Reporting 2011

By Glen Volkhardt, CEO

We saw God’s hand of blessing on Paraclete Mission Group in 2011.  Jesus told us, “Without me you can do nothing,” so whatever true results we see are because of Him.  In preparing an annual report, we are aware of dangers that lurk in the “margins.”  We could overstate or understate what happened, misleading without intending to do so.  Even with the most vigorous of measurement and reporting, there is no way we (or any ministry) can give certainty about the spiritual outcomes of our work.  Yet we desire to honor our Father, and we want to encourage the hearts of those who support us.  Paraclete associate, Pete Holzmann, has thought deeply about this dilemma and is working on new models of measuring and reporting.  For now, we are left with the conviction that reporting is both imperfect and important.

We report, once again, with numbers, words and photographs.  We hope the numbers give you an idea of the scope of Paraclete work—the size and extent of who we are and what we do.  The words and stories are here to capture the heart and warmth of Paraclete’s ministry.  The pictures, as they say, are worth a thousand words (and quite a few numbers as well)!  I hope that all three give you confidence that God is using Paraclete to come alongside the global missions community.

When people ask what Paraclete does, I say that Paraclete does many things, but those things don’t define us.  Who we serve, the global missions community (and ultimately God) and how we serve, by coming alongside, are what make us Paraclete Mission Group.  Let me give you some tangible examples of how this happens from the reports of Paraclete associates.

Coming Alongside

Teaching and training are come-alongside “classics.”  In 2011 Paraclete associates taught in seminaries, schools and seminars.  Doug Goins gives a good example.  After studying with a small group of bi-vocational pastors in Haiti their elderly host begged him to come back and help them.  Resources are scarce.  Associate, Carey Childrey, took books with him to India where one student told him, “We so appreciate the books!  This is the only course in which we received textbooks!”  In September, I (Glen Volkhardt) led a training session in Paraguay on board governance for 90 interested Latin Americans.

Mentoring and coaching are activities almost all associates do.  It takes many forms.  Cliff Peters mentors eight John Brown University students in their renewable energy practicums.  Half way around the world in Uganda, associate, Byron Hurlburt, mentors M., who offers a Bible training program for leaders.  Byron has provided M. with local-language hymnals, Bibles and training manuals to distribute among his people.  M. told Byron, “I want to serve God until my last breath.”  Jim and Leta Van Meter coach missionaries in a ministry they say they didn’t even know existed until a few years ago—coaching weary kingdom workers through times of sabbatical renewal.  One Mission CEO they came alongside in sabbatical told them, “the ‘depleted soul’ description resonates as a ‘diagnosis’ when no other has seemed to fit.”

Professional and lay counseling form important parts of the Paraclete ministry mix.  Associate, Dr. Robin Brennan counsels troubled missionary servants on Skype, via email and in person.    Last summer she supervised a group of counselors that ministered to a gathering of missionaries from Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

Consulting with US mission agencies is where Paraclete began.  One Paraclete associate designed and implemented five pre-field training programs for a large sending agency.  David Bochman led the board of Launch Ministries through sessions to develop a strategic vision.

Paraclete Ministry Breadth

Because of the experience level of Paraclete associates, they are natural guides for those beginning a career of missionary service.  One Paraclete associate couple, whom we can’t identify for security concerns, gave a month of training to nine members of a team headed to the Middle East.  They placed each team member with host families from the Middle Eastern country.  “Each participant lived with, learned the language, and built significant relationships with their hosts.”  My wife, Shelly, and I work with Mission Aviation Fellowship to train new missionaries in cross cultural issues.  After the training last year it was hard to end the session.  We were drawn to these young people—and they to us.  They wanted to just “hang out.”

One of the most exciting areas in missions today is new zeal in former “mission fields.”  Stuart Rowell gets to see this first hand.  Last year he had the joy of accompanying a young Ukrainian missionary serving in Poland back to Ukraine to share some of the “practical considerations they face in reaching out beyond their own borders.”  They have a 2012 trip to Serbia and Bosnia to “take the vision of Slavs reaching Slavs to the next level.”

Closer to home, associate Mike Garner led a group of Korean-Americans on a mission trip to Mexico “opening the eyes of these key leaders to how powerful their ministry can be anywhere in the world.”  While their focus is on the growth of the kingdom around the world, all Paraclete associates keep themselves grounded in local ministry, wherever they are.  Associates serve in churches, home groups, schools, and counseling centers.  In 2011 one home group led by Paraclete associates saw a suicide attempt, a divorce, a runaway teen and several hospitalizations.  Debbie Bochman works with her husband, David, in a ministry called Aphesis that takes a group of people through a study to connect them with God’s love.  She reports “God is reviving their emotionally dead hearts to sing with joy.”  As some of the few Paraclete associates residing outside of their homeland, Dick and Pat Worden were deeply integrated into a local Austrian church in 2011.  A couple there told them, “Thanks for being here for us—we really need your help.”

