The Compassionate Edge MAY 2020

HELLO FRIENDS

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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We Had No Idea

Our journey as missionaries began in the early days of July 2005 when our family arrived in Kingston, Jamaica. Just a few sleeps in, a hurricane barreled its way toward the island. Stuart and I anticipated a week of training and orientation in the Blue Mountains of Jamaica, what we got were hammers and nails to board up the children’s home. A night of 100 mph winds shook more than the palm branches off the trees and the shingles off the roof.

Our little family had no idea what we got ourselves into.

As mudslides delayed our departure to our children’s home in Christiana, we kept company with the dozens of children, dedicated staff, young missionary associates, as well as veteran cross-cultural servants at the City of Refuge Children’s Home (with the added bonus of no electricity or hot water). Our daily ritual consisted of peering over our mountain vista to measure the progress of the work trucks as they made their way up washed-out roads and nature-made mud barriers.

Finally freed one mid-afternoon, we began our two and ½ hour turned five-hour trek to the center of the island to greet our children at New Vision Children’s Home. Arriving bleary-eyed and a bit shell-shocked, our small staff greeted us surrounded by a smattering of pajama-clad children and teenagers with a battery of inquiries. Our minds whirred from all the recent events and our newfound responsibilities. We desperately needed a good night’s sleep; more than we realized. In just a few days, another hurricane would hit the island.

Seriously, our little family had no idea what we got ourselves into.

We had no idea that in the next few years we’d face island-wide flooding that would close down schools and businesses, hear heart-rending stories of those we cared for, manage a chicken pox outbreak that would keep us knee-deep in Calamine lotion, and hunker down for a few (a lot) more hurricanes (all with the added bonus of intermittent electricity, water, and internet). And that’s just Jamaica.

But hear me now: that’s not the end of the story. That’s not all we faced. That’s not all we got. We also got an ear-full of laughter and a face-full of smiles. We got stories for days and friends for a lifetime. We got buckets of hope and oceans of love. And we got food, people. We got really good food.

Long ago when our journey began, our little family had no idea what we got ourselves into.

But we’re sure glad we did.

What is CompassionLink?

What is CompassionLink?

Mexico City Missive ~ Christmas 2017

[King Herod] called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?”

“In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote: ‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’” Matthew 2:4-6

Bethlehem, the birthplace of king David becomes the birthplace of the Christ, Israel's promised king and shepherd. When the reigning king, Herod, receives confirmation of the Messiah's birth, he seeks to harm the vulnerable, humble child of Bethlehem. An angelic warning sends Mary and Joseph fleeing from Bethlehem to Egypt as refugees until word of the dubious king's death brings them back to Israel and the city of Nazareth. From here, the one born in the “house of bread” grows up under the care of his earthly parents until he is ready to go out into the world, offer himself, and feed hungry souls.

Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, Moses didn’t give you bread from heaven. My Father did. And now he offers you the true bread from heaven. The true bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

“Sir,” they said, “give us that bread every day.” John 6:32-34

Intrigued by the miraculous feeding of the five thousand, the crowd desires to perform the works of God, too. Instead, Jesus calls them to believe. Still the crowd demands a miraculous sign, after all, even Moses gave them bread in the wilderness. Yet, unbeknownst to them, bread from heaven has already descended again from the Father's hand in the form of his Son, Jesus; the true bread from heaven. The bread that gives life to the world. “Give us that bread,” the crowd demands. And so Jesus does.

He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” Luke 22:19

From the “house of bread” to the Last Supper and beyond the true bread from heaven gives life to those who receive. As we remember the babe born in Bethlehem this holiday season, let's venture out into the world, offer ourselves, and generously share the bread of life with a hungry world.

Wishing you joy and peace, always.

Stuart & Wendy Brown

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Is it a passion or is it idolatry?

A wise person once said that an educator's job is not to offer all the answers, but to help their students ask better questions. Today, I'm asking you to help me ask better questions as I grapple with a difficult concept.

Is it a passion or is it idolatry?

I imagine most people have a passion for a few things in life – whether it be a fulfilling career, a particular talent, a worthy cause, or even a treasured collection. I also trust most of us believe that any passion, no matter how noble, needs boundaries so as to keep our intentions pure, our perspectives clear, and our relationships healthy.

Yet, we all know (or at least suspect) that someone we love has inadvertently crossed the line from passionate advocate to idolatrous proponent. But when, when does that happen? When does a passion become idolatry? How do we know when we've crossed the line? What questions can we ask ourselves to discern if a once healthy passion has now become a destructive idol?

