Missionary Partnership Network

with Wendy Bernhard

Missionary to the Democratic Republic of Congo

"And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others."  

2 Timothy 2:2

 

February, 2009

 

To friends of Wendy Bernhard, who help to make up Team Wendy!

 

Greetings from Elko, Nevada!  Team Wendy is a group of people around the world who care for and support our mutual friend, Wendy Bernhard.

 

Wendy is an American Baptist Church (ABC) missionary, commissioned in May of 1983, and now working in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).  Wendy trains teens and adults about the importance of safe sex, especially in a country devastated by AIDS, with her “True Love Waits” and "Responsible Living Skills" programs; she trains new pastors for future ministry at the Bible Institute at Kimpese; she travels throughout her region near Kimpese, showing movies about Jesus and sharing His love for all people.

 

As many ABC missionaries have done through the years, Wendy has developed a network of people who know about her work, and support her in prayer, caring and finances.  This year, that network is not only connecting with Wendy, but with each other, as our new ABC Missionary Partnership Network, Team Wendy!

 

Based in Elko, Nevada, at Wendy’s home church of Elko First Baptist, a group of six people have been working since June of 2008 to develop communication between Elko, the DRC, and Wendy’s many connections in Kansas, California, Michigan, Illinois, and other states across the USA, and in countries around the world.   Our hope is to keep everyone up-to-date on where and how Wendy is, and what she is doing. 

 

Here is what we hope to do:

 

1)     Increase the number of people praying for Wendy and her work;

2)    Promote the financial support Wendy needs – which is approximately $53,000 (US) per year, covering salary, retirement, health insurance, and living and travel expenses;

3)    Encourage new people to become interested in Wendy’s work, and in mission work in general.

 

There are several ways to support Wendy financially:

1)     Ongoing Support – which pays her actual salary and living expenses;

2)    Additional Ministry Funds – which covers her ministry programs, buying materials and paying program costs; and

3)    Personal gifts to Wendy, to be used at her own discretion – this includes birthday gifts (May 3!) and other personal gifts – these personal gifts are not tax deductible. 

 

You may make checks out to Elko First Baptist Church, and mail them to 685 Juniper Street, Elko, NV 89801.  You may also make them out directly to International Ministries, P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482.   Always remember to mark on the check that it is for “Ongoing Support for Wendy Bernhard”. Please don’t make the checks out to Wendy personally – she has no way to cash them.

 

We will be mailing, or emailing, you regular updates on Wendy’s ministry.  If you want to be added to the list - whether email or snail mail, please let us know.  Send us your email address to wendy.bernhard@frontiernet.net, and please add that address to your email address book, so that our emails don’t get rejected.  Or mail your requests to Team Wendy!, Elko First Baptist Church, 685 Juniper Street, Elko, NV 89801.

 

We look forward to our continuing contact with each of you, and pray for you and the groups you represent as you support and encourage Wendy in her work.

 

We appreciate the help of Ruthie Stevenson and Eliazar Zimberahambe of International Ministries who have assisted us in getting this Team off the ground and running!

 

Sincerely,

The Team Wendy! group in Elko, NV

Lonnie Cunningham, Jo Sherwood, Rita Senn, Bill and Bev Killion, and Jan Bassier