Evangelical Friends Ministering in Ireland through the Todd James Family

Todd and Celesta James went to Europe in 1980. They served most of the time since in Ireland under Greater Europe Mission (GEM) but are from Rose Drive Friends Church in California. January 1, 1998 they came under the Evangelical Friends Mission. Todd continues to run SportsLife, a program of evangelism through athletics. This is very appropriate since very few in South Ireland really understand what it means to be born again, and most Irish are very sports minded. Celesta has been invited three times to teach in universities, but GEM had no provision for working wives. She is completing her doctor’s degree and her research on women in prison has come to the attention of people in high places. They have planted at least one church and other Bible study groups. The James family has taken Irish citizenship along with their American citizenship.

Todd’s primary focus is strengthening their church plant by developing and maintaining relationships with local people.

Todd’s evangelism tract, “Meet My Head Coach” has been translated into 6 languages and continues to be an effective outreach tool around the world in sports ministries.

He hosts a Basketball camp one week each summer through his outreach organization, SportsLife. The camp invites American Christian college teams to play against the National Irish basketball team.

The Christian athletes provide a totally new meaning to the term, “Christian” for many Irish people who have never met someone who believes that Jesus Christ is the most vital part of their life. The camp allows them to meet young athletes who deliberately seek to study the Bible and apply it’s truths to their daily lives.

Celesta is finished work on her Ph.D. in Women in Prison. She also works with a volunteer organization, “Irish Prison Reform Trust,” a watchdog for prisons in society. Her research and involvement has really opened doors for ministry and interaction with a variety of people at high levels. She also teaches Sunday School and disciples a few people.

Kathi Perry Kathi is a church planting missionary in Dublin, Ireland. Together with the James family, she is working to establish a church in the community of Ringsend. Kathi helps with the youth, disciples new believers, takes her turn teaching on Sunday mornings, and manages a lending library which is a ministry of the church plant, Cairde Christian Fellowship in the local creche (preschool).

David and Tricia Howell As we continue with deputation, we still live in the Southern Oregon area. Dave is working in a lumber yard during the week and Tricia stays at home with the kids. Jonathan is in first grade in the public school system and Moriah keeps Mommy on her toes all day long. We need your help. Will you pray fervently for God to release the funds for us to be able to minister in Ireland? Would you consider being a part of our financial support team? Our hearts desire is to see Ireland transformed and lives saved and changed in the power of Jesus’ name. Will you be a part of this?

THE PURPOSE AND PASSIONS OF EVANGELICAL FRIENDS MISSIONS

Our purpose and passion is to lead our people worldwide as to live so close to Jesus Christ that we will worship, serve, and obey God as faithful witnesses. We live and die for the cause of fulfilling the Great Commission in the spirit of the Great Commandment. We exist to fuel a worldwide multiplication movement of worshiping, God-glorifying Evangelical Friends Churches through evangelism, leadership development and missionary sending.

GOD IS WORKING

An exciting development in our foreign missions program is that mission fields are spiritually owning their own mission fields and supporting their own missionaries. For example, Central America Friends are sending missionaries to Cambodia and Nicaragua. Praise the Lord!!! Nepal Friends are sponsoring Bhutan; Rwanda Friends are sponsoring Uganda; Asia Friends are sponsoring Myanmar, (formerly Bhutan); Burundi Friends are sponsoring Tanzania. God is at work all around the globe!

WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP?

• Will you become an intercessor for our missionaries and mission fields?

• Will you prayerfully consider giving or increase your giving to Faith Promise?

• Will you encourage our missionaries through letters?

• Will you be willing to send one of your own to a foreign field for missions?

The prayer directory located in the foyer will help you pray effectively and give you addresses and important dates for letters. Another link to update you frequently of prayer requests is: www.friendsmission.com or contact by e-mail efm@friendsmission.com and ask for updates.

Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28: 19-20

And they sang a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language, people and nation.” Revelation 5:9