His Secret Place, "a Mission to Missionaries" (M2M)

HSP-M2M 2011

2011-09-02T08:43:00.007-04:00

Our guests at the recent HSP-M2M 2011 experienced a time of refreshing, a spiritual recharge that encouraged them to continue on in their service to the Lord. Here are some of their comments…

Each Missionary who attended M2M 2011 has willingly laid their lives down for those God called them to. In the same way those who initiated, volunteered and sponsored M2M have laid down their lives for us. "No greater love is there than when we lay down our lives for our brother". Thank you.
- Ray and Sue

M2M was exactly what we needed, as we needed time to debrief ourselves during this time of transition. I have felt special, and celebrated. There are few places in the world like this... where you are free to be yourself, and not be judged... the pressure was off right away... there were no expectations, it was very different from any conference, or anything we've experienced. All of it - the activities, the mindset, was great. I felt God's presence in this place, as soon as we stepped in the room. It was obvious that people were praying for us.
- Brian and Susan (pseudonym)

"Safe, sacred place" - It was wonderful being cared for by all of those who have been prepared to minister to missionaries, because of their (the volunteers) experiences. The volunteer’s lives have been very, very rich.
- Sonia

There is a part of psalm 23 that has been going through me the whole week while I was here..."He restores my soul". I believe that is because that is your heart... to restore.
- Magda

You know when a vacation is not really a vacation, because you are always talking about what we are going to do, constant activities, well..."This has really been a retreat".
- Julie & Mati

Sometimes going into the mission field is like going into the deep end of the pool - you don’t know what you're getting yourself into. Coming here was like wading into the shallow end.
- Karen & Randy

Poor relationships with other missionaries…

2011-08-08T09:50:00.003-04:00

Another cause for missionaries to leave the mission field is poor relations with other missionaries.

What is it with us that we feel so threatened when we feel that someone else may do better then us, or may take something away from us! We sometimes go out of our way to build walls between us and others that are in ministry, making sure they don't cross the line! A prayer that Jesus prayed to the Father that does not get as much coverage as the Lords Prayer can be found in John 17:21-23. I like how it's put in the Message Bible.

I'm praying not only for them but also for those who will believe in me because of them and their witness about me. The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind— Just as you, Father, are in me and I in you, so they might be one heart and mind with us. Then the world might believe that you, in fact, sent me. The same glory you gave me, I gave them, so they'll be as unified and together as we are— I in them and you in me. Then they'll be mature in this oneness, and give the godless world evidence that you've sent me and loved them In the same way you've loved me.

There are many other scriptures that encourage us to keep the peace amongst the brethren and think of others more highly than ourselves. I guess we still have some of the mindset we had before we became Christians, and that is that we want to build our own little kingdoms. Still, it is hard to keep a balance in our relationships when we have bad experiences where others deliberately undermine us, or deliberately try and persuade people to work with one mission and leave the other. It must be a stench in the Lord’s nostrils when He has to put up with our childish ways.

Relationships between missionaries in the field are not much different than the denominational churches we have in Canada/USA. We sense that we must protect the work we feel so led to do on behalf of the Kingdom of God. We are afraid that THEY may get one up on us. Man, are we ever going to learn? If the Lord is waiting for the church to become one before He comes back… well, no concern about that happening anytime soon!

I know that these are harsh words and somewhat awakening but they need to be said. I like how Paul put it in Ephesians 4: 1-6 (The Message Bible):

In light of all this, here's what I want you to do. While I'm locked up here, a prisoner for the Master, I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel. I don't want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don't want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences. (Look up the last part of His prayer in verses 24-25)

You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness.

We should be encouraging one another in our calls from the Lord. Being a part of someone else's vision will only enhance ours. If you were to boil it down, we are all a part of someone else's vision. Ultimately, we are part of the Lord's vision. We are all members of the Body of Christ. I should be encouraging you to do your part effectively because that will only lead to my success in whatever I am doing. It does not matter if I do not see it immediately but the finger and toe have a lot in common. When one hurts the other is affected, but more importantly, when one succeeds the other undoubtedly will reap the benefits.

