Elim Bible Institute - Oasis Yearbook (Lima, NY)

Page 45 text:

“I have given thee the heathen for thine in¬ heritance” was the theme song of the 1973 MISSIONARY CONVENTION where missionaries from around the world spoke with urgency of the needs and opportunities in nations abroad. Chester Gretz shared of his thrilling work in eastern Europe. Stephanie Vernon relived her phenomenal travels among Tibetan la¬ mas while distributing the Word of God. Bahjet Batarseh gave a dynamic on-the-spot recount of the Israeli war and the movings of the Spirit in the Middle East. Those of the Elim family ministered too from a background of rich experience. Paul Johansson dispelled any doubts as to the high demands made on a missionary. Edgar Parkyns recaptured epi¬ sodes of his years in Africa, encouraging us to get involved in what God is doing. Costa Deir chal¬ lenged us to give to missions on the basis of what God has given us, and EF Home Secretary, Saied Adour, reminded us of the great need in our own U.S.A. From all sources, the challenge was extended with force and power — Behold the whitened har¬ vest! Top: Samuel Chelladurai, student from India, preparing for a ministry in gospel music. Above: Connie and Harry Vellekoop, Elim grads en route to Argentina.

Page 44 text:

Top Center: Office Staff: Sitting — Sherri Will- man, Standing (1. to r.): Elizabeth Rattray, Kathleen Lawrence, Eva Leisups, Esther and Hayden Bennett. Bottom Center: Costa Dier, For- eign Missions Secretary. Above: Saied Adour, Home Secretary. Composed of churches, ministers and mission¬ aries ELIM FELLOWSHIP was formed to provide Elim gradu¬ ates with official representation before governments, with a much-needed sense of “family” or belong¬ ing, and with a source of spiritual refreshing and guidance. In fulfillment of these functions its mem¬ ber council screens missionary candidates and ap¬ plicants for ministerial credentials, consider new churches desiring identificaton, and assumes the over-all spiritual responsibility for E.F. at home and abroad. Presently 263 ministers and missionaries are identified with E.F., seventy of which pastor co¬ operating churches in the U.S. Ranging farther afield, Foreign Missions Secretary Costa Deir trav¬ els worldwide, encouraging and counselling E.F. missionaries and scouting out new areas. And, back home, Hayden Bennett’s well-trained E.F. office staff provides financial and business services for E.F. missionaries on the field. Elim Fellowship functions through a group of dedicated workers whose ministry is not at all glamorous, but deeply needed and appreciated by the ministers and missionaries they serve.

Page 46 text:

MISSIONARY INTERVIEW In an effort to gain a little more insight into the life of a missionary, questions were asked three of the visiting missionaries: Leola Spyker: Missionary to Mexico Stephanie Vernon: Missionary to Asia Bahjet Batarseh: Evangelist at large Question: What is one word of advice you would give to a Bible student preparing for the mission field? Sis. S. Take time to know what God’s will is in ev¬ ery situation. As a missionary, don’t go unless you have a real love and compassion for the people. Sis. V. Set a goal for yourself and go after it. Be¬ lieve that it is God’s will, and He will be faithful. Bro. B. Dedication and availability: Be able to leave everything; give and sacrifice everything. Question: As a foreign missionary, what was one of the hardest adjustments you had to make? Sis. S. The poisionous insects. Sis. V. For me it’s not hard to adjust. I feel at home wherever I go. Bro. B. Getting accustomed to the weather, food and bedding. Question: What was the major cultural shock? Sis. S. The fact that time is unimportant — Their life is much slower-paced. Sis. V. The wide-spread evidence of demonic ac¬ tivity. Bro. B. The moral standards. Question: Do you find it difficult to maintain spir¬ itual growth on the field? Sis. S. Yes, there doesn’t seem to be enough time to spend alone with the Lord. Sis. V. No, practicing what you have learned caus¬ es you to grow. Question: Does the possibility of your children’s lives being endangered affect your ministry at all? Sis. S. It caused us to be fearful for a while, but God used the situation to build His church. Question: To what extent do you feel the need to conform to a culture in order to share Christ with them? Sis. S. I feel it is very important to identify with the people. Sis. V. I don’t conform, but I enter in wholeheart¬ edly. I live with them, dress like they dress, and eat like they eat. As Paul said, “I am all things to all men.” . 5$ % ■ 45?.» w ' ». ' - - ■ . V : ' ; Vr ' • JL .. m a . ■• . ‘ ' 1 ; 4 - ■ V ' ' ' ' ' i ■■ ' f i.jt .■HffltV . 21 . ■ ' • % ■ ' x $ .... : : ■’ ■ ■ ilk . § f accords to YOUR 42