Bio: Straughan, Mr./Mrs. – Teen Mission Leaders (1977)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Straughan

---------Source: Owen Enterprise (Owen, Clark County, Wis.) 04 May 1977

On Sunday evening, May 1, 1977, a very moving Commissioning Service was held for Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Straughan and their daughter and son, who will be participating with mission teams for Teen Missions Inc.

Mr. and Mrs. Straughan and their family have been residents of the Owen-Withee area for many years, and have been involved in farming on a farm about six mile from Owen, south on County N. They are currently in the process of selling their farm and intend to join Teen Missions as team leaders.

Teen Missions is a seven year old organization which send teens out each summer to different mission fields throughout the world to help missionaries by building air strips, churches and other buildings. Their work saves much labor that missionaries would have to do so that they then can be involved with the people in starting churches and reaching the lost for Christ.

Mr. and Mrs. Straughan and their daughter will go to Brazil, where they will lead and be a part of a team which will extend an air strip from 400 meters to 600 meters. The air strip is to be used by planes and pilots from Weycliff Bible Translators who are working to translate the Bible into the native language. They are currently planning to join the staff of Teen Missions, which would mean year around work with the organization, as well as leading teams during the summer.

Their son, Stanley Jr., age 14, will be part of a team going to Haiti, where they will be involved in building a church building and possible extending another one.

Over 850 teens from throughout the nation will be participating this summer. They first go to “boot camp” on Merrit Island in Florida for two weeks before going out to their work.

The Owen Alliance Church send the Straughan’s out to the mission field with their blessings and prayers. A special offering was taken during the commissioning service to help with some of their expenses. Following the service there was a time of fellowship with the Straughan family with coffee and refreshments being served. The Straughan’s have been members of the Owen Alliance Church for many years.