Transitions
15 Feb 2022TMC | Asia Serve Beyond
(Updated May 11, 2022 )
Dale & Ann had been planning to transition from their in-person TMC leadership role in mid-2022 and make Cape Elizabeth, Maine (Ann’s hometown) their home base from where they would continue remote/virtual leadership. But for two reasons they have postponed this transition until late 2022. (1) Covid has negatively affected TMC achieving financial stability, with offerings taking a hit in 2020 and 2021. And (2) TMC needs more pastors/missionaries on staff. In addition to Dale & Ann’s planned transition, two other senior missionary households are retiring or stepping down from most leadership roles at TMC in 2022. Although TMC has a Japanese ministries pastor, it needs pastors/missionaries for both English and Chinese ministries because those two ministries are currently led by part-time personnel.
But after they do make this transition they will continue full-time ministry with ServeBeyond (EFCC) for a few years and so continue to carry a full-time missionary budget.
Dale & Ann had been planning to transition from their in-person TMC leadership role in mid-2022 and make Cape Elizabeth, Maine (Ann’s hometown) their home base from where they would continue remote/virtual leadership. But for two reasons they have postponed this transition until late 2022. (1) Covid has negatively affected TMC achieving financial stability, with offerings taking a hit in 2020 and 2021. And (2) TMC needs more pastors/missionaries on staff. In addition to Dale & Ann’s planned transition, two other senior missionary households are retiring or stepping down from most leadership roles at TMC in 2022. Although TMC has a Japanese ministries pastor, it needs pastors/missionaries for both English and Chinese ministries because those two ministries are currently led by part-time personnel.
But after they do make this transition they will continue full-time ministry with ServeBeyond (EFCC) for a few years and so continue to carry a full-time missionary budget.
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During these years they will maintain residency status in Japan and make 2-3 trips of 1-2 months each to Japan and Asia every year. This ongoing residency status in Japan will allow them to be at TMC for 6-8 Sundays a year. It will also reduce the costs of their flights within Asia for visiting EFCCM projects in the region. And it will allow them to re-enter Japan as needed while covid border restrictions are in place.
So Lord willing, and keeping James 4:13-15 in mind, their dual-residency ministry plans from 2023 - 2025/2026 are as follows. These plans are made with the understanding that adjustments will be necessary for covid travel restrictions or other unknowns, and that the apportioned amounts of time are “best guesses.”
- In discussion with TMC, serve at TMC remotely by mentoring and encouraging the new young missionary pastor(s), training leaders for children’s ministry, recruiting more pastors/missionaries for TMC, and raising and distributing funds for TMC. When actually in Tokyo, Ann could lead some of the children’s ministry and Dale could be included in the preaching rotation. (30% time)
- Continue as ServeBeyond Asia Ministry Coaches (Asia Region Coordinators). (50% time)
- Dale will continue teaching theology part-time at Japan Bible Seminary (Tokyo) in modular format, either in-person or by zoom. (10% time)
- Support team building in Canada and US. (10% time)