Navigating the River together

We loved connecting with Pastor Michael Dubbels and the great people of River of Life Church in Lebanon, Indiana, yesterday.

Stuart shared his testimony and I preached on the compassion and hope of Christ that motivates us to reach out and the Spirit of Pentecost that empowers us to make disciples.

Thank you, River of Life and Pastor Michael for your heartfelt feedback, the great conversation at lunch, and your partnership in sharing the gospel in Mexico City.

Also, big thanks to Follower musician Dean Rebhorn for their award winning New Again CD. Great listening material for the drive home! 

If you would like to partner with us to proclaim release to the captives of drug addiction and to set at liberty those who are oppressed by the sex trade, please consider a one-time gift or recurring monthly commitment. 

Let's make a difference together!

It's a shame

In John 8, there's a face-off between the religious men and Jesus. Read my newest post on Tortilla Press and consider the damage of using shaming tactics like the religious men in the story verses the redemptive process modeled by Jesus.

Season of Giving

Speed the Light (STL) is the student-initiated, volunteer, charitable program that provides essential transportation and creative communication equipment to missionaries across the nation and in over 180 countries around the world. Stuart and I have benefited from a STL vehicle both in Jamaica and Mexico City through the generosity of the Indiana District Youth.

View from our STL vehicle in Mexico City

Now, Influence Music is offering a wonderful opportunity to give to Speed the Light and incorporate some great worship music into your life.

From October 19th through December 31st, Influence Music would like to partner with you during a special Season of Giving where all proceeds from the sales of these three albums will go to equip missionaries with the transportation and communications equipment they need ...  [to share] the light of the Gospel ... 

Influence Music is all about shaping culture by inspiring us to worship not only with our hearts, but also with our actions. So join with Influence Music and take a stand for spiritual freedom. 

Buy an album for yourself, or as a gift, and help bring hope, life, and light into the darkness.

Collaborating with cross-cultural servants, Connecting with the community of faith, and Running to Paris

Holistic Mission means integrating faith and practice. We must recognize the importance of the people to whom we minister being a part of the process of their own redemption and finding solutions to their problems. Bill Prevette, PhD research tutor at the Oxford Centre for Mission Studies

We began our week at Fort Wayne First Assembly addressing the issue of how to do short-term missions trips that affirm the dignity and self-worth of people as well as how to collaborate with the missionary to empower the local church to build community in the foreign context (because missions is less about what we do to somebody and more about how we work and minister together).

Wednesday, prior to sharing our hearts at Indianapolis Dayspring Church we shared dinner and lively conversation with Pastor Brian and Melissa Nicholson. The more Stuart and Brian talked, the more they began to realize they could have been separated at birth as their stories and testimonies were so similar :) 

Thursday, we enjoyed the privilege of listening to a very articulate and poised young woman we have had the honor of knowing most of her life. Lyndsie Williams is "Running to Paris" to be a part of The Bridge International Church, a place where university students and young professions meet to pray and learn about how to apply God's Word to their lives. Contact Lyndsie at lyndsie@thebridgeparis.com and invite her to share at your next gathering.

Yesterday, we joined Pastor Rod Murray and the community of faith at Wellspring Church in Henderson, KY for a truly moving service. If you live in the area and are seeking a faith-based community, head over to Wellspring Church on US 41 behind the Audubon Chrysler dealership and conveniently located next to the Bingo hall :) 

You'll be glad you did.

A 3-hour drive and a change of time zones did not prevent us from getting to Current Church with Gene and Paula Feasel last evening in Franklin, IN. We've known Gene and Paula since the time we all served as youth pastors in northeast Indiana (many moons ago). We enjoyed rocking out with them during service and sharing a more subdued meal afterward :) 

If you would like to partner with us to proclaim release to the captives of drug addiction and to set at liberty those who are oppressed by the sex trade, please consider a one-time gift or recurring monthly commitment. 

Let's make a difference together!

Compassion and Missions: a match made in heaven

 When compassion is integral to our mission, people see a disarming glimpse of a loving, present, seeking God. Dr Beth Grant

Last week, I had the privilege of attending this year's AGWM Compassion Forum in Springfield, MO. My heart is bursting and my mind is still processing all the pertinent information shared and relevant topics discussed. 

AGWM's Compassion Link hosts a variety resources like online journals, webcasts, and weblinks to give a theological basis for the integration of compassion ministries in our mission and best practice principles. Check it out!

Of course, I also enjoyed the added bonus of seeing my kids and eating a great dinner at That Lebanese Place :)

As the director of this Fellowship's overseas efforts, I want the world to know that the reason we do these [acts of compassion] is because Jesus Christ did them. The reason we love people is because Jesus Christ loved them. We have no other motive than that. 

J. Philip Hogan, former Executive Director of AGWM

Sunday morning, I and a host of other missionaries celebrated missions at Fort Wayne First Assembly. Then Stuart and I attended a small group last evening to share about Motivation, Ministry, and God's Challenge to Mission. Tonight we will be a part of a Missions Team Dinner for anyone interested in learning more about ... well you know ... missions teams.

While I attended Fort Wayne First Assembly yesterday morning, Stuart traveled to New Life Assembly of God  in South Bend to minister with Pastor Ron and Kristy Gorsuch. 

Thank you, New Life, for your support!

• Please, prayerfully consider partnering with us to proclaim release to the captives of drug addiction and human trafficking, and to set at liberty those who are oppressed by the sex trade. You can give a one-time gift or recurring monthly commitment. 
• Let's make a difference together!