Accelerating

Dear Ones who faithfully pray for us,

As you know, last week we traveled to Toronto to meet with both GMM (Global Missionary Ministries) and Impact Canada. It was a very productive time. Tuesday evening we shared dinner with George and Vera Bajenski and talked about the plans for the summer. George informed us that there are 10 churches here in the States interested in sending groups and/or individuals to East/Central Europe this summer. Obviously, it will require the coordination of many details, and hopefully we can assist in this. It is exciting to realize the work is beginning to become a reality.

On Wednesday we spent 7 hours in a meeting discussing the possible merger of GMM and Impact Canada. A professional "facilitator" charted the course for us as we candidly explored the various options. It was beneficial to get everything out on the table and look at the pros and cons of a merger. The results of this meeting are being sent to the Board members of each organization, and the matter will be decided officially February 17 when the Board meets. Impact Canada is a church-planting organization that has seen significant success over the past few years. Merging the two organizations together will increase resources and provide for more focused ministry in East Central Europe. Please pray for God's direction in this matter.

(By the way, while in Toronto, my neck "went out" badly, so we are reminded that we need prayer for continued good health. I am doing much better now and am thankful for all of you who were praying for us.)

So ... what's going on right now?? We continue to meet each weekend at our "partnership gatherings," which have been a great encouragement to us. We have two more scheduled the next two Saturday evenings. Our "Covenant Roots" class began this past Monday evening and it was a wonderful time of worship, teaching, and fellowship.

Please pray for us as we make plans for the summer and begin the scheduling process. We so want to be in the center of God's will in all this ... and are asking Him to design our summer schedule according to His plan. Please pray specifically for the following matters:

1. Dave is currently contacting churches (e.g., California) to line up opportunities to share our work. Please pray for significant appointments.
2. We travel to Champaign, Illinois, February 10-11, to speak to 3 groups at the First Christian Church.
3. The GMM Board meeting is February 16-17 in Toronto. It is at this meeting that our position as staff members with GMM will officially be decided. The merger with Impact Canada will also be discussed.
4. I have been invited to join Kazik Barczuk (the Jewish director of the camp ministry) and Zbigniew Chojnacki (the Ostroda camp director) as they travel to Kaliningrad, Russia, on February 20-21. We will meet with the Jewish rabbi and others of the Jewish community to discuss the possibility of bringing 50 Jewish children to Ostroda, Poland, for camp in June. It is a very important meeting and I have been praying for more than a year that these orthodox children would be allowed to attend our camp. I will fly to Poland and then we will take a bus into Russia. While in Poland, I will also have the opportunity to attend a large Missio Musica concert (our friends who are professional, Christian musicians ...with whom I have traveled on tour several times). I will have opportunity to meet with the leaders of
Missio Musica to discuss summer plans. They have asked me to teach on worship at their music camp in August. In order to make this trip, I must first secure a visa to Russia. There are many details involved, and I am currently trying to work through this process. Obviously, there is not much time to prepare, so please pray that the details will come together smoothly.

As you can see, everything is ACCELERATING at a fast speed. There's much to be done and each day presents a new opportunity. We are SO grateful for God's daily care and guidance.

We love you all ... and thank you, as always, for your prayers and support.

Love,
...Sandy (and Dave)

Partnership Gatherings

Partnership Gatherings are small groups of individuals who are interested in hearing what God has invited us to join Him in doing with our lives and future involvement in ministry and missions. We meet in homes and share in regards to our family, we pray for all of our children, and we testify to our call to missions, specifically Global Missionary Ministries in central and eastern Europe.

Our primary involvement centers around "establishing, strengthening and multiplying the church" in central and eastern Europe through leadership training, camps for children and musical festivals and outreaches in larger cities. We discuss partnering with others as intercessors, short term workers and/or investment partners. In addition to these roles there are opportunities to serve with us as a part of our Shepherding Team and Advisory Team.

We end our time together with a simple covenant meal of bread and wine. Paul wrote to the Corinthians saying, "Is not the cup of blessing which we bless a sharing in the blood of Christ? Is not the loaf which we break a sharing in the body of Christ? Since there is one loaf, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one loaf." (I Corinthians 10:16-17) Not only does this passage of Scripture highlight the vertical relationship that we have with the Father in heaven but also the horizontal relationship that we have with members of the body of Christ. It also emphasizes the fact that we are one (loaf) in the body of Christ. We are each needed by the other to be complete and whole.

To date, 224 people have committed to intercede for us and our future ministry. In addition to this, fifteen families have partnered with us by making a financial investment in our future work in missions. Truly, we are one loaf in the body of Christ to reach the ends of the earth with the good news of the gospel.

If you are interested in knowing more about this opportunity in missions please feel free to contact us in the following ways:

email us: dave.hatfield@sbcglobal.net or sandy.hatfield@sbcglobal.net
call us: home phone: 810-227-3543
cell phone: 810-923-0226 (dave) or 810-923-6063 (sandy)
write us at our home address: 10747 Culver Road
Brighton, MI 48114

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to all!!!

In this New Year may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

My family has been abundantly blessed by the encouragement of those who have interceded on our behalf. By not only your prayers but also your words and notes of encouragement spoken and sent to us. We are excited about the work that God has prepared in advance for us to join Him in accomplishing. We will continue to rest in Him fully.

Last Friday (Dec 29) there were nineteen of us who gathered at the Piehler's home for our third Partnership Gathering. It was a joy to gather with those who are fully devoted to following Jesus. We were strengthened in faith by our time together. Randy and Virginia were gracious hosts. (The apple pie was delicimo!!!)

This Saturday we are looking forward to gathering with nine more families at the Gaines' home for our fourth Partnership Gathering. If anyone else is interested in attending a future PG to find out how God is leading Sandy and me in our venture of faith in missions, please let us know.

This Saturday is FULL. But Jan 13th and Jan 20th both have room for more. You can email or call us at home to reserve your place. Please pray for these times of sharing that all the purposes of God would be complete and His will would be accomplished.

Please pray for all the Partnership Gatherings (Jan 27 at the Beakers-FULL);
Jan 9-10 Sandy and Dave will be traveling to Mississauga to meet with GMM and Impact Canada
Networking and contacting churches to partner with in our outreach to central and eastern Europe
for Dave as he moves out of his office of 17 years at Brighton Christian this week
for Sandy as she allows Dave to move his office into the front living room (half of it anyway)

Praise Report
Two churches in addition to BCC have invited us to meet with their Missions Team (both in February)
We have received seven "special gifts" and ten families have made monthly pledges to support us as we join GMM and their work in central and eastern Europe
81% of our projected basic income for 2007 has been given or committed in a monthly pledge (ministry expenses will be needed in addition to this)

We are thanking God for you and all that He is providing through you for His kingdom work.

Blessings in this New Year,

Dave and Sandy