Missions & Outreach
Reaching the Rancocas Valley and Beyond.
Missions
DANNY & ANN SHARPE
Young Life Latin America and Caribbean (LAC)
In 2008 Danny and Ann left First Pres Mt Holly and dedicated their lives to Young Life
ministry. After serving in Costa Rica and Nicaragua, they moved back to North Carolina
from where they serve with Young Life in 27 countries in LAC providing senior leadership
development, discipleship, and operations/capital campaigns.
Ann promotes YL expeditions to develop US and LAC ministry partnerships and leads the LAC
Committee composed of LAC senior leadership and Action Teams for each country. (Action
Teams are adults who pray, encourage, and support YL area leaders/clubs.) She also runs
point on biannual senior leadership meetings and the Action Team/LAC Senior Leadership
annual meetings both in the LAC and North America. In addition, Ann is a leader in the “Good Way” a ministry of depth offered to senior leaders in Young Life.
Danny supervises five divisional leaders and is the liaison between three Latin American
camps and the US Camping Dept, as well as serving on the board of 41 & Change Coffee
with production in Nicaragua. He is developing a policy regarding kidnapping in Haiti,
Cuba, and Venezuela. Slowly, progress is being made on developing a YL camp in Haiti.
He is finishing out the Master Plan buildout of Pico Escondido in the Dominican Republic
and is also working on developing a new camp in Costa Rica.
Contact information
dsharpe@sc.younglife.org
annmsharpe@gmail.com
Please pray for Danny and Ann Sharpe’s ministry
● YL leader and camper safety in all LAC countries
● Wisdom for Danny about how to build a camp in a country as tumultuous as
Haiti
● For Ann’s leadership of spiritual formation as she seeks to bring clarity to how
we can best prepare and train our leaders in this new focus on spiritual
formation.
● For safety and good health as they travel
● For their 4 adult children and their grandchildren
Max Perez and Deby Brown – Global Teams – Malaysia
Under the organization Global Teams, the Perez/Brown family has returned to Malaysia where
they will be working alongside ElShaddai, a local Christian-faith-based center. ElShaddai was
established to reach out to refugees and support them with health and education. God, having
placed the refugees in Malaysia, has given Max and Deby an opportunity to present them with
the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Deby will be working in Preventative Medicine coordination, in the
pre/post-natal clinics, and in medical camps in many of the refugee communities. Max will be
working in the local school as the Disciplinary Master where he also will continue teaching
and coordinating the home visits of the 1000 students who attend the ElShaddai Refugee
Learning Center.
Contact information
maxtico@hotmail.com
www.global-teams.net
Please pray for Max Perez and Deby Brown’s ministry
● Settling back into the Malaysian culture
● Bringing new friends for their two children
● Opening doors for their work
● Provision for all their needs
● Understanding and cooperation among the refugee populations and various cultures
STEVE AND SONIA DETTWEILER
WYCLIFFE BIBLE TRANSLATORS – NIGERIA
Steve and Sonia Dettweiler
Nigeria, West Africa
Steve and Sonia Dettweiler plan to continue serving in Nigeria, as God wills, until 2027.
Steve, a native Canadian and now US Citizen and his US “missionary kid” wife Sonia have 75
years of mission service combined. Working through Wycliffe Bible Translators, Steve’s
specialty is linguistics. He helps translate the Bible into the 300 different local languages of
Nigeria so the Word of God can be understood by the natives of that country. Sometimes an
entire alphabet and written language needs to be developed from only a spoken language.
Sonia works for SIL International a global, faith-based nonprofit that works with local
communities around the world to develop language solutions that expand possibilities for a
better life. She serves as assistant to the area director for Anglo-Lusophone Africa (30
countries) in support of training and fieldwork.
Both Steve and Sonia are happy to be mentoring people to continue serving in the Bible
translation task. Wycliffe and SIL are partnering with multiple churches and other Bible
translation organizations to work together to engage the remaining 170 Nigerian language
communities with well-translated scriptures. The God-sized vision is to have a translation
program in progress in every language still needing one by the year 2025.
