Vancouver Mission Star
This message was written by President and Sister Middleton. It also appears in the Vancouver Star, the weekly newsletter of the Vancouver Mission. It is sent to each companionship throughout the mission.
|
|
Vigorous and Imaginative Missionary Efforts Lead to Success
We have been pleased to have multiple reports sent in by our full-time missionaries reporting on success in their areas. Space doesn’t permit us to share all of the great reports we have received, but we share a few in this Star which are representative. The common theme we repeatedly see is that the Lord rewards hard, focused missionary work. A few novel ideas appear in these reports, and if they would work in your area, please adopt them.
Coaching Soccer As A Proselyting Tool, by Elders Adam Hassell (and Scott Mariann)
“We have been keeping quite busy here in Prince George. I want to give you an update on the boy’s soccer team we are coaching. The boys had a rough season to start off with. You could say they all looked a bit rusty at first. We’ve been trying to help them out with fundamentals and improve their skills. While we are doing this, missionary opportunities are arising.”
“We usually look like official big time coaches because of our white shirts and ties, and that brings us questions from many people. One day we were out running around with the kids in the pouring rain. I was soaked from head to toe. I took this opportunity to go stand under cover with some of the parents. They commented on my dress for such an occasion. I joked with them and said we had a press conference after practice. They continued to fire questions left and right about missionary service here in British Columbia. I had the chance to explain the whole missionary program to them, and a bit about the Church.
“Our team is on the rise, and I think pretty soon we just might need to go to a press conference. Our last game we beat the number one team
3-1! After the game one player’s mother commented on our coaching, and said she was missing something in life and perhaps the reason we were coaching her son’s team was to be able to tell her more about our Church. We set up an appointment to teach the soccer player’s family soon.”
“Also, this past week we set another baptismal date with one of our investigators! I love this work!”
Reaching The Elect Through Youth Musical Productions and Branding, by Elders’ Joshua Dietz (and T.J. Carlisle)
“We are using some creative ways of contacting in Vanderhoof. Tracting here is hard because most people have already been tracted in the last 3 months or so. This makes it hard for us to get them to listen. So this last week we decided to try a different approach.
“The youth put on a musical this week, which Elder Carlisle and I attended. There were 40 or so non-members in attendance, and so Elder Carlisle and I got to talk to a number of people that it would normally take two days to reach in an hour and a half !
“Branding also started up this week. One of the members had about 250 head to brand. This activity was sort of a double-whammie, because not only were we able to talk to about 20 non-members, but we also gained the trust of both the non-members and members. It was a very good day.”
The Work in Salmon Arm in Rhyme, by Elder Aaron Terry (whose companion was Elder James Hunsaker)
“ We went to contact Fred Ouellette “He had many stories to tell, “Many changes were made “Was Brother Garner’s new call
An Investigator of a past day. But was interested as well. At the ward conference today To be Ward Mission Leader
As we arrived at his door ‘Drop by anytime’ He said, Some Presidencies were changed His reputation precedes him
(In Picadilly Terrace, 2nd floor) As he rubbed his balding head Others still get to stay. As being a compassionate man
He gladly let us come in So we went on our way, But most important of all From sources in Smithers
And gave us chairs in the den And we’ll see him on Thursday. for missionaries at least Time to write a new Ward Mission Plan!”
Chapel Tours Lead to Progressing Investigators; Member Missionary Work Emphasized in Clearbrook, by Elders Brandon Ruesch (and Rajan Copeland)
“It has been a great week. Through spiritual chapel Tours we were able to gain wonderful new investigators. We had three non-member Tours, all of which were a great success, and we got commitments and a follow up teaching appointment this week! One who went with us on a Tour came to Church and the others should be coming next week—it is a great thing to see!
“Just to report on our last PEC meeting, we handed out the Vancouver Star for May 27th on member missionary work and it was warmly received. We will be implementing some new missionary programs soon to help us both as members and missionaries to take the gospel to all of BC!”
Good Member Invitations, Less Active Work, and a Ward Bowling Activity All Help the Work, by Elders Spencer Hall (and Alex Marcum)
“We received some member referrals this week that have turned out to be good. We are also feeling confident about the one from last week, Tara Kent. We have also found a couple of new investigators from our own finding. We have a few less-active families that we are working with. We had some good visits with them that lead to them being at Church this week; it was great.
“We had a ward activity this past weekend, bowling. A member brought a non-member friend—it was awesome! We all had a good time.”
Walking Brings Success; Frequent Exchanges to be Implemented in PoCo, by Sisters Marcy Anderson (and Camilla Van den Bosch)
“I look forward to getting tons of work done with Sister Van den Bosch here in PoCo. Saturday we had a dynamite day – 8 full lessons! We were out walking and contacting for the afternoon--that was really successful.
