GLOBAL MISSIONS
GLOBAL MISSIONS
GLOBAL PARTNERS serves more than 90 countries with 230 missionaries. The mission to exalt Jesus Christ by calling and mobilizing believers to global ministries of evangelism, church planting, leadership development and ministries of compassion is strong.
The Northeast District has a history of engagement with Global Partners through local church and individual support of missionaries and projects and through short-term mission teams on the fields. Through the years folks from the Northeast District have also served as full-time missionaries.
Since the devastating earthquake in 2010 District engagement with Haiti has been especially significant since the District includes many who have immigrated from there and who still have many family members living there.
MISSIONARIES FROM THE NORTHEAST DISTRICT UNDER THE GLOBAL PARTNERS APPOINTMENT
Rod and Nancy Zottarelli are Wellness Coaches with Global Partners, providing care for missionaries serving around the world. Together they are equipped with a master’s in marriage and family therapy, a certificate in counseling, years of missionary service in Indonesia with Mission Aviation Fellowship, and years of service as pastoral staff in Pennsylvania. Rod is pursuing his doctorate in clinical psychology in order to serve more effectively. He is also the Child Safety Director for Global Partners.
Rod and Nancy train and equip new missionaries to thrive despite difficulties aboard. They care for those going through transitions and traumas. They take time to visit missionaries on the field to ensure they are cared for, encouraged, and equipped to navigate obstacles and opportunities.
Rod and Nancy have three grown children and three adorable grandchildren.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God (2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV).
Become a prayer partner and financial supporter HERE.
Don Werkheiser served ten years in The Wesleyan Church as an assistant pastor. In 2012, Don was widowed, and, within that same year, he went on his first short-term mission trip to Haiti. Although he had gone on two prior short-term mission trips, the Haiti trip was special, and he felt a call to be a missionary.
After seven years and four more short term mission trips to Haiti, Don knew it was time to take action on the call to be a long-term missionary. In 2020, this call became reality when Global Partners appointed him as a long-term missionary. Don thanks God for the desire he put in his heart to love and serve the people in Haiti.
Become a prayer partner and financial supporter HERE.
In addition to Rod & Nancy Zottarelli and Don Werkheiser, there are two other families from the Northeast District who are serving closed-access countries. Contact missions@northeastdistrict.org to learn more about them.
HAITI MISSIONS
Please see the "Prior Haiti Ministries" section below for reports of prior trips.
Due to political instability, civil unrest, and a fragile economy, there have been no District missions teams to Haiti since September of 2019. In anticipation of more favorable conditions, a trip might be planned for late October 2021. Expressions of interest are welcome at missions@northeastdistrict.org.
Financial support for a Haiti trip may be sent to:
Northeast District, 6737 Cetronia Road, Allentown, PA 18106 (identified as Haiti)
If you are interested in participating in an upcoming trip, please submit a completed “Team Member Information” form to Bob Strum (missions@northeastdistrict.org).
UGANDA MISSIONS
UGANDA MISSIONS
A report of the January 2017 Uganda trip has been published in the Uganda January 2017 Report.
PRIOR HAITI MINISTRIES
A report of the Spring 2015 Haiti trip has been published in the Haiti May-June 2015 Report.
FALL 2013
A team of 6 persons from 4 churches across the District spent 2 weeks in Haiti serving on the island of La Gonave. Shortly after our arrival it quickly became obvious that our focus needed to be on getting the new Ministry Center ready for the celebration that would take place one week after our return home. For the last 2 ½ years work teams from North America and the UK joined with local laborers to erect a ministry center that would accommodate 44 overnight guests, provide food service for them and provide meeting space. (By comparison the old guest house could accommodate 18 overnight guests.)
The hospital dedication took place on September 28. It was attended by more than 200 dignitaries and guests. The new La Gonave Ministry Center provided overnight accommodation for 44 guests and served meals to 70 persons in the dining hall.
FALL 2012
A team of 11 folks from 6 churches across the District were in Haiti August 31 – September 14, 2012. Because of your generous support more than $12,000 was raised for material and supplies, and the concrete walls of the Fontina church have been poured! In the weeks following, doors and windows were set in place and a concrete floor was poured. Praise the Lord. The pole barn structure for this church had been erected by a Penn-Jersey team in the summer of 2010.
Although the village of Fontina is only about 2 miles from our mission station in Anse-a-Galets on the island of La Gonave in Haiti, it takes about 2 hours to travel by truck because of the rough terrain. In order to avoid a 4-hour round trip commute each day and thus maximize the hours available for working, the team “camped” on-site (with a weekend break at the mission station). Water was carried from a well nearby; meals were prepared over wood charcoal fires; there was no cell phone or Internet service; the only electricity was provided by a generator.
FALL 2011
A team of 5 folks from 4 churches across the District were in Haiti October 13 – 27, 2011. A property near the Wesleyan wharf on the mainland had recently become available. Its location and facilities would ideally serve as a training facility for national pastors, a respite accommodation for missionary rest and rejuvenation, and a residence for a missionary family. The structures had not been damaged by the earthquake, but they had been uninhabited for several years. The team completed numerous repairs and improvements including upgraded wiring, repaired plumbing, custom built stairway railing, new screens, and painting. The Ortlip Ministry Center, as it is called, has become a significant asset to the Wesleyan ministry in Haiti.
SUMMER, FALL 2010
Four teams from churches across the District participated in rebuilding damaged or destroyed churches in Fontina, Babaco, Place L’or, and Cite Soleil. One hundred tents were sent to the Carrefour Feuilles church in Port-au-Prince.
GLOBAL PARTNERS DISTRICT DIRECTOR
MR. CHUCK LAWRENCE
cabin12@ptd.net