Mission and Missionaries
God has called His church into the whole world to bring the whole Gospel of His salvation through Jesus Christ. Just because ours is a small church in the eyes of men is no excuse for us to shirk His invitation to follow Him. We intend to take the Gospel seriously.
Because our world is a lot smaller today, churches are capable of touching the nations with the love of God. Our adults, children, and teens all have a part in our church's response. In recent years, we have ministered in Japan, Australia, Solomon Islands, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lithuania, Brazil, Honduras, and Mongolia. Our church is committed to investing at least a tithe of our annual budget in supporting our faith missionaries, our denomination's international ministries, as well as our more local outreach efforts.
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BOB GALASKA (July 20, 1938 - July 5, 2008)
Bob Galaska was an important part of our church fellowship. Retired and with his captain's license, Bob signed on for his second six-month tour in 2004 with Mercy Ships, at one time part of Youth With A Mission. When serving on board a ship, Bob worked as a deckhand and did prison ministry in his spare time. Bob was a worshiper, a man of prayer, and a servant of God who lived his life simply, but who had a powerful impact on our church's vision for global mission.Below are some emails from Bob describing his experiences in Honduras in 2004.
October 2, 2004
Hi Ed,
Well, I have settled in and am finding the Holy Spirit that I had known when I was with Mercy Ships before is still alive and well. Praise the Lord!
I was watching some of the young naval men from the base fishing off the dock where we are tied up. Of course, you know how I love to fish! I went down to the dock with a cup of corn from the evening meal and went to one of the Spanish guys. With my best Spanish/English, I explained to him that I would use the corn to chum the water to attract the fish. WELL! The Lord humbled me at this point. He pointed to the cup of corn and said 'my table'. He was asking if he could have it to take to his dinner table to eat. That is when the Lord humbled me and made me realize I was in a third world country.
I gave him the cup of corn. We do not realize how blessed we are in America. Please share with the church if you find it okay.
Deckhand Robert
November 6, 2004
Hi Ed,
The Lord has been opening doors for me to do ministry work. I have been going into the Trigillo prison.
The first time to help show the 'Passion' to the prisoners. Got to know a couple of guys that speak English, so I have a connection.
Tell Joy that prisons here are not like the U.S.A. prisons. They have visitation Tues, Thurs, Sat, Sun and people, mostly family and friends, bring in food and other necessities. There is an open room about twice the size of Pocasset Baptist Church meeting room and kitchen combined, with a stage up front, a door to the dorms/living quarters on one side and
the other two sides have food vendors and outside courtyards. So when I was in there I was mixed in with the inmates–both men and women, usually around 75. They have separate quarters at lock down (5:30).
Went there today and taught English. Imagine me teaching with my Boston accent! Met the jailhouse pastor again today. He is an actual inmate who has a passion for the Lord. He doesn't speak English,so I said to him today, 'God bless you.' (Dios le bendiga) in Spanish and we bonded. He asked if we could get him some study books in Spanish. When I got back to the ship, I asked the chaplain if he had any study books. He didn't, but he gave me 'The Purpose Driven Life' written in Spanish (hardcover). Am going to the prison Monday for Bible study so I will give it to the jailhouse pastor.
The Lord provides if we are willing! Still trying to work in a trip to the orphanage. Met 6 young people, graduates of Notre Dame, who are working at the orphanage and they invited me over. A group from the ship usually goes and does work there, but I haven't been able to fit it into my work schedule yet. Keep me in prayer and say hello to everyone.
Deckhand Robert
January 2, 2005
Hi All,
Well we are just about ready to sail to the states. We are on stowaway watch, and there are small fishing boats near us today taking pictures.
Starting to have more people showing interest in when we are leaving. There has been a terrorist threat by the gangs against the government, and 4 major cities have been targeted. Puerto Cortez, being on of them. Word has it that the leader has been captured. Last week they shot up a bus and killed 28 passengers, mostly women and children, in retaliation
for the government not dropping the death penalty for convicts. Kind of ironic.
Hung the calendar up in the crew lounge and gave one to the captain. Oh yeah! Happy New Year. The locals here set off firecrackers all day and at midnight things really go bang. Well, have to go to a local restaurant and spend my remaining limps (Honduran money). Stay safe.
Deckhand Robert* * * * * * *
In honor of Bob's memory and to bring glory to God, these pages represent our church's vision for mission.
