Vancouver Mission Star
This message was written by President and Sister Middleton. It also appears in the Vancouver Star, the weekly newsletter of the Vancouver Mission. It is sent to each companionship throughout the mission.
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Ask for Courage and Boldness to Open Our Mouths
As we write this Star we are uplifted and reinvigorated, having just returned from the Area Mission President’s Seminar in Portland Oregon. Elder Steven Snow. of the seven Presidents of the Seventy, had replaced Elder Todd Christofferson, who had received conflicting assignments since being called to the Quorum of the Twelve. Meeting on April 11-13 with the Area Seventies including our own Elder Melvin H. Perkins, and other Area mission presidents, we return enriched spiritually and determined to help the Lord grow His Church in B.C.
Role of Members as the Principle Finders is Emphasized
The central and crucial role of members as the most effective finders cannot be overemphasized. Knowing of the Church study of recent converts, in which a full 79% of recent converts stated that the main reason they were attracted to the Church in the first place was because they knew and admired a Mormon, and that member they knew invited them to “come and see,” the role of members in inviting and finding becomes very clear. (“What Are Non-Members Interested In,” Ensign, Oct., 1977) In that same study just 9 % of new converts were first drawn to the church through the personal finding (tracting, etc.) of the full-time missionaries. Coupling those earlier observations with the exhortation by Elder Bednar in the recent General Conference that, “Missionaries are full-time teachers; you and I are full-time finders,” we understand clearly that in the Lord’s plan members must invite their non-member acquaintances, lovingly but boldly and frequently. Elder Bednar explained further in his Conference address that all members should “pray with the expectation to act and not just to express.” He clarified further that each member’s prayers should include “Asking for courage and boldness to open our mouths and share the gospel with our family and friends.” Once every faithful Church member in BC embraces that simple concept and sets a personal goal of inviting regularly (weekly is the easiest goal to set and keep), the church growth in BC will astound.
Surrey Third Ward Is Rising to the challenge
Brother J. P. Tremblay, the excellent Surrey 3rd Ward Mission Leader, has sent a copy of his weekly Missionary Coordination Report to us by e-mail. He prefaces his April 14th Report by noting, “During the past 2 weeks, 50 INVITATIONS (sic )to non-members were made by Surrey 3rd Ward members, and 5 REFERRALS (sic) were given to our full-time missionaries by Surrey 3rd Ward members.” Knowing that on average 1 in 7 who are invited come to a Church event, and knowing that on average 1 in 7 who comes to a Church event goes on to baptism, we fully expect that if the members maintain this same level of inviting intensity (easily done, we might add) the growth of the Surrey 3rd Ward will soon dramatically escalate! Congratulations to the Surrey 3rd Ward members!
Our hope and prayer is that every ward and branch in BC will do likewise.
A Successful President’s Fireside in Richmond Right After ESL, by Elders Austin Bowles (and Paul Heinzen)
“Things are going great here in Richmond. While we haven’t seen the number of baptisms we would hope yet, we have seen a substantial increase in the number of investigators, and the number of people attending Sacrament Meeting. Hopefully that increase will translate into some future baptisms.
“We were excited to see a very successful Mission President’s Fireside. We tried holding it on a Wednesday night, our ESL night. We normally teach ESL from 6:30-8:30, but we ended at 7:30 and invited everybody to join us in the Fireside. Most were willing to participate. We had about 20 non-members present, and the audience of ESL students even included several of our progressing investigators. The Fireside was definitely a success. The ESL students saw it as a good opportunity to practice their English and we are sure they were interested in the doctrine as well. I would encourage those that teach an ESL class, or those that don’t , to find a way to get more people involved in the Mission President’s Firesides. With a little creativity more non-members would have the opportunity to hear of the Restoration from somebody besides the missionaries teaching them.”
Editor’s Note: As your mission president, we urge that all ward leaders be invited to each Fireside. I invite them to bring neighbors, less-actives, family, friends, and anyone and everyone! While the message we give is basic, designed for those without much knowledge of the church, we strive to build a testimony in all who come, and we reach to uplift all who come spiritually.
