Global Partners
What a blessing it was to hear from our Global Partner this past Sunday.(For security reasons we cannot include his name here). He has a way of communicating the heart of God that challenges and inspires. Their family has been enjoying a furlough from their assignment in Central Asia after serving there for six years. Hopefully you have had the opportunity to give them a word of encouragement while they are with us. If not, it’s not too late as they won’t be heading back to Central Asia until just after the first of the year.
It was also a real joy to Skype with Dan and Eva Anderson, our Global Partners in Madrid, Spain, along with the short-term ministry team that served alongside them at the Friendship House. Wayne Williams, Tom Luther, Ken and Judy Pinkerton, Phil Muir and Sheila Michaelson said “yes” when they heard of the opportunity to travel to Spain and both serve and encourage our Global Partners. Ken and Judy remained in Madrid to continue serving while Wayne, Sheila and Phil traveled to the Middle East to work with our Global Partners there. I am intentionally not mentioning their names or specific location for security purposes but suffice it to say a great work is taking place and I look forward to hearing from the team when they return early next week. After Madrid, Tom Luther traveled to Ireland to visit some missionary friends he has known for years.
There will be future opportunities to take short-term ministry trips to work alongside and to encourage our Global Partners. I had one couple come up after the gathering last Sunday and ask about going to the field as a family at some point in the future and I would love to see that happen. Prayerfully considering joining a future short-term team. I would also encourage you to be intentionally reaching out right here in Portland to your family, neighbors, friends and co-workers. Many around us are in desperate need of a Savior and we may be the only Jesus they will ever experience.
It is a blessing to serve with a community that makes ‘becoming more like Jesus’ a priority. It may feel like it at times, but we are not captives or victims of a culture that appears to be sliding further and further from Biblical principles. May we be encouraged and emboldened in our resolve to be more like Jesus in our spheres of influence.