I have seen missionaries compete in power struggles in the field. Neither one giving way to the other, nor humbling themselves to allow the other one to blossom. Sometimes it's a matter of a disjointed “power of command” not being respected. In those cases, the leader should know better than wrestle the matter to the point of division. This would be a great time for one to humble oneself, make peace and put the other above oneself. Complex… yes, not everything can be so simply remedied just by gracefully bowing out but the alternative is less pleasing to the Lord, believe me. If it were not for the Lord's Mercy towards us sad bunch, we'd be goners! Here is a thought… What's pride got to do with it?! Selah!

His Secret Place, a "Mission to Missionaries" 2011

2011-06-13T12:46:00.000-04:00

The International Alliance for Missions, Inc. kicks off its third annual His Secret Place, a Mission to Missionaries, from August 20-25, 2011. Volunteers and Attendees from different parts of the World, that serve in various missions, will be gathering at the Oceanview Hotel, Rocky Harbour, Newfoundland to enjoy a time of much deserved rest and relaxation. Volunteers will assist in the various activities that the attendees will be enjoying during their stay. Our attendees will be accommodated for six days and five nights including meals and daily activities (such as: massage therapy, kayaking, hiking, boat tour, golfing and swimming) which will be scheduled throughout their stay.

I would like to give a special thank you to the organizations, churches and individuals that made this years HSP-M2M a reality. Your prayers and financial contributions will be an eternal blessing to the Lord and His servants.

Can you tell what plant this is?

2011-03-04T10:19:00.000-05:00

VisionQuest Tour 2011

2010-10-25T13:22:00.006-04:00

Some of you may have heard about our new initiative, VisionQuest, which we launched last year. We will be hosting a team of business/professional people to visit the mission field in Honduras to experience first-hand the work that missionaries are passionate about. This trip will be for eight (8) days. The dates of the trip will be sometime within the first three weeks of November, 2011. Once we have identified the interested parties wanting to join VisionQuest, we will firm up the dates with our Travel Agent.

Many business/professional people have a heart for missionaries and their work but cannot see themselves actually going on a mission trip. "Roughing it" is not something they are inclined to do. However, VisionQuest offers a much more comfortable experience without the challenges of accommodations and food preparation.　Participants will stay in a nice hotel with fine dining. No sleeping in tight quarters. And for those who want to continue their stay, they can take in a tourist destination at the end of the tour.

Individual participants can expect to pay around $2150.00 and couples to pay $1800.00 each. These prices may vary depending on the best deal available at the time of booking our flights.

IMPORTANT DATE: JULY 1, 2011::: If you are interested in being part of our 2011 VisionQuest you need to let us know before July 1st, 2011. Just drop me an email, admin @ hissecretplace.ca, requesting information on VisionQuest or call toll free at 1-888-913-2561 x3.

Do you know of someone who would like to be a part of VisionQuest?

His Secret Place, "a Mission to Missionaries" a blessing from the Lord.

2010-09-23T10:25:00.000-04:00

M2M's 2010 event was a great success again this year. Attendees were treated to a wonderful time of rest and relaxation, topped with fun activities, times of worship and a sense of the Lord's direction for their lives in missions. The volunteers were equally blessed to participate in the lives of the attendees by being available to listen, and give words of encouragement and to serve them with honor. If you would like to hear more just click the video below.

Do you know of someone who could use this time of rest and relaxation in 2011? Direct them to our website! http://www.hissecretplace.ca/

NOTICE: Space still available for M2M 2010

2010-07-02T13:40:00.001-04:00

There are still several rooms available for this year's M2M 2010. If you or someone you know, that is serving full time in missions, would be interested in attending M2M, just email me at derm_w@yahoo.com or call me on our toll free number, 1-888-913-2561.

M2M 2010 has a green light...

2010-06-11T13:49:00.000-04:00

The M2M Team is very thankful to the Lord and to you for your faithfulness in joining our mission and praying for the needs of this ministry. It is through the prayers of friends like you that we are able to bless the socks off 16 missionaries at this year's M2M 2010 in Rock Harbour, NL. YAAAAAA!!!

Update on New Applications for M2M

2010-04-29T13:59:00.001-04:00

To date we have six couples and 2 single missionaries that have applied for this year's Mission to Missionaries Event. Their mission fields spread from Canada, USA to Afghanistan and parts of Eastern Europe. Our volunteer staff are anticipating a great time serving our un-sung heroes this year. We are faithfully believing for the remainder of the budget to come in soon. Thus far we have a total of $9,000.00 in donated and pledged funds. Our budget is $15,000.00.