Steve and Sonia share a passion for discipling others. Included in that focus are their two adult
sons and one daughter-in-law, students at Theological College of Northern Nigeria (TCNN),
other Wycliffe translators and SIL employees, SIL resource recipients, friends and neighbors.
Contact information
Steve_dettweiler@wyclife.org
Sonia.dettweiler@gmail.com
Wycliffe USA, PO Box 628200, Orlando, FL 32862-8200
www.wycliffe.org (Dettweiler ministry account 230193)
Please pray for Steve and Sonia Dettweiler’s mission
Pray that students at TCNN from minority language communities to grasp new
concepts well, and for lecturers to find ways to engage and motivate students
Praise for over 100 graduates with TCNN degrees – pray they will be effective
and diligent in using their training to make a difference on the Bible-translation
scene in Nigeria
Pray for love and joy for Steve, Sonia and their family and praise God for
ways to keep in touch through Internet technology
SEAN AND CARMEN GARRIGAN
MISSIONARY AIR GROUP
Sean and Carmen Garrigan, accompanied by their four children, serve as part of Missionary
Air Group (MAG) is a Christian relief organization that uses aircraft to deliver medical care and
to support humanitarian, relief, and ministry operations in poor and remote areas as a way to
show genuine compassion in the example of Jesus. MAG targets the region of Honduras and
Nicaragua, known as La Mosquitia, where there is a recognized “service gap” for both medical
care access and aviation support. MAG seeks to serve areas where no medical care is
available and nobody else is flying.
Headquartered in North Carolina, Sean trains pilots in flying, remote terrain/mountain piloting,
and plane mechanics. Pilots have graduated and gone to serve in Alaska; Togo, Africa; and
South America.
As an ordained Presbyterian pastor, Carmen provides Gospel ministry as she mobilizes and
ministers to the pilot families, assisting in their spiritual development. She also coordinates
medical clinics, medical supply trips, and summer camp programs, community outreach,
pastoral training, and Bible study in Rus Rus, Honduras.
Contact information
P.O. Box 5160, Burlington, NC 27216
(336) 792-5200
www.flymag.org
www.garrigansinflight.org
Please pray for Sean and Carmen Garrigan’s ministry
Re-integration into living in the US
Provision for greater financial needs in the midst of inflation
Updates on software systems and training systemsWelcoming a new
apprentice family
Hosting US missions teams
Omar Picado and Rosa Baritza and Byron Laguna –
Young Life North Nicaragua is focused on reaching every kid, everywhere with the Good
News of the Gospel. Ministry is based on: Going deeper with kids; Going together with staff
and volunteer leaders; Reaching kids in new ways through innovation; Growing by dreaming
and praying with God for opportunities.
Byron Castro is Metro Director of Matagalpa overseeing six areas in North Nicaragua.
Byron reports to Omar Picado, Territory Director for North Nicaragua.
Rosa Baca is Regional Director for North Nicaragua, Honduras, and El Salvador.
Contact information
Nicaragua.younglife.org
ylnicaragua@younglife.nicaragua.org
Please pray for the Young Life North Nicaragua ministry
God’s wisdom and direction in the growth of Young Life Nicaragua
Growth of relationships between First Pres Mt.
Holly and North Nicaragua staff and leaders
Dream maps to become reality for new clubs
A strong family for Omar, Rosa and their two
children
Ministry development and fruitful leadership training
in Matagalpa for Byron
Outreach
Christine and Christopher Loesser – InterVarsity Central and Southern New Jersey
InterVarsity Central and Southern New Jersey
God is transforming the lives of students across New York and New Jersey! And yet, tragically,
too many campuses have little-to-no gospel witness. God has given InterVarsity the vision to
deepen current ministry and plant new college ministries. Through special campus events,
prayer, small groups, camp, one-on-one relationship building, this organization shares the love
and truth of the Gospel with students and faculty.
As Area Ministry Director, Christine leads staff missionaries and directs the planting of brand-
new college ministries across Central/South New Jersey. In his role as Associate National
Director of Donor Engagement, Chris comes alongside leaders to help them engage mission
partners and move mission forward, both in New Jersey and across the country. They aim to
see college seniors transition well, flourish where they land, and continue to partner effectively
with InterVarsity’s mission.
