SPRING 2014 DEPUTATION
BOB MCCROSKEY
JUNE 1ST THROUGH JUNE 11TH

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Bob McCroskey
Thirty-eight years in the Asia-Pacific Region represents a big part of our lives. We first came to the region in 1975. Our daughter was born a year later and our son followed a couple years after that. Both of them grew up on the field with us. It was hard sending them to boarding school during middle and high school years, but we knew it was the best for them. They both graduated from the Dalat Missionary School in Penang, Malaysia; then both returned to the States and graduated from Southern Nazarene University in Bethany, Oklahoma.
We came to the region as pioneer missionaries to a what we now call a secure world area. When we first moved to the city we were assigned to, we were the only Nazarenes outside of the capital. 

We were so fortunate, that with the exception of one year, to be able to spend the rest of our years in one city. This city has become our district and national headquarters as well as the site of our Bible School.
As we look back over our time on the field, there have been low points: 
  • Our first term, as we were first trying to plant a church, was a discouraging time. 
  • Sending our children off to another country for schooling was difficult. 
  • Sending our children to the USA was even more difficult. 
  • Not being able to be there for the birth of our grandchildren was hard. 
  • Losing three of our four parents without getting to be at their bedside was very hard. 
However, the high points have been so meaningful and rewarding. 
  • Bob founded the local Nazarene Theology College in 1981. We had 6 grade and middle school graduates studying in a rented home. Using Alabaster funds, we were able to purchase about 6 acres of land on the edge of town and our school really grew. When we left the field we had 80 students in our campus undergraduate program and another 40-50 in a master’s program and were looking at the possibility of starting a doctoral program. 
  • We started with one church in the city. We now have around 200 churches and church type missions in three districts scattered across several islands. Rosa and I started First Church in that city in 1978 with 1 person in attendance. Over the years this has been our home church. Rosa has been very involved in the music and Bob in the teaching and preaching ministry. This past year our church ran about 650 persons in three services. It is the strongest church on our field. 
  • One of Bob’s special joys was being able to teach young people at the Bible School whose parents had also been students. These second generation students had grown up in Nazarene parsonages and now were following the footsteps of their parents also preparing for ministry in our church. 
  • As we were soon to leave the field, many friends expressed appreciation and thanks for our ministry: pastors, former students, faculty, and friends. At our final district pastors and wives retreat, they gave us books of photos of each of our pastoral families. First Church arranged for a reunion Sunday where they invited former church activists to come back to honor us. 

It was a very special time; the Bible College expressions were so meaningful. One evening we had a social time together with all the faculty, staff and students. Most of the faculty and staff had been our students in younger days and were our co-workers now. They were each given a time to stand up and relate some impression or incident that had impacted their lives. The morning we left for the airport, all the students and faculty lined-up from our house to the road. As we passed between the two lines, shaking hands and hugging, they sang Holiness Unto the Lord followed by Rosa’s favorite song in their local language entitled “The Lord Jesus is Faithful.” 

It was a privilege to be able to serve the Lord and the Church in this area of ministry. We were able to share our lives with many people. We were thankful to be able to teach a lot of things to a lot of different people. We learned more from them then we ever were able to teach them. Together we worked to build the Kingdom of God. 

Our daughter, Kara, lives in Austin, Texas. Our son, Kenton, and his wife, and their 4 children live in Bartow, Florida. We will retire in Bethany, Oklahoma. 
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Bob and Rosa - Beginning
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The Early Years
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Growing Family
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Preaching, teaching and music ministry
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Indonesia Nazarene Bible College
Now that Bob and Rosa have returned to America, their main theme and focus is to help Nazarenes better understand and appreciate their Muslim neighbours, and in so doing, to know better how to reach out to them.

DEPUTATION SCHEDULE

DAY

CHURCH
Sunday June 1st - 11:00 a.m.
Potluck lunch
Ottawa Trinity
Nadine Lewis
Sunday June 1st - Evening
Unscheduled
Monday June 2nd
Potluck supper
Quinte West
Fern & Ann Porlier
Tuesday June 3rd - 7:00 p.m.
Markdale
Jackie Parkin
Wednesday June 4th - 6:30 p.m.
5:00 p.m. supper
Brantford
Clair Ann Keodprom
Thursday June 5th - 6:30 p.m.
Newmarket
Bev Crossley
Friday June 6th - 7:00 p.m.
Barrie
Virginia Foster
Saturday June 7th - 10:30 a.m.
Egypt
Kathleen Mika
Sunday June 8th - 11:00 a.m.
Kennedy Road
Ruth Bissoon-Ramessar
Sunday June 8th - 6:00 p.m.
Potluck supper
Altona Road
Christine Hills
Monday June 9th
Unscheduled
Tuesday June 10th - 7:00 p.m.
NMI RALLY (Rosewood) - Teaching Service
Bev Crossley
Wednesday June 11th - 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
NMI CONVENTION (Rosewood)
Bev Crossley