| An
important and commendable feature of the early church was a
social conscience, in particular, with respect to fellow
believers in practical need. The daily ministration for widows
is an example of this. True, it ran into difficulty but prompt
action resulted which put the arrangement on a firm and fair
footing. That spirit of care and share is a feature in many
aspects of Christian service today and the Retired Missionary
Aid Fund is a good example.
HOW DID IT
BEGIN?
By the of the
19th century, some of the early assembly missionaries had
returned to the homelands. Since their names were no longer on
the Echoes of Service list, there was a danger of their needs
being forgotten by busy Christians, although never by their
Heavenly Father. Some were seen to be in straitened
circumstances.
In the year
1914 the Lord laid it upon the heart of a few brethren to launch
a fund for the purpose of directing financial help to retired
missionaries. Three brethren, Mr. A. Boake, of Loughton, Dr. E.
B. Roche, of Norfolk and Mr. W. T. Bilson, of Buckhurst Hill,
were the joint founder members of the Retired Missionary Aid
Fund.
HOW THE FUND
OPERATES
The Fund is independent of any other missionary body but works
in close association with Echoes of Service and is administered
by a council of fifteen trustees who meet once a year. The day
to day running of the Fund is largely the responsibility of the
Hon. Treasurer and Secretary. As a registered charity it adheres
to the scrutiny placed upon charities by the Charity
Commissioner for England and Wales.
The Fund is
supported by gifts from assemblies, from individuals and by
legacies. A recent review of income over the past ten years
revealed that nearly half came from legacies, about 9% from
assemblies, 12% from individuals and 32% from investments. At
the present time there are about 60 missionaries listed on
Echoes Daily Prayer Guide who were commended before 1960. All of
these are now past state retirement age, some of them well past
it! If they all decided to retire the RMAF would have a very
significant extra number to help.
WHOM, AND HOW DOES THE FUND HELP?
Retired missionaries who were commended by assemblies of
believers in the British Isles who have served a significant
number of years in a foreign mission field. When they retire
through age or ill health the Fund channels gifts entrusted to
it to help towards their support. Gifts are sent out each
quarter together with an informative letter prepared by the
Secretary, and other newsletters. Since the cessation of the
Widows and Orphans of Missionaries Fund the RMAF has included in
its number those previously supported by that Fund. All the
widows are of retirement age. One young widow and her son have
recently returned to the mission field and have been re-instated
in the Echoes Prayer Guide. Not all the members of the family
are in need of financial help but all enjoy the fellowship of
information and news that is made available through the
newsletters and list of names and addresses of the RMAF ‘family’.
At the present time 220 names are listed. Through the Fund’s
Parcels Service birthdays are remembered and Christmas and
Easter gifts are distributed to those who can use them.
ABOUT OUR ‘FAMILY’
At the present time 220 names are listed in our family.
Our oldest member is 104 years old, another becomes a
centenarian this year, DV, and some 13 others have passed
the age of 90. It is encouraging to hear how active many
still are in the Lord’s work either in their local assembly
or in making periodic visits to their former field of service. A
missionary never retires! Sadly, quite a few have severe
physical restrictions, even some younger members. The
prayer fellowship encouraged by newsletters is greatly
appreciated. Some abroad either in the country of their
service or for personal reasons to be near to their
immediate family.
RMAF PUBLICATIONS
Two copies of the Quarterly Prayer and Newsletter are sent
along with the Medical Missionary News magazine and the
Brass Tacks magazine to each assembly. The Fund also
produces a Name and Address list of the Family and a
quarterly briefing called ‘Family News’. The names are listed
by days of the month and this carries news on
individuals and encourages prayer on their behalf.
These are made available to individual supporters of the
Fund as well as to the Family.
If you would like to receive this information on a
regular basis the Secretary,
Mr. P. C. Smart, 5 Beaconhill
Drive, WORCESTER WR2 6DL,
will be pleased to provide it.
|
