FAQ's
How long have you been missionaries with TMS Global?
We were approved and commissioned by TMS Global in the Spring and Fall, 2008. We have been involved in mission work as volunteers since 2000, and began serving on short-term foreign mission teams in 2004 to Perú, 2005 to Mexico, leading teams in 2006, 2007 and 2008 to Perú with our home church Lewis Memorial UMC, and serving and training on the 2010 and 2011 Medical Mission Teams to Perú with Roswell UMC. We moved to Ecuador on December 15, 2011 to live, learn, and begin full-time foreign mission, serving with the Evangelical United Methodist Church of Ecuador.
What prompted you to become missionaries?
Looking back…God has been preparing both of us to join Him in foreign mission all our lives. Through life experiences and circumstances…we’ve learned to trust Him in all things, to be patient and wait on His perfect timing, to lean on Him, praising Him always in good and bad times. Depending on Him and His faithfulness fully.
We have served Christ in our church since we’ve been married and in 2000 committed to serving in a broader range of ministries with our church and in our community. Our youngest son went on his first short-term mission trip to Peru with our church in 2003. When he returned to the States and shared all God was doing there and how it changed his life, Sharon felt God was calling her to serve on the 2004 team. At the time Graham was committed to supporting the team prayerfully and financially. He didn’t feel as though God was opening his heart to ‘going’ just yet but understanding…some God calls to ‘go’ and some God calls to ‘send’.
When Sharon returned from Peru in 2004…she was blessed greatly by the missionaries and people, didn’t feel she’d ever return but did feel a pull on her heart to reach out and serve the poor. Looking back now…Peru is where God spoke to her heart and gently said “follow me”.
Since our Peruvian missionaries were back in the States on furlough in 2005 our church took their annual mission trip to Mexico. In Mexico Sharon worked with young adult students at the Juan Wesley Seminario…teaching English and removing the books from the school's Library so it could be remodeled. The team also completed many details in the Seminary’s Chapel. Afterwards when the Chapel was commissioned,
the students asked to pray for the team and then for the team to pray for them. A student Sharon had met earlier who spoke very little English looked at her for prayer. He grinned from ear to ear and stuck his hands out for Sharon to place her hands on top of his to receive all the wisdom and blessing from God through her. Sharon was terrified, knowing his lack of English and remembering very little Spanish herself…she was fearful that he would feel let down, be disappointed by her inadequate prayer for him. Throughout the mission God had been opening her heart to following Him so she prayed,“LORD, if I am to follow You show me that You can use me to do Your work; by Your Holy Spirit, get me out of the way and give this young man so eager to receive, the heart to understand all You would have him to understand…transcend the language barrier, use me LORD and speak to him.” Sharon then began to pray out loud in English, soon the student began to cry, then he began to weep, then he went to his knees. Immediately she realized God had answered her prayer, the student 'got it' and it all came from
God through her straight to his heart. Amazed at witnessing first hand the power of God, she thanked and praised Him for answered prayer; giving Him the glory, committing fully to Him thinking, "You, LORD have shown me You can use someone like me...I will follow You anywhere." This is where God boldly said "follow me".
When she returned from Mexico and Graham asked “How was your mission trip?” Sharon began to tell him all God had done in and through her while serving with the team and students. At that very moment Graham felt the Holy Spirit speaking to his heart. Even thought he did not completely understand he said “I’ll follow God and you anywhere”. Since then Graham has gone on several short-term mission trips…the first one being in 2006 with our church's annual mission trip back to Peru. From the moment that mission began…he has never turned back. While serving on that first mission, God affirmed his calling to foreign service as well…speaking to his heart with those 2 simple words, “follow me”.
