were grateful for God's hand of protection over us and around us as we made this long journey. Our ministry continued as we visited with supporters and friends in the States of Nebraska and South Dakota. In South Dakota we were blessed to stay at our friend and champion, Jo's B&B for a couple of days to rest and celebrate our 29th anniversary! Great times of ministry and connection took place as God lead us along this journey. In Lincoln, Nebraska we met a couple while eating breakfast at a hotel that took an interest in our ministry of doing member care for our missionaries. All along the journey God showed us His faithfulness to us in so many ways. We hen traveled on to Denver for our  flight back to Detroit on Aug. 13. We were greeted at the airport by Ethel, one of our champion supporters and great friends. She took us to her home where we got our car to drive back to Marion, IN.

We certainly felt God's faithfulness and we know that He goes through hard places with you; He delights in you: He holds you; He guides you in your steps; He speaks to you and directs you in your path; He doesn't forget you and carves you on the palm of His hand! Isaiah 49:15 -16.

Great Is Thy Faithfulness,

Ned and Marlene McGrady
Directors of Member Health/Pastors to Missionaries
World Gospel Mission
Box 948
Marion, IN 46953
www.wgm.org/McGrady

ned@straightpaths.org

 





Crisis Response to Nigeria

Thank you …….

 For praying for us and supporting us in this ministry. We are grateful to God for your prayers and financial giving that makes it possible for us to do this ministry.

The month of July has taken us to Bolivia for the South American Region Retreat as well as WGM Marion, for Orientation Camp with 9 new missionaries being sent out. Last week we completed our summer ‘Renewal’ at WGM with 20 missionaries (26 kids) returning from the field. These are great days in ministry and we thank you for being a part of our team. We are currently in Colorado for a Child Protection/Safety Network training until Friday, Aug. 1.

Please pray……

On Saturday, Aug. 2 we will be flying to Lagos, Nigeria to respond to two of our single, female missionaries who were accosted, robbed and threatened at gunpoint last week. This emergency trip will enable us to do an official Debriefing per World Gospel Mission’s Crisis Incident Stress Management Protocol and help to ensure the safety and well-being of our missionaries serving there. Among other areas of the world, Nigeria is experiencing safety issues and we are in need of prayer as we work with leaders there. We are thankful that God has spared our missionaries from life threatening injury but we know the emotional and physical trauma has been challenging to Shelley and Jennifer. They need our prayers.

You can read the missionaries thoughts on this crisis event at their BlogSpot http://shelleyachapman.blogspot.com/ 

Please pray for us as we minister in Nigeria next week. We need God’s wisdom as we seek to be His hands, His feet, and His voice. We ask that you pray for safety as we travel. We are taking replacement electronics into the country and praying for smooth passage. We have received our VISA’s for travel and we praise God for answering that prayer. We are trusting the Lord (Prov. 3:5 -6).

We will spend 3 days with our missionaries in a Safe House, and then accompany them to their homes to assist in re-entering and working with leaders to assure their safety. We will be debriefing some of the leaders of the West African Theological Seminary as that community is shocked by this event.

We return to the States on August 8, where we continue another week of home ministry in Nebraska and South Dakota. We fly to Detroit on August 13 to return to WGM in Marion, IN.

We ask an interest in your prayers. We are so thankful that God has led us to WGM and this important work. We trust that you feel your investment in us is accomplishing God’s purposes. We believe it is and we know that it is only because of you, our Champions, that this is possible. Thank you so much!

Ned and Marlene McGrady,

Director Member Health/Missionary Pastors

World Gospel Mission

 Box 948,

Marion, IN 46952  765-664-7331

                                               

 

South American Regional Conference/Retreat

 

South American Regional Conference/Retreat

 

July 2014

 

 

We had the wonderful opportunity to travel to Santa Cruz,Bolivia on the 4th of July, where we gathered with this group of 40 plus missionaries who are serving in Peru, Argentina, Paraguay as well as Bolivia. What a joy it is for us to serve as pastors and counselors to this wonderful group of people. We are so amazed by the quality of servants that God has sent around His world to share His love.

