The Compassionate Edge ~ January 2020

HELLO FRIENDS,

It's a new year full of new opportunities!

LOOKING FORWARD:
After months of prayer, a year of volunteering with CompassionLink, and an invitation by director JoAnn Butrin, Stuart and I are looking forward to continuing our missionary career with International Ministries. As you know, making disciples in a compassionate capacity has always been near to our hearts; first as directors of New Vision children's home in Jamaica and then later as we served with Teen Challenge in Mexico City.

CompassionLink has a holistic, strategic, and sustainable approach to missions that empowers communities and churches to flourish. For us, joining CompassionLink just makes sense; it combines our compassionate missions experience with an ever-maturing paradigm of what successful missions should look like.

Stuart will continue working with the sustainable development team as well as train with the various ministries under the umbrella of CompassionLink. Likewise, Stuart is looking forward to a lot more global travel (like his recent trip to Burkina Faso). Wendy is also looking forward to coming on board as an educator to train missionary associates who join the ministry family.

Until then, Wendy is looking forward to Global Impact Week at Evangel University in the early part of March. Missionaries representing all regions will engage students in classrooms, chapel services, during hall take-overs and meal times. Wendy (missionary in residence), Darlene Robison (director for Missionary Church Planters and Developers), and Ron Maddux (regional director of No. Asia) will preach about God's global work and everyone's opportunity to participate.

Lastly, Stuart and I are looking forward to connecting with you very soon (especially this summer but also throughout the year). It's that season again to travel, share all the exciting opportunities God has in store for us, and raise the moolah to get it done. We'll be in touch!

Stuart with the CompassionLink team as they began their journey to Burkina Faso.

ASKING FOR PRAYER:
Please pray for Stuart and me. Although, Stuart and I are confident of God's will in this transition, it's still difficult. No one is more surprised than us at this turn of events in our lives. We appreciate your prayers as we, once again, navigate an unexpected change. Regardless, Stuart and I know from past experience, God is faithful in the unpredictable.

Please pray for Global Impact Week at Evangel University - that students will discern the voice and direction of God; for World Changers missions club - who have a lot of responsibility in making this hectic week happen; and for all the global workers who will share their experiences, offer their counsel, and encourage our future global workers.

Burkina Faso has been in our hearts and prayers since the trip.

OFFERING UP THANKS:
Stuart and I are thankful for our friends and families.
Grateful for the future generation of global workers we are mentoring at Evangel.
Pleased with our new ministry family at CompassionLink.
Thankful for your prayers.
Excited for our future.
And so very appreciative of all our faithful supporters.

Jack, our Schnauzer, is a resilient TCK (Third Culture Kanine); 

born and raised in Mexico City, he's adjusting to life in the US.

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The Missive ~ Summer 2019 (July - September)

Hello friends,

Ready for a recap of our summer?

Since we last talked, Stuart and I celebrated our son's wedding, traveled to Florida for General Council, and then enjoyed a "family reunion" at Together '19 (the largest gathering of Assemblies of God global workers we've ever had in one place, I believe). We are grateful for the many pastors and churches who made this time special for all of us. Thanks especially to The Caring Place (Jon Susa), River City Church (Robby Bradford), Grace Assembly of God (Wayne Murray), Realife Church (Adam Detamore), and Cornerstone Christian Fellowship (David M Wigington).

Katie & Wesley share their first dance.

And then their second. It was a fun wedding.

Ready for some exciting news?
During General Council, JoAnn Butrin (director of International Ministries) sat down with the general superintendent of the Assemblies of God in Burkina Faso. As it turns out, the general superintendent’s son runs a school and a children’s home in their beloved country. Furthermore, he has extended an invitation to CompassionLink to join him in Burkina Faso to talk about sustainable methods for long-term growth and health of the ministry. In turn, CompassionLink extended an invitation to Stuart to join them on this trip (October 28-Nov 5).

