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Biography - Ray Harms-Wiebe |
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 Holistic church planting that transforms communities was the vision providing direction and inspiration for our work in São Paulo, Brazil over the last eighteen years. Our focus was to lead people to Jesus and form communities of followers who would experience the transforming power of the Holy Spirit on all levels: personal, spiritual, emotional, physical, relational, familial, social, and financial. The outreach of the newly formed churches included deliverance and inner healing ministries, literacy programs, counseling for victims of substance abuse, homes for street children, marital counseling, financial counseling, and professional training.
I have come to understand that ‘holistic church planting’ emanates from a life of holiness. The words ‘holistic’, ‘holy’, ‘whole’, and ‘health’ actually share the same origin. Personal and team health are by-products of an intimate relationship with the Triune God. If missionaries are to be used for the transformation of societies around the world, their walk with Jesus must empower them to cultivate healthy relationships within their teams and church communities.
MBMSI’s role is to provide the needed training and resources. I will seek to promote training which integrates ministry experience with regular times of reflection on spirituality, team dynamics, the acculturation process, and ministry practice. It will be done under the guidance of experienced missionaries as ‘life on life’ training. I pray this mentored involvement will encourage present and new missionaries to cultivate a spirituality which embraces all of life.
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