The Rev. Scott Olson, director of mobilization at Wesleyan World Missions in Indianapolis, will be the guest speaker for the Faith-Promise Weekend at Pathway Wesleyan Church in Bangor next month.

An accomplished saxophone player, Olson will perform in concert at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, and will speak at 10:45 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 16, after the 9:45 a.m. service. Pathway meets at the Penobscot Christian School, 1423 Ohio St., Bangor.

Wesleyan churches in North America traditionally make their yearly commitments to missions and overseas ministries in early fall, according to Becky Mushrow of Hermon, who helped organize the event. Pathway will support 13 different missions and ministries during the next year.

Olson’s passion is to challenge and equip believers to accept and fulfill their strategic role in “The Great Commission,” providing necessary resources – prayer, money, people – to take the Gospel around the globe. In Indianapolis, he leads a team responsible for short-term, long-term, volunteer and career missionary work.

“I am continually looking for effective ways to mobilize men and women for cross-cultural ministry,” he wrote in an article titled “Mobilizing Workers for the 21st Century.” “But our focus is not on big numbers. We want to send people who are willing to be trained and stretched for ultimate effectiveness. That means developing close connections with church-related colleges, local churches and districts, as well as individuals. …

“Our approach to mobilization is relational,” he said. “We challenge local church pastors to get to know their people, mentoring those who have a heart for ministry, and connecting them with us.”

Pathway was founded in 1996 and previously met at the Bangor Motor Inn Conference Center on the Hogan Road. The church’s mission is ” … to lead unchurched people in the Greater Bangor Area to become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ through: discipleship; dynamic worship; meaningful relationships; Bible-centered programming; and an atmosphere of love and acceptance.”

While Pathway downplays its denominational connection, Wesleyans believe in immersion baptism, and members promise not to use, produce or sell tobacco or alcoholic beverages. Membership in secret societies is forbidden. They oppose abortion on demand except to save the life of the mother, and believe the Bible preaches against homosexuality.

For more information on Olson’s visit and the church, call 942-7212.