 

We spent quality time being challenged in our faith that God has given us a powerful story to tell to the nations. It is God's story, and it has the ability to transform individual lives, lift communities out of poverty and build nations that are free, compassionate and just. As a group we learned more about telling the  whole breath and depth of the transforming story. We are so grateful that the power of Christ changes lives not only for eternity, but also in the here and now. We celebrate God's story and are a part of sharing His story to the nations.

 

These missionaries, pictured above, combined with about 200 others makes up the World Gospel Mission Family dedicated to changing our world for Christ. We are privileged to serve as Pastors to Missionaries, to encourage, counsel, train and equip these wonderful servants as they go out into all the World. We love our work! We love what God has called us to do and we believe we have the GREATEST job on earth. It is a joy to invest in these people and have a part in their lives and ministry.

 

This week we have been in Orientation Camp with 9 new missionaries readying to be sent out to Kenya, Uganda, Japan, Honduras, Mexico and Bolivia. Next week we will be welcoming home 18 missionaries and their families in a time of Renewal and debriefing,  as they prepare for Home Ministry Assignments in the USA. Our scope of ministry is growing and we are excited about these opportunities.

 

Our job is equally as rewarding when we realize that God has partnered us with you, and together WE are making a difference. Thank you for your faithful giving to our ministry and for your on-going prayers and support for all we do. Your support for us is phenomenal, we want to be there for you too. Please email us at ned@straightpaths.org - we'd love to hear from you and know what we may do to pray for you.

 

Our Schedule coming up:

 

July 18 - Marion, IN - Concludes Orientation Camp for new missionaries

July 23 - 25 Marion, IN - Renewal, debriefing and re-entry for returning missionaries

July 26 - Aug. 1 - Colorado Springs - Child Protection Safety Workshop

Aug 1 - 13 - Home Ministry visits to supporters in KS, NB, SD

 

Thank you so much for all you do for us. We are humbled by your involvement and appreciative of your support of this ministry. 

 

May the Lord Bless You Greatly,

 

Ned and Marlene McGrady

Box 948

Marion, IN 46952

727-459-2966

 

 

 

 

 

 



Looking Ahead

"I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth." Psalm 121:1-2

This verse of scripture has been a source of encouragement in these recent days. Our work with World Gospel Mission has kept us dependent on keeping our eyes focused above. Over the Memorial Day Weekend we were called to Nevada to respond to an accident with one of our retired missionary couples, The Madsen's. They were traveling to visit missionaries and supporters when they were involved in an accident that resulted in a tragic loss of Mary Ruth. We traveled out to be with the family to provide pastoral support and ministry to this family during this time of crisis.

This type of ministry was familiar to us having served 10 plus years as a hospital chaplain before transitioning into pastoral work with missionaries. It was a meaningful time for us and we found it a meaningful time to walk with this family through such a tragedy.

We returned to Marion, IN to the WGM office, while visiting weekends to speak at churches in Michigan, and in Indiana. Our lives are full of travels and ministry and constantly encourage us to look up to the One that gives us our help.

We ask an interest in your prayers as we continue with our schedule.

June 20 - 22 - Jackson, MI visiting our home church Trinity Wesleyan Church
June 22 -23 - Dearborn, MI visiting WGM missionaries at Angel House Ministry to Muslims
June 24 - July 3 - Vacation
July 4 - 12 - Santa Cruz, Bolivia for a conference with all South American Missionaries
July 13 -19 - Orientation Camp for new missionaries preparing to go to the field
July 23 - 25 - Renewal for all missionaries returning from the field
July 26 - August 13 - A conference in Colorado Springs, and visiting supporters in the western states

Many of you have prayed for us as we planned to visit Kenya and Uganda. We are considering visiting this fall. We will keep you informed as those plans are finalized. Thank you so much for your faithfulness to this ministry and standing with us. We have a lot of traveling and ministry opportunities ahead of us. We are committed to looking up to find our help! And we encourage you in that as well.

May God Bless you real big!

Ned and Marlene
Missionaries for World Gospel Mission
Marion, IN 46953

Pastors to Missionaries

So what is that you do at World Gospel Mission?

We are so glad you asked. So many of you pray for us and support us financially in ways that bless us beyond what you can possibly realize. We travel 1,000's of miles on the ground and 10,000's of miles in the air every year to minister to God's people serving around the world. Your partnership in this work is so important.