If you would like to make a donation, you can click on the CanadaHelps button to the right and follow the instructions. For more information you can email info@hissecretplace.ca .

If you know someone that could use this time of rest and relaxation, please send them a link to our invitation page: http://www.coffeeonline.org/m2m/event/2010.html.

M2M 2010 Invitation is officially launched...

2010-04-05T15:53:00.003-04:00

The official launch of this year's M2M is now here. Missionaries from around the world are welcomed to make application to attend this year's event. If you know a missionary that you think would enjoy a time of rest and relaxation, by all means, please send them the invitation link below. http://www.coffeeonline.org/m2m/event/2010.html .

M2M Prayer Letter - March 2010

2010-03-12T10:20:00.006-05:00

Well, Praise the Lord, we are about to launch our second M2M in Rocky Harbour, NL. As you are aware, last years M2M was a huge success. I believe this was an answer to the many prayers coming from you and others in the Body of Christ. This is a faith-based ministry and every plan has to be covered in prayer, submitted to the Lord, and then we trust that He will establish our steps.

In the upcoming months leading to M2M 2010, I will be sending out prayer letter requests covering the various areas needing prayer, and asking guidance from the Holy Spirit. I welcome your feedback and comments in this process. So, please feel free to email me regarding anything that you would like to share.

Here are the prayer requests:
2 Corinthians 9:8 And God [is] able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all [things], may abound to every good work:
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

 Applications to reach those that the Lord has purposed to be at M2M 2010
 Finances that will be required to accommodate at least 15 participants ($850.00 per person)
 Presently, we are short one day in the booking at the hotel where we hold our event. The Lord willing, we would like to have the following dates… August 31 - September 5. That totals 5 nights and 6 days. Prayer answered. New dates: Aug 29-Sept 3.
 The Church, as a whole, in Canada and abroad to catch the vision of M2M, to engage with their prayers and resources, and to consider having their missionaries attend this time of rest and relaxation.

Thank you in advance for taking the time to keep these requests before the Father asking for Big Grace to be poured down on this ministry.

The dates for our M2M 2010 event are official...

2010-03-05T13:06:00.018-05:00

The dates for this next M2M Event have been set! The event will take place at Ocean View Hotel, Gros Morne National Park, from Aug. 29th-Sept. 3rd. It was "touch and go" for awhile as we waited for the fifth day to become available. The hotel manager,Todd Wright, worked diligently to successfully identify 5 overnights and 6 days for our missionary guests.

Now that the dates are set, we can move ahead and spread the word that we are ready to receive applications from missionaries desiring to attend this years M2M. Praise the Lord.

New application fee introduced...

2010-02-16T08:55:00.010-05:00

Upon the recommendation of IAM's Adhoc Advisory Committee, this years M2M 2010 will ask it's applicants to accompany their application with a refundable fee of $50.00. This is not the usual way of handling application fees. In this case, applicants will be refunded their $50.00 fee upon their successful completion of the process. In other words, when the missionary arrives at the event they will be refunded their money. Unsuccessful applicants are those who withdrew their application after they had been selected for reasons such as being unable to come up with their transportation costs, change of plans, etc. However, consideration for refund will be given to unsuccessful applicants who can prove a family death or health reasons which prohibits them from attending M2M. Also, if an applicant is declined by the M2M committee, they too will be refunded their full application fee.

The refund of the application fee to successful applicants is unusual but it falls in line with our hearts desire to keep the expense of this experience as low as possible for the missionary. Also, it helps filter out non-serious applicants thus improving our capability to administer the selection process. We use a rule of thumb, first come - first served, but we hold the right to be flexible on that rule at our own discretion. For example a missionary who has been in the field for 10 years without a break, and one who is in missions for three years.

Mission to Missionaries events depend on generous donations from churches, organizations, and individuals to pay for the operational expenses i.e. event activities, food and accommodations. Ninety days prior to the event start date, donations for the event will be calculated and the number of attendees we can invite will be determined. The minimum number of attendees for any one event will be fifteen (15).

Would you like to make a donation? Go to CanadaHelps: Convenient for online credit card donations. Click on the Donate Now button below, then choose "Church Pledge for M2M or Individual Pledge for M2M. Your donation will be tax-receipted.

