Prayer for Ten-Time Multiplication

We have entered our tenth year as a ministry. Stephen Kennedy (IOI’s Mission Coordinator) and I have begun to pray a radical prayer and ask God to multiply the ministry of IOI ten times.
We really believe in what we are doing.
Asking God to increase the ministry by ten will not cost ten times as much.
Our budget last year was $161,260.31 which supported 25 children, 36 missionaries, mission trips and the administration Stateside. For just over three times as much financial support we could be doing ten times more ministry! This is possible because our costs Stateside would not increase very much.
We could be supporting 320 Ethiopian missionaries, 250 children, 30 Brazilian missionaries, build a discipleship training center in Ethiopia and administrate the mission for just over $500,000.00 per year. That is over 600 families for less than $830 per family per year!
Sanctuary Village Discipleship Training Center
The Church is growing quickly in Ethiopia and we see an urgent need for good training in the countryside churches. Many of the new churches that have been established in the past three years have leadership with little or no training in theology or Bible. I do not want my zeal to overshadow wisdom. There is no quick fix, but we do have a plan.

Our hope is to establish a training center called Sanctuary Village. The idea is to bring people from the countryside to live in a village much like their own village while they learn to grow their own food, learn a trade, study scripture, pray and practice ministry among the poor. In time we believe this ministry will be self-supporting, and need little assistance from us. It truly is an opportunity to invest in the future as we both give our brother a fish, and teach him how to fish.
I have begun to pray for partners in this task that will be willing to invest seven years of sowing to see a harvest that could last for many years to come. I am asking for help to raise an army of missionaries in Ethiopia who will be equipped for the days ahead.
I would love nothing more than to have invested the next seven years into hundreds of Ethiopians who are committed locally-supported disciplemakers. I believe this could happen.
Already we have witnessed ministers who no longer need our support and have directed their sponsorship to others. Over 50% of the churches we work with have begun to support their ministers. The support that has come from America has been a catalyst for change, and an encouragement to our poverty stricken brothers and sisters in Christ.

Janaury Mission to Ethiopia

Each year it is our privilege to host a Bible conference in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia. This year the teaching was done by both Ethiopian and Western teachers. Ecki Breitenmoser (SCFS missionary from Germany) and I were joined with Anthony Mathenia (a missionary from Christ Community Church of New Albany, Mississippi) and Douglas Merrick (an American missionary with Last Call Ministries of Shreveport). Mellese, Getachew, Getu, Kaleb and Negash were the Ethiopians who taught.
The theme of this year’s conference was “Holiness—the Fruit of the Spirit.” The topics covered were love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. I honestly believe this was our best conference yet, and it was attended by most of the missionaries and spouses supported through IOI.
We also had the privilege of hosting a medical team, that was organized by John McNally (director of a partner ministry that works with local churches to meet needs), that visited with all the missionaries and families at the end of the conference.
My sister, Arlene Norton, also joined the team in Addis after spending a week in Mekele working with the Operation Rescue childcare program. She is making a video about her trip and the child sponsorship programs that are offered through IOI. She has a goal of gaining 100 sponsors for the orphans and at risk children in Ethiopia. If you would like a free copy of the video email info@ioiusa.org or call (731)664-9960.
It was a fruitful trip that ended sadly with the news of Amber Mathenia’s (wife of Anthony) death. Anthony and Amber had been volunteers with IOI before moving to Ethiopia as career missionaries sent by their local church. Amber was killed in an automobile accident just hours before Anthony returned from a trip to Ethiopia where he taught at two Bible conferences.

2008 Bible Conference Funding Needed

We have planned a Bible conference for the indigenous missionary families in Ethiopia for January 2008. The expenses for this trip include renting a location for the conference, transportation to and from the location for all missionaries, food, materials, and medical supplies for family check ups. We are seeking funding for the conference and appreciate gifts of any size. For more information about what we will be doing or how you can help, call the IOI office or email Stephen.