“We’ve been seeing a lot of recent converts and less active members, and have been able to help and strengthen them. In order to have more time for finding and teaching investigators we’ve introduced a plan to our ward Mission Leader. It includes going on exchanges with members to see the less actives and especially to go with the visiting teachers so that we can help the members take over their role to strengthen and nourish each other ‘by the good word of God.’ (Moroni 6 – I love it!) We’re really excited to get this rolling!”
Teaching All Who Will Listen Pays Off, by Elders Isaac Pack (and Justin Bingham)
“ We had a great week in Campbell River. We went to see one of our potential investigators because he gave us the wrong phone number and his sister Rebecca answered the door. She informed us that her brother is an atheist and is not interested at all. She even said that he would ‘rip us up in pieces.’ So we started to chat with Rebecca and noticed she had a cross around her neck. We asked if she was Christian. She said ‘definitely.’ We then invited Rebecca on a Tour and she said she would love to come. She says she is searching for a Church. She already had a link with Sister Turner from Quadra Island, and Sister Turner picked her up for Church. She loved Church! She even said she wants to come next week. We will take her on a Tour on Monday. She has so many questions. The Young Women’s President basically helped her with everything she needed and helped answer many of her questions. Rebecca says that she couldn’t have her questions answered at her previous church, so she is very excited about receiving the answers our Church supplies. Things are picking up in Campbell River!”
Thank you for your inspiring, hard work! We love you!
President and Sister Middleton
(Check off weekly whether you have achieved each of the nine goals below.)
q Ask for a referral name in every conversation with a member or non-member alike… “Will you bring an acquaintance on a Spiritual Tour?”
q Challenge members to achieve a Spiritual Tour or a Church event which can be coupled with a Spiritual Tour with their non-member friend at least 3 times yearly. Help them understand that the best way members can reach this goal is to adopt a Personal Mission Plan by which they issue at least one invitation each week.
q Our goal is to find at least one new investigator daily, and spend at least one hour daily in focused, effective Personal Finding.
q Our goal is to teach 15 or more full lessons weekly, with 50% or more with an investigator present…
q Our goal is to have at least 50 contacts daily (100-200 per day is possible in most areas in the mission), with the contact goal being prayerfully set for each area by each companionship.
q With at least 3 Spiritual Chapel Tours Weekly.
q Extend at least one baptismal invitation and commitment each week.
q Remember our mission goal: a Gospel message to everyone you see.
q As weekly goals are set for each Key Indicator, pray for inspiration, and set goals that are lofty yet achievable. Our ultimate long-term goal is for at least 3 baptisms per companionship per transfer.
“Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only” James 1:22
The Coveted “Off the Hook” Award:
(Week-ending June15, 2008)
In Recognition of the following:
Baptisms Year to Date
Abbotsford: (16 Baptisms)
Baptisms this Week:
Victoria: (2 Baptisms)
Kelowna, Vancouver and Prince George: (1 Baptism each)
Investigators with a Baptismal Date:
Prince George (with 5 Baptismal Dates)
Investigators Attending Sacrament Meeting:
Abbotsford, Nanaimo, Surrey Language, Prince George and Victoria: All companionships with investigator(s) at Sacrament meeting
Vancouver Language: (30 at Sacrament Meeting)
Lessons with member Present
Surrey, Surrey Language, Kelowna and Victoria: All companionships gave lesson(s) with member present
Abbotsford: (20 lessons with member present)
Contacts
Nanaimo, Surrey Language and Vancouver Language: all companionships with 100 or more contacts
Surrey Language : (31.8contacts per day average)
Other Lessons Taught
Vancouver: (287 other lessons)
Progressing Investigators:
Surrey Language: All companionships with progressing investigators
Vancouver Language: (22 Progressing Investigators)
New Investigators
Vancouver Language and Victoria: All companionships with new investigators