Heads-up... M2M 2010

2010-02-03T12:39:00.001-05:00

Well how time flies... so goes the saying. When I look back to September 2009 M2M it surprises me that it was just 5 months ago when we held our first M2M. It seems like time is not flying when we are into doing things for the Lord. We should be able to do a lot in a short time then. So lets take this time and make it count for His Purposes.

Folks... I am excited! And I am full of faith believing that the Lord is going to meet the needs of this years M2M as well as He done last year. But we must do our part and put plans in place for another successful, Holy Spirit guided M2M for 2010. I cannot take it for granted that we can just let things fall where they may and the Lord will take care of it all. He NEEDS all that we are willing to give to make this another successful time of refreshing for our missionaries. You only need to listen to the testimonies of last years attendees that expressed their appreciation, and know that this is a ministry worth repeating. If you haven't done so here is the link: >>>view video

Ray and Juanita's M2M Experience

2009-11-04T20:45:00.002-05:00

The M2M 2009 Experience...

2009-09-29T09:39:00.008-04:00

M2M... Tremendous Success

2009-09-25T11:35:00.009-04:00

IAM’s first M2M Event was a tremendous success. That is the word from all that participated in the event…volunteer staff and missionary attendees. Even the service industry weighed in with their take on it, expressing that the event ran smoothly. “Is this your first time doing such an event?” questioned one of the hotel management staff. “You have certainly made this one a success.”

Fifteen missionary attendees and 12 volunteer staff participated in this year's event. The event ran from Sept 1-6. Right from the get-go, the attendees were greeted warmly, ushered to the registration table and then on to their hotel room. The excitement in the hotel amongst staff and attendees grew at a steady pace as each day's activities played out. Attendees chose from the various activities available to them such as massage therapy, kayaking, boat tour, hiking, golfing and swimming. Their meals were served in fine dining style. Nothing was too good for our M2Mers.

There were lots of photos taken throughout the event. Check M2M’s photo album to get a sense of the vast beauty of Rocky Harbour. Can you find the whale?

Volunteer staff made themselves available to the attendees’ throughout the event, especially for times of sharing and prayer. These times were a blessing to both the attendees and our staff.

One of the main highlights for me personally was a gift the Lord gave to the missionaries. An analogy of the rugged life of a plant that survives in the wild of Newfoundland - the Pitcher Plant, and the missionary. The missionary has a lot in common with the pitcher plant. They too, like the pitcher plant, represent a flexibility and distinctiveness that is necessary to persevere in their call in the mission field. To read more on this gift from the Lord, called “a Tenacious Little Fellow”, click here.

Another highlight of the event was our last night in Rocky Harbour. After everyone enjoyed a lovely dinner together, our staff put off a Newfoundland production, “The Newfie Kitchen Party”. They went all out to entertain our guests, giving them a hilarious piece of Newfoundland culture. They even persuaded our mainland volunteer staff to dress up as mummers!

Finally, as things came to a close, as we prepared to part ways, there was a tangible anticipation for M2M and its future. We all felt that this must carry on. Others need to experience this time of refreshing. As some attendees’ expressed, "I feel like it’s a big hug from the Lord"; "I am made to feel like a queen"; "This has helped me focus on my mission and helped restore my relationship with my wife."

The Lord willing, there will be a M2M 2010, and perhaps the Lord has a part for you to play. If so, email us at admin @hissecretplace.ca .

Check out two stories posted by the Western Star:
Missionaries gather in western Newfoundland for retreat
Newfoundlander planning missionary retreat for Gros Morne

Subscribe to M2M to keep up with the latest news...

2009-07-07T11:41:00.003-04:00

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This is the best way to keep up with M2M latest news.

M2M has a Green Light to GO...

2009-06-10T22:14:00.005-04:00

With a heart filled with thanksgiving and gratitude to the Lord, this past week I notified all the registered missionaries that this September's Mission to Missionaries 2009 is going ahead. This is a great milestone for International Alliance for Missions, Inc. (IAM)

When the IAM board met in June of last year in London, Ontario, to consider the possibilities of organizing such an event that would bless missionaries from all over, we did not have a plug penny to put towards it. However, with willing hearts, daily prayer and doing our best to follow the leading from the Holy Spirit, we forged ahead as if money was not a problem.

