Gary and Helen Sloan
Gary and his wife Helen have worked with Operation Mobilisation (OM) for over 20 years. Gary’s initial involvement in mission was linked to the suffering church in Eastern Europe where he went on short-term trips to this part of the world and felt that this was something God was moving him towards full time. His home group at CFC (as they were called then) was also very active in praying and considering mission.
At the time he was a partner in a construction company and the song “I want to build the Kingdom of God in my generation” was popular and God used it to move him from building buildings to serving in a different way.
Today they live in Shropshire, not far from Operation Mobilisation’s headquarters near the Welsh border, where Gary is OM’s UK Director.
What’s it all about?
To get a better idea of what Gary and Helen do and what their mission entails, we asked them about their work with OM and here’s what they told us.
What is the principal purpose of your mission?
For over 50 years OM has been motivating and equipping Christians to share God’s love with people all over the world. Working in partnership with local churches and encouraging local believers wherever they may be.
OMworks in every region of the world and on every ocean through its fleet of ocean-going ships.Its numerous teams adapt to the local culture and local situation to find the best ways to share Jesus' message, telling people how their lives have been changed and how they can meet Jesus.
Over 5,500 people working in 110 countries serve with Operation Mobilisation to bring a message of hope to the people of the world.We have one thing in common, we love Jesus and we want others to have the opportunity to hear about Him.
What does your mission involve?
Our vision focuses on the unreached, partnering with churches around the world, caring for our members, training and equipping world Christians, mobilising the next generation, globalising our ministry and we seek to do that in nine key areas of ministry that involve India, Muslim People’s, Ships, Next Generation, Relief and Development, Europe, Emerging Mission Movements, Pioneering Initiatives. To find out more, please look at OM’s website www.uk.om.org
What is a typical day like for you?
As UK Director for OM, I am responsible for the team developing all partnerships with individuals and churches with ministry that OM is involved with in the 110 countries we have teams in and our ship ministry as well; so I don’t really have a typical day.
I am also responsible for the oversight of our ministry divisions in the UK which include a base in London engaged in reaching out in love and friendship to people from a Muslim background and a training centre in the Birmingham area that equips teams and places them with churches around the UK engaged in connecting to their local communities.
My work would also consist of a number of trips to ministries overseas assessing how the teams are progressing and how we in the UK can facilitate churches to connect with these ministries. I would also be involved in International leadership meetings and working groups, speaking at churches or other conferences, chairing leadership meetings in the UK and reporting to the UK Board, amongst other things.
Helen would be involved in responding to people interested in joining our Ship ministry including giving them counsel on God’s call in their life and much much more besides. For example, she is part of the counselling team at our annual Teen Street event in Germany which involves 3,000 young people aged between 13 and 17.
What were your expectations when you started?
My expectations when I joined OM were to smuggle Bibles into Eastern Europe. God had other plans and very quickly had me leading evangelism teams in Romania and the work of OM in Russia and the Ukraine; eventually bringing us to the UK.
As I look back, I can see a pattern of how God has led me into different roles. I have never attempted to forge my own path, but relaxed in His leading. When I joined, I thought I knew what I could do - smuggle bibles. However, for the five years before I joined OM (always wanting to join during that time, but knowing it was not the right time, even though I didn’t know why) God was teaching me things personally and professionally which He has used to lead me into the leadership positions I found myself.
It was also during this five year period of waiting that God led me to join CFC. Without the support of CFC I would not be where I am today.
What do you hope to achieve?
Our vision it to see ‘mission at the heart of the church and the church at the heart of community’.
God’s mission is both redemptive and revelatio bringing redemption to the whole of creation through His Son enabling us to live in relationship and community with Him and each other; bringing a revelation of who He is, His attributes including love mercy and justice.
I believe God has chosen to bring that message primarily through His church. It is His mission and it should be at the heart of His church.
Through the redemptive work and revelation of who He is, the church should be at the heart of communities and community living, seeing lives and communities transformed as God and His purposes are revealed in their lives and we worship Him
Are there any moments that you would like to share to encourage people back home and those considering mission?
I once asked a girl who had recently been rescued from a brothel in India, having been trafficked there, what would have made a difference to you not being in such a vulnerable position to be trafficked. Her immediate reply was ‘education’.
We run 100 schools in India for Dalits, helping them not to be in this vulnerable situation, freeing their minds and giving them a chance in life. Thousands have been saved from a life of slavery. Although the problems in this world can seem insurmountable – by one person at a time we can truly make a difference.
You can make that difference by sponsoring the education of a Dalit child at www.daliteducation.org or coming yourself and loving people one at a time.
Do you have any advice for those considering mission?
The mission field is where God has placed us, whether this is in school, the work place or another country. We are to serve His purposes. For those He is calling to move to another location it is important to have the prayer and support of your church.
If you are called to another location, and I believe it is vital that many are and obey that call, do not be concerned, either in your ability or your security.
The three key lessons I have learnt in God’s leading over the years i
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He knows me and knows how to lead me. My job is to get to know Him better each day, not worry about the future
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Relax. Just because it seems like everything is going wrong, does not mean it is. God loves me and has a plan
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Be open about my motives and hold plans with an open hand. Do not manipulate or stand still, but be a follower and disciple.
Anything we can do to help?
Although I believe we are all to serve God’s mission irrespective of location, it is true that at times certain places can be more spiritually intense. Prayer is, therefore, a vital support. The need for finance is a reality of life and Helen and I are very grateful for the sacrifice CFC has made in sending us this form of support.
Come and join us. I would get no greater pleasure than that of taking a team from CFC to one of the ministries we are involved with, either in GB, or another part of the world.
What two things do you miss?
When I lived overseas the easy answer to this question was fish and chips. The answer I would give now is the friends I grew up with that I only get to see now and again.
Is there a particular verse that has inspired or encouraged you in our journey?
Psalm 37v5 has been an important verse for me through the years, ‘Commit your ways to the Lord, trust also in Him and He will do it’.
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