January Newsletter '08

Greetings,

Can you believe we’re already a month through 2008! I’m just amazed when I think about that. January has been a great month for us. CMA is doing extremely well, I received the blessing of becoming an ordained pastor at our church, and the Flunker parents came down from snowy Wisconsin for the weekend.

Teaching in Freeport

Right now is a very exciting time in the life of our ministry. Pretty much for over a year there has been serious discussion around starting classes for the pastors and church leaders in Freeport, yet we always lacked the resources and timing. Well, I’m happy to say that classes have finally started, and we have a great turn out and participation from the students. This month’s class was Bible Study Methods and for many of the students it was the first time they received any Biblical training.

Our missionary co-worker and CMA teacher Dave Hawkins says this concerning the class: “Almost everyone who learns this method describes it as revolutionary to their Bible study habits, as well as to their ability to nourish themselves in God’s Word.” Thank you for your thoughts and prayers as we continue together in the building up of God’s Kingdom (Eph. 4:12).

Ordination and Preaching

What a privilege it has been to serve the congregation at First Baptist Frisco. Emily and I never imagined that we would be given such wonderful friends and relationships. Furthermore, I never anticipated becoming a Pastor when I moved to Dallas! This past month both Jeff Larson and I met with our ordination council to become officially ordained into full time ministry. The service was very meaningful and both Emily and I were very thankful to our friends who could be part of it with us.

To make everything even more special, my Mom and Dad flew down to spend that weekend with us. We had a great time together and the only thing that could have made it better would have been if Kari was here too (we talked on the cell phone)! Receiving ordination is an important time in the life of a minister, and I take the responsibility with great care.

You can hear the sermon I gave a FBC from the fbcfrisco.org website
You can read more and see pictures from the Flunker’s visit and ordination HERE

Update
We are quite aware of the fact that a baby is coming! Emily’s belly KEEPS MOVING! It’s very cool… a bit surreal, but cool! It is so much fun to see our friends with their little ones, that we’re getting more and more anxious to have our own.

Emily is beginning her “nesting” phase, and the house is regularly getting re-organized. School is getting intense, but working at the church is growing very rewarding – there is a clear difference between learning skills for ministry and actually doing it! We are all but finished preparing to send out our support packets; just a bit more paperwork and tweaks and copies and you’ll be hearing from us!

Thanks again for following our progress to the mission field.

Prayers and Praises
Praise for the abundant blessings we’ve received in church, in school, and in relationships.
Praise for another month closer to holding our “little one!”
Praise for the beginning of the new classes in Freeport and the continued ministry and training in Spanish Wells and James Cistern.
Praise for the resources we have both in Dallas and through our friends to help us and encourage us for ministry especially the Lynskeys, Brooks, the Foote family, Lance, and the rest of our small group.

Please pray for the ministry of CMA; specifically the goal of the ministry and our steps to achieve our calling.
Also, more and more I see the need and long for the coming of our Lord to restore this world from the hurt and curse of sin – pray with us as we long for the return of Christ.
Finally, thanks for your prayers. We are always encouraged to hear how you are interceding on our behalf, may the Lord bless all of our “home” churches.

Thank you for keeping up with us and our progress in ministry. We so value your prayers and support, and we would ask you to take a moment and pray for our journey and how you can play a part. To find out more CLICK HERE.