This week, we were able to secure the funds required for the hotel rooms and meals for our missionary guests. Over the next three months, leading up to the big event, all further donations will go towards fun and relaxing activities for our guests. This will include activities such as kayaking, hiking excursions, boat tours, etc. This will help us show our appreciation to them for their selfless sacrifice in serving others in their country of calling.

Perhaps you would like to consider a financial gift at this time. If so, go to www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?CharityID=d41998, under Fund/Designation select "M2M Retreat". You will be tax-receipted for your donation.

M2M Update...

2009-05-25T12:11:00.013-04:00

Praise the Lord, there are eight days left (from May 24th.) to see what the Lord has planned for M2M in September.

Over this last week or so, we have received four pledges totaling $2,600.00 for the M2M Retreat. I am confident that this money is in the mail right now. I am so blessed because I know the sources of those donations. I know those people could have easily used the money in their own personal lives but instead they chose to sow it into this ministry to bless our missionaries.

Yes, I am calling them "our" missionaries. Those who prayerfully responded to our invitation did so only after conferring with their pastors and directors, looking to them for counsel. They decided that this indeed was their time and season to receive refreshing. I sense a connection; I want them all to come, the Lord willing.

We now have seventeen (17) missionaries registered for the M2M Retreat, serving in nine countries. My hope and desire is that we will have enough finances to invite all of these missionaries.

As a point of interest, here is a brief overview of our M2M website since it was launched back in March 1, 2009.

545 individual visitors

3,018 page views
51 countries

I am asking our visitors to take some time throughout this week to pray in thanksgiving to the Lord for meeting this financial need and also to be open to hear from the Lord as to whom they could share this information.

To make a donation, go to: www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?CharityID=d41998, under Fund/Designation select "M2M Retreat".

Countdown - seventeen days left till May 31th.

2009-05-14T15:47:00.004-04:00

Well, the countdown has begun. We have 17 days left until we look into our bank account to see what the Lord has done.

To date, May 14, we have 13 registered missionaries for the M2M retreat. Four more have expressed interest in attending and said that they will send in their registration form soon. So that will be a total of 17. I am blessed to see the international representation of interest we are getting. Our registrants are serving in the following countries:

Canada
USA
Trinidad
Ukraine
Bolivia
Guyana, South America
Mexico
India

It touches my heart to read the words from the missionaries who registered for the event. We see their need for this time and occasion to get away from their work, to take time out for themselves, and to be encouraged to go back and continue in the work the Lord has called them.

I am asking you to please make an effort to take the time to pray along with Viola and I and to believe God for the remainder of the budget to be met. We want to be able to send these missionaries a confirmation letter at the end of the month informing them that M2M is a GO. If you are one who's thinking that someone else will do the praying or do the giving, please think again. We now need a minimum of $15,000.00 to accommodate 15 people at this event. Our God is a Big God! There's lots of money in His treasury but I know He uses you and I to pray to make things happen.

To be honest, I have been tempted to make a few calls to people in the Body of Christ who could easily meet this financial need. My past experience isn't encouraging whenever I've gone that route. So, this has to be something between them and the Lord. My job is to get the word out there and trust the Lord for His will to be done.

Please take time to forward this letter to others who can join us in our prayer of agreement.

Play Hard, Pray Harder,
Derm

M2M Lapel Pin Promo

2009-04-29T16:03:00.003-04:00

Donations of $50.00 or more will receive a one-time gift of a M2M Lapel Pin. This is our way of thanking you for supporting this vital mission to our missionaries. Our hope is that the lapel pin will act as a reminder to you to pray for this ministry. Limited quantity: One lapel pin per donor while quantities last.

You can Donate via CanadaHelps today and get tax-receipted. Click here to Donate Now, then choose "M2M Retreat". For your convenience, if you would like to make a monthly donation you can choose to repeat your donation, and we will deduct your monthly amount from your credit card.

M2M Invitation

2009-04-20T12:46:00.005-04:00

We are very pleased to announce our invitation webpage has been sent to hundreds of missionaries all around the world. Please take the time to forward this invitation to missionaries you personally know who are in the field. Simply click on the image to the left and use your browser email services to forward the invitation.

CFCM Endorsement

2009-03-27T22:03:00.005-04:00

Canadian Fellowship of Churches and Ministers (CFCM) is pleased to provide their endorsement to the ministry of Mission to Missionaries. "The need for care of our unsung heroes who have answered the call for cross-cultural missions shouts loud to the Body of Christ. CFCM is honoured to endorse an outreach to these missionaries that will provide them with an atmosphere to relax and enjoy a time of renewal and refreshing."