Referrals Come as Blessings For Diligently Tracting, by Elders Spencer Mun (and Gyubum Jung and Dallas Gist)
“We are being blessed tremendously because of our efforts. We make sure that we have no down time. If we end up having no appointments then we automatically go out to tract. There is no other option for us. And because we are going out there with all our heart, might, mind and strength we are being blessed for it. It was once an idea here in the Korean work that ‘tracting was useless’ for Korean work, but that is just plain stupid! No matter the language, tracting works. As long as we have faith and put all of our efforts into it (works), then we will be blessed. And one of the blessings that we see is referrals. We have never received so many before. We do know that these are truly blessings from the Lord, blessings given us because of our hard work. Our companionship is doing great as we are all willing to go out there and ‘just forget ourselves and work.’”
A Great Way to Teach Principles in Companion Study, by Sister Camilla Van den Bosch (and Mariah Overlock)
“In companion study we draw 3 pieces of paper from a bowl, each having a principle from the lessons in Preach My Gospel written thereon. Then we each take a turn at doing a 30 minute lesson about whichever principle we drew. We go back and forth doing all 6 of them alternatively whilst trying to tie them all together. The last person then gives a short summary of all of them, and brings them all together. We find that it helps us to be quicker on our feet and to practice giving a 30 minute lesson on a randomly drawn principle. Having to find a way to tie them all into each other is pretty hard, but it is a good skill to learn as we could be placed in similar situations when talking to investigators or contacts.”
Editor’s Note: Sisters Van den Bosch and Overlock have devised a novel and helpful way to improve the quality of their lessons. We urge every companionship to use this or similar methods daily, that your lessons might all become compellingly well done.
Abbotsford Zone Goals Set High, With Faith, by Elders Peter Stevenson (and Carlton Taylor)
“Everything is going very well here in Abbotsford! We’ve seen a mighty miracle begin to occur here. At the beginning of the transfer we set a goal for baptismal dates overall for the zone of 30. We sit currently at 15. How beautiful a blessing it is.
“Elder Taylor and I have been able to set one baptismal date, which is a great blessing in itself because things were somewhat bleak for as recently as 4 weeks ago. Because we stayed the course we’ve found new people to teach with many baptisms on the way.”
That we might each become anxiously engaged in inviting and remain so is our constant prayer.
We love you!
President and Sister Middleton
(Check off weekly whether you have achieved each of the nine goals below.)
q Ask for a referral name in every conversation with a member or non-member alike… “Will you bring an acquaintance on a Spiritual Tour?”
q Challenge members to achieve a Spiritual Tour or a Church event which can be coupled with a Spiritual Tour with their non-member friend at least 3 times yearly. Help them understand that the best way members can reach this goal is to adopt a Personal Mission Plan by which they issue at least one invitation each week.
q Our goal is to find at least one new investigator daily, and spend at least one hour daily in focused, effective Personal Finding.
q Our goal is to teach 15 or more full lessons weekly, with 50% or more with an investigator present…
q Our goal is to have at least 50 contacts daily (100-200 per day is possible in most areas in the mission), with the contact goal being prayerfully set for each area by each companionship.
q With at least 3 Spiritual Chapel Tours Weekly.
q Extend at least one baptismal invitation and commitment each week.
q Remember our mission goal: a Gospel message to everyone you see.
q As weekly goals are set for each Key Indicator, pray for inspiration, and set goals that are lofty yet achievable. Our ultimate long-term goal is for at least 3 baptisms per companionship per transfer.
“Speak freely to all.” -- Doctrine and Covenants 19:37
The Coveted “Off the Hook” Award:
(Week-ending April 20, 2008)
In Recognition of the following:
Baptisms Year to Date
Abbotsford and Vernon: (10 Baptisms each)
Baptisms this Week:
Abbotsford and Vancouver : (2 Baptisms each)
Honorable mention: Nanaimo (1 Baptism)
