Marcelly’s Dream Project Tops $1 Million
January 15, 2014–Cleveland, TN–A landmark event occurred in the Church of God today when the World Missions Marcelly’s Dream initiative topped the $1 million dollar mark.
Launched 13 months ago by the newly elected director of World Missions, Tim Hill, the project addresses needs on the mission field that could not be accomplished otherwise because of the General Assembly-mandated reduction of funds from the tithe fund to World Missions.
Marcelly’s Dream was inspired by the experience of Marcelly Thompson, the daughter of missionaries who were in transition at the time. In a dream, Jesus appeared to the 7-year-old and told her she would preach the gospel in Africa, and she shared it with her parents. Within a few days, the Thompsons were transferred from their Latin American orphanage assignment to a new position in Liberia, Africa. Missions leaders who made the appointment did not know of Marcelly’s dream.
Director Hill was inspired by the story that reveals God is the guide and planner of our lives, and it is His will for the gospel to go forward.
As part of the announcement, held in the World Missions Department board room at the International Offices, Hill called upon Marc Morris, regional superintendent for the Austral/Asia region of the Church of God. On behalf of the region, Morris presented a check for $137,800 to World Missions. The funds came from profits of a real estate transaction near Sydney, Australia, the balance of which will go toward the establishment of a new Ministry Training Center for the region. The check, designated for Marcelly’s Dream, represented tithes from the transaction and essentially placed the fund over the $1 million level.
Also attending the announcement ceremony was Assistant General Overseer J. David Stephens, Secretary General M. Thomas Propes, Assistant Director of World Missions John Childers, World Missions Board Member Gary Sears, several guest missionaries, and the staff of World Missions. During the ceremony, Childers presented a check to Teresa Kimbrell, missionary to Lusaka, Zambia, to cover the installation of a generator at the Leopard Hill Training Center.
L-R: Gary Sears, Marc Morris, Tim Hill, J. David Stephens, M. Thomas Propes, John D. Childers (click on photo to enlarge)
“We thank God for the way Church of God people have stepped up in response to the Marcelly appeal,” Hill said in announcing the breakthrough gift today. “Several key ministries were on the table to be defunded, including People for Care and Learning (PCL), Volunteers in Medical Missions (VIMM), and Men and Women of Action (MWOA). Now these vital outreaches are secure for the coming year.”
The tithe adjustment this year cuts about $1.1 million from the missions budget, but the donations to Marcelly’s Dream have empowered Missions to retain significant ministries and establish the new emphases on Bible distribution, clean water, and other needs.
The initiative targets four strategic areas of missions emphasis: Word, Water, Walls, and Wellness. Besides assisting with funding to PCL, VIMM, and MWOA, an impressive array of missions projects have been realized. A sample list includes processing assistance with:
• Awarding new Bibles among 130 church-related orphanages
• Distribution of 7,500 Fire Bibles, including junior youth camps in the USA
• Drilling water wells in Senegal, Zambia, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Fiji, and Papua New Guinea.
• Building a boys dormitory in Indonesia
• Assisting Phebe Grey Orphanage, Casa Hogar, El Shaddai, Kibera Kids, and other orphanages
• Building a church in Cameroon and another in Niger
• Undergirding Indian Ministries of North America
• Initiating the African Firewall Project that will build churches and training centers across the continent
• Building 50 homes in the Build a City project in Cambodia
• Enhanced missionary resourcing
• Entering a missionary care partnership with the Office of Ministerial Care.
Other projects are on the drawing board and will be engaged in coming weeks and months. “If I know one thing about our church, I know that our people love Missions and will make sure we get the job done,” Hill observed.
The Marcelly’s Dream project number, for those who wish to give on the secure website, www.marcellysdream.org, is 102-9275.