Since 2006 we applied to The Mission Society, removed obstacles in our lives so we can be open to God equipping us to serve, became a part of The Mission Society family, commissioned by TMS Board of Director’s and Staff and continue to serve, study His Word, complete our Mission Society training, raise prayer and financial support, and listen to God as He guides and directs us as He prepares us for His ministry in Ecuador. We draw closer and closer to Him everyday, realizing what a great privilege it is to be called to serve Him in reaching the world for Christ. One of the neat things about God and our call to mission...the missionaries Sharon met and served with in Mexico are now our field leaders in Ecuador. Jesus truly is all about relationships!
Where is (was) your home in the States?
We are both originally from Rockingham, NC and while growing up there we were members of Zion UMC (Graham) and Roberdel UMC (Sharon). Since marring and later in years relocating to Evans, GA (the Augusta area) Lewis Memorial UMC has been our home church for over 20 years.
What's your family like and what do they think about you leaving the USA?
We have been married for 36 years and have 2 grown sons and 2 grandchildren. Our oldest son and our daughter-in-law are the parents of our 2 grandsons, our youngest son is currently in Nicaragua, CA serving the people there while interning with The Mission Society. We are very blessed that our children and grandchildren know the Lord Jesus and understand the calling of Christ on our lives. However at times, our grandchildren are very sad as we live a continent away from them and we do not get to see each other often. We are all excited for them to spend some of their time with us as 'little' missionaries in Ecuador over their summer vacations. We are thankful we live at this time in history where we are blessed with more opportunities for communication with family and friends with e-mail and Skype. We are looking forward to our family visiting Ecuador and seeing first hand God's ministry unfolding.
What is the source of your financial support?
We receive financial support from individuals and individual churches that want to be a part of what Jesus is doing. The largest portion of our support comes from individual persons. Support for us goes through our sponsoring mission organization, TMS Global; however we must raise all of that support. Our mission organization does not do this for us.
What is the annual budget for one year's missionary support in Ecuador?
An annual budget for a missionary covers many things. Support received is used to pay for living expenses, but is also used for many
other things. Our first term budget includes funds for language school in Ecuador for one year. Mission work can be very transportation intensive, and this can be a significant amount of cost each year. The cost for visas in foreign countries and airline expenses can be significant. The purchase of ministry materials such as books for pastors and teachers, educational materials, and other program expenses are all part of the missionary budget. Missionaries are often asked to assist very poor children with educational expenses, such as uniform purchases for school or the cost of books. The more support a missionary receives, the more ministries he and/or she is able to do on the field. The annual budget for a missionary can vary depending on the field and type of ministry. The annual minimum budget required for us to stay on the field in Ecuador is $62,000.00
What do you miss most being in a developing country?
We miss our children, grandchildren, church family and friends. We miss those close relationships with our friends whom we can share our hearts, and our small groups where we get to listen to one another and pray for each other one on one.
What can I do to offer support to your missionary efforts?
Pray, pray, and pray. Ask others to pray for us as well. After this if you feel led to do more, you may help with our financial support, special projects and needs. Information to do this is listed under "Support the Nichols". Please feel free to forward our website to friends, family and business associates.
How often will you visit the United States?
Unless we have a reason for a special trip, a presentation in a church or special meeting, we will return to the States every 18 months to 2 years to spend time raising prayer and financial support (usually for 3 - 4 months) during a five year term of work in the field.
How many churches or groups support you financially?
We currently have a few churches that provide some level of regular financial support. We have received one-time financial gifts from several other churches, and regular and one-time gifts from ministries such as UMM and UMW. The large majority of our financial support comes from individuals. One time gifts received range from $25.00 and up, and on going monthly gifts range from $10.00 per month and up. All gifts are given through The Mission Society, and are tax deductible.
Are you available to speak at our church for special Mission Emphasis Programs?
We are available to speak at these type events and smaller events such as during Sunday school, UMM, UMW, Youth events, etc. We ask that the organization sponsoring the larger events pay the costs of transportation, meals and lodging for the trip since this type of work is not part of our budget.
How have you prepared for the mission field?