Here are a few questions I've come up with today. I would like your help with discovering more.

Has our concern for our passion superseded our concern for the well-being of others? In other words, have we chosen to not love our neighbors as ourselves?

Do we assume our passion is “God-given,” but differing passions do not have the same seal of approval? In other words, are we tempted to use the Lord's name (in vain) to validate our position and invalidate others?

Has the expression of our passion encouraged productive conversation or do we express our opinions solely for the immediate gratification of “likes” and “Amens”? In other words, do we covet affirmation more than the truth?

Has advocacy for our passion tempted us to misrepresent the narrative or the character of another in order to discredit their point of view and undermine understanding? In other words, are we guilty of bearing false witness?

How would we respond if whatever we are passionate about was suddenly ripped from our grasp? Would life still hold meaning? In other words, does our hope rest in what we can hold and possess or does it rest in something less tangible and more eternal?

These are the questions I am wrestling with today. And probably will for many days to come. What about you? What better questions could you help me to ask?

No easy journey

Every resident at Teen Challenge Mexico enters the program at different stages of recovery. Some while still reeling from the effects of withdrawal. Others after months of soul-searching. Regardless, Stuart and I watch and wait, pray and rejoice over every milestone reached, every hill conquered.

Theirs is no easy journey. Each graduate testifies of the struggle and the heartache that accompany the process of recovery. Indeed, for every life mended and every relationship restored all must acknowledge and grieve that which cannot be recovered or healed. Yet hope remains. Though consequences can never be ignored, in Christ lives can always be redeemed.

With this hope, day after day, week after week our front row guys persist. Because they know (and we know) Jesus can move mountains.

Cristo puede mover montes
¡Sólo Dios puede salvar,
mi Dios puede salvar!
Por siempre, autor de salvación
Jesús la muerte venció,
Él la muerte venció

If you or someone you love in Mexico has a problem with drug or alcohol abuse, click on the link below. ¿Problemas con el uso y abuso de las drogas y alcohol? Hay solución.

Reto a la Junventud México

Another brief survey on short-term missions trips

In a previous survey, I asked for the reasons we give to others to encourage participation on a short-term missions trip. In this survey, I want to know the reasons we should NOT give to encourage people to go on a short-term missions trip. 

Thanks for your help!

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That one word

One word. I just had to think of one word. 

As it does every year, January first came and went, and I successfully neglected to choose that one word to focus on in the new year. In theory, I really like the idea of choosing one word. I appreciate the precision and the conciseness of the endeavor, but finding that one, perfect, all encompassing, wondrous word always eluded me. Granted, seeking perfection instead of inspiration probably distracted me a bit.

Yet, a moment presented itself a couple of weeks ago, forcing me from my self-imposed neglect to successfully choose that one word.

Some of Mexico City's finest ministers and leaders breakfasted together on a recent Wednesday morning when my friend and missionary colleague, Sandy Kazim, challenged us to choose that one word to focus on in the new year. Choose your word, she said. Write it down. Share it with a table mate. Alas, there would be no getting out of this one.

Think, Wendy, think.

How about faith? Faith is a good word. Familiar and prosaic maybe, but a solid choice. Or what about hope? Hope is a good, too. Poetic and strong; it sounds especially lyrical in Spanish – esperanza. Sort of just rolls off your tongue …

Focus, Wendy, focus.

As I listened to a room full of women serving fearlessly under some of the most trying circumstances in Mexico City, I found myself coveting their relentless spirit. Overwhelmed with news from my own country in a tempest tossed year of post-truth, alternative facts, and bald-faced lies I realized in that moment exactly what I needed. Courage.

I found my one word.

Yes, courage. Courage to face down the lies. Courage to fight for the truth. Courage to live faithfully. Courage to pray fearlessly. Courage to preach prophetically. I choose courage. Courage is a choice after all, is it not?

A long time ago, and many times since, the people of God had a choice between fear and courage. As per Moses' instructions, twelve leaders of Israel explored the land of Canaan. After forty days, they returned with a cluster of grapes and an honest, objective account of all they witnessed. Seizing the moment, Caleb encouraged Moses to take possession of the land. We should go, he said. We can certainly do it.

But the men who went with Caleb said, No we can't. And they began to spread a bad report among the Israelites.

Often when we refer to this story, we qualify the bad report as nothing more than unfortunate news we don't want to deal with. But such an anemic interpretation distracts us from the very essence and the severe consequences of the bad report referenced here.

