There are so many things going on in our country and world it is hard to keep track of it all. We know God is still in control and His work will go forward.

This year we have at least two “firsts” for the Mission Office. First, we had our first virtual approval of new missionaries. On July 17, 2020 our field reps divided up into four approval committees to interview and complete the approval for three couples and one single who were supposed to be approved at the May National Fellowship which was cancelled. We wanted to help them step forward through this next phase of their lives.

It was necessary to do this because one of our staff members tested positive for the virus and I was exposed to them. His administrative assistant was exposed as well. As a result, all three of us were quarantined for two weeks which included the date we had planned the approvals. Then, two days later, a person entered our office and had close contact with seven of our staff. The next day that person tested positive, so those seven staff members were also quarantined.

Not only did it affect the planned approval on July 17, but also our Advanced Mission Training (formerly known as Candidate School) the following week – July 20-24, 2020. We had to change all our scheduled plans with the missionaries and speakers for our week of intense training.

We changed 1/3 of our sessions to be done by Zoom meetings. Two-thirds of the sessions had to be recorded to send to the missionaries to be done over the next few weeks. We put together a small studio in the Boonstra Chapel in our building and began the process of recording sessions. Zoom calls were set up by the presenters with the missionaries.

While all of this is so much better in person, we all understand how things are being adjusted in all our ministries this year. The missionaries shared that they missed being around the office and getting to know the staff even better. We all missed being around the missionaries strengthening our relationship with them and encouraging them in person.

In spite of all the quick decisions, all the changes, many adjustments and less personal contact, the missionaries were approved without any concerns and the Advanced Mission Training was an overall success. We will be able to follow up with them over the next few months to ensure they grasped all that was taught through this week.

By the way, included in the training were four other couples who will be approved later this fall. Yes, the September National meeting was cancelled recently, and we are preparing for whatever process it might take to approve them. We are ready and experienced now. A virtual approval in the fall will not be a first for us!

I would encourage you to consider incorporating the new Career missionaries into your services virtually. They are all willing and able to participate as you would like for them to. Please be a part of helping them get to the field as soon as possible.