Investigators with a Baptismal Date:
Vancouver: (4 with Baptismal Dates )
Honorable Mention: Abbotsford:(3 with Baptismal Dates)
Investigators Attending Sacrament Meeting:
Surrey Language and Vancouver Language (25 at Sacrament Meeting)
Honorable Mention: Abbotsford (20)
Other Lessons
Vancouver: (80 other lessons)
Lessons with member Present
Abbotsford: (25 lessons)
Contacts
Vancouver (36.3 contacts per day average)
Progressing Investigators:
Vancouver (20 Progressing Investigators )
Honorable Mention: Surrey Language (18), Vancouver Language (19)
New Investigators:
Surrey: (14 New Investigators)
Honorable mention: Vancouver Language (12 New Investigators)
Full Lessons:
Surrey Language (14.7 Average per companionship)
COMPANIONSHIPS:
Sisters Anderson and van den Bosch: 533 contacts, 5 member present, 80 other, 4 progressing, 1 new, 32 full, 24 to non-members
Elders Bowles and Roberts: 2 with baptismal date, 12 at Sacrament, 1 member present, 52 other, 8 progressing, 5 new, 238 contacts, 16 full, 15 to non-members, 1 Tour
Elders Spongberg and Kirby: 1 with baptismal date, 3 at Sacrament, 6 other, 90 contacts, 16 full
Elders Godfrey and Hall: 62 other, 2 progressing, 212 contacts, 17 full, 10 to non-members
Elders Brunt and Feinga: 2 member present, 28 other, 3 progressing, 115 contacts, 17 full
Elders Heinzen and Green: 13 at Sacrament, 32 other, 8 progressing, 174 contacts, 32 full, 29 to non-members
Elders Miles and Banks: 1 with baptismal date, 3 at Sacrament, 2 member present, 19 other, 2 progressing, 1 new, 98 contacts, 15 full, 4 Tours
Elders Mousseau and Douglas: 4 at Sacrament, 2 member present, 15 other, 4 progressing, 1 new, 120 contacts
Elders Earnest and Peck: 1 with baptismal date, 2 at Sacrament, 5 member present, 46 other, 4 progressing, 161 contacts, 16 full, 1 Tour
Elders Fullmer and Hea: 54 other, 1 new, 285 contacts, 2 Tours
Honorable Mention:
Elders Shaw and S. Taylor: 3 at Sacrament, 2 member present, 1 progressing, 3 new, 156 contacts
Elders Barker and Park: 1 with baptismal date, 3 at Sacrament, 4 member present,
Sisters Dalling and Chevalier: 1 at Sacrament, 3 member present, 16 full
Elders Ruesch and Fillmore: 7 at Sacrament, 4 member present, 17 full
Sisters Caribou and WU: 1 at Sacrament, 4 member present, 56 other, 143 contacts, 15 full, 12 to non-members, 1 Tour
Sisters Overlock and Lee: 3 at Sacrament, 3 progressing, 102 contacts, 14 full
Elders Heaton and Anderson: 3 member present, 27 other, 2 progressing, 1 new, 16 full
Elders Brown and Szypkowski: 3 member present, 2 progressing, 111 contacts, 12 full
Elders Walton and Evans: 2 at Sacrament, 117 contacts, 17 full
Elders Marianno and Hassell: 1 with baptismal date, 1 at Sacrament, 6 member present, 19 full
Elders Seitz and Michaelis: 2 member present, 21 other, 1 new, 80 contacts, 17 full, 1 Tour
Elders Johnson and McAllister: 3 new, 100 contacts, 16 full, 10 to non-members
Elders Curiel and Lassetter: 5 at Sacrament, 5 member present, 37 other, 4 progressing, 110 contacts, 16 full
Sisters Nibley and Anderson: 1 at Sacrament, 3 member present, 1 progressing, 5 new, 17 full, 10 to non-members
Elders Mun, Gist and Jung: 7 at Sacrament, 27 other, 7 progressing, 180 contacts, 15 full, 10 to non-members, 3 Tours
Elders Thompson and White: 5 at Sacrament, 26 other, 3 progressing, 120 contacts
Elders Morrill and Shumway: 2 at Sacrament, 8 member present, 2 progressing, 16 full, 11 to non-members
Elders DeHerrera and Martinez: 2 Baptized this week, 2 with baptismal date, 6 at Sacrament
Elders Knapp and Jenkins: 55 other, 1 progressing, 158 contacts
Elders Curtis and Wilson: 1 with baptismal date, 3 at Sacrament, 5 member present, 25 other, 3 progressing, 95 contacts
Elders Whittenburg and Parson: 1 baptized, 3 progressing, 1 new, 15 full
Elders Barton and Copeland: 1 baptized, 2 at Sacrament, 1 progressing
Elders Klekas and K.Taylor: 2 Baptized this week, 9 at Sacrament, 6 member present, 60 other, 7 progressing 417 contacts, 20 full
Elders Leavitt and Seebect: 1 with baptismal date, 2 progressing, 3 new, 301 contacts
Elders Mather and Cheng: 1 with baptismal date, 140 contacts, 15 full
Elders Zmoos and Smith: 9 at Sacrament, 4 member present, 48 other, 2 progressing, 179 contacts, 2 Tours
Elders Kim and Huh: 1 at Sacrament, 3 member present, 6 progressing, 18 full, 17 to non-members
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS THIS WEEK
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