In few weeks we will begin our ministry on the Island of Guam.
Howard will be teaching, and helping as needed at Pacific Island's University.
Kathy will be working with the women students, passing on some of what she has learned in a life of local church ministry.
We have already been challenged and encouraged by our preparation for this ministry and through those of you who have chosen to partner with us through prayer and support.

We'll be posting more as we draw closer to March 17, when our adventure will begin in earnest.  Then we hope to post regular reports from Micronesia (Guam).

Below is a copy of the letter we sent out announcing our mission trip:

One of the emphases of my ministry has been missions.  It has been said, in regard to the Great Commission,

that we should either go, or we should be part of a team that sends.  Though Covington Bible Church is a small church, we have been privileged to be used by God to make a significant impact in reaching out with the Good News to those who desperately need to hear.  I have been glad to be a sender, and a pastor of both the sent and those who send them.

These roles of going and sending aren’t static.  In fact each of us needs to have some of both in our ministry.  At Covington Bible Church an interesting switch is taking place.  Doug Williams, former missionary to the Awa in Northern Ecuador, having been a key part of seeing a church planted among these long unreached people, will become the Senior Pastor of Covington Bible Church, March 15, 2015.  Doug and Dorcas have been among the sent.  Doug will now be a key sender.  Meanwhile, Howard Merrell, me, who for forty years had the role Doug is assuming, will be taking a step toward being one who is sent.  

At a recent congregational meeting, Covington Bible Church formalized the relationship I will have with the church after March 15.  Both Kathy and I, and the other leaders at CBC are dedicated to the concept that we should use the resources available to us to make a maximum impact for the Lord.  In keeping with that goal the church has offered me a part time associate pastor position.  Built into the job description for that role is the expectation that I will be involved in short-term missions opportunities.  So this Spring Kathy and I will be involved in a short-term ministry at Pacific Islands University, a college where I have been privileged to serve on the Board of Trustees for a number of years.  From March 24 – April 30 I will be teaching as adjunct faculty.  I will teach introductory Theology, and be involved in other ways in the ministry there.  Kathy will be involved in the Focus discipleship program and in a “pastoral/mother role” especially with the young ladies in the dorm.  Both of us will be filling in and helping as needed in various ways.  Ministry obligations that Kathy has here in Covington will require her to travel to Guam after me.  I will be on Guam about seven weeks, Kathy four or five.  One benefit of my teaching the final portion of this class is that it will allow Chairman of the Theology Department, Iotaka Choram, to travel to Chuuk, his home, where he will be involved in expanding the ministry and influence of PIU.  I will be present at PIU for the 2015 graduation in early May.

You can find out about the ministry of PIU at piu.edu.  

 So, at least for a while, we will be among the sent.  I’m asking you to be a sender.  The main financial need that we have in this new venture is airfare.  Two round trip tickets will cost approximately $4,100.  The school will provide housing for us.  Our other expenses will be minimal.  

As is often the case with short-term mission opportunities, this is a trial.  I think, and others have told me they think, that this is a ministry in which I can make a difference for the cause of Christ.  I have taught college classes in the past.  I know of no other way to confirm this inclination, than to go and give it a try.  Please pray that this will be a productive and informative experience.  

We certainly don’t want to divert funds from any other mission project in which you are involved or should be involved.  One thing I have learned in my role as a sender, and encourager of senders, is that there are many more opportunities than available resources.  This should motivate us to pray.  I encourage you to join us in “praying the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers.”  If after praying you conclude that Kathy and I could and should in some way be a part of those who are sent, please let us know.  If you conclude that you should be part of the team that will send us, here is how you can be involved. Liebenzell Mission USA (http://mission.liebenzellusa.org/) has approved me for raising funds for this project.  You can send funds to them, marked for “Merrell.”   As I said, my hope is that this will not be the last time we will be involved in this kind of project.    Should more funds be put in my account than are needed for this venture they will be used to fund other LMUSA ministry opportunities the Lord opens up for us.  

Let me summarize:

·        We very much desire your prayers.  This is a new venture for us.  Please step out with us through prayer.

·        We are not quite to the point where we can be good for nothing.  We need to put together a team who can help us financially.

·        This is a trial run.  After 41+ years of doing the same thing, change takes some effort.  We don’t want to quit.  We are asking the Lord to help us finish well.

·        While this ministry opportunity is only a little over six weeks in length, it is our hope that it will be a vehicle that provides clear leading for future ministry.

This letter will arrive when the New Year is still new.  I’m praying it will be a productive year for God’s glory.  Thank you for taking the time to read this note.

Reaching forward,

Howard Merrell

2106 S. Carpenter Drive
Covington VA 24426

Liebenzell Mission of USA, Inc.
P.O. Box 66 
Schooley's Mountain, NJ 07870-0066