On Sunday, April 6, Galilee members met with Pastor Mike Plasters to discuss the church’s mission work, focusing on two long-supported efforts—in Costa Rica and Sierra Leone—that are now under reassessment.
Sierra Leone: Helping Children Worldwide
Galilee has partnered with Helping Children Worldwide (HCW) since its founding after the Sierra Leone Civil War. In collaboration with local churches, Galilee has contributed nearly $450,000 to support Mercy Hospital and the Child Reintegration Centre in Bo.
After arriving last summer, Pastor Mike requested updated information on all mission partnerships. He and Felicia Johnson, Director of Serve Ministries, met with Emmanuel (Nabs) Nabieu—an HCW leader who grew up at the Bo orphanage. HCW indicated a trip was being planned for new pastors to visit the mission firsthand. However, details never materialized, and other missed meetings have raised concerns.
At the town hall, Pastor Mike stated, “We need to be responsible with the money we send in support of worthy missions. I don’t think that’s too much to ask.”
Recent conversations with HCW suggest the informational trip may now move forward later this year. If it does, Pastor Mike will assess the mission in Bo on our behalf. Updates will be shared as this develops.
Costa Rica: Palabra Viva Church
Galilee has a long history with the Palabra Viva church in Carillos, Costa Rica, sending summer teams and building strong ties with the community. While no team was sent last year, we agreed to send $8,000 to help with urgent repairs.
Of that amount, $5,000 was used as intended. However, $3,000 was redirected to other projects without our approval. As Pastor Mike noted, “In our Book of Discipline, if you are given money for a specific cause, you use it for that cause.”
After consulting with District leadership, the Ministry Council, and mission leaders Helga and Jen, the decision was made not to send a team this summer.
Looking Ahead
Both situations reflect Galilee’s commitment to being good stewards of your generous support. As Pastor Mike said, “We have open hearts—but we also need to reassess.”
The Serve Advisory Team and Ministry Council are not ruling out future participation in either of our existing missions, but are actively exploring alternative mission opportunities, both international and domestic, for this summer.
Stay tuned—more information will be shared in May. Any immediate questions can be sent to Pastor Mike.
God, we give you thanks for these folks who love your church and love missions, and we pray that you’ll be with us. In the name of Christ we pray.
May’s scheduled Mission Fund Rummage Sale is a go! This annual event helps fund all our mission activity, not just Costa Rica. It will help fund a youth mission trip to Franklin County this summer, and possibly other missions before that.
The rummage sale is also a service to our community in two other ways: it provides low cost goods to neighbors, including low income families who participate in our Backpack Buddies program. When we receive donations, we’re letting neighbors declutter their houses. Plus, if you’ve ever been, you know how fun the sale is. It’s like a big party with friends , family, church members, and neighbors. It’s a win, win, win, win, win.