President's Weekly Letter #29

 …VAN EEN VERNUFTIGE MAKELIJ…

(1 Nephi 18:1)

Belgium/Netherlands Mission

STRATEGIC MISSION PLAN

Mission Vision

Formation of a 5^th Stake.  The new 5^th Stake in our Mission will consist of 6 strong Wards plus Branches.  It will provide new leadership opportunities to the members and become a base that accelerates member support of other members, temple work and it will be a center of strength from which missionaries can operate.  It will have sufficient numbers of Melchizedek Priesthood holders, tithe payers and active members to function properly and offer all necessary church programs.  Resulting from growth in the existing 4 Stakes, the 5^th Stake will be formed from splitting units out of the existing 4 Stakes, yet leaving the existing 4 Stakes, likewise, healthy and functioning.

Each missionary, in the missionary force supporting the 5 Stakes, will be an effective and highly skilled missionary, who has repeatedly practiced, studied, exercised and re-trained to have internalized his or her skills.  Each will excel from his or her thorough knowledge and use of Preach My Gospel.  Each will understand and master the basic techniques to effectively work with people.  Each will be personable, diligent, obedient, hard working and humble servants who are in tune with the spirit.  Each will teach clearly and testify convincingly to motivate all with whom they come in contact.  The missionaries will:

Be Personally Converted.  They will study, serve and strive to move forward in becoming like the Savior and attaining excellence in missionary work.  Through experiencing and witnessing effects of the atonement, they will grow into stalwart saints, great leaders and future loving parents.

Gather in the elect of God. Using Preach My Gospel, they will reap a great harvest as they Plan by the Spirit, Find by the Spirit and Teach by the Spirit those honest seekers of truth – inviting them to accept the gospel, be baptized and to enjoy its blessings.  Each companionship will average one baptism per month.

Establish Zion in Belgium and the Netherlands.  They will coordinate their efforts together with members and work in unity with focus and power.  Under the presiding authority and direction of the Stake Presidents, Bishops or Branch Presidents, they will teach new members and invite less active members to return to feel the spirit and the love of the Lord again and gain the blessings of Eternal Life.  They will assist members to accomplish the member’s objectives in the Stake, Ward or Branch mission plans and, with care and member support, they will contact and teach member referrals.

Mission Purpose

Our Purpose is to:  Invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and his Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. (Preach My Gospel, p. 1)

Mission Values

·      Faith in Jesus Christ

·      Hope

·      Charity and Love

·      Virtue

·      Knowledge

·      Patience

·      Humility

·      Diligence and Obedience motivated by Love of God and Fellowmen

(Preach My Gospel, chapter 6)

Mission Plans

The overall  Mission Plan is – Support the Stake, Ward and District mission plans. (Preach My Gospel, chapter 13)  These Plans were prepared by the local leaders who have the keys for missionary work in their areas.  In this simple, one point Plan, missionaries perform what the local leaders ask as they support and help the members achieve the members’ missionary objectives. The Mission President has the keys to the work of the missionaries.  So, in addition, Zone and District Conferences and Trainings regularly provide Plans made up of ideas, instruction, roll plays and actions to improve effectiveness or other aspects of missionary work.  Companionship weekly and daily planning should be carried out in accordance with these Plans and Chapter 8 of Preach My Gospel.  Plans to create personal or group progress should be followed in your daily activities.  Plans should be specific and focused on people and their progress and be tied to goals and assessment of progress. Plans must always move you toward the personal or group vision and the common Mission Vision. 

Mission Goals

Goal 1:  Maintain 3-5 progressing investigator groups each week in the teaching pool of every companionship, thus increasing the likelihood of 1 baptism per month per companionship.

Goal 2:  Study and identify improvement to internalize One Christ-like Attribute each week (Preach My Gospel, chapter 6) by every missionary thus increasing personal conversion.

These 2 mission goals should be accepted as a personal goal by every missionary.  Other possible goals set by missionaries are unlimited in number but should help achieve the 2 Mission goals.  You should set inspired goals to fit your specific needs such as personal progress or companionship performance based on Plans presented in Zone and District Conferences and Trainings.  Always set and pursue goals for finding, teaching, language, learning, worthiness personal and companionship improvement, etc.  Set weekly and daily proselyting goals in your companionship following Chapter 8 of Preach My Gospel.  Use the daily planner to record and track goals.  Goal-setting ideally involves establishing specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time-targeted (S.M.A.R.T.) objectives.  Goal are frequently small manageable steps.  Goals should always be in alignment with and take you toward the personal or group vision and the common Mission Vision.

Accountability

Individual Accountability is fundamental in God’s eternal plan.  Approach your goal setting and planning with the idea that you will account for your efforts to your mission leaders and the Lord through prayer.  Accept full responsibility for your efforts.  Never blame others for difficult circumstances or lack of progress.  Individual accountability brings power and is the crowning action to the whole process.