As you know, Stuart has been working full-time as a volunteer at CompassionLink since the beginning of the year. Although, grateful for the invitation Stuart and I wondered how we would come up with the necessary funds. Due to send out a newsletter, I began to craft a plea. However, would there be enough time to raise the funds? Or would Stuart have to pass up the opportunity for a later one? The answer came sooner than either of us expected when the very next day, Stuart received word that JoAnn Butrin and CompassionLink secured the funds on Stuart’s behalf and the trip is completely paid for!

Evangel University World Changers Mission Club prepares to raise awareness and encourage involvement in God's global mission.

In the garden center, CompassionLink also raises bunnies. These happy rabbits are relieved to tell you of the upcoming CompassionLink Fish Fry on October 1 to raise funds.

Ready to pray?
Please pray for ... the Burkina Faso trip: may it be a productive relationship-building time as the national church and the CompassionLink team find sustainable solutions together.

CompassionLink's Fish Fry fundraiser on October 1. May supporters and potential supporters be energized by all that the team is doing to develop, train, and provide compassionate and sustainable solutions worldwide.

a personal request: our daughter Olivia gets married in December. We'll all be traveling to North Carolina for the nuptials as soon as the semester ends.

Olivia and Brandon will be dancing at their own wedding soon.

Proud sister Sophia and friends look over the happy couple.

Thanks, friends, for your faithful support. Stuart & Wendy

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The Missive ~ Winter 2019

 Some wonder if something fishy is going on when world missionaries are approved for temporary assignment stateside. They may be right. While I (Wendy) spend most days at Evangel University, a different kind of school occupies Stuart's time and energy as he volunteers full-time with AGWM International Ministries at CompassionLink.

CompassionLink engages in numerous projects year-round, but a school of Tilapia currently occupies their attention. The team is raising about 100 Tilapia and siphoning off the fish waste to feed growing vegetables. The plants filter the water which then returns to the fish tank squeaky clean in a hydroponic circle of life.

The CompassionLink team takes a project like this and teaches missionaries and other partners how to adapt and use it in their ministry contexts to promote health and sustainability in communities worldwide. So, if you think something fishy is going on in Springfield, look no further than the Tilapia.

Stuart wants you to know, this is just one of the many unique ways CompassionLink serves the world. Please check out their link here to see more.

As Missionary in Residence at Evangel University this year, I have the unique privilege to train, educate, and mentor our next generation of missionaries. Whether it's in the classroom or as the faculty adviser to World Changers Missions Fellowship, God has opened doors for deep conversations with students not available elsewhere. I trust you would be proud of the questions our young people are pondering and the ways they are serving now to prepare for a life of intercultural ministry later.

World Changers hosted Global Impact week at Evangel University just recently and brought students and missionaries together for a meaningful week of personal interactions and heartfelt challenges.

Many thanks to the Pipeline Team, Dave Ellis (Regional Director LAC), Dick & Cynthia Nicholson (former Regional Directors LAC), and missionary colleagues from every region serving with AGWM and US Missions for their help and service.

Stuart and I give thanks to you as well, friends. It's been 15 years since AGWM commissioned us as missionaries and you have faithfully supported us throughout the journey. We are grateful, and we are truly blessed.

Stuart & Wendy

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Mexico City Missive ~ Summer 2018

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!

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Spring has sprung, the grass has ris';

I wonder where the graduate is?

Well, we found him in Springfield, MO after a flight from Mexico City and a drive from Dallas.

Our stay in Springfield began with a parent's brunch and then a Baccalaureate service where Wesley and other honor students were recognized for outstanding achievement in their degree fields. Stuart and I are very proud of Wesley who graduated summa cum laude with a degree in Music Industry. 

As many of you know, Wesley is on to Spain this summer as a MAPS volunteer to intern with International Media Ministries. He's already bought the plane tickets, people! But he still needs some funding. If you would like to invest in Wesley's internship, he has a gofundme account that is quick and easy to use. If you'd prefer to mail an offering you can send it to:

Wesley M Brown
3320 South Meadowlark Ave
Springfield, MO 65807

Either way, all funds go directly to Wesley and his internship with IMM and you will receive a receipt.

Thanks everyone for your generosity and encouragement toward Wesley. We really appreciate it.