Mike and Maria Long

2008 promises great breakthroughs

Already we are two Sundays into 2008, each week brings new surprises of what 2008 hopes to unfold.  First Sunday, the group "Hiding Place" and brother Costas from Athens shared and promised cooperation for a new ministry to the poor and homeless.  This Sunday, 10 Bulgarian believers showed up from Sofia and indicated that God has called them work for salvation of Bulgarians and Gypsies in Thessaloniki. Before the year ended the youth begin street ministry and were blessed.  So things are really picking up.  Prayer for all these fantastic developments.

The holidays were very special because Gina was home.  Not that there were great memories, but just that we were together.  We also got to enjoy the holidays for the first time in 11 Christmases to have fellow missionaries to welcome the new year.  Al and Diane Mellinger are God sent and doing great in Bulgaria.  We made a short trip to visit them and to see some snow.  Some of the kids got to going skiing too.  The hardest thing was sending Gina back to Spring Arbor University.  Silence filled the car returning from the airport.  She appreciates prayers and her parents just want to know she is well.

On Monday, Jan 14 - tomorrow, Mike is scheduled to get unscrewed...just on his collarbone.  Over two months have past since corrective surgery from last years bicycle accident fastened a screw in his right shoulder.  He is much better and anxious to get the extra screw out.  Hopefully, this is the last adjustment needed and he will be well tuned, ready to get back at things full speed again.  Thanks for all the concern and prayers.

FM Mission funding has switched over to the new system. From now on, designate donations to Long Missionary support giving code WMS045 ($8,200 needed per month) or for Thessaloniki church and bookstore designate donations for Greece Country Shares giving code WCS403 ($1,000 needed per month).  Giving can be done over the Internet at www.fmwm.org or sent to Free Methodist World Missions, PO Box 535002, Indianapolis, IN 46253-5002.  Thank you, and pray for the transition.  The Lord will provide all our needs.

Recovery, ministry development, & shortage of funds

On November 6, mike's body went into the hospital for service.  The right colar bone was repaired and screwed in place. Mike is being driven around and taken care off.  He is just about to drive everyone crazy.  For Christmas he gets the screw out.  Maria is concerned about Mike's other loose screw. The hope and prayer is that all the proceedure will be successful and worth all the trouble.

The Thessaloniki Balkan Church has seen significant developments.  Sins have confessed publically.  Persons prayed for have given reports of healing from cancer and many have been touched by the Holy Spirit.  Members have proclaimed the gospel at the University against the Anarchist.  The word of God has been preached with prophetic power.  December is a month of increased and special ministry.  Pray for a spiritual breakforth of heavenly hosts in Thessaloniki this Christmas.  Remeber January is the month of construction and renovation.  Help requested. (Nikos, Theo-new believer, Leonidas)

FM mission is introducing a new funding system in January 2008.  Funds are behind schedule for 2007.  $35,000 is needed for 2007.  Commitments of $23,000 are needed for 2008.  Prayers are critical.  Donations can be given directly on line for our accounts.  For more information, write us at Longmm@the.forthnet.gr.

Back Home in Greece Minus Gina

Check out the good bye video clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-gS-V4lFuE

After leaving Gina at Spring Arbor University, the rest of the family flew back to our home in Thessaloniki, Greece.  Our three month missions ministry tour was exhaustingly rewarding and God arranged some amazing connections.  We are fully confident that the Lord will provide for our needs through the great bunch of supporters that He has provided for us.  The sum of all their prayers will move mountains, cover needs, and encourage our every step. 

Gina is set up for a wonderful time of University studies and life.  She has many friends and miracles have worked out for her advantage.  Scholarships and grants are covering her finances.  She has made many friends before going and has a wonderful MK for a roommate.  She just wrote an excited email about her major, Worship Arts Leadership.  Drop her an encouraging email, gina_dl02@yahoo.com

Over 7,000 miles, 10 states, 30 Churches, 3 camps and the National Conference are the stats for the past three months.  There were many great moments and encouraging reunions.  The most important is connecting with individuals, pastors, and churches.  The transition for the FM Mission support system is awkward, but progressing.  It appears that we are around $20,000 short for annual support of what the mission calls our MSA and our CSA (Missionary Support Account and Country Share Account).  Pray for all of us missionaries as we work on becoming fully supported by the end of 2008.

Sunday, we return to our Thessaloniki Balkan Church for a time of reunion rejoicing.  Worship, Word and lots of fellowship promise to fill the day.  There are new persons coming and new leaders to work with.  After talking about ministry for three months, it is great to get back to doing ministry.  Pray for the church people as they and the ministry continues to grow!

