Stuart and I knew this would be a year of change, but 2020 so far is certainly not the year any of us anticipated.
We anticipated travel to visit with family we haven't seen for a long time. We anticipated participating in end-of-semester activities and graduation at Evangel. We anticipated more travel to connect with churches in our district.
That's not what happened, but here are some things that did.
This spring, I (Wendy) concluded my temporary assignment as missionary in residence at Evangel University. Stuart and I are grateful that Evangel and other AG universities are so invested in preparing their students for global service they offer this unique opportunity for veteran missionaries to educate and mentor our next generation of global workers. I celebrate the privilege of working with the World Changers missions club who kept the worldwide mission of God in front of the student body all year through various activities and events. The future of AG world missions looks exceptionally bright in the hearts and hands of the next generation. I offer heartfelt praise and gratitude to my boss, friend, and mentor, Sandy Friesen as well as to the faculty and staff of Evangel's Bible and Global Church Ministries Department for a wonderful experience. Thank you.
Wendy preaching during Global Impact week.
As the new Regional Missionary Trainer for International Ministries, Wendy has been busy gearing up for Missionary Training in June. Our new candidates will be joining us virtually this year as the program goes online to explore and discuss topics like the Theology of Missions, Missionary Life and Work, Understanding Culture, and other competencies.
COVID-19 health guidelines closed CompassionLink's offices for a while, but not its compassionate spirit. The crew volunteered at local churches to pack lunches for children when schools closed, organized a birthday train to celebrate Stuart's big six-o, and rallied around our CompassionLink colleagues, Angelina and Thomas Carpenter as well as our executive director for world missions, Greg Mundis in a desperate fight for their lives with the Corona virus.
#TeamThomas
#RallyHope
Stuart is back in the greenhouse and aquaponics lab looking forward to helping our missionaries and national church leaders with ongoing projects. The team is currently working with leaders on Community Health Evangelism training in sensitive regions, healthy living teaching in areas with high incidences of high blood pressure, and helping community members work with disabled persons.
Stuart preparing for a harvest (of souls and produce)!
To raise funds for these and future efforts, we invite you to participate in CompassionLink's first virtual 5K and WALK, RUN, or ROLL with us June 14 - 21. Your participation helps us say “YES” to our AGWM missionaries partnering with national pastors and community leaders. Click here to register.
ARE WE WILLING TO LISTEN?
Recent events compel me to do a better job of raising the voices of our black sisters and brothers and encouraging all of us to listen better. God forgive me for not doing more of this in the past and God grant me the grace to do better in the future.
If we are serious about eradicating racism in our churches and communities, then we need to get serious about listening better and cooperating with our black sisters and brothers for a more just society. Are we willing to listen? If so, here are a few leaders in our fellowship we should get to know better and some advice they have to offer.
Dr. Shannon Polk, associate pastor at Riverside Tabernacle AG church in Flint, Michigan asks Are You Ready to Take Steps to Eliminate Racism? and offers some initial guidance.
Alex Bryant, Student Life Coordinator at the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, suggests ten books about race to help change the way we think so we can change the way we act
Malcom Burleigh, executive director for US Missions, joined with both these leaders and others on A Conversation on Racism in America and encourages us to not seek solutions to racial tension by figuring out a plan first then inviting our black sisters and brothers to the table. He says, "I want to be a partner in the mission not a part of the menu."
Are we ready to listen? I hope so. Because #BlackLivesMatter, too.
PRAYER FOR JUSTICE IN OUR COUNTRY AND IN OUR WORLD
Almighty God, you created us in your own image: Grant us grace to contend fearlessly against evil and to make no peace with oppression; and help us to use our freedom rightly in the establishment of justice in our communities and among the nations, to the glory of your holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP)
Grace and Peace
Stuart & Wendy
GLOBALLY ASSIGNED / GLOBALLY ENGAGED
SERVING THE WORLD
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