Welcoming Committee Union Gospel Mission Winnipeg, Manitoba W e connect with local pastors and build relationships with local churches by attending a monthly, regularly scheduled, Pastor and Leaders Prayer Network meeting. There are approximately 75 people that come together to worship, develop spiritually, pray, and network. It is very useful for our mission to be a part of these gatherings. —Frank Ulrich, Executive Director A New Approach to Service Mel Trotter Ministries Grand Rapids, Michigan W e use a video called “Corners of Your Field” that we send to churches and show pastors. It gives a bit of info on what we do and yes, it is asking for donations to the thrift store. But for every church member who donates, the church earns credit. Then the church gets gift cards to our thrift store from the credit that they can then give to those they come into contact with who have a need. So it’s not just a one-way street of give to the mission; it is a win/win. (vimeo.com/256676515/778fa92dc1) For guest chapel services they have the option of doing something else. For example, some churches do game nights with our guests, which is extremely effective for relationship building and church connection. For services, we now require that they must send a first-tier pastor, not just anyone from their church. Same with worship leader. Depending on the size of the church they must also bring 50–100 people from their church, and they cannot come in for a 1-hour service and leave. They need to be here a while and fellow- ship. At a recent service more than an hour after the service was over, the church volunteers and the guests were still standing in a circle singing, laughing, and praying—all voluntarily. Here is what is happening with the 15 churches who are doing this program. You walk into chapel and it is standing room only and for the most part you cannot tell who is a guest and who is from the church. Relationships develop, which lead to meaningful church connections, discipleship, barriers coming down, as well as stereotypes being broken both ways. Pastors are loving it and telling other pastors. One pastor, who has been an MTM partner for many years and many guests have made his church their church home, actually tells his congregation, “The people that come to our church from Mel Trotter are not a ministry of this church; they are a valuable part of our congregation and without them our church would be less.” —Dennis Van Kampen, President/CEO Ī WWW.AGRM.ORG MAY/JUNE 2018 41 They need to be here a while and fellowship. At a recent service more than an hour after the service was over, the church volunteers and the guests were still standing in a circle singing, laughing, and praying—all voluntarily.