Short-Term Missions Opportunity
Fr. Francis & Hutu Priests from Rwanda
Has the Lord planted a seed in your heart called “AFRICA?” There is a need for two short term missionary teachers to work in Africa late this year, early next year for approximately 4-5 weeks. Fr Francis is going to retire from teaching in Africa. There is a need for two new teachers to work on short term mission trips to East Africa – Tanzania and Kenya. These teachers would work in rural areas teaching ministry education to clergy, postulants and church leaders. This is an exciting opportunity to serve in mission country in Africa and do work that leaves a lasting legacy. Fr Francis served as a missionary teacher while working at a full time job, pastoring a parish, and doing other priestly work. It would be valuable if these new teachers accompanied Fr Francis on the 2010-2011 teaching trip.
Why do this? The Anglican Church is growing significantly in Africa. Often, African bishops appoint and sometimes ordain pastors and evangelists who have no formal ministry education and even minimal secular education, to pastor congregations because leaders are needed. Education later is promised. Paul did it this way. He appointed leaders and then trained them later by letter. He depended on the Holy Spirit and the early Scriptures. Roland Allen wrote about this practice in his book: Missionary Methods: St Paul’s or Ours. This is not to minimize the importance of education – in reality it emphasizes education even more. Paul’s letters offer teaching to the ones he left behind. OFM provides ministry education to those whose heart is right and who love and serve God’s people.
What is taught: Beliefs, Practices and Teachings of the Christian Church; Ethos of Ordained Ministry; Introduction to the Sacraments; Fundamentals of Sacred Scripture; Introduction to Preaching; Pastoral Theology; Introduction to Liturgy; and other topics, too.
A boat without a rudder on Lake Victoria floats aimlessly as the winds and currents direct. An uneducated pastor is the same. A church without an educated pastor is vulnerable to many false teachings and sometimes makes mistakes that hurt the people. African dioceses often list their statistics in this fashion: 45 clergy, 40 parishes, 85 churches. Many parishes and churches are led by uneducated good people, both ordained and lay leaders, who have worked hard for years. They are eager for education and training. They need you and your education. Will you respond?
If you have some desire to serve or sense a call to serve, please contact the Father General of the Mission Society of St John, Rt Rev Frederick Fick, www.msjanglican.org, msjanglican@yahoo.com, 586-264-6044. The Missionary Society of St John is a member of the Missionary Diocese of All Saints.
The Missionary Society of St. John (MSJ) and The MDAS Establish Covenant
On Thursday, June 17, at the Forward in Faith Annual Assembly, at the retreat center outside of St Louis, Missouri, the Missionaries of St John and the Missionary Diocese of All Saints 
formally approved a covenant establishing a shared common sacramental life and mission. Both are members of the Forward in Faith family.
“As evangelical Anglican Catholics, our convictions do not permit us to live and work independently,” said Bishop Frederick Fick of the MSJ. “Our Catholic faith compels us to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and our desire for common mission drew us to the Missionary Diocese of All Saints.” Bishop William Ilgenfritz, Bishop of the MDAS, has been extraordinarily kind, hospitable and helpful in assisting us in this process.
The people of the MSJ wish to thank all those who helped us during the last three years on this journey. We are most grateful to Bishop Larry Shaver and Walter Grundorf of the APA for their friendship and support, grateful to Bishop Roy Grote and Bishop Ray Sutton of the REC for their incredible support, and particularly grateful to the greater FiF family, including Bishop Keith Ackerman, Bishop Jack Iker, Bishop Bill Wantland, and all the men and women of FiF-NA, especially Ms. Julia Smead and Frs. Keith Acker and James Guill. Our very deepest appreciation must be extended to our first episcopal protector, Bishop Richard Boyce, REC, for his pastoral care. We did not travel alone and we hold them dear in our hearts and in our prayers.
MSJ Churches Join Diocese
With the establishment of a covenant between the Missionary Society of St. John and The Missionary Diocese of All Saints several new churches are now part of the diocese. We wish to welcome into the diocesan family, under the leadership of Bishop Frederick G. Fick, (Father General) the clergy and people of:
- Christ the King in Liberty, Kentucky
- Hope Anglican Church in Oscoda, Michigan
- St. John the Apostle Anglican Church in Clinton Township, Michigan
- Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Hurst, Texas
- St. Luke the Physician in Tyler, Texas.