Opportunities with Muslims

The Muslim world is at center stage today.  Paraclete associates, Bill and Marty Sturdivant ministered to a Persian man in Austria who had tried to commit suicide a few days earlier.  During a training session they taught for the Iranian diaspora in Vienna, a former Iranian Revolutionary Guardsman gave his life to Christ and committed to taking the Gospel to other Guardsmen.  Associate, Mike Garner, serves, (from California) as the overseer of an Iranian congregation in an Asian country!

Tools and Admin help

Very practical tools and administration also get the attention of Paraclete associates.  Larry Rus installed a new financial system for a counseling ministry in Turkey--and continues to run it for them from afar!  Pete Holzmann covers the gambit from researching and specifying the replacement of an entire technology infrastructure for a kingdom business venture, to resurrecting the “fried” hard drive of a ministry leader who had lost all his computer data including the manuscript of a book in progress--both examples of Pete’s Spirit-Led Technology approach.

2011 Financial Overview

2011 was a year of financial growth for Paraclete.  Praise God!  Donations were over $1,000,000 for the first time since 2008.  Increased giving to the ministries of existing associates and the addition of new associates brought additional income to Paraclete.  2011 expenses were also up, reflecting growth.

Paraclete uses a “deputized fundraising” model in which associates seek financial partners who preference their contributions toward particular ministries.  “Thank you” to the many faithful partners who have given sacrificially to support our work!

Words of Affirmations from Organizations We Serve

“MAF asks Glen and Shelly to teach an 8-hour session on “Embracing Your Adopted Culture” to our new staff members.   Because of their experience overseas, they make their presentations applicable and interesting.  They are a great blessing to MAF, and their teaching is having an impact around the world.”  Gene Jordan, Vice President, Mission Aviation Fellowship

 "Through Jerry’s experience and networks in South Asia, he has opened up three new possible partnerships in five new cities.  His combination of faith and wisdom has made an important contribution in our young and growing ministry to the urban slums."  The Executive Director of Barnabas Ventures, about associate, Jerry Hogshead

We are grateful for the ministry of Dr. Robin Brennan of Paraclete at Breathe, a 10-day retreat for cross-cultural workers.  Robin's clinical skills combined with her understanding of and heart for cross-cultural workers had a significant impact on our guests, who come from a wide variety of mission agencies.  Thank you, Paraclete, for your vital part in strengthening the missions community by coming along side cross-cultural workers!  Dr. Daniel and Lori Hahn, Directors, Catalyst International Breathe Conference

Dave and Debbie Bochman have brought new meaning to the phrase “God send”.  Their impact on this ministry is sure to have huge eternal ripple effects to the glory of God.   Tim Rule, Executive Director, Aphesis Group Ministries


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People we serve say...

“You are like the father I never had.”  (an emerging young leader coached by a Paraclete associate)

 “I am leaving feeling in my heart that I have just had a spiritual full-body massage!  Thank you—you have refreshed me and helped me strip off some of my grids and encouraged me to work to remove more so that I can see Jesus clearly.”  (a retreat attendee)

“There are not many people that you can entice to Niger with a promise of two-day air travel each way, 12-hour car rides across the desert, being completely cut off from the rest of civilization and then working around the clock on behalf of a new project.  We are eternally thankful.” (the director of a ministry building a women’s hospital in Niger

“I’m beginning to have new hope.  It’s amazing how much this experience is shining a light on my leadership – not just me personally.”  (a mission CEO coached by a Paraclete Associate)

“I have already started following the principles of sharing the gospel.  God is truly working.”  (a student of a Paraclete associate)

“Thanks from the depths of our hearts to the Van Meter’s, for helping us to unpack these last five years of ministry before returning to our homeland.  We go with lighter hearts and strength of spirit because Jim and Leta listened well; they validated our pain and our joys.”  (transitioning European missionaries)

Prayer Focus Spring 2012

Debbie and Dave Bochman

·         Pray for us as we lead/facilitate Aphesis discipleship groups February - May. God is doing some deep things in people's lives (taking the gospel to the uttermost parts of their hearts and minds), but it is clear that inner battles are raging in several people.

Carey Childrey

·         End of April/first of May Texas Ministry Trip

·         May - Hosting INDIAN ministry leaders in the Southeast

·         July - NATIONQUEST™ Call to Prayer and Fasting for the Nations

Mike Garner

·         Pray for the church in Asia I am helping to oversee. There are over 10 new believers in this house church and we are working on getting them Bibles and study materials. They have a great heart to serve and lead others to our Lord.

