I'M OFTEN ASKED ABOUT THE TEAM I work with here at Majak, so I thought I should take a moment to introduce this wonderful group of talented, brilliant, funny, God-loving people. The group is constantly changing: people just coming to the field at the beginning of a new term and people who have finished their term and are returning to the States. It is always sad to see people go, but the beauty is that quite often we run into one another over and over again. 

Who do we work for? My team and I work with Global Partners, the World Missions arm of the Wesleyan Church. www.wesleyan.org/gp. Their over-arching mission statement is "Powerful Churches, Transformed Lives." This is what we do around the world--planting seeds of faith, discipling believers, and empowering them to tell their world the Good News of Christ:

"Connecting God’s People with God’s Agenda… the Great Commission"

Our team works at Majak, a Christian community center based in the city of Brno, built by the Wesleyan Church in North America and now managed by Czech nationals who have the vision of seeing their city and country come to a saving knowledge of Christ. The avenues of ministry here are many. In addition to Czech Wesleyan Church that meets here Sunday mornings, we offer English classes during the fall and spring, sports activities through the Majak Athletic Club, Concerts and music lessons, as well as the coffee shop, game room, and "Backyard" which are open year round to kids in the community. We have about 25-30 regulars who spend their afternoons and evenings playing sports, indoor games, and hanging out with us.

From Left to Right: Olivia Seaton, Andy Norton, Abby, Rachel, Scott, Levi and Isaac McNett (in front), Becky Ryman, Kerensa, Mollyn, Niam, and Jason McFredrick, Vince Wagner(in front), Sabrina Hadsell, Travis Croft, and Mark Tolan.

Who are these people?

 Jason, Kerensa, Mollyn, and Niam McFredrick joined us in March 2005. They have been a great asset to our team and now serve as interim directors while the Blakes are in the States. They come to us from Wichitaw, Kansas, and have been leading summer mission teams to Czech Republic for many years.  Pray for them as they lead the team of missionaries here in Brno, constantly striving to build bridges with the Czechs in our community and in our church. 

The McNetts: Scott, Rachel, Isaac, Levi, and Abby come to us from Michigan where Scott had been youth pastor in their church. They arrived in Brno in March 2006. We've enjoyed getting to know them over the last few months. They are settling into their home and working hard to learn the language here. As first year career missionaries, their primary focus is language study. Pray for them; the Czech language is very difficult--especially with three active kids!

Sabrina Hadsell also arrived this past March. Sabrina was a Go-Net Volunteer here in Brno for a year before sensing the Lord's call into full time missionary work. Like the McNetts, she is involved in her first year of language study. She also works with Fellowship of Christian Cheerleaders and just recently finished a marathon two cheerleading camps in a week and a half.  Pray for her as she recovers her strength and dives in to language study.

Andy Norton arrived with the Sports Blitz team in June. Andy has been here with Houghton College before for a short term trip, sensed the Lord's tug on his heart and has volunteered a year for mission work here at Majak. Andy is great with the teens who come here--and they love him! You can always find Andy playing cards or basketball with the kids--always ready to share his faith.  It's great to see him at work!

Becky Ryman is our answer to prayer Go-Net.  Crystal Blake is our finance person here on the field. But, with her on home ministries, we needed someone who would be willing to take over that aspect of ministry. None of the people on our field felt qualified to take over field finances. So, we prayed. We prayed HARD. And the answer came in the form of Becky, who has a masters degree in Math and has taken to accounting like a duck to water (well...in comparison to someone like me!)

Travis Croft, Mark Tolan, and Vince Wagner, were here for a short time. Mark was here for 6 months, Travis for 2 months, and Vince was here for 3 weeks. It was great to have these guys here, especially during the summer--playing sports, working the coffee shop, and hanging out with the Majak kids and staff.  We miss them already and are praying that the Lord will SOON call them back to Brno.

The Blake Family (Matt, Crystal, Josh, Abby, and Jakob). Matt and Crystal Blake serve as our field directors here in Brno. They are currently in the States doing home ministry, which means they are travelling and visiting churches and people around the US, raising their support team to return to Czech for another 2 years. Pray for them as they balance raising three beautiful and active kids, leading a team of missionaries, and raising support for their ministry.

Phil and Lucille Nettleton are our beloved pastors to missionaries. Their area of responsibility is over Africa and Europe, visiting missionaries and encouraging them in their work. They have recently returned to Brno from a two month visit to the States for training and various conferences. Though they are often on the road, we are grateful for them when they are home. Pray for them as they travel, that they will have safety and that the Lord will protect them, "wherever they may roam."

Then there is me. I arrived in Czech Republic in August of 2004.  I had never had any intention of becoming a missionary. My parents were missionaries and I never had any inclination to follow in their footsteps. Then the Lord whispered in my ear that he had a place for me overseas.  And I was terrified. I ran from Him and His call for about a year, but He pursued me. I finally realized that if I called myself a Christian and ran the other way, I was a hypocrit and a liar.  So, I sent in my application for a year of volunteer work, packed my bags, and landed here in Czech Republic.  I have never regretted choosing to follow God's call.  I enjoyed my first year so much, that I signed up for a second year.  The time here has had its ups and downs, but through each situation, God has carried me through.  I hope you are relying on Him, too. You'll be amazed by what He can do when we let go of the reigns and let Him lead.