In January, Becca Huttsell, a member of Jesus MCC’s Missions Board, took a two-week trek to the country of Sudan, Africa. She went at the invitation of New Community Project (NCP), a nonprofit Christian organization that provides assistance to people and communities in need around the world.

David Radcliff is the Founder and Director of NCP. He visited Jesus MCC in September 2007, as we began to explore ways Jesus MCC can make a positive difference for some of the neediest people around the world.

Becca says about her trip, “What I learned is that the people in southern Sudan require continued aid, protection and humanitarian assistance due to injustice and atrocities. They have suffered in silence and invisibility for too long. I pray that we, the congregation of Jesus MCC, will find a way to help bring hope to the people in this troubled land.”

New Community Project has found a way to be the hands and feet of God in action. Heads are now raised that once bowed low.

After we have gathered enough information, the Missions Board will prepare a proposal for how we can help. Continue reading for Becca’s complete report.

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Do you like working with people from different cultures? Are you fulfilled when you can help others to help themselves? Do you realize how blessed we are, and would you like to share those blessings with others? If so, you may be interested in a new Ministry Team that is being formed — The Navajo Nation Ministry Team.

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Thank you for your incredible generosity! Because of you, many people have had a brighter Christmas.

Through our Giving Tree tradition, 175 gifts were given to Indiana Youth Group and clients of the Damien Center.

And on December 15, our Homeless Ministry served breakfast and gave gifts and treats to our homeless neighbors at Horizon House. The Team served 150 hearty breakfast casseroles, which were purchased at cost from a caterer, using funds from the Homeless Ministry budget and some special donations. They also distributed 200 vouchers for free meals that were donated by McDonald’s, and 160 goodie bags filled with candy and cookies.

A week of hard work — housing repairs and working with adults and children with developmental disabilities — and building friendships and sharing the love of Christ. Jesus MCC’s first-ever missions trip is summarized in the photos below.

Click a thumbnail for larger images and more information.

October 23, 2007
Day Four
Our team has limited internet access, but they are trying to see what they can do to send updates.

One of the team members, in a brief phone call, indicated that today went very well at the two homes where they are working, and three people will start helping with the disabled tomorrow.

The Missions Team on location — day one.

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World Missions Day 2007!

September 23 is Jesus MCC’s first-ever World Missions Day! Our morning services will feature Pastor Nan Erbaugh from Lower Miami Church of the Brethren, Dayton, Ohio. Nan will give us an overview of the critical situation in Sudan, based on her travels with the New Community Project. The evening service will feature the Director of the New Community Project, David Radcliff, who will talk about how we can connect with a community in Sudan and show the love of Christ by meeting practical needs. After the evening service, David will share dinner in the Social Hall and answer questions.

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Jesus MCC’s first-ever World Missions Day is coming September 23! We will hear from two special guest speakers about the needs of communities in Sudan and about the New Community Project, an exciting global outreach organization that helps churches partner with communities in need, to offer the love of Christ by meeting practical needs. Our church is considering working with the New Community Project, so you won’t want to miss this special service!

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On Sunday evening, August 26, members of Jesus MCC’s Homeless Ministry and their guests attended Horizon House’s annual fundraiser, “Tackling Homelessness,” sponsored in part by Colts player Hunter Smith. The event was held at the Colt’s training facility, and featured a performance by the Christian rock group, Connersvine, Hunter Smith’s band. Several other Colts players, including Jeff Saturday and Dallas Clark were on hand to take pictures with people and to sign autographs.

But one of the highlights of the evening came when Joe Slaughter of Herff Jones got up to speak and present the Community Partner Award, which was given to Jesus MCC’s Homeless Ministry. (Herff Jones received the award in 2006.)

Homeless Ministry leader Charlotte Egler receives the Community Partner Award from Joe Slaughter of Herff Jones.

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The Missions Board has scheduled our first-ever Missions Trip! Volunteers from Jesus MCC will be traveling to the Navajo Nation in New Mexico October 20-27, 2007 to share the love of Christ through completion of service projects. Clear your calendars for this monumental event!

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You’re Invited…

to the Tackling Homelessness Fundraiser for Horizon House.

You can interact with Colts players, be entertained by Connersvine (Hunter Smith’s band), participate in silent and live auctions, and enjoy a BBQ buffet. It’s on Sunday, August 26, 6:00 pm at the Colts Training Facility, 7001 W 56th St.

We would like to have a table or two of people from JMCC. Tickets can be purchased for $85 by contacting Emmeline Sparks at (317) 423-8909 × 528 or rds@horizonhouse.cc. Dress is casual. For more information about this event or the Homeless Ministry, contact Charlotte Egler via the church: friends@jesusmcc.org or (317) 722-0000.

by Theresa Benson, member of the Homeless Ministry

I was talking to a few friends from Silicon Valley last week, and they were telling me how the heat out there has really shocked the system — the highs are blowing away the average temperatures by 20 degrees or more, and a lot of homes don’t have central air conditioning. Governor Schwarzenegger has opened “cooling centers” in public buildings to try to help people cope, but for a lot of people, it still means a lot of hot, uncomfortable nights at home. One woman I saw interviewed on the news said the temperature inside her home had reached 90 degrees!

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Do you feel called to share Jesus’ love with the world in a more tangible way? Our Church has begun to develop a strategy that will enable us to do just that.

Last fall, many of us participated in a Prayer Vigil for Darfur. Our hearts were moved, but we also sensed that we needed to get much better organized to respond on a practical level. Prayer is not enough; action is required.

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