Survived the Divide Ride and recovering in Georgia

Nearly a week has passed since 15 guys and I finished a six day mountain bike trip from southern Colorado into New Mexico along the Continental Divide for over 200 miles.  It was incredibly hard and extremely rewarding.  The group survived the rain, the mud, the rocks, the heat, the broken bikes, thin air and fatigue.  We experienced some great endless downhills, beautiful backgrounds of God's creation, challenging climbs, breathtaking heights, fun, friendship, and spiritual soul stretching.  It was a once in a life time experience.  Thanks to the Second Mile Adventures for the organization, leadership, and inspiration.  This trip is highly recommended for persons interested next year.

Maria and the girls did great while Dad was away.  They ministered in Kokomo, IN on Sunday and in Huntington, WV for a three church missions rally on Friday.  They managed to drive from one destination to the other without getting lost.  The girls spent time with their cousins in Columbus, OH.  Maria had fun with the neighbors and the other bike rider's wives.  Everyone was glad to see Dad, rough and rugged, on Saturday in Atlanta.  Family is great.  They were routing for me every time a call could be got through.  They were glad that I came back in one piece.

This past week we have been enjoying the hospitality of Scott and Janet Dickey and the great Columbus, GA church.  Christi and Kalli began their Internet school.  Gina ordered her college computer and is anxiously waiting for its arrival.  Maria and Janet have been shopping.  Theofilos, Maria's father, went ahead to Pensacola, FL to be with his cousin, Robert Pappas.  He got to see the shuttle launch in Florida.  We are headed south this weekend there and then on to Mississippi and Louisiana.  Presentations are going well and the Lord is providing for the lack of support.  Prayers are appreciated.

Most Greeks are on vacation now.  Al and Diane Mellinger are holding up in the heat in Greece and Bulgaria.  They are preparing for a pastors conference in September with Renewal in Bulgaria.  Pray for their BG VISA and the Thessaloniki Balkan Church too.  The work continues to grow! 

Half way in a three month ministry tour

With a month slipping by since our last post, we want to give you a quick note from the highlights!

FM General Conference's highlight was the last night when night after night messages from missions, to the engulfing cloud of God's presence, to lingering for power, to heart pulls for the needy, and finally pentecost winds brought a great out pouring of the church leaders for fresh annointing.  The girls loved getting to know Spring Arbor and other MK's and PK's.  Gina is very ready for University there.

The girls are at International Youth Conference in Tennesse.  We hope and pray that they have a great, safe time.  May God work in their hearts, and may they be blessed out of their minds.

July 4th was a great week of family reunion fun in Chicago.  45 relatives took over Steve and Pam Long's home.  God has blessed us with a wonderful family.  Awesome!

Sunday in Thessaloniki, the town baker, Theodosis, was baptised by Leonidas and David.  Nikos preached afterwards and persons prayed for salvation.  The church is doing well. Attendence is solid.  Giving is up and ministry continues on.  Praise the Lord and continue to pray.

Samokov, Bulgaria Community Center is going strong, feeding the needy, and bringing blessing to the church.  Veteran FM missionaries, Clark DeMille and his wife, recently spent two weeks serving and ministering there in June.  They were the firsts of hopefully many others that we hope to follow.  Check out the website.  http://mikenmaria.typepad.com/samokov/

Recovering and Relaxing

After 7 mission moments, 9 one hour discussions, and several sermons in just 10 days at one camp, two conferences, and four churches (in 4 states), we finally got a week break.  Otherwise the family was going to revolt or self destruct.  We just spent four days at brother Steve's near Chicago, and now we are at father Stan's in Winona Lake, Indiana.  It is good to catch our breath and kick back some.  We made many new friends and got to see many old.  Continue to pray that as we minister to churches, the Lord will use us to challenge His servants in His service.

Grandpa Theofilos is doing well.  He gave his testimony at the Greenville, IL Durley Camp and they gave him a standing ovation.  So everywhere we go, he has kept on sharing it.  He complains, though.  "Do I have to say it again?"  "Of course!" his grand daughters insist.  He is with his cousin, Robert Pappas, in Florida for two weeks now.  He seems to be getting over the loss of Maria's mom as he adjust to American life.  Yet, he never misses the Greek afternoon siesta.