Vancouver Language: (16 New Investigators)
Total Full Lessons Taught
Surrey Language: (22.3 Total full lessons taught average per companionship)
COMPANIONSHIPS:
Elders Mun and Jung: 3 at Sacrament, 9 member present, 85 other, 3 progressing, 7 new, 400 Contacts, 37 full, 21 to non-members
Sisters van den Bosch and M. Anderson: 7 member present, 87 other, 3 progressing, 123 contacts, 29 full, 13 to non-members
Elders Shumway and Homer: 2 at Sacrament, 9 member present, 32 other, 2 progressing, 1 new, 131 contacts, 20 full, 14 to non-members
Elders Smith and Fajardo: 3 at Sacrament, 3 member present, 4 progressing, 3 new, 168 contacts, 24 full, 24 to non-members
Elders Hunsaker and Seebeck: 2 at Sacrament, 1 member present, 117 other, 2 progressing, 3 new, 350 contacts, 19 full, 16 to non-members
Elders Kim and Huh: 3 at Sacrament, 3 member present, 4 progressing, 3 new, 168 contacts, 24 full, 24 to non-members
Elders Dietz and Carlisle: 3 with baptismal date, 2 member present, 6 at Sacrament, 7 progressing
Elders Wilson and Szypkowski: 2 at Sacrament, 5 member present, 20 other, 2 progressing
Elders Seitz and Peck: 2 at Sacrament, 4 member present, 46 other, 5 progressing, 1 new, 115 contacts, 27 full, 16 to non-members
Elders Barker and Park: 1 Baptized, 1 with baptismal date, 2 at Sacrament, 3 member present, 2 progressing, 1 new
Honorable Mention:
Elders Fullmer and Binks: 1 Baptized, 3 at Sacrament, 2 member present, 3 progressing, 1 new, 223 contacts
Elders Shaw and Cooper: 1 at Sacrament, 2 member present, 1 new, 136 contacts
Sisters Dalling and Chevalier: 1 at Sacrament, 1 member present, 2 progressing, 2 new, 140 contacts, 17 full
Elders Douglas and Mousseau: 1 at Sacrament, 2 member present, 20 other, 3 progressing
Elders Walton and Evans: 2 member present, 147 contacts, 17 full
Elders Kirby and Anderson: 2 at Sacrament, 4 member present, 2 progressing,
Sisters Caribou and Wu: 1 with Baptismal date, 1 at Sacrament, 1 member present, 120 contacts, 18 full, 10 to non-members
Sisters Overlock and Lee: 6 at sacrament, 3 member present, 3 progressing, 1 new, 14 full, 8 to non-members
Elders Marianno and Hassell: 1 with baptismal date, 4 at Sacrament, 6 member present, 3 progressing, 1 new
Elders Banks and Nelson: 1 confirmed, 1 with baptismal date, 1 at Sacrament, 1 member present, 1 progressing, 1 new
Elders Howard and Brown: 5 at Sacrament, 3 member present, 4 progressing
Elders Klekas and Taylor: 1 Baptized, 1 with baptismal date, 6 at Sacrament, 6 member present, 5 progressing, 3 new, 250 contacts
Elders Saito and Taylor: 1 member present, 3 new, 194 contacts
Elders Mather and Cheng: 2 member present, 70 other, 1 new, 230 contacts
Elders Bowles and Porter: 1 with baptismal date, 5 at Sacrament, 1 member present, 8 progressing, 4 new, 212 contacts, 15 full, 15 to non-members
Elders Smith and Fajardo: 9 at Sacrament, 4 member present, 3 progressing, 1 new, 220 contacts
Elders DeHerrera and Tolleson: 13 at Sacrament, 2 member present, 7 progressing, 3 new, 117 contacts
Elders Head and Gist: 55 other, 5 new, 380 contacts, 12 full, 10 to non-members
Elders Knapp and Ramirez: 1 at Sacrament, 4 member present, 68 other, 1 progressing, 2 new, 150 contacts, 15 full, 9 to non-members
Elders Marcum and Hall: 1 at Sacrament, 30 other, 3 progressing, 2 new, 110 contacts, 17 full, 11 to non-members
Sisters Falk and Nibley: 1 at Sacrament, 2 member present, 52 other, 3 new, 134 contacts
Elders Pack and Bingham: 2 at Sacrament, 2 member present, 2 progressing, 113 contacts
Elders Johnson and Johnson: 4 at Sacrament, 3 member present, 16 full, 8 to non-members
Elders McAllister and Hatton: 1 member present, 48 other, 3 new, 185 contacts, 15 full 11 to non-members
Elders Curiel and Michaelis: 1 with baptismal date, 5 at Sacrament, 3 member present, 135 contacts, 17 full
Sisters Anderson and Weber: 2 at Sacrament, 3 member present, 17 full, 10 to non-members
Elders Brunt and Feinga: 2 at Sacrament, 4 member present, 40 other, 2 progressing
Elders Heinzen and Green: 1 with baptismal date, 9 at Sacrament, 2 member present, 6 progressing, 5 new, 19 full, 19 to non-members
Elders Thompson and White: 3 at Sacrament, 3 member present, 2 progressing, 126 contacts
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS THIS WEEK
to read past messages.