Our preparation consisted of five levels of training established by The Mission Society. The first level was a three week training event in Brazil, South America where we were taught much about the various aspects of mission work. We spent time learning to evaluate ourselves, and how to care for ourselves, both physically and psychologically, in the adverse environment of the mission field. The second level of training was a self-study course that involved the reading of some 40 books. The third level of training is ongoing support raising, which is a ministry in itself. We accomplish this by speaking in churches and with individuals to raise our financial and prayer support base. We must raise 100% of our minimum budget in donations and/or pledges for the first five years before given the green-light to begin planning for field departure, which included Phase IV training for five weeks of missionary training at MTI in Colorado Springs, Colorado. This training was a much deeper, more intense version of the level one training where we dealt with issues of cultural adaptation, interpersonal conflict and other things, such as death of a spouse, child or grandchild. Also included was intensive training in techniques for acquiring a new language. Once completed we moved to Phase V, language school in Carcelén-Quito, Ecuador. We began this final training phase on January 16th. 2012 at NILI the (Nazarene International Language Institute) on the campus of the Seminario Teológico Nazareno Sudamericano, completing our formal classes and tutoring on November 15th. 2013
What was your and your spouse's line of work in the States?
Graham worked in management and administration for over 34 years, Sharon worked in medical/dental office management for 15 years.
Do you look at mission work as a season in your life, or is it a lifetime commitment subject to the will of the Lord as time passes?
For us mission work is a lifetime commitment subject to the will of Jesus Christ as time passes. This is not the commitment that the Lord calls every person who participates in missions to make, but for us it was an integral part of our calling.
What would you most like me as a Layperson to know about your efforts in missions?
We would like you to know that we are ordinary people just like you. We are not super-spiritual or super-human. We are simply blessed to be called by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to carry the message of His love and saving grace to other persons in another part of the world. The work we will be doing in Ecuador is from Jesus Christ, and not us; we are just participants in it, just like you. Pray, pray, pray. You can always pray. Without this we cannot accomplish even the smallest thing. Your prayers are the power behind our work. They open the storehouses of heaven. They defeat the worst the enemy can throw at us. There are thousands who are hungry to hear about the saving
grace of Jesus Christ all over the world. You, as a layperson, could encourage your pastor to help us, and the church could support our
efforts with finances, prayers, and/or mission teams. You, yourself, can participate with your time, talents, and resources.
How effective are short-term missions to your efforts?
Short-term missions can be very effective and very helpful. If the short-term missionaries are culturally sensitive and minister with love for the people to whom they are sent with Godly attitudes and actions, these efforts can do much to advance the Gospel. If they chose to be selfish, culturally insensitive, and unwilling to exemplify the fruits of the Holy Spirit in their lives, they can do great harm.
What would you change about the short-term mission trips sponsored by Stateside churches?
We are both Mission Society trained short-term mission team leaders...speaking from experience in leading teams, then to soon receiving teams in Ecuador, if we had to make recommendations, they would be primarily in the areas of spiritual and cultural preparation. Spiritual preparation is very important, because the work we are doing is like fighting on the frontlines of a war. The enemy, Satan, is very much opposed to what we are doing, and will be opposing your short-term mission team as well. Without preparation, you will be more easily wounded. We highly recommend that team members increase their daily prayer and devotional time. They should also recruit other persons
to pray for them. They should think about their conversion experience and how they came to receive Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior, and make a written account of it. They should also prepare themselves to share this account with others. Cultural preparation is also important. Short-term mission teams should spend a little time learning how to recognize the differences in their own culture and the culture in which they will minister. It is important to realize what we are like as North Americans, and how different we can be in our thinking and reactions to people from other cultures. It is also important to know what is cultural and what is Biblical. If possible, it is good to study a little about the culture you will visit. In this way you can avoid many cultural misunderstandings. Assistance in these areas is available through The Mission Society’s short-term mission program. Please feel free to contact them about help with your short-term mission.
