Active Missionaries from or associated with the North Indiana Conference

Clara Mridula Biswas serves as a community worker in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Ms. Biswas works with the 'poorest of the poor' in slum areas and garbage dumps to facilitate their move to relocation and rehabilitation centers. The program provides for Sunday school and conducts Christmas and Easter programs each year. The education program supports 620 students in public schools by providing classes such as music, computer and art classes. The health program refers patients, as needed, to hospitals and non-government organization health centers. Clara networks with other church and non-government organizations as well as visiting, monitoring and caring for patients. Born in Barisal, Bangladesh, Clara holds a B.A. degree in Social Science and a diploma in Rural Leadership and Development from the Asian Rural Institute in Tochigi-Ken, Japan. She is a member of the Church of Bangladesh.

Serving In: Cambodia
Advance Special Number: 13952Z120

Clara Biswas

Ms. Bowker teaches organ and graduate courses in church music at Mokwon University in Taejon. A native of rural Indiana, Rosalie received a bachelor of arts degree in music from Taylor University, a master's degree in music from Butler University, and a master's degree in ministry in church music from Christian Theological Seminary. Rosalie will be retiring soon.

Serving In: South Korea
Advance Special Number: 001527-3BZ

Rosalie Bowker

Rev. James (Jim) Doepken is assigned to the Alaska United Methodist Conference where he serves as pastor of Girdwood Chapel UMC in Girdwood, Alaska. Living and working in Alaska has its unique challenges. The Alaska UM Conference covers an area twice the size of Texas and has 27 churches and 4,000 members. Some of the mission stations can only be reached by boat, plane, or dog sled. Temperatures can vary as much as 160 degrees in some areas. The extremes of daylight and darkness (depending upon the time of year) add to the sense of stress and isolation.

Serving In: Alaska
Advance Special Number: 931464-7

Jim Doepken

Helen and Jim began their acclimation to U.S. society and culture in New York City in 2007 after 23 years of service in Vienna (Austria), Munich and Hamburg (Germany).

Jim is the Regional Executive Secretary in the Mission Personnel Program Area for Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and South Asia; also irreverently known as 'the rest of the world.'

Serving In: United States
Advance Special Number: 009390-3AZ

Jim Dwyer

Helen and Jim began their acclimation to U.S. society and culture in New York City in 2007 after 23 years of service in Vienna (Austria), Munich and Hamburg (Germany).

Helen has assumed the assignment of MIR (Missionary in Residence), a position traditionally associated with linking 'standard support' and other missionaries in their various points of assignment with staff and administration of GBGM.

Serving In: United States
Advance Special Number: 009391-4AZ

Helen Dwyer

Becky Harrell is serving as a missionary in Iquique, Chile. Becky is responsible for the receipt and disbursement of contributions to the various established Advance Projects in Chile from United Methodist congregations throughout the United States. "There have been great challenges since coming to Chile, mainly in my acceptance and understanding of a culture other than my own. It is a constant learning process for me and at times I feel like a small childe sitting behind a little desk in a classroom, taking it all in, and raising my hand to ask many, many questions. The people of Chile are as diverse as their landscape and they draw you ever closer to knowing God and His love...which they cannot help but share."

Serving In: Chile
Advance Special Number: 15141-Z

Becky Harrell

Maria Sabino Humbane is a missionary in Mature, Zimbabwe. Born in Chikuki, Maxixe Mazambique, maria earned a certificate in practical nursing in 1971 from Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie, IN. Of her mission assignment, Maria says: "I am planning to establish a project of rehabilitation of homeless children and unwed mothers in Mutare. I believe that through my work, they will see the importance of the church's work and therefore become believers."

Serving In: Zimbabwe
Advance Special Number: 012912-Z

Maria Humbane

Larry Kies is a missionary assigned to Africa University. He serves as a technical advisor at the university, assisting in the development of the university's farm and working to train a new generation of agriculturalists from countries across the continent. "I am in mission with the African people as we search for and intriduce methods of improving food security. To paraphrase a Chinese proverb, we hope to not just give a man a fish, nor even teach him to fish, but to work with him in finding new ways to fish - and then help him obtain a fishing pole. By so doing, I hope to obey Jesus' command, implicit in Matthew 25, to feed the hungry."

