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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Taking Family History to the Malls
Elder Darrel and Sister Rita Crawford are a senior couple serving as full-time missionaries assigned currently to the Surrey First Ward. While their primary assignment is service as proselyting missionaries, they also give significant service in the mission Employment Center and Bishop’s Storehouse. They have refined a technique for displaying our Family History Program in malls in BC, which is proving to be a very useful missionary tool. Their report follows:
“We created display boards to be placed in a preferably high pedestrian traffic part of the mall. Attractive posters were placed on each display board, with titles such as ‘Make Connections,’ ‘Piece Your History Together,’ and ‘Start with Family Search.’ We used the missionaries of the area to stand at the display in shifts, to answer questions and encourage potential investigators to fill out the 3 generation pedigree information on a card with the phone numbers of the missionaries contained thereon. It was necessary to talk to someone in the mall administration or Customer Service, read over their requirements, find and agree to an acceptable date, then have Elder Stanley Hayden of the mission office obtain proper insurance from Church Headquarters.
“The Coquitlam Mall was our first, and we handed out 77 three generation Pedigree Charts which also had the phone number of the missionaries in the area. The next mall was the one in Victoria, the Tillicum Mall. We only had to help out with our display as Brother Andrew Marr, the Victoria 2nd Ward Mission Leader, had done all the work of setting up the mall and had it ready. There were 52 addresses obtained at that display in the four days we were there. We had many to help out: The stake high Councillor, some workers from the Family History Center, and four sets of full-time missionaries. They all had scheduled times to come and help.
“The next mall was the Tsawwassen Mall. We obtained 11 addresses there for the missionaries to pick up to have the Pedigree Charts completed at the Family History Center of the ward and then take them back to the investigator. We also gave out one Book of Mormon. On April 10, 11 and 12 we were at the Semiahmoo Mall. The Sisters and Elders each took shifts of 10-3, 11-1, 3:30-5:30, or whatever else their schedules could accommodate. We passed out over 350 ‘hot pink book marks’ and 4 generation Pedigree charts, (ideas coming also from the Victoria leaders.) We talked to many more people than the numbers we counted. Twelve people wanted us to help them start their Family History. We found that it is hard for some people to give out their personal information to a group of strangers, many being worried about identity fraud scams. Our Family History displays have sparked considerable interest, and we shall continue to use this approach.”
Teaching All Members That They Must Invite Several To Find The One
Bishop Lorne Olson of the Surrey 3rd Ward has shared with us an observation from a ward member about the need for all members to invite several to find the one. Sister Sara Herrington of the Surrey 3rd Primary noted in a recent e-mail:
“To the 5th Sunday member missionary lesson I would add this ‘contacts’ comparison: it takes an average of 29 auditions to get one job in film, TV, or commercials. In ward council, Flavio Ortolano used the funnel analogy which works well for me. Out of 20 contacts (with whom we share something about the Church), 10 will say no right away; 10 will express some interest. Those 10 may agree to meet again (maybe a tour or attend something); 5 will show up and 5 will not show up, as missionaries know all too well as they wait for their contacts to come to Church. Of those 5 who do come and see, 2 will stay interested, and one will join. The others may not be in the ‘looking zone’ right now, so we must follow up with them in 3-6 months. Primary was very lively on Sunday, and we will have the Sister missionaries come in and teach the children in Sharing Time about missionary work.”
Editor’s Note: Sister Herrington again powerfully makes the point that all members need to invite, boldly and frequently. She notes the observation of Brother Ortolano, the excellent Assistant Ward Mission Leader of the Surrey 3rd Ward, that a member must invite 20 non-member acquaintances to find the one who is the “elect of the Lord” (Doctrine and Covenants 29:7), who will become baptized. Brother Ortolano’s funnel analogy is excellent, and describes perfectly what members can expect as they invite. By contrast the baptismal rate of our full-time missionaries through their personal finding is one baptism for every 1000 + invitations through tracting, GQ’ing, etc.
Bear in mind that most members will stop inviting if they have 3 or 4 negative responses in a row to an invitation to their non-member acquaintances unless they receive regular positive feedbacks, each week, in their quorum or class by raising their hand in response to the question “who has invited someone this week—please raise your hand.” This weekly member missionary recognition makes the program sustainable; without it every ward or branch will quickly regress.
Attendance by Many Make a Baptism More Successful, by Elders Wong Hyun Choi (and Spencer Munn and Jungjune Huh)
“In the past 2 weeks, we decided to focus on our investigator, Eric. Eric wanted to be baptized, and all we needed was to focus on working with him. We taught all the lessons until Saturday and Elder Curtis came over and interviewed him. Everything was settled and ready. Eric’s baptism was held at the Maple Ridge Ward. With great help from the other missionaries, Elders Curtis, Kim, Harrison and Reynolds and Sisters Nibley and Lee, the baptism was a huge success. It was very spiritual and more than 70 people came to the baptism with many of them being Koreans!
“I love this work, and I am so happy that I’m seeing this miracle! ‘No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing.’ I love this great Canada Vancouver Mission.”
Thank you for your bold efforts and hard work. Our prayers are constantly with each of you. 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.
“Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people.” 1 Peter 2:9
The Coveted “Off the Hook” Award:
(Week-ending April May 4, 2008)
In Recognition of the following:
Baptisms Year to Date
Abbotsford: (11 Baptisms)
Honorable Mention: Vernon (10 Baptisms)
Baptisms this Week:
Vancouver : (2 Baptisms)
Honorable Mention: Abbotsford (1 Baptism)
Investigators with a Baptismal Date:
Prince George and Abbotsford: (each with 5 Baptismal Dates )
Investigators Attending Sacrament Meeting:
Vancouver Language: (23 at Sacrament Meeting)
Honorable Mention: Abbotsford (20 at Sacrament Meeting), Surrey Language (18), Prince George (17)
Other Lesson:
Vancouver: (382 other lessons)
Lessons with member Present
Abbotsford: (36 lessons)
Contacts
Victoria and Kelowna: all companionships over 100 contacts
Surrey Language: (22.9 contacts per day average)
Honorable Mention: Victoria (22 contacts per day average)
Progressing Investigators:
Abbotsford: (22 Progressing Investigators )
Honorable Mention: Vancouver Language (21 progressing Investigators)
New Investigators
Surrey: (13 New Investigators)
Tours:
Surrey: (5 Tours)
COMPANIONSHIPS:
Elders Mather and Cheng: 2 member present, 175 other, 375 contacts, 20 full, 16 to non-members
Elders Roberts and Bowles: 1 with baptismal date, 9 at Sacrament, 40 other, 7 progressing, 136 contacts, 19 full, 16 to non-members
Elders Curtis and Wilson: 1 Baptized, 3 at Sacrament, 10 member present, 3 progressing, 15 full, 10 to non-members
Elders Godfrey and Hall: 30 other, 1 progressing, 120 contacts, 18 full, 9 to non-members
Curiel and Lassetter: 3 with baptismal date, 4 at Sacrament, 5 member present, 121 contacts, 16 full
Elders Heinzen and Green: 9 at Sacrament, 2 member present, 24 other, 9 progressing, 192 contacts, 15 full, 15 to non-members
Elders Marianno and Hassell: 4 at Sacrament, 5 member present, 17 full
Elders Walton and Evans: 2 at Sacrament, 1 progressing, 144 contacts, 16 full
Sisters Caribou and Wu: 3 at Sacrament, 1 member present, 47 other, 4 progressing, 152 contacts, 14 full, 9 to non-members
Elders Fullmer and Hea: 1 with baptismal date, 1 at Sacrament, 2 member present, 46 other, 1 progressing, 5 new, 272 contacts
Honorable Mention:
Elders Shaw and Taylor: 3 at Sacrament, 1 member present, 3 progressing, 130 contacts
Elders Barker and Park: 1 with baptismal date, 3 at Sacrament, 1 member present, 2 progressing, 105 contacts,
Sisters Dalling and Chevalier: 2 at Sacrament, 2 member present, 3 progressing, 111 contacts, 16 full
Elders Earnest and Peck: 3 at Sacrament, 5 member present, 4 progressing, 145 contacts,
Sisters Overlock and Lee: 4 at Sacrament, 2 member present, 4 progressing, 103 contacts, 16 full
Elders Dietz and Carlisle: 4 with baptismal date, 6 at Sacrament, 23 other, 7 progressing
Elders Thompson and White: 6 at Sacrament, 2 member present, 6 progressing, 4 new, 15 full, 11 to non-members
Elders Mun, Gist and Jung: 3 at Sacrament, 3 member present, 3 progressing, 222 contacts
Elders Harrison and Taylor: 3 at Sacrament, 3 member present, 17 full
Elders Brunt and Feinga: 4 member present, 1 progressing, 4 new, 23 full, 12 to non-members, 3 Tours
Sisters Nibley and Anderson: 1 at Sacrament, 61 other, 170 contacts, 18 full, 9 to non-members
Elders Johnson and McAllister: 1 at Sacrament, 5 member present, 1 progressing, 17 Full, 12 to non-members
Sisters D’Amours and Falk: 1 with baptismal date, 4 at Sacrament, 4 progressing, 14 full, 9 to non-members
Elders Morrill and Shumway: 7 member present,1 progressing, 15 full, 8 to non-members
Elders Whittenburg and Parson: 3 at Sacrament, 3 member present, 4 progressing, 15 full, 10 to non-members
Elders Johnson and Hatton: 3 with baptismal date, 3 at Sacrament, 5 member present, 5 progressing,
Elders Klekas and Taylor: 1 baptized, 7 at Sacrament, 5 member present, 5 progressing, 14 new, 127 contacts, 16 full, 15 to non-members
Elders Leavitt and Seebeck: 1 at Sacrament, 3 member present, 235 contacts, 18 full, 11 to non-members
Sisters Anderson and Van den Bosch: 1 baptized, 1 at Sacrament, 6 member present, 1 progressing, 20 full, 9 to non-members
Elders Kim and Huh: 1 at Sacrament, 5 progressing, 5 new, 20 full, 18 to non-members
Elders Zmoos and Smith: 6 at Sacrament, 2 progressing, 144 contacts, 13 full, 10 to non-members
Elders De Herrera and Martinez: 7 at Sacrament, 7 progressing,
Elders Ruesch and Fillmore: 1 at Sacrament, 3 member present, 2 progressing, 15 full
Elders Amann and Pack: 1 with baptismal date, 3 member present, 15 full, 8 to non-members,
Elders Weinert and Reynolds: 1 baptismal date, 4 at Sacrament, 2 progressing
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS THIS WEEK
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