2008 Mission Bible Conference in Addis Abeba

The dates for the January mission to Ethiopia are January 17-27, 2008 - LORD willing.

The main purpose for this team will be to host the 2008 Mission Bible Conference in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia. We also hope to take a small medical team on this journey.

The cost should be no more than $2400 per person (or less depending on the number traveling generally about $2200 pp). The team will be housed at a conference center in (or near) Ethiopia's capital city Addis Abeba. All meals, transportation and lodging from Memphis departure and return are included in the trip cost (up to 2 nights and 6 meals in Europe included --additional nights in Europe not included).

The needs are for: VBS (missionary children), women's ministry, medical personnel, seminar instructors (for missionaries and family members), etc.

The team plans to depart from Memphis on January 17 (one night in Europe in route) and arrive in Ethiopia on the evening of Saturday, January 19. Sunday, January 20 the team will go to various churches associated with IOI and spend the afternoon preparing for the conference. The conference begins Monday afternoon, January 21 and concludes on Friday morning January 25. Many team members will depart on Friday to host a clinic in the countryside. Saturday will be a sight-seeing/shopping day with a late evening departure for home with a Sunday afternoon/evening arrival in Memphis on January 27. (There is an option to spend a night in Europe on the return with a January 28 return). The stopover will most likely be Amsterdam, Holland or London, England. Team members may also choose to extend their stay in Ethiopia where they can go on safari or take a "historic tour" which includes many castles (Gondor) and famous rock-hewn churches (Lalebella). Additional expense.

An information packet is available for those interested in joining with this multi-denominational team. Those interested in going should request this packet by September 28, 2007. A deposit of $1,200.00 will be due October 31, 2007.

Ministry Among the Poor

Thanks to a generous gift from a Jackson church the Bible conference in Ethiopia held a special blessing for the ministers supported through IOI. In addition to each minister receiving gifts of special shirts and medicine the ministers also received a Christmas gift of 500 Birr (about $60 US). The missionaries also received the same amount to give away to neighbors or church members who are in desperate need.
The monetary gift was especially timely as food in Ethiopia has increased in cost almost 100% over the past two years. The inflation has been particularly hard on the poorest Ethiopians who were already strapped financially and often go days without eating.
“I have never seen God’s people begging for bread, but I have seen them go hungry,” Patrick said. At the last board meeting of IOI the Board was unanimous in their resolve to increase giving as much funding as possible to help alleviate the suffering of church members of associated churches, as well as using the Micah and Agemba Funds to minister mercy to the surrounding neighbors. “We want to reach people with the love of God by preaching the Gospel of grace and ministering God’s mercy through tangible benevolence. v

Ecki's Trip to Ethiopia

German Port Minister Ecki Breitenmoser visited Ethiopia this January. He met with the family of an Ethiopian seafarer, preached at the IOI Bible conference, visited churches in the countryside and met with many of the Ethiopian missionaries supported through IOI.

Bible Conference 2007 - Addis Abeba

Over 50 missionaries and church leaders attended this year's Bible Conference in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia. This year's theme was the command of Christ to, "Follow Me". A banquet was held for the noon meal at Sami's Resturant. This year's guest speakers were Ecki Breitenmoser (SCFS Port Minister in Bremerhaven, Germany), Patrick Beard (IOI Executive Director) and Douglas Merreck (Missionary to Mekele, Ethiopia)

2008 Bible Conference Plans

Each year IOI has hosted a Bible conference in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia for the indigenous missionaries that we work with.

This year's conference ('07) is a one day conference, but next year ('08) we would like to have a four day conference that involves all the family members of the missionaries. We would like to have Bible teaching and preaching, VBS for the children and various seminars for families and individuals. For this to be possible we have started planning now.

The departure from Memphis is planned for January 17, 2008. There is a planned stopover in Europe (most likely Amsterdam) for rest and some brief sight seeing (such as the Corrie Ten Boom House and Museum).