CFCM is a Canadian ministry fellowship whose aim is to promote unity, fellowship and strength in the Body of Christ through the “local church”. They see the strength of their organization in the strength of each of their individual members, thus the primary role is one of underpinning the local church in what God has called it to do.

CFCM is a national ministry fellowship that has been in Canada for many years with the origin of the founding group that CFCM emerged from going all the way back to 1969. Their membership includes ministers from Vancouver Island on the west coast to St. John’s on the east coast, to the Arctic in the North and ministers currently serving in various countries around the world. Mission to Missionaries is grateful for CFCM's endorsement to reach out to our unsung heroes and provide them with an atmosphere to relax and enjoy a time of renewal and refreshing.

M2M's First Retreat Applicants

2009-03-21T17:19:00.007-04:00

Raymond and Juanita Whalen currently live in Nain, Labrador. They have established Shining Light Ministries; “by shining God’s light and ministering His love, lives can be changed and souls saved.” They minister full time to the Inuit people in the community of Nain, the most northerly community on the coast of Labrador. They do this by serving the people and showing God’s love in practical ways like distributing clothing and food, and sharing the Gospel of Christ. They have been helping meet both the physical and spiritual needs to the 1200 plus population full time for almost 5 years now.

They are looking forward to joining with other missionaries in Rocky Harbor this fall for the M2M retreat! You can contact Ray and Juanita at Shining Light Ministries, P.O. Box 289, Nain, NL, A0P 1L0, Canada. (709) 922 1509.

Celebrate Global Missionaries by Engaging in M2M

2009-02-20T11:53:00.015-05:00

As with The Cry, the International Alliance for Missions, Inc. (IAM) believes that Mission to Missionaries (M2M) is part of the current movement God is creating in this province and across our nation.

M2M is a time and occasion for missionaries to receive recovery and strengthening in Christ’s rest (Matthew 11:28-29). Information on the retreat, its purpose, and goals can be found in the "What is M2M?" post below. It is also a response to a growing need. (Read "Why Minister to Missionaries?" by Dermot Westcott for more insight).

IAM is looking to the Body of Christ across Canada to engage in M2M. Please help us care for the missionaries attending M2M by participating in one or any of the following ways:

Pray for M2M and the missionaries who will attend.
Organize a simple fundraiser: funding will help cover the costs of accommodations, activities, and services used by the missionaries throughout the retreat.
Donate: Make an in-kind or cash donation. Besides funding, there are various goods and services that could benefit M2M and its guests.
Volunteer: you may have special skills, training, or talents to share with the participants at M2M.

Feel free to comment or ask questions. For more information you may also email us: info@hissecretplace.ca.

Check out our website: http://www.m2m.hissecretplace.ca .

Volunteer by Organizing a Simple Fundraiser

2009-02-20T08:33:00.008-05:00

Ask your pastor or church leader if you could hold a fundraising event for M2M. There are many events that are effective and easy to organize. For example; bake sales, spaghetti dinners, and café nights are all great ideas. We highly recommend organizing a fundraiser where you could sell coffee from www.coffeeonline.org. If coffee bought from this site is being used to raise funds for M2M, it can be purchased at a discounted price.

The purpose of M2M is to provide global missionaries with a week of restoration of renewal, but to do this we need funding. By organizing an event for M2M, you and your church family will be helping to encourage missionaries who serve in various parts of the world. Funding for M2M will cover the accommodations, outdoor activities, and other services partaken by the missionaries. We do not want missionaries (who already sacrifice so much of themselves) to be burdened with having to pay for this retreat. Therefore we would like them to enjoy M2M for free. Please prayerfully consider becoming involved. Email us if you require further information (info@hissecretplace.ca) or Apply now!

You can participate from home, wherever your home may be.

2009-02-03T08:56:00.024-05:00

Newfoundlanders have been known to populate different towns and cities in other parts of Canada. This week I have been searching for churches in these areas, as Newfoundlanders living away will no doubt be interested in this one-of-a-kind retreat taking place at home. Just think; our world-renowned hospitality will be used to honor and bless global missionaries. This is an awesome opportunity.

How can Newfoundlanders living away participate?

