Al & Diane Mellinger's Missionary Adventure

The Transition is almost here!

June 14, 2021 - It has been an interesting year for us – with the Pandemic modifying and forever changing how we do ministry.  Things that we planned and wanted to do we could not but at the same time things we never thought of doing became reality.  We have learned it is best to wait on God and follow His lead.

That being said, there are some more changes taking place with Diane and me.  As our work with Free Methodist World Missions (FMWM), doing church planting and leadership development is coming to a close, having fulfilled 3 terms as missionaries.

Recently at a Balkan Conference Board meeting - Bishop Keith Cowart said “I am very excited about the work in Bulgaria and throughout the Balkans.  It is one of the shining lights in the Free Methodist World in Europe.  We want to encourage you, we want to let you know how much we are proud of you, how grateful we are for your faithfulness as you continue to serve the Lord so well and to see so much fruit coming out of this great work.”

We have done what we were sent to do and now we are sensing God’s call to draw alongside churches in a new way.  Coaching and helping to develop economic programs that will support church plants and the families that are part of them.  We are also looking at expanding and helping other missionaries and groups think through how to engage economic ministries in their locations.  To do this we are moving on to expand our work as God leads.

We will still be raising our support, but that will mean we operate our support base and giving in a new way.  Instead of giving as you have done we will be working with Mission Igniter out of the Southern Michigan Conference of the FMC.

We will be on support from FMWM until June 30, 2021. If you have automatic withdrawals coming out you will need to notify Free Methodist World Missions (800) 342-5531 or 317-244-3660) and ask for Debra Hancock or Jon Fajardo in the Finance office. Tell them you need to change your automatic giving or stop it.  Sign-up to begin with the new support system as you are able, to give us time to create a fund to draw from to live on and operate with after the change.

If you are giving to any special fund or the Church Planting and Development Fund (CPD) for the Balkans we encourage you to continue to do so or if you wish to continue to give through FMWM to the Balkan programs you can give to Galloway Support.

Our new support organization:

Mission Igniter PO Box 257 Spring Arbor, MI 49283

Put Mellinger on the Memo line

or online at https://www.aplos.com/aws/give/MissionIgniter/Mellinger

If you have believed in what we are doing we would ask you to continue to support us in our new and expanded role.   Soon we will be outlining some of the new ideas and programs that we will be working on.  New partners that we will tell you about and new (as well as old) ways to be involved in the kingdom work of God.

Thanks for your prayers, financial support and encouragement over the years! You are important to us and the work God has called us to do.

A Bit of Vacation

May 29, 2021 - This week we traveled from Michigan to Florida to see Diane’s family (which we did not get to see last year) Monday and Tuesday we were with DeLynn’s (her sister) family, Wednesday & Thursday we were with Doug (Her Brother) and Friday and Saturday we were with Dave’s (her other Brother) family and mother. 

We were thankful for the time we were able to spend and to catch up on all that is going on.  Here are some photos of Diane with her family.

Diane with her mom playing the piano

Daine with David & Kathryne

Diane with Doug

Diane with Delynn

This week pray for

…our ongoing safety in travels.

…the ongoing transition to Mission Igniter.

…the funding of our new work.

Working on our Travel Schedule!

May 18, 2021 - Now that we are stateside and adjusting to the time difference and have got the store stuff done. We are looking on filling out our schedule.  We plan to be traveling to churches on weekends mostly and so we are putting the word out that if you would like us to come and share all that God has done and the vision for the future email me at almellinger@yahoo.com.

If you would like us to come during the week sometime to share with a small group or family do the same (that is email me).

We are very excited about the next phase of ministry God is leading us into and would love to be able to share our passion and plans with everyone who wants to know.

This week pray for the travel schedule. Pray that God would lead us to the right churches and partners that are needed to move the new vision forward.

Pray too for Diane and me as it is new for us too

Pray for the livelihood groups and the sale of the products they produce.

Okemos Store Moved

May 15, 2021 – We are a day or so late with this week’s post, but it has been a busy week. If you have been following our post you would have heard we had to move our store in Okemos, MI because of our contract with the mall.  We are very happy with the new location and how it all turned out.

Here is a video of what the new store looks like.

If you are in the area stop by and check out the new spot in the Meridian Mall. New items are being added monthly so there is always something new to see.

Pray for the sales of our stores – sales are what we need to help the folks we partner with.

Pray also for our adjustment to new and different ministries roles.

Pray for us as we make appointments and put together our weekend travel schedule.

We Made It Back To the USA!

May 7, 2021 – We want to thanks everyone who prayed for our travels back – the COVID test went great – the flights were smooth and not crowded and we made it back earlier than scheduled (good tailwinds of something)! We know your prayers were a big part of that.

Our transition has begun – We are with Free Methodist World Missions through June 30^th and then will be working with Mission Igniter starting July 1^st – but support should be switched to Mission Igniter soon so we have a balance to draw from.  (Click here to do that online) 

We have hit the ground running (partly because there are things that need to be done and partly to get over the jet lag and our body clocks!  Here are some things happening:

• Week of May 9^th we are relocating our Meridian Mall store to a new location in the Mall – if you are in the Michigan area and would like to help – email me at almellinger@yahoo.com and we will let you know the plans.
• The Jackson location is participating in a couple of events with the Downtown Business Association – Art Walk and Side Walk Sales this weekend.
• We will begin traveling doing presentations in Church, Home and to other groups – if you would like to have us come email me at almellinger@yahoo.com and we will let you know when we will be in your area.
• We will also begin meeting with Pastors and other interested parties at figuring out how we can draw alongside folks in need and help them not only find Jesus but also a way forward. Pray for us especially with this.

We are looking forward to being with our oldest son, his wife, and our granddaughter FAITH this weekend for Mothers Day! (We love being Grandparents!)

Pray for...

... upcoming meetings and our schedule that we will connect with the right people.

... you jet lag and getting used to this time zone.

... the transition of the store at the Meridian Mall.