SIMON AND SUE YEOMANS - WORKING WITH OM IN CANADA

 

Simon was on the leadership team of Sale West Community Church before sensing the call to international missions in 2001. He joined Operation Mobilization (OM) in France and a year or so later met Sue, a Canadian also working with OM at that time. They married in 2006 and took on various roles within the team, culminating in Sue being personnel director and Simon being overall field leader of the work in France from 2012 until 2018. In July of that year they relocated to Canada, and they continue to serve to this day as Associate Field leader (Simon) and Missions Coach for Europe, North and Latin America and Oceania (Sue). Both still provide some long-distance support to the work in France.

OM’s international vision statement states that “We want to see vibrant communities of Jesus-followers among the least reached”. Everything we do is focussed on that goal, and so in Canada this means raising finances and people to resource teams in the hard places of the world where people are yet to respond in numbers to God’s message of grace and salvation. Simon’s gifts are in the areas of administration and accounting for the around $8m that we see flowing through OM Canada each year. Sue accompanies new recruits on their journey as they prepare and leave for missions overseas. Our heart is to see people thrive as they serve.

The Covid-19 pandemic has impacted international missions in very significant ways, although there have also been surprises. Whilst most short-term mission trips have ceased until borders reopen and fewer people have been able to go overseas longer-term, many national ministries have been able to adapt their outreach methods to take into account lockdowns and physical distancing requirements. OM’s famous ship ministry was particularly impacted and had to close for all visits until recently. But there again, the challenges created opportunities as extra time was used for in-depth training and reorientation of the team members on board. It has also been particularly encouraging to see how many donors have felt able to continue their support for their missionary friends across the world. We even saw a slight increase in support gifts over the last year!

Personally, we remain grateful. As we move out of lockdown restrictions in the coming months, we pray for more opportunities to see God’s unstoppable mission move forward, with more workers being sent out to the harvest, fully supported. We would love to see several key positions filled back in France, and we know that a few of the long-term staff there have had serious health issues to contend with recently; could you pray with us that God will build that team up? We also appreciate prayer that we would be a light to our neighbours and friends – we are slowly building connections with some local university students. Thank you for praying for us and with us for God’s purposes to be accomplished and that our service will flow out of our love for Him.

Dear Lord, we thank you that nothing takes you by surprise. Whilst none of us knows what tomorrow may bring, we thank you that all your purposes are perfect, and that you promise to work for the good of all your creation. Thank you for allowing us to be part of your plan. Help us each day to stay focussed on your priorities and to see this world through your eyes. May we be vessels in your hands to bring hope, grace and love to a hurting world. May we be followers of Jesus who point others to you! Amen.

We would love to see several key positions filled back in France, and we know that a few of the long-term staff there have had serious health issues to contend with recently; could you pray with us that God will build that team up?

We also appreciate prayer that we would be a light to our neighbours and friends – we are slowly building connections with some local university students.