For personal ministry updates and ways to give, email chris.loesser@intervarsity.org to
subscribe.
Contact information
www.GivetoIV.org/Loesser
Please pray for Chris and Christine Loesser’s ministry
● New Student Outreach (NSO)
● Opportunities to share
● Students to be open
● Leaders to love boldly
● New ministry on the campus of Rowan College at Burlington County (RCBC)
under the leadership of Katlyn Roffina
● Alumni to join in leadership on campus
Community Luncheon
First Presbyterian Church – Mt. Holly
To Learn More about the Community Luncheon, Click Here.
Elsie Nicolette – Wrapped in Prayer
After two FPC women saw how the prayer shawls they made for loved ones brought comfort and joy, they learned that Samaritan also wanted to distribute handmade shawls and blankets to their patients. In 2020, nine crafters (FPC members and friends) found knitting and crocheting a perfect antidote to isolation and stress by keeping the mind active, promoting creativity, relaxation and opportunities for prayer, and giving a sense of purpose. The name of the group—Wrapped in Prayer—derives from the practice of praying over the shawl or blanket while it is being made, attaching a blessing card with the crafter’s name and prayerfully dedicating stacks of beautiful crafts in congregational worship before distribution. If you knit, crochet or want to learn how (even virtually), we invite you to join us in offering prayer and yarncrafted comfort to others. For more information,
contact Elsie Nicolette (609) 351-7179.
Bridge of Hope – Burlington County, NJ
Churches respond. Homelessness Ends. Hope begins.
Bridge of Hope is a 12-24 month program designed to assist families facing homelessness
(typically a woman with children under 18) achieve family stability. We believe this includes
safe and sustainable housing, strong and resilient families and supportive relationships with
Neighboring Volunteers.
For more information about the Bridge of Hope program and the services offered, please
contact Madelyn Mears-Sheldon at 609-893-0700 or christiancaringcenter@yahoo.com.
Bridge of Hope is a three-way partnership between:
A Family Facing Homelessness (typically a single mother with two children)
One trained group of 6-10 Neighboring Volunteers
A Case Manager who trains and equips Neighboring Volunteers and provides services
for each family facing homelessness.
Case manager – oversees BOH of Burlington County; meets with family 1/week and discovers
their needs and helps to meet them
Homeless or at risk of homelessness mothers with children. 12-24 month program provides
rental assistance on sliding scale, budget training, asst with job search, parenting, housing
search
Neighboring group with local Christian faith community- baby sit kids, bring over a meal,
provide emotional support
Sharing with people Christ’s love – prayer, hug, love, surround them with Christ’s love. Over
time, the opportunity to share the Gospel comes up.
Missions Bulletin Board September 2024
All “you” need is a love of people to help
Child is sick, car doesn’t start, need help moving… Families facing homelessness need a good
neighbor. A good neighbor offers encouragement and one whom you can count on to help you
on the road of life. Jesus calls us to be a good neighbor. Expand our own neighborhood
beyond the family living next door. A good neighbor responds to anyone in need. Like the
Good Samaritan, BOH is about being a good neighbor to homeless families. Neighboring is
learning from and walking with each other. Neighboring moves us from strangers to
acquaintances to relationships. BOH neighborhood includes families facing homelessness,
neighboring volunteers from a local Christian faith community, case manager
Building a community of support for homeless families
Living out the call of loving our neighbors as ourselves.
Bridge of Hope brings together professional case managers and trained
groups of neighboring volunteers to offer short-term housing opportunities
and case management services to single mothers and their children who are
facing homelessness.
This program provides:
– Safe and stable short-term housing
– Case management
– Help finding permanent housing – rental assistance, advice, locate
housing, short-term housing, navigating the system
– Encouragement and support groups
– Financial education
Please pray for the Bridge of Hope ministry
The volunteers and paid staff to provide the love and help that residents of Burlington
County need
The families currently in partnership with Neighboring Teams would feel and respond to
the love of Jesus through their Neighboring Team and they would be successful in
finding and maintain stability in their lives.
The new FPMH Neighboring Team with Bridge of Hope to have fun while uplifting the
lives of children and parents.