Meet the Team - Julie Baugh, ESL Trainer
Julie has been an MNA ESL trainer since 2008 and both she and her husband, Dave, have been ESL teachers and ESL Bible Study leaders at Chapelgate PCA Church in Marriottsville, Maryland, for over 16 years. Here is her story.
I was a full time college professor when God called me to this amazing ESL Ministry in 2000. I was searching for a way to serve God when I noticed an advertisement for Conversational English in our church bulletin. While I continued teaching at the college, my heart was drawn more and more to my ESL students. Eventually, God placed it on my heart to be involved in the ESL Ministry full time. In addition to teaching 2 beginner classes, I have the privilege of leading 3 ESL Bible Studies and Sunday School, writing Bible lessons, writing curriculum, and working with ESL students at a local college. As I look back on over 16 years with ESL, I marvel at how God has perfectly prepared me with gifts and talents matching the needs of this ministry.
When I think about the beginning of my venture into this ministry, I have to chuckle. I went in thinking that I would help these students and that I would teach them about God’s love. Little did I know that I would be the one to learn about love from my students. My students are some of the most loving, generous, and kind people I have ever met. What I have given to my students has been returned 100 fold or more. We have such an awesome God.
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God's Timing
by Julie Baugh
This is a story about God’s perfect timing. It also shows how God uses many people in the lives of our students to bring them to God’s family.
Originally, I had one of my Bible Studies at my home. A Christian Korean couple (Joseph and Joy) wanted to bring their neighbors to my home to study English and the Bible. Sunny and Young came to my home somewhat reluctantly. While they wanted to learn English, Sunny and Young didn’t really want to study the Bible. In particular, Young was very resistant. Both couples did continue with the Bible Study for a while but Sunny and Young decided to stop.
During the summer, I invited the Bible Study members to come for a cookout. I was so happy to see that Sunny and Young accepted the invitation to join us. Sunny took me aside and told me that I was her angel. I was thrilled to discover that through our study and a Korean pastor, Sunny believed in Jesus.
Another year passed and I entered my Beginner 2 class to find Sunny and Young in my English class. We immediately began to talk. I noticed a big change in Young. He was smiling and so happy. I asked Joseph about it and, YES!, Young believed in Jesus. After reconnecting, Sunny and Young started coming to my Thursday Bible Study. Unfortunately, after about 6 months they stopped coming. They needed to spend more time transporting their children to school events.
Another 2 years passed and I entered my Intermediate class and guess who was there? Sunny and Young again. This was a great time of fun and fellowship for me. I treasure the memories because at the end of May my dear friends moved to Boston. I am grateful that God allowed us to spend that last year together.
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Practical Ideas
End of school year activities:
Host a Graduation Party:
1. Extend your big break time and have a Graduation Party on the last day/night of classes. Use all the “Party City” type graduation decorations. Play “Pomp and Circumstance” as you give each student a certificate of participation. If you have any students that have 100% attendance acknowledge that with a special reward/certificate. Take pictures of each student with their teacher and certificate. Snail mail them a copy. Use the pictures to make a bulletin board at church.
2. Host a graduation party outside of class on a Sunday afternoon/evening. Make it potluck and have everyone bring food from their home countries. In good weather do it outside. Otherwise host it in your fellowship hall, etc… Decorate with flags from all the nations represented in your school.
Appreciate your volunteers:
- Have a special lunch after Church to recognize all your ESL volunteers. Make sure to include everyone, i.e. childcare workers, snack workers, etc…. This could be pot luck or provided by the church.
- Host a picnic on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon to thank all of your volunteers. Plan games that will make them work together as a team. (We are all so busy during ESL Classes that we don’t get to visit/talk with other teachers. This is a great time for them to get to know each other better and encourage each other.)
- Give each volunteer a small gift of appreciation and/or write a hand-written note letting them know how much you appreciate all of the time and effort they’ve put into the ESL Ministry.
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Upcoming ESL Teacher Training Events for 2017:
- Portland, ME - April 28 & 29
- contact Sharie Pillsbury at sharie.pillsbury@gmail.com
- Newark, NJ - May 5 & 6
- contact Don Baret at donaldbaret@att.net
- Peoria, IL - May 12 & 13
- contact Mike Uno at mike@unos.net
- Orlando, FL - June 1 & 2 (MNA Mercy Conference)
- contact Nancy Booher at rbooher@comcast.net
- Greensboro, NC - June 12 & 13 (PCA General Assembly)
- contact Nancy Booher at rbooher@comcast.net
- Salisbury, MD - June 16 & 17
- contact Faith Shelton at JaredandFaith@gmail.com
- Murfreesburo, TN - June 23 & 24
- contact Tim Ehresman at tnbehresman@gmail.com
- Birmingham, AL - July 14 & 15
- contact Laura Danner at Ldanner@briarwood.org
- Akron, OH - July 24-26 (CMA Summer Camp)
- contact Bruce Lyman at 5stonesministry@gmail.com
- Dayton, OH - August 4 & 5
- contact Firmino de Almeida at firmino@southdaytonpca.com
- Augusta, GA - August 4 & 5
- contact Liz Steketee at johnandliz77@gmail.com
- Gaithersburg, MD - August 4 & 5
- contact Pam Wilbur at pamela.wilbur@gmail.com
- Marriottsville, MD - September 8 & 9
- contact Barb Cober at barbaracober33@gmail.com
Additionally, if you are interested in starting an English As A Second Language (ESL) Ministry or want to schedule an ESL Training at your church,
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Already part of an ESL Ministry? Here are ways you can help MNA ESL spread the word to others.
Pray with us that God would use MNA ESL to reach the nations God has brought to our doorstep with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Specifically pray for more churches to start ESL Ministries.
And be sure you share your excitement about ESL with your family and friends.
Lastly, we ask that you prayerfully consider participating with us through your financial support. You can make a tax-deductible contribution online. All contributions go directly toward growing the ESL Ministry and nothing is used for personal support; God has already provided that. You can also mail contributions, made payable to Mission to North America to:
Mission to North America
PO Box 890233
Charlotte NC 28289-0233
Designate: MNA English As A Second Language (ESL)
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