·         Pray for the bureaucratic hold ups at San Quentin prison to finally end so that I can train some key inmates in basic counseling skills. This is so desperately needed there, but is being blocked by the powers that be in a power struggle. This could help in the prison so much - pray that hearts are opened and the Lord guides me in adjusting to this rather different environment for me.

·         Pray for protection for my family and I as I continue to pray with people coming out of some very dark backgrounds. And for wisdom and ongoing compassion for those I help who are deeply shattered.

Jerry and Marilyn Hogshead

·         Pray for Jerry as he works with national leaders in Dhaka, Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai on the design of potential new partnerships and projects among unreached urban poor.

·         Pray for God’s favor and supply with potential new ministry partners.

Pete and Leslie Holzmann

·         Long Term: Pray with Pete and Leslie (and coworker Cecilia) as they review their ministry history and inquire of the Lord for His strategy for the months and years to come. It is time to assemble a significant initiative to articulate and propagate the spiritual principles of ministry strategy/technology learned over the last decade.

·         April 19-21 Speaking at a national prayer conference in Washington DC, April 19-21. Pray for insight and God's preparation, both for them as speakers and the audience as well.

·         Short Term: strategic planning, and project proposal writing.

·         Pray for much-needed provision. Our primary project that has sustained the ministry is on hiatus for an unknown term, and we don't know of any immediate prospects for income-producing work. Our accounts are dry at work and home, so this is an exciting time :) ... We've been here before, and are trusting God!

Tom and Bonnie Kopp

·         April and May – Ministry in Zambia and South Africa.

·         September – Teaching on marriage and family issues in Smolensk, Russia

Jim and Arline Parris

·         May June. . . Jim & Arline: Travel to Cape Town, South Africa and throughout the country to minister to pastors, leaders and missions personnel.

·         July 5-7. . . Jim: will teach at a Pastors' Conference in Mabaale, Uganda. Praying Arline can accompany him so to minister to pastor's family, team at orphanage.

Stuart Rowell

·         April 14 -24 European Christian Mission Biennial Conference in Spain and ministry visit.

·         April 27 -May 5th Visit to Serbia and Bosnia with two Ukrainian brothers to investigate the possibilities for sending missionaries from Western Ukraine and Brazil.

·         May 7 -14 Conference with the Way of Peace churches in Albania.

·         June 7 -13 Visiting national missionaries in Slovenia.

·         September 1 –24 Extended ministry vision trip in Central and Eastern Europe.

Larry & Jean Rus

·         On-going... Larry Jean continue to be involved in the finances and administrative work for ministries in Antalya, Turkey. They are also on the founding board for development of a Counseling Center.

·         Jun 2 – Jul 6... Will be in Antalya helping with the Olive Grove Kids Camp and doing further administrative training.

Glen and Shelly Volkhardt

·         Apr. 21 (Shelly) Kitchen Table Counseling Seminar for PWOC, Fort Carson, CO

·         Apr. 27 Cross-cultural orientation for new MAF missionaries, Nampa, ID

·         June 14-16 Bridge Builders International board meeting, Salem OR

·         Sep. 7-9 (Shelly)Women’s Retreat for Glen Eyrie, Colorado Springs, CO

·         Sep. 18-22 (Glen) COICOM media convention, San Pedro Sula, Honduras

Gary and Sandy Wittevrongel

·         April 22 – May 31 Spain, Hungary, Czech Republic, Bosnia

·         April 23 – 29 ReachGlobal Women's Conference

·         Sept 23 – 29 ReachGlobal Northern European Leadership

Organizations say....

"These last five years have been a very challenging time for Multnomah, a time of many transitions, changes, and new innovations.  I want to thank you for your encouragement.  I'm going to miss you for that as you move on into the next stage of your career."   Dr. Daniel Lockwood, President of Multnomah University, upon the resignations of Tom and Bonnie Kopp to join Paraclete

“The pomegranate, as you may know, is a symbol of blessing, and thus it is a perfect gift from us to you. You have been a channel of great blessing to us and we truly are deeply grateful. Thank you for coming and for all your hard work while here.” Jim Bultema, Director Olive Tree Counseling Center, Antalya, Turkey, as Larry and Jean Rus finished their assignment there

“Mr. Peters has been bringing a vital contribution to promote holistic mission.”  Dr. Y. G. Kim, Director, Institute for Biblical Community Development

"You bring to our board much valuable experience in cutting-edge mission work.  Your 25 years or so in the field covers almost every aspect of mission work from departmental administration and oversight, to training workers, to person to person evangelism.  You’ve just about done it all.  Art Patray, President of Palm Missionary Ministries

“We deeply appreciate your involvement in the work that COICOM is carrying out in Latin America. You have given the board strategic insight and foresight which have contributed to the success of the movement.”  Arnold Enns, President of COICOM