Global Missions
Dick & Sheila Dickinson (Asia)
Dick and Sheila (who previously pastored here at Layhill Community Church for eight years!) have served the FM church in various capacities: pastoring, church planting and as missionaries. Their ministry experience spans six states and three continents. As U.S.-based partners, Sheila helps train children’s ministry leaders, and Richard trains Free Methodist pastors across Asia in Inductive Bible Study Methodology through the Gethsemane Leadership Training strategy. They also assist in raising financial support for church plants and motorcycles for Asian leaders.
Josh & Susy Fajardo (Spain)
Josh Fajardo serves as Europe Area director. In addition, he provides leadership as chairperson for Impact Europe, an initiative for Community Church Planting and social, holistic ministries on the European continent. Susy serves as program director of the Mosaic Learning Center based in Rivas-Vaciamadrid, a suburb of Madrid. The center is a nongovernmental organization encompassing an afterschool program and compassionate ministries.
Shane & Katie Jewell (Colombia)
Shane and Katie Jewell are developing worship teams for church plants in Colombia through mentorship and music lessons. Shane also serves the Latin American Area as VISA coordinator, helping connect the U.S. church with the Latin American church through short-term mission trips. In addition to raising and homeschooling their three children, Katie serves on the Connections Team, sharing stories of God’s work in Latin America via Facebook and Instagram. This year, Shane hopes to start a woodworking trade school to serve and mentor undereducated youth and adults who need skills for employment.
Corey & Connie Persing (Chiang Mai, Thailand)
The Persings serve in Southeast Asia with a focus on the ministries of Thailand. Corey is the national coordinator of ICCM work in Thailand, serving seven project sites. He also serves on the Asia Leadership Team as a mentor/adviser for national leadership and ministry in Southeast Asia. His role includes working as a “regional reporting and tech coach,” developing an area-wide reporting system to provide financial accountability, integrity and up-to-date information. Connie serves on the Thailand ICCM National Committee and provides hospitality, encouragement and a healthy perspective on their work.
Clear Blue Global Water Project
Clear Blue has been able to dig over 300 clean water wells in more than 23 countries by partnering with reputable national leaders who can not only provide a clean water well initially, but also ongoing maintenance. Clear Blue acts as the conduit, connecting compassionate donors with qualified communities.
Operation Christmas Child (Samaritan’s Purse)
Samaritan’s Purse sends gift-filled Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes to children in need around the world, together with the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. These gifts become a tangible expression of God’s love to the child, their family, and their community. Many shoebox recipients also participate in a 12-lesson follow-up discipleship program after they receive their gift.
The Free Methodist Bishops’ Crisis Response Fund
As needs arise all across the world, from natural disasters to armed conflicts, the bishops of the Free Methodist Church USA receive requests for aid that require immediate attention. The ongoing purpose of the Bishops’ Crisis Response Fund is to be ready as soon as needs arise. This is the most agile and responsible way to meet the needs of our neighbors all across the globe.