A typical day for us will almost always include turning on our computers and checking what is going on around the world. There is a Hot Spots email that comes to our inbox every morning that lets us know what is going on in the area of safety and security around the world. Often that email lets us know if there is any potential danger to our missionaries and allows us to have an idea what is going on around the world. This information allows us to insure that WGM is aware of any hot spots and if there is any potential interventions that may be needed. Along with that email the inbox usually fills up with communications from missionaries around the world. Prayer requests, special needs and just words of greeting and encouragement are daily shared via the media of email. When we go to bed in Marion, Indiana, places like Nairobi, Kenya are waking up and email keeps us in touch.

Facebook is a very important means of communication for our Pastors to Missionaries work. Many of our missionaries have facebook pages about their ministries and often contact us via this medium to ask for prayer, counsel and simply a listening ear. We have countless opportunities to write prayers of encouragement and Godly counsel to them as they minister on the frontlines.

Skype is a great avenue in media to speak personally in real time with our missionaries. This Voice over Internet option allows us to support and encourage these servants in ways that just a few years ago would have been impossible to do. Facetime for our missionaries with IPhones allows us yet another manner to speak in real time with our global servants. What an exciting time that we live in that allows us to sit in our office and speak about the work of the Gospel of Jesus Christ that is going on in remote places around the world. And even the telephone which has been around years, gives us a chance to connect with our missionaries.

While these means of communication are very helpful and allow us to accomplish much, we realize that there is no substitute for an actual visit to the mission field. We are privileged to travel to countries and spend quality time with each of our missionaries. We make periodic, regular visits to mission fields every year to provide support and encouragement. We often provide seminars, sermons, as well as pastoral support, counseling and prayer through retreats, visits, meetings etc. Just last year our team of missionary pastors visited Honduras, El Salvador, Papua New Guinea, Japan, Taiwan, Kenya, Uganda, Spain, Hungary, Texas Border, Southwest Indian Ministries in AZ and NM, Inner City missions in Stockton, CA. Muslim ministries in Dearborn, MI.

In between visits we provide times of  refreshment and renewal for our missionaries. In the months of January, July and September we conduct a Renewal retreat at the WGM Headquarters in Marion, IN. for missionaries returning from the field to their Home Ministry Assignment (HMA). during this time we have a time to celebrate their ministries, debrief their experiences and give them some useful tools as they transition to ministry in their churches and amongst their team of champion supporters. Following this Renewal time, we assist with the Champion Building (CMS) which is a week of preparing for HMA. We also assist our new missionaries twice a year in January and July through the Orientation Camp as they prepare to go out for their first term of service to the field.

We have responsibilities during the missionary Candidate Review Weekend that is held three times a year. Here we assist a team from WGM that processes and appoints new missionaries desiring to serve God in cross cultural ministry around the world. At this writing we are in the midst of CRW with 9 potential candidates being assessed for service as missionaries with WGM.

We also provide a concentrated effort to minister to all of our missionary kids (MK's) as they are a part of the work and ministry of their parents ministry. Our team partners with our MK's to provide spiritual and emotional support to our MK's. We have a great group of MK's at WGM.

As we write this blog this month, we are reminded that we have a wonderful ministry, and we often say we have the best job in the whole world. Loving and caring for missionaries! What greater calling and what greater partnership can we have together with you to impact the world for Jesus Christ than this work of investing in the lives of God's choice servants - Our missionaries. 

Thanks for being a part of our team! You truly are our champions in this ministry. Thank you.

SPECIAL PRAYER REQUESTS - PRAISES

1. Pray for God's timing for us to visit Africa. We know that God has a perfect time for us to be there and we ask an interest in your prayers to know His timing.
2. Pray for our visit to Bolivia for a Discipling Nations Conference July 7 - 11 as we will have opportunity to see all of our South American Missionaries in one location.
3. Pray for the month of July as it is packed with Renewal - OC and CMS. We also will be attending a Child Safety Conference in Colorado Springs and making some visits to champions in that area.
4. Pray for our MK's - that they will be healthy and whole in their lives as they serve with their parents in ministry.