Christi and Kalli have finished their Internet Home school, almost.  This was a huge undertaking.  Their Greek minds had to learn to think English.  Kalli still has Biology to finish until Aug 1.  Summer fun.  Any volunteers for help?

Gina is excited about going to Spring Arbor soon.  She is dying to get a cell phone and a computer.  Some things never change.

Maria is loving seeing old friends and making new ones.  Mike is Mike trying to bike.

State side for the summer!

We arrive on Wed, June 6 in Chicago.  Maria, the girls, and her father, Theofilos, stayed at Steve & Pam Long's while Mike continued to travel to Lousiana Pastors Conference.  So in just a few days, we have hit a conference, a church and a camp.

Friday, the family re-united at the St. Louis Family Church.  Maria with help from the girls successfully drove from Chicago to St. Louis.  (Husbands put wives through such tests in order to be free to do other things.)  A team from Family church visited the Thessaloniki Balkan Church last summer and were a great blessing.  We visited them this summer and were greatly blessed.  By suprise, Kurt Warner sat in the seat in front of us.

Saturday until today, we have been relaxing and ministering at Family Camp in Greenville, IL.  It is very nice.  We enjoy getting to see old friends and getting to know new ones.

We hope to see more friends this summer.  Check the schedule.  When you have gone to our website on the left side under Calendar: click on the dates below the blue michael and above the get organized with 30 boxes .

The leadership team of Al Mellinger, Leonidas, Dave from Ireland, Nikos, and Dave from England are running the church in our absence.  Pray for them and for us.

Gina graduates and We take off for the USA

Gina is the proud graduate of the Alpha Program, one year Liberty University, Bible Degree in Athens, Greece.  She finished with high remarks.  Everyone including students, teachers, and staff, remarked how wonderful and what a very special student that Gina is.  They said that she has a great personality and many spiritual gifts.  They assured us that they do not say that about every student.  Mom and Dad are very proud.  She is turning out to be an amazing young person.  God is preparing her for a great life and ministry.

The Long family and father Theofilos depart on Wednesday June 6 for a three month ministry tour of the churches and groups mostly in Indiana, but basically all over.  Click on the calendar on the left to see the complete schedule.  We are looking forward to seeing friends and family.  It will be a great summer.  May the Lord watch over us for all the travelling.  May the Holy Spirit anoint the message and ministry to encourage the hearts of the Lord's people and partners.  May the Father give the family rest and refreshment.

Red Hot Ministries

In a place where salvations and deliverance have become rare.  Suddenly, many are responding to the Gospel like never before.  A week ago Wednesday, Leonidas lead Theodosis' wife and mother to the Lord.  Theodosis just join the Kingdom four weeks ago.  The prediction is that the whole family will come to faith too.  As the city bakery goes maybe the whole city will follow.  Pray for this family and city.

On Sunday, in a reponse to a message about the first love and first works and the church of Ephesus, two persons prayed for salvation and 10 for repentence for having fallen away.  Keep Maria and Despina in your prayers as well as the others.

Yesterday, Nikos described praying for a demon possessed person.  He was partially delivered, but more important his wife repented and invited the Lord into her heart.  She wept for over 10 minutes as the presence of God came upon her.  Fight with us the spiritual battle for her husband's soul.

We leave for the states in less than two months.  Christi and Kalli are working hard to finish their school.  Gina graduates from one Bible school on June 2.  Click on the calendar to see our schedule for this summer.

UK Greece Bulgaria Connection

May 10-13 was a great trip to UK.  The bond between Renewal Christian Centre in Solihull and Bulgaria is growing stgronger and bigger one big step after another.  It is amazing to see what the Lord is openning up and the huge Kingdom possibilities that lie beyond.  Solid decisions were made with Pastors David Carr, Richard Taylor, and Peter Jenkins.  Al Mellinger and I, Mike Long, are working on some great initiatives for the work in Bulgaria and beyond.  Included is a picture of Richard (younger) and Peter (older).  Praise the Lord for these great and amazing developments.

On Sunday May 13, the FM team from Greece and  Bulgaria got to minister at Cornerstone Church in Kirkham, UK.  Pastors Andy Belshaw and Stephen Scholes are great and it was a blessing to be with them.  God showed up.  Many tears and great hunger for God filled the altar.  "It was powreful," they said.  Praise the Lord.  Hopes are that a bridge can be formed between these two similar congregations Kirkham Cornerstone church and Thessaloniki Balkan church.  May a strong bond will be formed for the Kingdom.

News of more salvations in Thessaloniki from red hot evangelists Nikos and Leonidas.  More next time.