To be clear, an honest accounting or an unfortunate diagnosis is not in and of itself a bad report. It may be bad news, for sure, but the truth cannot be ignored or dismissed just because it proves difficult. On the contrary, and more specifically, a bad report exaggerates the truth, embellishes the facts, and serves only to dissuade believers from acting courageously and living faithfully to God's commands.

I'll let you in on a little secret. When you're afraid, it's much easier to disobey God when you can convince everyone else in your sphere of influence to disobey as well. Just skew the truth. Offer a common enemy. Unite them in fear. It's an age-old tactic. But you knew that already, right? We've all seen it before.

With an impassioned appeal, Joshua and Caleb tried to inspire the people of God to move forward, but to no avail. Fear won out that day. And everybody lost.

God offered his people a good gift. A solid promise. But the faithless actions of determined, frightened men treated God's good gift as evil and it worked. Wholly and stubbornly united in fear, the people of God chose to remain outside of God's promise.

“If only we had died in Egypt!” they cried. “Or in this desert!” they lamented. In a twist of irony, they got what they wished for. The fearful men claimed the land would devour them if they chose to go, but in the end it was the wilderness that swallowed them up. All of them. Not one of the faithless, fearful men ever saw the land of promise or enjoyed its abundance. A future generation would claim what the previous generation feared.

Truth be told, courage does not shield us from heartache nor does it guarantee we won't suffer loss. But courage gives us something fear never will: A clear conscience before God. A chance to live with reckless abandon. A shot at the promise land.

Daily, I am overwhelmed with bad reports inciting me to fear refugees fleeing, despise women marching, distrust scientists researching, and criticize people of color protesting. Enough already. Choose what you will, but I choose truth. I choose life. I choose compassion.

I choose courage.

I am grateful for the Joshuas and Calebs of today. Faithful men who serve with humility, choose their words wisely, value the unblemished truth, and respect the image of God in all humanity. Thank God for the Esthers and Deborahs of our world! Courageous women who rise to the challenge, lead with integrity, and face down ungodly empires even when their very lives are on the line. I'm with them.

I choose courage. 

But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved. Hebrews 10:30

A Brief Survey on Short-term Missions Trips

I would love your feedback on this brief survey about short-term missions trips. Should only take about 5 minutes and responses are anonymous. Thanks!

Create your own user feedback survey

Happy Thanksgiving!

Our table is a bit empty today, but our hearts are full of gratitude for our family and friends around the world. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving everyone!

Almighty and gracious Father, we give you thanks for the fruits of the earth in their season and for the labors of those who harvest them. Make us, we pray, faithful stewards of your great bounty, for the provision of our necessities and the relief of all who are in need, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

In case you were wondering, we get to share a traditional meal with the Mexico City clan on Monday :)

Directing traffic like a boss

Today, I'm directing traffic to our missionary profile on the official AG Missionary Directory.

Near the top of the page you will easily find links to our blog, Facebook group, Instagram account and more. Scroll down a bit and let us know you're praying for us and any current posted requests at the click of a button. Just beneath that is the infamous Give Now button (why don't you give it a click to make sure it's still working). Finally, scooch on over just a tad to sign up for our newsletter or access previous newsletters in the archive.

How's everything looking? Did you have fun :)

The grand adventure of speeding the light

Through the ministry of Speed the Light, Assemblies of God youth provide essential transportation for missionary service.

I imagine this is what Speed the Light thinks we look like as we travel the crazy busy streets of Mexico City.

via GIPHY

However, this is what we usually feel like :)

via GIPHY

Whatever your view, Speed the Light makes sharing the gospel a grand adventure.

Thank you, Assemblies of God youth for helping us Speed the Light of the gospel in Mexico City!

What a character!

Like many mornings here recently, Sunday began as cool and overcast, but by the time we got to Reto a la Juventud (Teen Challenge) we were warmed up sufficiently to regret wearing our choice of attire. Regardless, we enjoyed our time yesterday, including the testimony shared by this hermana prior to the sermon. 

The series, 40 Days of Purpose, continued with Hermano Mario (who usually leads worship) preaching on Fuiste Creado Para Ser Como Cristo (You were created to be like Christ). Mario reminded us that God uses a variety of sources and circumstances to shape our character throughout our lives. 

Haven't we all experienced the consequences of poor choices? Although painful, God can redeem our choices and grow our character. Such truth is quite liberating and provides hope for a better life, especially to the young men of Teen Challenge. 

