All authority in heaven and
on earth has been given to me.
Therefore
go and make
disciples of
all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit,
and
teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I
am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew
28:18-20
Dear
friends,
Did
you know missionaries receive lots of fan mail? Well, maybe not fan
mail, exactly. But we often receive notes of encouragement, holiday
cards, and a few inquiries that get us thinking. A few years back, an
inquiring mind asked how our ministry focus aligned with God’s
purpose. Granted, I may not remember exactly how the sender worded
the question, I do remember answering it more or less this way. No
matter where Stuart and I are in the world, Jesus’ command to make
disciples
remains at the center of who we are and what we do.
In
Jamaica, making disciples looked like caring for 40 precious children
and teenagers at our children’s home. It also looked like teaching
at the Assemblies of God Bible College and developing a mentorship
program between those two entities.
In
Mexico City, making disciples looked like teaching at Anna Sanders
Seminary and preaching in our home church and other venues during our
first term, and focusing our efforts at Teen Challenge Mexico during
our second term.
Suffice
it to say, following the call to make
disciples has
afforded Stuart and I the privilege to love, serve, and minister with
many wonderful people in God’s wonderfully diverse world.
Just
recently, the Executive Committee of World Missions granted Stuart
and I approval for a short-term assignment as Missionaries in
Residence (MIR) at Evangel University. This
opportunity would not have happened without you.
Your support over these last three terms of service (15 years!) gives
us the perspective and the experience we need to inspire students in
their God-given vocation and help them find their place in his Great
Commission. In other words, Stuart and I will continue the process
you began in your homes and churches to make educated, responsible,
Spirit-led disciples to go and do likewise.
I’ve
barely given you a glimpse of all the responsibilities required as a
MIR. But as the year progresses, I trust you’ll be impressed with
the partnership of Assemblies of God World Missions and our
Assemblies of God learning institutions to provide missionary
educators to create vision, promote missions, and provide your
students guidance as they discover God’s call on their lives.
As
I mentioned, the MIR is a short-term assignment (for the 2018-2020
academic years). Then Stuart and I will eagerly return to the field
by God’s grace and your continued support. Please know, we need you
just as much now as ever. Transitions are never easy. We’ve already
hit a few snags that hopefully will turn out to be nothing more than
inconveniences. As for now, please pray for us as we settle into a
new home and into all our new responsibilities.
Grace
and peace,
~
Stuart & Wendy Brown
We met the challenge! A few weeks ago, we challenged our supporters to help us give a generous offering to Teen Challenge Mexico to repair, replace, and upgrade some worn out items at their facility. In fact, you more than met the challenge and so we made these guys, as well as the directors of Reto a la Juventud, very happy.
Thanks everyone. You're the best!