Arrival in Addis will be on Saturday evening, January 19 (Ethiopian Epiphany). The next morning the team will split-up and attend various church services around the city of Addis. Some team members will depart in the afternoon for the countryside for one-day Bible seminars in village churches.

Monday, January 21 would be a day of rest for many of the team members that remain in Addis. Those who have gone out-country will be engaged in one-day Bible conferences. The Ethiopian missionaries would begin arriving in the evening for the conference.

Tuesday, January 22 the Bible conference begins after breakfast with morning worship and prayer. The opening sermon would follow a tea break and be delivered on the theme of the conference, "Holiness - The Fruit of the Spirit". After lunch the missionaries would be have the opportunity to attend elective seminars (based on the giftings of the various team members) and conclude with an afternoon tea break. Late afternoon free-time would be followed with supper, followed by evening worship. (VBS begins after worship time)

Wednesday, January 23 the Bible conference continues after breakfast with morning worship and prayer. The opening sermon would follow a tea break and be delivered on the theme of the conference, "Holiness - The Fruit of the Spirit". After lunch the missionaries would be have the opportunity to attend elective seminars (based on the giftings of the various team members) and conclude with an afternoon tea break. Late afternoon free-time would be followed with supper, followed by evening worship. (VBS continues)

Thursday, January 24 the Bible conference continues after breakfast with morning worship and prayer. The opening sermon would follow a tea break and be delivered on the theme of the conference, "Holiness - The Fruit of the Spirit". After lunch the missionaries would be have the opportunity to attend elective seminars (based on the giftings of the various team members) and conclude with an afternoon tea break. Late afternoon free-time would be followed with supper, followed by evening worship. (VBS continues)

Friday, January 25 the Bible conference continues after breakfast with morning worship and prayer. The Closing sermon would follow a tea break and be delivered on the theme of the conference, "Holiness - The Fruit of the Spirit". After lunch the missionaries would depart for home. (VBS concludes at lunch)

Saturday, January 26 - Sight seeing in Addis Abeba and late evening departure for home.

Arrive in Memphis at about 6:00 PM on Sunday evening, January 27. (There is an option of spending an extra night in Europe in route).

Approximate cost for the trip would be $2,600.00 (depending on airfare and other variables, not including passport, visa and immunizations)

Supporters interested in traveling with us and helping present this conference are encouraged to contact Patrick before September 1, 2007.

Additional funds for this event would be greatly appreciated!

Bible Conference -- 2007

Thanks to a generous gift from a local Baptist church the annual IOI Bible conference is on schedule for January 2007.
The conference is scheduled for January 19 which is the day after Timket, an Ethiopian Orthodox holiday celebrating the baptism of Jesus.
This year’s theme refers to the cultural holiday and the invitation that Christ extends to those whom He calls: “‘Follow Me’ Buried with Christ in baptism, and raised to walk in newness of life.” The theme scripture passage is Matthew 16:24: “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”
Ecki Breitenmoser, SCFS Port Minister from Germany, will be the special guest speaker for the day long conference. Ecki, his wife and three sons live and minister in Bremerhaven, Germany. The Breitenmosers have been associated with IOI since July 2003. As well as serving as an evangelist and Bible teacher, Ecki has ministered to men who struggle with habitual sins. His testimony is one of hope and perseverance based on a Biblical presentation of the Gospel and Christ’s commands to obey.
The conference follows the Ethiopian celebration of Christmas (January 6) and each missionary supported through IOI will receive a gift box containing various useful items and a small monetary gift. There is still time to participate by sending personal greetings, Christmas cards and monetary gifts to the missionaries to be included in the gift boxes. Call Patrick for details at (731) 217-0750.

Lanes plan return to Ethiopia

John and Megan plan to return to Ethiopia at the end of rainy season in early September. Their plans are to investigate possible ministry opportunities in the North of Ethiopia, helping prepare for the 2007 Bible Conference and assisting with changes in Addis. Megan's sister Christina plans to accompany the couple for this three month long assignment.