1. Praise for God's touch on Marlene's mother who had hip surgery to fix a break. She is currently in rehab in Largo, FL.
2. Praise for your prayers for our family at the recent death of Marlene's sister. God has been faithful to meet the needs of the family and provide great comfort and support through the Body of Christ.
3. Praise for new supporters in this work and ministry. We have heard from a couple of churches that we had not since we left Ecuador in 2010. We are grateful for every champion supporter. We welcome our newest church supporting us, the Edgerton Wesleyan Church, in Woodville, IN. Thanks!

Sincerely,
Ned and Marlene McGrady
World Gospel Mission
Directors of Member Health - Pastors to Missionaries
Box 948
Marion, IN 46952
727.459.2966
 ned@straightpaths.org
arborhillsmm@yahoo.com


  To make a secure on-line gift to our ministry go to

www.wgm.org/McGrady

God's NOT dead!

The Newsboys may be singing it, and the theaters across America are playing it, as cell phones and Facebook accounts are lit up with the message God's NOT dead! How true that message is as we are in this Holy Week preparing for the celebration of our risen Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

Many of you have been following our missionary travels and have joined with us in special prayer as our family lost a loved one recently. Marlene's sister Brenda (Post) Vincent went home to be with the Lord on April 5.

Just a few days prior to this, we celebrated a very happy occasion as our daughter Jessica was married to Zac Hiser on March 22. The wedding was as held at the Mosaic Church in Mansfield, Ohio. Several guests joined our family for this special celebration and quoting Jessica during our father/daughter dance at the reception, "the day was perfect." We were so blessed to have such a wonderful time with so many people sharing with us. It was a very happy day, loaded with blessings abundant. Our sincere thanks to all that made Jessica's and Zac's day so very special.

Following that weekend, we received news that Brenda had been placed in the hospital with complications with her cancer on Wednesday. Marlene's mother was still visiting with us and we made the decision to go visit Brenda at the hospital in South Carolina. We had a good trip and were able to spend some meaningful time with her. Janette, Marlene's other sister, drove up from Florida to take mom back home. It was a real blessing for mom, Marlene and Janette to have this time with Brenda. On Sunday, Brenda had a good day and we felt that we would continue with our plans to go to Africa, so we returned to Indiana to prepare for our trip.

On Monday, March 31, we received word that Brenda was not doing well and we knew we had to return to South Carolina to be with family so we canceled our travels. Brenda held on for a few more days giving the family time to care for her in those final days. God helped us in very special ways as we had the honor of walking this journey with Brenda and her precious family. We thank you for praying for us. Hundreds of emails and Facebook messages poured in from our friends and supporters around the world. We felt God holding us up and His presence was with us. We thank God for the gift of pastoring our own family.

Isaiah 55: 6 - 9 states, " Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon .'For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,' says the Lord. 'For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.'"

I started this blog post with the title, "God's NOT dead" and that is so true. In the midst of New Beginnings such as a newly weds starting out on life's journey together, to the home going of a saint, we rejoice in knowing that we do serve a living God. This Friday all of Christendom will remember the suffering Christ as He was nailed to the cross and shed His own blood for our sins. We will have opportunity to realize once again that it was you and me that should die for sin, but Jesus took that on Himself and died in our place and was put in the tomb. It appeared once and for all that Satan had won and God was dead. But it was only Friday, and Sunday is coming! The Resurrection of Jesus Christ the only begotten Son of God, conquers death and the grave and bursts forth alive and well. Today we have that hope, that we to through Christ may have eternal life. And that is a message we all can proclaim this Easter!

So tell the world the Good News! God's NOT Dead!

Many of you are praying for us -

Pray that we will know the right timing to make our visit to Kenya and Uganda

Pray for Marlene's family as they grieve the loss of 3 family members in the past year

Pray for Jessica and Zac as they start their journey together as husband and wife

Pray for our son Joshua as he is in need of a job and was laid off from his work

Pray for our son Jordan as he completes this year of college and seeks summer employment

Pray for our up coming candidate review weekend as potential missionaries will be screened and evaluated for service around the world

Pray for our trip to Bolivia the end of June/first of July

Pray for Renewal for our missionaries in July as well as Orientation Camp and Home Ministry Training.

