Sending out Lights into the World - Part 1

Volume 8 Issue 4
Sending out Lights into the World (Part 1)

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ’I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’ John 8:12

In April Leslie traveled to the News Staff follow-up conference in Georgia. 60 new staff were in present. The four intense days provided opportunities to meet one on one with them to encourage them in their progress of raising support and to tweak ministry presentations. It so incredible to see God at work and preparing these new “lights” going stateside and around the world to tell of Jesus unfailing love. (See photo on rt.)

 Last fall, Leslie began to disciple a gal (from Butler University) named Samantha. (Sam, see photo on lft.) Somewhat new in her personal relationship with Jesus, Sam is hungry, teachable and passionate for the things of God. Sam grew up in a family that regularly attended Catholic Mass. Through our weekly times meeting together; God has increased her faith, peeling back the layers of her true identity in Christ and “choosing to live as though the Bible is true regardless of circumstances, emotions and cultural trends.” (Destined-Discipleship Material). Sam has been and continues leading her sorority (Alpha Phi) Bible Study. Loving a roommate who doesn’t know Jesus (yet). This month, Sam embarks on her career as a Physician Assistant in a secular-demanding environment. Sam is a blooming light! What a privilege and sweet time pointing her to Jesus and the Gospel!

Praise & Prayer:

• Prayer for strength and refreshment for Leslie and Mike as the past months have been demanding.
• Prayer for Sam as she adjusts to her new career and continues to share Jesus with those she crosses paths with.
• Praise for the provision of an individual marriage retreat that we just returned from. It was a time of renewal, connection as a couple and a mini-getaway from day to day routine.

Benjamin celebrated his 3rd birthday this summer. My he’s growing so fast– our little boy!

86 New Missionaries

…He [Jesus] said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” (Matthew 9:37-38) Having recently returned from Cru’s winter New Staff Training this verse causes me to marvel at what we experienced there. How exciting to see God raise up 86 new missionaries and to have the privilege and to train them in Ministry Partnership Development (MPD) skills and best practices so you can fully engage in the reaching the lost. We (Mike and Leslie) assisted in the workshops (see our workshop photo top rt.). We listened to and gave feedback on presentations so that the new staff could be more effective in their ministry presentations (left).

It was encouraging to hear their personal stories how God called them to serve full-time in the mission field. Here are a few examples of what God has done to raise up laborers!

One young (early 20’s) single new staff gal applied to Cru staff a few years ago. But, her level of debt disqualified her from being accepted. So as a flight attendant she took on a second job cleaning houses to pay off EVERY penny of her debt and reapplied this past year and was accepted.

A couple - Michael/Jennifer -in our workshop were students involved in Cru during college at Wisconsin. As recent college grads and newly married they pursued applying for staff with Cru. The Lord closed the door. This past year the husband wanted going back to grad school but found out his scholarship/grant funding was pulled. God reopend the door for them to join staff. They have a heart for reaching college students at their alma mater especially as it has unique demographics.

A young couple –Jeff and Lauren- have stepped out in faith to spend a year in Costa Rica And taking their family (2 yr.old and new baby) as God has called them.

To sum it up our role as Ministry Partnership Development (MPD) coaches is to equip and inspire leaders to be Christ-Centered, fully-funded and financially faithful. As God raises up new full-time missionaries we have the privilege and opportunity in PREPARING to help lead others to Christ to worship the Lord in Heaven. Can you imagine what God IS, CAN, WILL do in and through these 86 new laborers in the Harvest Field both in the US and overseas? God has convicted me as well as increased my Kingdom sized thinking to see the Kingdom results through training these new staff. Let us PRAISE THE LORD for how many people will be challenged, invited and prompted to accept Jesus as their Lord through these new missionaries!