Team #625

This was my 1st missions trip ever. God totally led me straight away. I was able to connect to the homeowner (who is a believer) in such a personal way that we were able to cry and pray together. To hear her eagerness to have her home built in time for Christmas was heartfelt. To listen to her story of loss, damage, and theft was even more heartbreaking. To see the damage left from Hurricane Katrina still several years later makes my heart ache. There's no doubt in my mind I'll be back. Being able to partner with UMCOR in Slidell was a HUGE blessing! It was neat to connect with others who were there serving and called by God through other organizations. It reminded me of the body of Christ. I was so nervous to be an add-on, but it was an incredible experience to meet up with 12 strangers and spend a week doing something I'd never do otherwise! - Emily

Team #596

“This past summer, I, along with 6 teens and 5 adult leaders from Valley Community Baptist Church had the privilege to venture to Tepatitlan, Mexico for a two week mission trip. I found, and I think most the team will agree, that those two weeks were filled with the most blessings, growth, fun and unity than any other two in the past.

While on the field we had the opportunity to grow strong bonds with the people, young and old, of the church we partnered with in Mexico through futbol (aka soccer), tasty Mexican meals, long bus rides on which we all brushed up on our Spanish and the renewing church services. With the help of the church community our team traveled to many different villages throughout the state of Jalisco in which we presented the message of the Gospel through powerful dramas, testimonies, puppets/songs and speakers. Each person on our team found a different role to fill and gave it their all during these presentations which allowed us all to see a noticeable impact God made in many people’s lives.

Not only did we build everlasting relationships with the people in Mexico, but also had the blessing of having such a God-driven and indescribable STEM leader, Ryan, who we all feel is now a part of our family. In January, I knew God was calling me to pursue this mission trip, not really knowing why. After receiving the joy God gave me from this trip by serving Him, I am so thankful I followed His will and now have this life-changing experience to remember forever.” --Lauren

TEAM #627

"STEM Ministries put together one of the greatest, most life-changing trips I have ever been on. Our youth ministry spent 5 days in Biloxi, MS helping re-build homes and lives.

We had amazing opportunities to meet people and hear stories that we will never forget. I watched teenagers rise to the occassion and meet every challenge given to them head on - they were stretched - they were changed and they had fun doing it !"

-- Pastor Cheri Halek

New STEM & Bethany Missions Partnership!

STEM Ministries and Bethany International announce the formation of a missions partnership.

STEM Ministries, a nationally-recognized leader in Christian short-term missions, and Bethany International, a mission training and sending agency for career missionaries, are joining their respective short-term mission and career mission competencies beginning September 1, 2008 to expand the mobilization of short-term and career missionaries. STEM brings 24 years of recruiting, training, and sending thousands of short-term missionaries into more than two dozen locations around the world to the partnership. Bethany brings 63 years of training, sending, and supporting more than 700 cross-cultural missionaries into 40 different countries. Its Bethany College of Missions and Bethany International Ministries focus on mobilizing a new generation of missionaries.

STEM Founder and President Roger Peterson notes, “Our partnership with Bethany will allow STEM short-term mission teams to penetrate places we never dreamed possible. Bethany will help ramp up our administration of these multiplied short-term mission efforts, and also provide opportunities for training and career placement to those short-termers in whom God places a longer-term vision during their STEM short-term outreach.”

Bethany CEO Dan Brokke notes, “STEM has pioneered church based short-term missions and has laid a foundation, both in relationship with church and with field mission leadership, to provide high impact mission service opportunities. We look forward to mobilizing together with STEM a whole new generation of short and long-term missionaries.”


Rev. Roger Peterson
Founder & President, STEM Int’l
http://stemintl.org/

Dan Brokke
CEO & President, Bethany International
http://bcom.org/

Team # 601

Nine males and Eight females varying in age from 13-66 made up the team from Ohio, going to Mexico! They went to Mexico from June 15-29, 2008.

Here are a couple of testimonies from team members:

"We came into this mission prepared for it to be like domestic trips we’ve taken in the past. We were taken aback - amazed at what God was able to do through us and in us."

"Pulling our 25” suitcase through each town we visited, the rehab center and the nursing home, it was opened up and love just poured out to these people who were so friendly, kind and open to what we had to share with them.

Our adventure included health problems (for teammates and our leader), an accident involving bleach in a teammates eye, two bus breakdowns within minutes of each other, four demon possessed teens delivered from bondage & oppression and a team that was silently & verbally witnessing to our non-Christian bus driver every step of the way. God challenged us, grew us, matured us in our faith and blessed us beyond measure!"

Team #629

Team # 629 from Berean Bible Church in Hastings,Nebraska consisting of 10 youth and 5 adults did their missions outreach in Minneapolis, MN from June 9-13, 2008.

They helped out various ministries around the Urban Minneapolis location such as the Marie Sandvik Center, the SALT program (Somali Adult Literacy Training), Little Earth and Indian Fellowship, Sarreen Ministries and more.

At these various locations they were able to assist with food distribution, relational and sports evangelism, cleaning and painting projects, teaching English as a Foreign Language, as well as several other types of ministry!

A testimony from Team Member, Hannah:
"I was a part of a STEM Mission Trip to Urban Minneapolis. While on that trip I experience and learned a lot, but one thing that God really impressed on my heart and reminded me of is our need, or mankind’s need, for Him.

