The Team

Team Member	Ministry Gifts
Mary Bippes	· Treasurer for the team · VBS – telling the Stories of Jesus · Prior VISA trips: Peru and Haiti · Mary has an extensive background working with pre-school age children. She also is committed to building bonds with the Portuguese church members.
Kathy Cole	· Co-leader of the team · Arts and Crafts for the VBS with 5-8 year olds · Maintain the blog · Coordinate Cardboard Testimonies · Prior VISA trips: Mombasa, Kenya; Romania; Costa Rica · Kathy just retired from teaching high school biology and English. She has experience leading adult small groups and looks forward to meeting with the 15 cell groups in the Lisbon area.
Neil Fernandes	· Chaplain for the team · Preaching at two services on Sunday, July 22 and one service on July 29 · Games and Recreation for the VBS with 9-12 year olds · 1st VISA Trip · Neil, a ministerial candidate from the Trulls Rd. Free Methodist Church (Canadian Conference), is majoring in Biblical studies at Spring Arbor University. This VISA Trip takes him back to the country of his father’s birth place.
Veronica Fernandes	· Games and recreation for the VBS with 5-8 year olds · 1st VISA Trip · Experienced worker with sports-themed Bible Schools and Kid’s camps · Veronica feels called back to her family roots in Europe and this trip to Portugal is the first step in living a missional life.
Gerrilee Lacy	· Team Nurse · Co – treasurer for the team · 1st VISA Trip with Spring Arbor Free Methodist; former full-time missionary to India, Taiwan, and The Philippines · Gerrilee has an extensive background of working with small groups and will be instrumental in working with the cell groups associated with the Portuguese Free Methodist Churches
Steven Owsley	· Speaker for the National Youth Rally on Wednesday July 25 · Interpreter – fluent in both Portuguese and English · Coordinator for skits for meetings and street evangelism · Grew up in Brazil; the oldest son of missionary parents · Steven, a recent graduate of Spring Arbor University, will bring youthful vigor and passion to every aspect of ministry
Beth Smith	· Team Leader · Interpreter – fluent in both Portuguese and English · VBS – telling the Stories of Jesus · Beth was a FM missionary in Brazil for 20 years, working with Christian education, church planting, and Bible studies. She is anticipating working with the Portuguese language again with these new churches in Portugal and helping in their outreach ministry. · She recently retired from teaching math at Northwest HS.
Sherry VanConant	· Arts and Crafts for the VBS with 5-8 year olds · Team Photographer · 1st VISA Trip · Sherry is our trained musician and an experienced teacher of elementary-aged children. She is thrilled to be serving on the same continent with her niece and nephew, Diane and Al Mellinger.
Nancy Ware	· Arts and Crafts for the VBS with 9-12 year olds · Prior Trips: Coast Rica in 2008, FM Mission Trip to Haiti and Mexico · Nancy, a retired teacher from Midland Public Schools, has extensive experience working with children beyond the classroom in VBS, scouting, camps, and retreat venues.
All Members	· 2 minute testimonies for sharing with small groups and in street evangelism · Participation in the Prophetic Worship Conference, July 26-28 · Serving Food / building relationships at a community luncheon