We would love to hear from you as well and partner with you in prayer for any special needs you may have. Please contact us at ned@straightpaths.org We thank you for your partnership with us in ministry. Because of your giving and because of your prayers we have this ministry together.

May the Lord Bless you and Keep you.

Ned and Marlene McGrady
World Gospel Mission
Box 948
Marion, IN 46952
765-671-7240

To make a secure online gift to our ministry go to www.wgm.org/McGrady

Forward March!

Forward March! God is at work in spreading His Word around the World through World Gospel Mission. We continue to have many opportunities to share in the lives of our missionaries in encouraging and beneficial ways. The end of February we had an Orientation Camp where we taught classes to help prepare missionaries for service with WGM. Pictured in this group are missionary families that will be going to three different continents for ministry in reaching the world for Christ. We are very excited to send two of our missionaries to open our newest field in Nigeria, where WGM is partnering with WATTS Theological Training School. There are others headed to Honduras, Kenya and a undisclosed location to help bring the Good News to all the world.
We love our missionaries and the chance we have to help prepare them for effective service during this week of intense training. 

Forward March! made several pastoral visits to missionaries currently back in the USA. We traveled nearly 2,000 miles during the past week in ministry as we visited and prayed with 6 of our missionary family's. When we  returned to Marion at the WGM Headquarters we had a special commissioning service for two family's that are going out as career missionaries to Uganda and Honduras.

Forward March ! On the 22nd we will be celebrating the wedding of our daughter Jessica to Zachary Hiser in Mansfield, Ohio. They met at Indiana Wesleyan University during their senior year and have grown in their relationship and love. We are so very excited about this event and very happy for them. Ned will walk Jessica down the isle while Zac's uncle who is a pastor with the Joni and Friends Ministry helps officiate. After he gives her away, he will join Pastor Brian in co-officiating the wedding. We are so happy for Jessi and Zac and we pray that God will bless their day abundantly and each day forward in their lives.

Forward March ! April 1 - 15 we will be making field visits to our WGM missionaries in Kenya and Uganda. We will be speaking 3 times during the Kenya missionary retreat as we seek to encourage and be a blessing. We will then fly to Kampala, Uganda and visit missionaries serving in various ministries

Forward March! Special Prayer Requests  -

1. Pray for this group on missionaries headed out to serve. Pray that their remaining funds can be raised and that they will have all they need as they prepare to go and serve.
2. Pray for Jessica and Zac (and mom and dad) as we celebrate this exciting day for our family. Pray that they will be blessed beyond measure as they begin their lives together.
3. Pray for us as we travel to Kenya and Uganda. This will be our first visit to these nations and to Africa. Pray that we will have many opportunities to be Christ's hands and feet to those with whom we minister.
4. Pray for safety in all our travels and wisdom to be God's voice of help and encouragement.

We thank you so much for your faithfulness to us. We know that because of your prayers and your faithful support financially that we are able to March Forward! With the love and hope that only Christ can bring.

Thank you and God Bless you greatly,

Ned and Marlene McGrady
World Gospel Mission
Missionary Pastors - Directors of Member Health
Box 948
Marion, IN 46953
727.459.2966

To make a secure, on line donation to our ministry visit

www.wgm.org/McGrady

World Winds

Sometimes it feels like the Winds of this World are tossing us to and fro but I am so thankful that during those times we can set the sail just so that the winds are harnessed to move us in the direction that God is leading.

We have sensed the World Winds of God blowing in fresh and new ways as we have been serving as missionaries with World Gospel Mission. We have had some time to focus on planning and preparation for the ministry that God has for us in this new year 2014 and we are excited to serve Him wherever He may lead us and to whomever He may put in our path. Missionary work is intense at times, but so rewarding and as a pastor friend doing this same type of work often has said, "We have the best job in the whole world!" I truly believe that God has honored us and led us to WGM to serve His choice servants in these challenging times. God is at work and He is Breathing His message to the World with increasing intensity.