Yet sometimes we suffer through no fault of our own. Nevertheless, God can (and does) develop our Christlikeness as he comforts us in our misery, loves us through our frustration, and strengthens us in our weakness.

Your partnership in the gospel allows us to be partners in the ministry with so many wonderful people. Thank you for your prayers and support.

Why should my heart be sad?

“Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices.” Luke 13.1

Very little is known of this particular incident from the biblical record. All we do know is that Pilate slaughtered a group of Galilean pilgrims while they were offering their sacrifices in Jerusalem. Even historical records from that time period reveal nothing; only that atrocities such as this were consistent with Pilate's reputation.

Recent tragedies in our country and around the world remind us once again that such cruelty has a long and powerful reach. Like you, I'm sure, these senseless tragedies have troubled me deeply. Yet, while contemplating life in the midst of a particularly stressful day, I came across this timely reminder on social media:

This is my Father's world.

O let me ne'er forget

that though the wrong

seems oft so strong,

God is the ruler yet.

Like the songwriter, I know all is not right in this world. Tragic events, barbaric acts of violence, and unjust systems can at times shake us to the core. And although cruelty may seem to have a long and powerful reach, it can never out-distance nor out-maneuver God's saving grace and redeeming love.

This is my Father's world:

why should my heart be sad?

The Lord is King; let the heavens ring.

God reigns; let the earth be glad!

*Stuart and I thank you for your prayers and financial support. Because of your faithfulness and generosity we have reached the top of the Itineration Pyramid. Yay! The next order of business is securing our temporary residency visas. Please pray with us as we gather all necessary documents and set an appointment at the consulate. Once we secure our visas we can make travel arrangements. We hope to complete the process and be back in Mexico City within the next month! 

We look forward to returning to Mexico City to proclaim release to the captives of drug addiction and set at liberty those who are oppressed by the sex trade. Thank you!

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A new beginning starts with joy

What a joy to visit our close friends Pastor Rick and Angela Forker at Joy Fellowship Church yesterday. We and the Forkers started out in ministry together at Evangel Christian Center (now Hope Church) in Fort Wayne many moons ago. But now, after serving as missionaries in Germany and Italy, Rick and Angela bring their cross-cultural and pastoral experience to New Haven, Indiana.

Not only did we celebrate a new beginning with our friends on Sunday we also met some special people from Mexico at their church - because as you know Mexicans are everywhere - and we love that!

So here's José from San Luis Potosí pictured next to Stuart. Stuart and I have stopped through San Luis Potosí a number of times while traveling north from Mexico City.

Since it was my birthday as well, I chose to satisfy my craving for some authentic Mexican comida at Salsa Grille in George's International Grocery. 

Tacos de carne asada, elotes, guacamole, and horchata - it just doesn't get any better than that. Unless you are actually in Mexico City which ....

we will be in less than a month! 

Yay, we made it! Let's do the happy dance!

Thanks everyone for joining with us to reach the top of the Itineration Pyramid. We really could not have done this without you. We appreciate your continued prayers as we pack up our stuff, apply for our visas, and finalize our travel plans.

You can still be a part of our missionary journey through prayer and financial support. We also invite you to sign up for our newsletter to stay updated on our ministry.

Thanks again amigos!

Let's Speed the Light from Bethel to Beyond

Didn't have a long drive yesterday as we hopped on over to Huntington, IN to be with Pastor Mike Pieart and the good people at Bethel Assembly of God. We enjoyed a beautiful time of worship, ministry, and prayer. Thank you Bethel Assembly for faithfully supporting us since the beginning of our missionary journey!

We're headed to the Indiana District Council today. While I'm attending the Credentialed Women's Luncheon, Stuart will meet and greet at the Speed the Light (STL) Luncheon. For those who don't know, STL provides "essential transportation and creative communication" for missionaries around the world.

In fact, Speed the Light has helped us conquer the mountainous terrain of Jamaica and the crazy-busy streets of Mexico City. Thank you Indiana District youth, youth pastors, and DYD Steve Furr for helping us Speed the Light in our corner of the world!

*Disclaimer: no STL funds were used to purchase the family dog. Just the vehicle :)

Just a short time remains to get all our funds in to receive financial clearance to return to Mexico City. Your generosity today will get us to the top of the Itineration Pyramid!

http://s1.ag.org/mexicocityorbust

Spring 2015 Newsletter