President’s Perspective: Your Pioneering Spirit

THE CALL: 2024–2025    |    1 MINUTE READ
DR. DAN SCHAFER, PRESIDENT

I'm so happy you're reading this issue of The Call. These stories have come from all around the world—Japan, Kenya, Burundi, Bolivia, Hungary, Spain, and many other locations. Now, they've finally made their way to you. And I can't wait for you to dig into them.

What I love most is that the stories you're reading are 115 years in the making!

On June 10, 1910, WGM was founded by pioneers Woodford Taylor and Cecil Troxel. God spoke, and they obeyed.

And now, as WGM prepares to celebrate 115 years of faithful people just like you telling the Good News of Jesus, I just had to tell you all about what God has done in the past and is doing today!

I’m in awe of the shoulders I get to stand on. People like Margaret Thompson, whose boat was sunk by the Nazis, survived, didn’t run from God’s call, and pressed on to serve the people of Burundi. Or Don and Twana Hawk, who left their farm and took their young family to Honduras because God told them to.

Today, pioneer missionaries are still forging new paths. For example, in Papua New Guinea, Seth and Veronica Porter are building churches in communities that have never had one. In Japan, Holly Muehleisen and other missionaries are making the Gospel more accessible.

But there’s another pioneer I haven’t mentioned. And that pioneer is you.

You’ve said yes to God’s call to support the global body of Christ. You’ve given the Good News of Jesus to people who’ve never heard it. You’ve provided medical relief to children in Kenya. You’ve placed Bibles in the hands of new believers.

You’ve done this by faithfully praying, giving, and going with WGM. And your pioneering spirit makes all of this possible.

So, on behalf of WGM—thank you for the impact you are making today all around the world! And while we do celebrate the last 115 years, I am praying expectantly for what God will do in the next 5, 10, 15 years—and I can’t wait to see it all unfold with you.