As we have shared in various mission services in churches in many states, we are reminded 0f the scripture in Acts 2:17 -18, "In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Sprit in those days." Recently I read the Wycliffe Bible Translator's Annual Report and was encouraged to learn that more people have more access to Scripture today than in any previous time in history! Wow! Of the 6 billion plus people on the earth, an estimated 209 million people are waiting for  the Gospel in their language. Probably the most striking statistic that the President of WBT's gave in the report was that, "it is estimated by the year 2025, it is possible for the Gospel to be available to every tribe and every tongue and every nation." That is an intensity that we all can be excited about.

God is at work and He is Breathing His message to the World where people are most open to receive it. Just as the Great Commission in Matthew 28: 18 -19 reminds us, God is in the business of changing lives for eternity and in that transformation, new life and hope and peace changes lives in the here and now. We have witnessed this first hand as we have travel to various WGM mission fields and have seen how food, water, education, health care, and so much more is being done in Jesus Name - and lives are being improved and helped in marvelous ways.

God is at work and He is Breathing His message to the World with maximum harvest in mind. The Great Commission is too big for anyone to accomplish alone and too important not to try to do together. We need each other in reaching the maximum harvest. The Gospel is being shared through missionaries that have been willing to GO! We have the unique opportunity to pray, counsel, support and minister to missionaries serving around the world. Will you PRAY with us! As we give of ourselves to them in ministry, we are mindful that as you GIVE - lives are touched through our ministry. Thank you for being willing to partner with us in this cause. We have a wonderful ministry as we partner together.

We ask an interest in your prayers. In the coming weeks have some amazing opportunities ahead in our lives and we thank you for your support. Pray for us as we teach, travel, minister, preach, counsel and enjoy the wedding of our daughter Jessica to Zac Hiser.

Here is a prayer calendar you can follow for us in the days ahead.

Feb. 16 - 21 Orientation Camp for 15 new missionaries to be sent out to minister on 3 continents
Mar. 2 - Wedding Shower at Trinity Wesleyan Church , Jackson MI for Jessica and Zac
Mar. 3 - Preaching at Trinity Wesleyan Church, Jackson, MI
Mar. 6 - 9 Traveling to Ohio and Pennsylvania for pastoral visits to missionaries
Mar. 19 - 23 Mansfield, OH for the Wedding of our daughter March 22.
Apr. 1 -15 Ministry and travel to Kenya and Uganda, Africa for ministry to two of our larger fields.

In the months ahead we are making plans to visit Bolivia and Spain to continue our ministry outreach. Thank you in advance for praying for us. And as always please contact us if you have specific prayer requests that we can pray for you about. We appreciate you and your support so much. May God Bless you, real GOOD!

Love and Prayer,
Ned and Marlene McGrady
Missionaries with World Gospel Mission
Box 948
Marion, IN 46953
765-671-7240
ned@straightpaths.org.

To support us financially or learn more about the ministry visit www.wgm.org/mcgrady

Happy New Year 2014

Greetings to you all and best wishes for a Happy New Year. Marlene and I are busy in the midst of Renewal at World Gospel Mission. Renewal is the time when our missionaries coming home for their home ministry assignment receive a chance to be ministered to and encouraged. This week we have missionaries from Honduras and the Native American Indiana field  that we have had the opportuity to minister to. Next week we will teach a couple seminars to a larger group of missionaries that are at the headquarters in Marion, IN. We thoroughly enjoy these opportunities to pour into the lives of our missionaries.

Some of you may recall we were scheduled to be in Africa the end of the year and perhaps some of you were even praying for us. While we didn't travel to Africa we did travel about 15,000 miles visiting churches and supporters the last part of the year. We are looking forward to making that visit to Uganda and Kenya in the month of April as the Lord continues to lead the way for us.

 

As you pray for us this month, pray for our seminars as we present. We want to have God's heart and mind and be His voice to our missionaries. We also have an opportunity to speak at a couple of churches in Michigan as well during February. In the month of March we are excited for our daughthers marriage to Zac Hiser. Please pray for them as they prepare to start their lives together.

We will let you know next month more details about our Africa trip as they continue to come together.

As always, we are hear for you as well. Don't forget to let us know how we can pray for you! You are on our hearts and we thank God for each one of you. Your prayers and support mean so much to us.

May the Lord Bless you and keep you.

Ned and Marlene McGrady
Directors of Member Health
World Gospel Mission
Box 948
Marion, IN 46952
765.664.7331