Jane Kies is assigned to Africa University. She teaches English to students coming from countries where it is not spoken. Born in Ndola, Zambia, Jane grew up in Southern Africa and England. After graduating from York University in England with a B.A. in sociology and education, she spent two years teaching in a rural secondary school in Uganda through the Church Missionary Society. She then returned to England to acquire a certificate in Teaching English as a Second/Foreign Language (T.E.S.O.L.).

Serving In: Zimbabwe
Advance Special Number: 009572-Z & 10739-Z

The Kies Family

Janet Lahr Lewis is serving as liaison between ecumenical groups and Israel and Palestine. Focusing on the areas of advocacy and activism, Janet's responsibilities are numerous. She circulates updates about developments in the ongoing crisis and suggests courses of action people can take to address it. She educates visitors about the realities of the situation, organizes conferences, develops media campaigns, offers worship opportunities, hosts delegations to the area and oversees other special events.

Serving In: Palestine
Advance Special Number: 14183-Z

Janet Lahr Lewis

Returning to serve at Southern Philippines Methodist Colleges (SPMC) at the beginning of 2007, Janet McCarty is a commissioned deaconess and missionary with the Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church who has served in Nepal as well as the Philippines. SPMC is in an economically depressed area and the majority of the students are on scholarship for need. The college offers a B.A. in Theology, Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education, and Associate in Computer Science, a Certificate in Early Childhood Education for 18 units, and a pastor's school.

Serving In: Philippines
Advance Special Number: 13028-Z

Janet McCarty

The Rev. Dr. Stephen (Steve) Newnum is currently serving as professor at the Methodist Center for Education and Training (CEMETRE) in Marina, Parana, Brazil, where he has served since 1988. CEMETRE is a theological institution for training pastors and laity of the Sixth Region (Conference) of the Brazilian Methodist Church, serving the states of Santa Catarina and Parana in southern Brazil. Steve also serves on the academic coordination committee at CEMETRE. He has previously served in the positions of academic dean, president, vice-president and dean of students. Steve previously taught in Londrina at the Presbyterian and Missionary seminaries.

Serving In: Brazil
Advance Special Number: 0084511AZ

Stephen Newnum

Gary Stephenson is an Associate in Mission Service (AIMS) serving as Program Coordinator with Henderson Settlement of the Redbird Missionary Conference in Frakes, Kentucky. He began working with Henderson Settlement in January 2001, and his primary focus is the care and maintenance of a fleet of 27 vehicles which are used in various capacities in the ministries of Henderson Settlement. Mr. Stephenson also oversees a workcamp program in White Oaks, Tennessee from June through August. His responsibilities there include the coordination and supervision of work teams who come and work on homes in the area of those in need and cannot afford to do the work themselves.

Vicki Stephenson is serving in the Red Bird Missionary Conference at Henderson Settlement, Kentucky as an Associate in Mission Service (AIMS). Vicki's responsibilities include arranging itineration for Henderson Settlement missionaries, setting up craft shows, developing fund-raising projects and materials, and assisting with tours. Mrs. Stephenson was born in Belleville, Illinois and received her education from R. Nelson Snider High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana with an emphasis in Business.

Serving In: USA
Advance Special Number: 773814-2

Gary & Vicki Stephenson

The Vances are currently on leave from the General Board and serving in extension ministry in Ndola, Zambia. Support should be sent clearly marked to the Marion Mission Storehouse (see below).

Ken Vance is teaching at the Kafakumba Pastor's School and serving as co-pastor of the Ndola Town Center United Methodist Church.

Serving In: Zambia
Advance Special Number: Send salary support through the Marion Mission Storehouse, a District Advance Special #161401.

The Vance Family