Normally, when I see “A Personal Update” from a blogger or someone I follow online, I imagine big news like a new job or big move. This personal update shares neither but will give you a window into my world and to how God is at work.
Personal
- This past fall into the Christmas season was possibly the busiest I’ve ever been. It was a little stressful but filled with gospel opportunities at church and in our community.
- I’m also super proud of my wife and her devotion to the Lord. She is such a great encouragement. (She may get embarrassed if I share specifics.) I am a blessed man!
- We are also gearing up to move one suburb over. As I write this, my office is crowded with boxes and bins and books stacked everywhere (books are the only normal thing). Somehow we will organize all the chaos and settle in at our new home. I’m guessing I will enjoy meditating on Genesis 1 and God’s organizing His perfect creation as we move in.
Blogging
Due to busyness mentioned above and the desire to work on bigger projects (that I haven’t had time for!) my blogging brain has been in a fog. I’ve also been a little burnt out when it comes to social media and blogging. The constant self-promotion required and desire to produce something useful can wear me down and keep me from balance. I’m going to take some time away for reflection, rest, and growth.
I’ve also done a bit with my Spanish blog, including offering a free eBook to subscribers. I won’t post there as much as this blog, but it will be my Spanish online home and hopefully bless Christ’s people and expand our ministry training pastors in Latin America.
Ministry at Leadership Resources
When I started at LRI in 2013, we had 42 training groups in an estimated 20 countries. Latest 2017 numbers said we had 238 training groups total. The dramatic increase is due to the indigenous leaders who have been raised up to spread the training with us. We are beyond excited and challenged as everything seems to be always changing! Pray for us to be wise as we work toward movements of God’s Word around the world that are indigenous-led and self-sustaining.
One of our challenges is protecting the identities of our partners in security-conscious countries in an age when Google and Facebook literally make all of the world’s information instantly searchable. When one partner from Central Asia visited us, he told us that he was physically shaking after he Googled his name and saw information that could get him arrested.
Pray for us to be shrewd as serpents as we seek to protect gospel workers overseas.
The next couple of months I will work hard at raising personal support for my role at Leadership Resources. Would you pray for me? The Lord always provides, but raising support is challenging (and sometimes discouraging) work.
And would you prayerfully consider supporting me monthly (as an individual or a church) as the Lord allows?
I am currently at least $300 per month below my goal.
You can partner and sign up for my ministry newsletter. (Contact me if you would like to chat about our ministry.)
Watch a Costa Rican pastor share how our training has impacted him and his church:
“The pulpit now is no longer a burden, but a blessing.”