There are a number of options. Firstly, we need people to cover M2M in prayer. We also need funding to pay for accomodations, activities, and any other services used to bless our missionary guests. Thus, we need people to partner with us by organizing fundraisers (such as bake sales and spaghetti dinners). There are also various goods and services we need that people could contribute (all tax-receiptable). Finally, we need to encourage missionaries to attend.

But are we encouraging only Newfoundlanders to participate? Not at all. This is an international retreat with Kingdom purposes. We are calling on all Christians (all denominations and churches everywhere) to participate in whatever way they can. Let's unite and work together.

Note that we greatly appreciate any amount of participation we recieve; whether it be from an individual, group, or congregation.

New Logo for M2M

2009-01-27T10:10:00.004-05:00

What you see above is the new logo for M2M. The road within the logo carries a lot of significance to us. Firstly, it represents the journey of a missionary. Secondly, it symbolizes the journey towards the greater vision of having a permanent facility in Newfoundland where missionaries, pastors, and other Christian leaders can come for restoration and solitude. (Called His Secret Place).
M2M is the first step towards seeing the vision of His Secret Place fulfilled.

Wanna know more? Feel free to post questions and any other feedback.

The Latest News from M2M

2008-12-20T12:08:00.003-05:00

Much has happened with M2M in 2008 – the following is a quick rundown…

In September ‘08, Living Waters Ministries in Springdale, Newfoundland blessed us with an office space to use for M2M operations.
Barnabas International is partnering with M2M and is providing a team to minister to the missionaries at our event.
We began building a website, which we hope to launched in January ‘09
Several volunteers have been blessing us with their time and talents
Interest and curiosity in M2M continues to grow locally

We also began a gift registry so that people can purchase gifts for blessing the missionaries at the retreat (see previous blog). I tried it myself and it was kind of fun!

So things are coming along. We’re faithful that God will provide and put all the necessary details we need together. In 2009 you can expect to hear about M2M on Christian radio stations and read about it in Christian magazines. We will be promoting M2M also via this blog and our new website (address TBA). There is also a possibility that other bloggers might promote M2M to their readers.

Bless a Missionary with a Gift.

2008-12-10T16:37:00.003-05:00

M2M would like to bless the missionaries with baskets that overflow with wonderful gifts. Here is a list of suggested items we would love to give to the visiting missionaries:

Visit Registry

Why minister to Missionaries you ask?

2008-05-16T13:24:00.005-04:00

Researching through several statistics that have been collected over many years by the WEA, I learned that our missionaries today fall victim to a whole host of complex issues. Over time, these missionaries go from being enthused by the Lord's calling on their lives to a state of hopelessness, fatigue, exasperation and need. Some missionaries will stay in missions for six months, some close to ten years. What pushes some to leave so soon and what helps others stay much longer? In short, our missionaries are becoming, in many cases, the people they are trying to reach - the orphans. Thus they become orphan missionaries.

My perspective into this subject comes from my own personal experience in the mission field and also from the World Evangelical Alliance Missions Commission (WEA). If you would like to read more on my sentiment on this matter, you can read up on it on the last page of my last three newsletters linked below:

June-August

Sept-Dec

Jan - March

What is M2M?

2008-05-08T13:00:00.012-04:00

Mission to Missionaries (M2M) is an international retreat purposed to encourage, empower, and revive global missionaries. It will be an opportunity for churches and Christians everywhere to celebrate missionaries and their calling. All missionaries are invited to attend.

M2M is taking place September 2009 within Gros Morne National Park, NL. The attending missionaries will relax in hotel accomodations and enjoy the best in Newfoundland hospitality. They will also have opportunity to experience the sights, sounds, and activities of this land through various outdoor activities. A missionary-sensitive team from Barnabas International will also be available at M2M. They will accompany the missionaries and gently encourage their emotional and spiritual health.

Missionaries often sacrifice comfort, family, careers, and friends to serve those in other countries. Their work can be demanding and sometimes dangerous. A major objective of M2M is to create a national awareness of missionaries and the commitment they make to others. We also want churches across North America to be reminded of their role in caring for missionaries. It is common for missionaries to experience stress and burnout, and a feeling of abandonment by churches and other supporters can be a great contributing factor.

M2M is being organized by the International Alliance for Missions, Inc.
Based in Newfoundland, this is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting missionaries in their cross-cultural projects.