We were approved and commissioned by TMS Global in the Spring and Fall, 2008. We have been involved in mission work as volunteers since 2000, and began serving on short-term foreign mission teams in 2004 to Perú, 2005 to Mexico, leading teams in 2006, 2007 and 2008 to Perú with our home church Lewis Memorial UMC, and serving and training on the 2010 and 2011 Medical Mission Teams to Perú with Roswell UMC. We moved to Ecuador on December 15, 2011 to live, learn, and begin full-time foreign mission, serving with the Evangelical United Methodist Church of Ecuador.
What prompted you to become missionaries?
Looking back…God has been preparing both of us to join Him in foreign mission all our lives. Through life experiences and circumstances…we’ve learned to trust Him in all things, to be patient and wait on His perfect timing, to lean on Him, praising Him always in good and bad times. Depending on Him and His faithfulness fully.
We have served Christ in our church since we’ve been married and in 2000 committed to serving in a broader range of ministries with our church and in our community. Our youngest son went on his first short-term mission trip to Peru with our church in 2003. When he returned to the States and shared all God was doing there and how it changed his life, Sharon felt God was calling her to serve on the 2004 team. At the time Graham was committed to supporting the team prayerfully and financially. He didn’t feel as though God was opening his heart to ‘going’ just yet but understanding…some God calls to ‘go’ and some God calls to ‘send’.
When Sharon returned from Peru in 2004…she was blessed greatly by the missionaries and people, didn’t feel she’d ever return but did feel a pull on her heart to reach out and serve the poor. Looking back now…Peru is where God spoke to her heart and gently said “follow me”.
Since our Peruvian missionaries were back in the States on furlough in 2005 our church took their annual mission trip to Mexico. In Mexico Sharon worked with young adult students at the Juan Wesley Seminario…teaching English and removing the books from the school's Library so it could be remodeled. The team also completed many details in the Seminary’s Chapel. Afterwards when the Chapel was commissioned,
the students asked to pray for the team and then for the team to pray for them. A student Sharon had met earlier who spoke very little English looked at her for prayer. He grinned from ear to ear and stuck his hands out for Sharon to place her hands on top of his to receive all the wisdom and blessing from God through her. Sharon was terrified, knowing his lack of English and remembering very little Spanish herself…she was fearful that he would feel let down, be disappointed by her inadequate prayer for him. Throughout the mission God had been opening her heart to following Him so she prayed,“LORD, if I am to follow You show me that You can use me to do Your work; by Your Holy Spirit, get me out of the way and give this young man so eager to receive, the heart to understand all You would have him to understand…transcend the language barrier, use me LORD and speak to him.” Sharon then began to pray out loud in English, soon the student began to cry, then he began to weep, then he went to his knees. Immediately she realized God had answered her prayer, the student 'got it' and it all came from
God through her straight to his heart. Amazed at witnessing first hand the power of God, she thanked and praised Him for answered prayer; giving Him the glory, committing fully to Him thinking, "You, LORD have shown me You can use someone like me...I will follow You anywhere." This is where God boldly said "follow me".
When she returned from Mexico and Graham asked “How was your mission trip?” Sharon began to tell him all God had done in and through her while serving with the team and students. At that very moment Graham felt the Holy Spirit speaking to his heart. Even thought he did not completely understand he said “I’ll follow God and you anywhere”. Since then Graham has gone on several short-term mission trips…the first one being in 2006 with our church's annual mission trip back to Peru. From the moment that mission began…he has never turned back. While serving on that first mission, God affirmed his calling to foreign service as well…speaking to his heart with those 2 simple words, “follow me”.
