Today I will give a mission report and update to the church, telling what God is doing and where God is leading us in our ministry and mission work. The process of collecting information and reflecting on God’s leading has encouraged us. Today’s blog is a brief version of the summary I will share today. (I often summarize in the plural since Jan is an integral part of this ministry and mission work. From time to time she teaches a class as requested, but I am usually the one speaking and teaching.)
It has been fifteen months since Jan and I finished our full-time ministry with the church and embarked upon a new ministry and missions journey. This journey is similar to what we anticipated; it is also much different than what we dreamed. This journey is leading us to unexpected places and opportunities. These fifteen months have been a time of “finding our legs” in this ministry and listening to God to understand why he has put us in this place at this time. Here is a summary of some of the activities we have been blessed to share.
In the U.S., we have preached and taught in ten churches, including one Hispanic church.
We helped a church while it was between ministers in an interim ministry that lasted six months (although we were not physically present during that entire time). We continually monitored the progress of the church, serving as consultant to the leadership and search committee, and providing onsite ministry for about half of that time. The rest of the interim period was covered by well-chosen guest speakers.
I conducted a “Restore My Spirit” campaign
I conducted two leadership workshops–one of the workshops also had a education component
I have continued to produce DVD studies for New Life Behavior–we now have 118 videos for use in prison classes and for broadcast on prison TV systems.
I spoke at a Latin America Leadership Training Workshop
I taught a class at the 2010 Pan-American Lectureship, focusing on Studies from Galatians
We have made eight mission trips, including four trips to Honduras and trips to the Pan-American Lectureship, Guatemala, Colombia, and the Latin America Leadership Training conference.
These trips have included multiple opportunities to teach and preach, extending to dozens of Latin American churches.
I have continued to serve as chairman of the board of directors for Baxter/Amicus, including several trips, appointments, meetings and presentations.
These represent about 80 sermons and special presentations in English, plus numerous seminars and classes taught in Latin America.
I have continued to write and maintain my website (with 15000-20000 visits per month).
Not to the extent I anticipated, but I have continued to assist at Main and Oklahoma as possible within the time constraints.
Looking ahead, it looks as though 2012 will be more focused on foreign mission efforts with much of that planning already in process (including the possibility of trips to Chile, Uruguay, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Guatemala, and Honduras, plus other locations).
