Treasurer/Musician

Kathy Coon is a missionary with OMS International in Ecuador. She is the field treasurer—a BIG job and one that few people want to do. Each month, she receives expense reports from all of the OMS missionaries on the field, checking each one to make sure all expenses are reimbursable and that they have the available funds. She also pays property taxes, utility bills, insurance policies and seminary scholarships, and she advances funds for projects at the OMS camp or for the radio station in Saraguro. Although many payments are made via bank transfers on the computer, sometimes she does have to go to the bank to withdraw money or make deposits. Once, she was robbed at gunpoint in her car on the way home from the bank! Scary! But the Lord protected her from any physical harm.

Kathy has been the field treasurer for about 20 years, and the missionaries, the regional director and OMS headquarters are grateful for her sticking with it and keeping the accounts in the black. The missionaries are happy to receive their reimbursement for expenses or advances or projects or medical expenses. Ecuador has ten families and three single missionaries serving in six regions in Ecuador. Helping them with their finances gives Kathy a link to every ministry in which they are involved.

Sometimes, however, Kathy is required to return to the U.S. for several months to report to the many people and churches who give to her support. Uh-oh. What happens on the field while she’s gone? You can imagine what a mess it would be if no one was available to get money to the missionaries or pay the bills or send the monthly reports to OMS headquarters. When someone does take over the job, that person sets aside his own ministries to do something that can be very frustrating and overwhelming. Can you see why it is important to get Kathy back to Ecuador?

The treasurer’s job is a big responsibility, but there is time to be involved in other ministries. Kathy has directed church choirs, participated in the church music teams, lead music and worship clinics and taught vocal workshops. Being an active member of one of the national churches, she participates in their evangelistic and discipleship programs and has served on the ministerial team. She ventured out of her comfort zone to invite her neighbors to participate in a six-week small group Bible study. Four said “yes”—including her landlord!

Here’s what Kathy says about being a missionary in Ecuador: “Telling people about Jesus is the primary role of a missionary, and that’s exciting! But the icing on the cake is being able to use my gifts and talents in a place where there are still many who need to know Jesus.”

Missionary ID #803095