Since 2006 we applied to The Mission Society, removed obstacles in our lives so we can be open to God equipping us to serve, became a part of The Mission Society family, commissioned by TMS Board of Director’s and Staff and continue to serve, study His Word, complete our Mission Society training, raise prayer and financial support, and listen to God as He guides and directs us as He prepares us for His ministry in Ecuador. We draw closer and closer to Him everyday, realizing what a great privilege it is to be called to serve Him in reaching the world for Christ. One of the neat things about God and our call to mission...the missionaries Sharon met and served with in Mexico are now our field leaders in Ecuador. Jesus truly is all about relationships!
Where is (was) your home in the States?
We are both originally from Rockingham, NC and while growing up there we were members of Zion UMC (Graham) and Roberdel UMC (Sharon). Since marring and later in years relocating to Evans, GA (the Augusta area) Lewis Memorial UMC has been our home church for over 20 years.
What's your family like and what do they think about you leaving the USA?
We have been married for 36 years and have 2 grown sons and 2 grandchildren. Our oldest son and our daughter-in-law are the parents of our 2 grandsons, our youngest son is currently in Nicaragua, CA serving the people there while interning with The Mission Society. We are very blessed that our children and grandchildren know the Lord Jesus and understand the calling of Christ on our lives. However at times, our grandchildren are very sad as we live a continent away from them and we do not get to see each other often. We are all excited for them to spend some of their time with us as 'little' missionaries in Ecuador over their summer vacations. We are thankful we live at this time in history where we are blessed with more opportunities for communication with family and friends with e-mail and Skype. We are looking forward to our family visiting Ecuador and seeing first hand God's ministry unfolding.
What is the source of your financial support?
We receive financial support from individuals and individual churches that want to be a part of what Jesus is doing. The largest portion of our support comes from individual persons. Support for us goes through our sponsoring mission organization, TMS Global; however we must raise all of that support. Our mission organization does not do this for us.
What is the annual budget for one year's missionary support in Ecuador?
An annual budget for a missionary covers many things. Support received is used to pay for living expenses, but is also used for many
other things. Our first term budget includes funds for language school in Ecuador for one year. Mission work can be very transportation intensive, and this can be a significant amount of cost each year. The cost for visas in foreign countries and airline expenses can be significant. The purchase of ministry materials such as books for pastors and teachers, educational materials, and other program expenses are all part of the missionary budget. Missionaries are often asked to assist very poor children with educational expenses, such as uniform purchases for school or the cost of books. The more support a missionary receives, the more ministries he and/or she is able to do on the field. The annual budget for a missionary can vary depending on the field and type of ministry. The annual minimum budget required for us to stay on the field in Ecuador is $62,000.00
What do you miss most being in a developing country?
We miss our children, grandchildren, church family and friends. We miss those close relationships with our friends whom we can share our hearts, and our small groups where we get to listen to one another and pray for each other one on one.
What can I do to offer support to your missionary efforts?
Pray, pray, and pray. Ask others to pray for us as well. After this if you feel led to do more, you may help with our financial support, special projects and needs. Information to do this is listed under "Support the Nichols". Please feel free to forward our website to friends, family and business associates.
How often will you visit the United States?
Unless we have a reason for a special trip, a presentation in a church or special meeting, we will return to the States every 18 months to 2 years to spend time raising prayer and financial support (usually for 3 - 4 months) during a five year term of work in the field.
How many churches or groups support you financially?
We currently have a few churches that provide some level of regular financial support. We have received one-time financial gifts from several other churches, and regular and one-time gifts from ministries such as UMM and UMW. The large majority of our financial support comes from individuals. One time gifts received range from $25.00 and up, and on going monthly gifts range from $10.00 per month and up. All gifts are given through The Mission Society, and are tax deductible.
Are you available to speak at our church for special Mission Emphasis Programs?
We are available to speak at these type events and smaller events such as during Sunday school, UMM, UMW, Youth events, etc. We ask that the organization sponsoring the larger events pay the costs of transportation, meals and lodging for the trip since this type of work is not part of our budget.
How have you prepared for the mission field?
