From July 2007 we will spend a year celebrating 50 years of ministry in OM. We want to recognise this by inviting all our partners to celebrate with us the faithfulness of God over these years. As we express our thanks to God, we also want to thank so many of you for your partnership with us. A number of you have been with us from the very early days when it really was a statement of faith to identify with us. Many of you have begun to support us more recently, and to all, whether with us a long time or short, we want to say how invaluable your support is.

How can we express our amazement and thanks to God for all He has done? It’s amazing to think of how many people will be in heaven because God chose to bring this movement into being 50 years ago. You, our friends and supporters, have been a special part of all this. We give thanks to God for you and invite you to celebrate with us at this time.

The same mercy and power that led to the birth of OM continues to lead us forward. We are planning various events around the OM world during this 50th year to inform our partners of what God is doing in these days and to give opportunity for you to celebrate with us. Please watch this website for news of these events in your part of the world.

As I write this letter, and as we move toward the beginning of our 50th year, a number of huge challenges which translate to outstanding opportunities capture my attention. Let me share them with you with the desire that together we can see these opportunities grasped for the glory of God.

India
I’m sure you are aware of the exceptional ways in which God is at work in this nation. In His providence, God has placed OM India right at the heart of what He is doing, and the big opportunity that we face is to get the resources to our brothers and sisters in India at this time so that they are able to respond to all that God is doing. We have amazing opportunities for child sponsorship and supporting national workers. If you want to know more of what God is doing in this land and how you can be involved, write to me, and I’ll put you in touch with the appropriate person in your area. I cannot stress sufficiently the opportunities in India at this time.

Logos Hope
Highly significant changes have been introduced in the ship ministry over the last three years, which I believe position OM Ships to minister even more effectively. An important part of these changes was a more suitable vessel for the ministry. Logos Hope was God’s answer for us. As I write, the vessel is undergoing major work in a Croatian shipyard. Soon we will bring Logos Hope to Bremen, Germany, where a great deal more work will still need to be done by our own people and, we believe, hundreds of volunteers. Is God calling you to make a contribution of your time? When Logos Hope is ready we will then need hundreds of people to serve on board longer term. Please pray.

Europe
As we reach our 50th year, the challenge of Europe weighs ever more heavily upon us. This is the continent where OM began in a major way. However, this continent, which was once the driving force in world mission, now needs to be the focus for mission. We expect to see considerable growth in our mission to Europe in the next few years. Pray with us as our European leaders continue to seek the Lord concerning His strategy for Europe at this time.

Muslim World
With these new opportunities we cannot neglect the ongoing opportunities and our calling from God. Part of our “DNA” as a movement is God's call to bring His peace, love and truth to the peoples of the Muslim world. There are many, many encouragements amongst the challenges. We need more people to commit to pray for this work. Could you find one other person who would commit to pray for our ministry to Muslims?

And this is only the beginning. We have a great desire to see the Latin American Church playing an even bigger role in world mission. The challenges and opportunities when we see what God is doing in China are nothing less than staggering. And then what are we to say about HIV/AIDS? Our response to this pandemic is growing, but in partnership with many others needs to grow much more.

The last 50 years have been an amazing and, in many ways, exhausting journey. I cannot believe, looking at the world today, that the next 50 are going to be any less exhausting or exciting. We want to bring glory to God in His world. We are grateful for you our partners and pray that through this website we may find many more partners for the years ahead.

Peter Maiden
International Director