Free Methodist World Missions is undergoing strategic changes to better assist existing missionaries, deploy new missionaries, communicate with the entire church about missions and better aid in the funding of missions. Toward that end, we have created a new position, Director of Global Church Advocacy, to lead these efforts and come alongside our Area Directors to advance the mission.
We are pleased to announce that Rev. Gerald Coates has agreed to serve as this new Director of Global Church Advocacy. Gerry has most recently been serving as pastor in the Moundford (Illinois) Free Methodist Church. But in addition to his pastoral experience, Gerry is respected throughout the church having served previously as Director of Communications. The Board of Bishops pursued Gerry for this new responsibility because of his and Jan’s long-term involvement in missions in Asia (particularly in the Philippines and Taiwan), his work with international ministries in the U.S., and his proven communication skills. Plus, both he and Jan just exude the transforming love of Jesus!
The Director of Global Church Advocacy is responsible for devising and executing a plan for promoting global ministry support that includes:
- messaging and communicating well with the FMCUSA;
- deepening the connections between FMCUSA conferences and churches and the international church (including those critical Country Support relationships);
- all things surrounding the recruiting and supporting missionaries; and
- overseeing the global-church (FMWM) staff.
As you can see, there is much to be done!
Gerry and Jan have a house to sell in Illinois for which we know they’d appreciate your prayers, but beyond that, they’d love prayer that they may be God’s instruments for creating new pathways to international missions and for helping to raise up a new level of enthusiasm across the church for the joy of funding that mission.
Gerry will begin his new responsibilities on February 13.
Blessings,
Board of Bishops