Our preparation consisted of five levels of training established by The Mission Society. The first level was a three week training event in Brazil, South America where we were taught much about the various aspects of mission work. We spent time learning to evaluate ourselves, and how to care for ourselves, both physically and psychologically, in the adverse environment of the mission field. The second level of training was a self-study course that involved the reading of some 40 books. The third level of training is ongoing support raising, which is a ministry in itself. We accomplish this by speaking in churches and with individuals to raise our financial and prayer support base. We must raise 100% of our minimum budget in donations and/or pledges for the first five years before given the green-light to begin planning for field departure, which included Phase IV training for five weeks of missionary training at MTI in Colorado Springs, Colorado. This training was a much deeper, more intense version of the level one training where we dealt with issues of cultural adaptation, interpersonal conflict and other things, such as death of a spouse, child or grandchild. Also included was intensive training in techniques for acquiring a new language. Once completed we moved to Phase V, language school in Carcelén-Quito, Ecuador. We began this final training phase on January 16th. 2012 at NILI the (Nazarene International Language Institute) on the campus of the Seminario Teológico Nazareno Sudamericano, completing our formal classes and tutoring on November 15th. 2013
What was your and your spouse's line of work in the States?
Graham worked in management and administration for over 34 years, Sharon worked in medical/dental office management for 15 years.
Do you look at mission work as a season in your life, or is it a lifetime commitment subject to the will of the Lord as time passes?
For us mission work is a lifetime commitment subject to the will of Jesus Christ as time passes. This is not the commitment that the Lord calls every person who participates in missions to make, but for us it was an integral part of our calling.
What would you most like me as a Layperson to know about your efforts in missions?
We would like you to know that we are ordinary people just like you. We are not super-spiritual or super-human. We are simply blessed to be called by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to carry the message of His love and saving grace to other persons in another part of the world. The work we will be doing in Ecuador is from Jesus Christ, and not us; we are just participants in it, just like you. Pray, pray, pray. You can always pray. Without this we cannot accomplish even the smallest thing. Your prayers are the power behind our work. They open the storehouses of heaven. They defeat the worst the enemy can throw at us. There are thousands who are hungry to hear about the saving
grace of Jesus Christ all over the world. You, as a layperson, could encourage your pastor to help us, and the church could support our
efforts with finances, prayers, and/or mission teams. You, yourself, can participate with your time, talents, and resources.
How effective are short-term missions to your efforts?
Short-term missions can be very effective and very helpful. If the short-term missionaries are culturally sensitive and minister with love for the people to whom they are sent with Godly attitudes and actions, these efforts can do much to advance the Gospel. If they chose to be selfish, culturally insensitive, and unwilling to exemplify the fruits of the Holy Spirit in their lives, they can do great harm.
What would you change about the short-term mission trips sponsored by Stateside churches?
We are both Mission Society trained short-term mission team leaders...speaking from experience in leading teams, then to soon receiving teams in Ecuador, if we had to make recommendations, they would be primarily in the areas of spiritual and cultural preparation. Spiritual preparation is very important, because the work we are doing is like fighting on the frontlines of a war. The enemy, Satan, is very much opposed to what we are doing, and will be opposing your short-term mission team as well. Without preparation, you will be more easily wounded. We highly recommend that team members increase their daily prayer and devotional time. They should also recruit other persons
to pray for them. They should think about their conversion experience and how they came to receive Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior, and make a written account of it. They should also prepare themselves to share this account with others. Cultural preparation is also important. Short-term mission teams should spend a little time learning how to recognize the differences in their own culture and the culture in which they will minister. It is important to realize what we are like as North Americans, and how different we can be in our thinking and reactions to people from other cultures. It is also important to know what is cultural and what is Biblical. If possible, it is good to study a little about the culture you will visit. In this way you can avoid many cultural misunderstandings. Assistance in these areas is available through The Mission Society’s short-term mission program. Please feel free to contact them about help with your short-term mission.
