Letter from Pastor Ric and Christie Lumbard

Christie and I want to thank you for your involvement in the activities of the WFM Missions Base over this past year. While it may be a simple thing in your eyes, to us your involvement is part of a MAJOR milestone in the mandate the Lord asked us to steward back in 2001. We knew we could not accomplish His goals without the help of many in the body of Christ.

Although God’s provision is not limited, in His wisdom, He chooses to use many of His kids to accomplish his plans. It has been such a blessing to see so many of you come to help build and support the WFM Missions Base.

2007 closes a three year building fund process for the Midwest Prayer Center facility. It’s not that we don’t have more to do, but now we can address things as smaller projects that are more of enhancements than the construction of the facility itself. Such as, plans to add an entry way out front and prepare the parking lot for asphalt. EGS and special event attendance has already prompted us to extend the parking area.

2008 brings us into a year of full-on development of night and day prayer. In addition, we know clearly that we must pray for and prepare for an unprecedented season of lives coming to the saving power of Jesus Christ. So preparing we are! We have begun the 2008 Staff enlistment process and already have almost 100 staff gearing up for the year ahead. After hearing from the Lord at our Leadership Retreat, our leadership team has made several adjustments for 2008.

In addition to our main volunteer ministry companies, WORSHIP, FREEDOM, KIDSCO etc, we have made changes:

1. We have closed a company or two, changed a few and added several new companies:

a. worship through the night hours cranks up with the NIGHTWATCH Co led by Rick Carolan,

b. maintaining the beauty and functionality of the MWPC facility through ANNA Co led by Victoria Harmon,

c. with two trips to India and a trip to Argentina , the MISSIONS Co. led by Rev Tim Phillips launches.

d. keep watch for information concerning two major regional events coming in May and September!

2. We also have our three existing managed organizations:

a. The Center to Restore Trafficked and Exploited Children (CRTEC), including the new facility coming
online to be used for restoration retreats for recovering children.

b. The FIELD Spiritual Equipping Center

i. a new Targeted Learning Center for children and home school students led by Kay Friis

ii. ICIT launches into 2008 under the leadership of Gabriela Benedetti.

iii. The ARK a 24/7 prayer room birthing in Iowa City led by long time WFM Staff Nick Whaley.

3. We are also adding an EGS on Sundays led by Rev. Marcelo Rabellino for our local Hispanic community.

4. Our Pastoral team has increased to serve the needs of our staff in a proactive way. Please welcome Brad and Jenny Groothuis and Randy and Carol Walker to the staff pastoral ministry team. We recognize that when staff truly engages in their heart to produce fruit in the kingdom of God that the enemy usually files objections. Our primary role as pastors is to walk with our staff through these seasons to bring encouragement, exhortation and edification. Our Pastors pray for and care for the needs of our staff as they forge a prayerful place of refuge in our region. Please understand, however, that our Pastors minister only to our WFM Staff. While the Missions Base activities serve many visitors from other churches, we believe that your Pastoral care should to come from your local church or fellowship of believers. We will defer and prefer to your local pastoral team.

So as we continue to pursue the heart of the Lord, we want to continue to run with each you and ask if you would continue to run with us. On behalf of the Lumbard Family and the Leadership of the WFM Missions Base - Blessings to you all!