Throughout my time in Minneapolis there were many opportunities to serve those who were very poor. Food, clothes, and money are just some of the needs that needed to be met. Serving them in these ways reminded me that not only do they desperately need these materialistic things to survive they also are in desperate need of a savior.

It is so easy to forget that without Jesus and His death on the cross we are destitute spiritually. This trip has reminded and challenged me to never forget what Jesus Christ did for me and my incredible need for Him. Also that there is a world of people out there who need Him too, even more than the food and clothes they need, and I need and want to be willing to share Him with them."

-Hannah, Team #629

Team #616

Team # 616, our first 2008 relief team, served in the DR from June 7—17. The team consisted of five 20-somethings: two sisters from Colorado Springs, both in the military, a woman from Seattle and a couple from northern Minnesota.

STEM Team Leader, Katia pictured with team

They got off to a great start, digging holes and laying the foundation for a communal latrine, despite heavy rain that turned everywhere to mud. They replaced dirt floors with concrete in two homes, and held a kids’ club in the same very poor community. They also held a street outreach in a neighborhood near the host church in Sabana Perdida.



STEM's Team Leader, Katia writes:

"I'm really happy for the first team. We had a truly awesome and
extreme time! The Lord really used, taught, guided and changed us in
many ways!

Even though I thought we wouldn't have many opportunities for
evangelism, God gave us many opportunities where we were stretched in
our faith and obedience. The first Sunday I was asked to preach (on
the spot, I found out just when the pastor was giving the
announcement!) but God is faithful and with His help and an outline I
had from the last Sunday I shared at church, it all worked out great!


On Tuesday night we were asked to prepare an outreach program, and even
thought it was not at all what we thought it would be, what the team
called a "street concert" was a powerful evagelizing time. More than 60
people heard a clear gospel message and a few came to Christ! Most of
the time the team was shocked and afraid and really stretched out of
our comfort zones, but the Lord was faithful and the community really
enjoyed it! It was like the widows offering in Mark 12.41-44. Even
though we didn't feel we had much to offer, the Lord was delighted in
our willingness to follow Him!

So the next times we were asked to do something we didn't plan for, at
least our hearts were a little more prepared! We could see Christ's
faithfulness as He transformed us into His image! Praise the Lord!

Construction was hard work also! Especially with the rain and the mud,
it was harder to continue but the Lord gave us endurance 'till the
end! We were able to lay concrete floors on 2 houses and the porch of
one, we dug the hole for the chapel's latrine, laid brick and concrete
in the hole, and laid the foundation for the walls! At times we
couldn't work a lot because of the rain, but that gave us
opportunities to share with the village people and children, another
blessing!


Last Sunday we had Kid's club in the community La Antonia, where we
expected 40 to 50 kids, and ended up with about 75! Thank God the
message was also clear and the pastor told me with excitement, "Heaven
will be full of children!" It's amazing what the Lord can do when we
are willing!

And, God in His faithfulness answered our prayers. the team was really
working in one heart and mind, we were united so people could see His
love and His blessing! That helped with the communion with the church
here. We truly had great relationship with each other and with the
church members, what a blessing!


There's so much the Lord did! I am very thankful for your prayers.

Please continue to pray for:
- the team members' re-entry
- the Lord will continue to accomplish the good work that has been started in them
- their passion and vision will increase & they will never be the same again
- ask that they will never settle for less than what the Lord ask of them. (and me!)"

Summer DR Teams...

This is an exciting week for STEM -- the first of our relief teams will arrive in the Dominican Republic!

Katia Alvarado flew into Santo Domingo from Mexico on June 3 and will spend the summer in the DR leading these teams. She's the ideal person as she's bilingual in English and Spanish, and knows STEM well -- she worked in our office while a student at Bethany College of Missions and led a number of teams for us.

Now that she’s graduated, Katya and some friends are setting up an evangelistic coffee shop in Guadalajara. Her church has released her to work with STEM for the summer, and we’re very grateful to have her!

In February Katya traveled to the DR with Jim and Cherie Levin to set up plans for the summer relief teams. We’ll be working with a church-plant from a church we’ve already partnered with in Sabana Perdida on the edge of Santo Domingo. The daughter church is in a very poor community. As usual it’s the poorest who are hardest hit by disasters like hurricanes. The goal is to build them some much-needed latrines, at the same time as building up God’s church. (Can you imagine a place without even this basic necessity of life?)

Watch this space for more news of our summer relief teams to the DR!

Dominicans Need Your Help!

Last fall Hurricanes Noel and Olga did damage throughout the DR but didn’t get near the media coverage as when Hurricane Katrina hit the US Gulf Coast.

Dominicans are still suffering – from hunger and disease and homelessness. That's where you come in — you can help!

- Take a week of your summer.
- Train while you're there.
- And serve the poorest of the poor in Jesus' name.

Pick the date that works for you!
Jun 7–Jun 17 (11 day)
Jun 19–Jun 26 (8 day)
Jun 28–Jul 8 (11 day)
Jul 10–Jul 17 (8 day)
Jul 19–Jul 29 (11 day)
Jul 31–Aug 7 (8 day)
Aug 9–Aug 19 (11 day)

Visit the website for more information!

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