My time with Pastor Barnes was well spent. He asked good questions and we had probing conversations. One of his greatest concerns seemed to be how the rest of the family felt about missions, and how well we would adjust to a new culture and language. Family harmony and adjustment to the culture and language are to keys to a missionary family having a successful first term on the field. They are also two areas that can shipwreck a missionary career. We talked at length about the direction of the work in the check and the plans for the future, and we learned more about each other.
Now we are going to both take a little time to pray and little it stew in a us a little. I'll also need to check in with the Missions Mobilization staff to determine if there is anything precluding us from moving forward.
So, it is all progressing slowly and methodically. I keep wishing that I would have an Epiphany or extreme burden for Czech Republic. I have a burden for those who are without Jesus Christ. The ABWE work in the Czech Republic fits my ideals and values for where to minister and the style of team.
Right now I don't have any emotional thing happening. It could be because I finally got home at about midnight last night and was up at 6am this morning without any transition time. I feel awake, but also slightly devoid of emotion.
I imagine that's why it's best to sit on it for a few days. Talk it over with Marge and the kids, and above all, pray.
Adam
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Newark "Fact Finding" Trip Day I - AM
I can't believe I'm not napping. It's nearly 9am and I've been up since 3am.
I'm on this new diet (no gluten, dairy, or vinegar), it makes for boring food, but I feel great. Alert and I can focus better. So, while I was up at 3 am, I'm still awake and alert. It's a blessing.
I got myself packed and organized yesterday. I'm very methodical about how I travel. I've streamlined as much as I can. I have a rather small suitcase. It is actually small enough for the overhead bin of most planes. The down side is that if I throw in exercise clothes and clothing in which to sleep, then I've taken up most of the suitcase already. This won't be as much of a problem during warm weather, but during cold I always pack a couple of layers. This still works well for an overnight trip as I only bring one pair of pants, one sweater (wearing them - I guess that's a good thing) and two other turtle necks (and other things obviously).
My laptop case is crammed, I always bring a number of magazines or documents that I haven't gotten to and figure hours sitting on a plane or in an airport is a perfect time to read and then toss them. I also always bring at least one fiction book, and one non-fiction. Then I have to have my Bible, notebook and journal. Until the library has a full supply of downloadable books that I can read on my handheld, then I can't slim down much there.
For my birthday, Marge bought me a new King James translation Bible. I picked a super-slimline so that it more easily fits in my laptop bag. I also bought a three ring binder that is about the same width. Now I can take notes as I read and think, and then can organize the notes for later use. So often if I journal my thoughts on Bible passages they just get buried in a stack of journals. This way I can take the notebook with me and also have a notebook with organized notes. I'm looking forward to being able to revisit the notes, not have to start over, and benefit of previous thoughts and idea.
When the alarm went up at 3am, I was up in an instant and we were on the road by 3:45am.
We drove up Interstate 131 toward Grand Rapids in mostly clear conditions. It's amazing how often Michigan doesn't plow their roads. Once we crossed into Allegan county visibility dropped down to about 50 feet and the roads became fairly treacherous. We had the road to ourselves for most of the way, so I just drove straight up the center. As we got toward Grand Rapids, the sky cleared up completely.
It's always pleasant to travel with Marge. Once at the airport we sat at Starbucks for a coffee, and I got in the security check-in line. I'm flying Delta this weekend as it was the best price. It's been good so far. I've tried to stick with Northwestern because I like their Detroit hub, but with booking travel only a week prior, the prices were fairly steep all around. Delta was the only carrier that got me in the price range for which I was hoping.
I flew out of Gerald R. Ford in Grand Rapids at 6:30am and now on three hour layover in Cincinnati. I'll read and work and walk around. When I was growing up, my dad was a United Airlines pilot. We took a major trip at least once a year, and I got used to long layovers, so this is no big deal.
Had a blessed time of prayer and study 0n the plane although I never made it past verse one of chapter one in I Corinthians. I know that I should be missing getting to go to church, but I'm digging the adventure of this trip and the time to sit quietly, think, study, meditate. I'm not sure how I'll be traveling with other people, I'm so used to traveling alone, and not talking for long hours. I do miss Marge and the children. I don't enjoy being away from them. I know I'll adjust to travelling together.
I appreciate the generosity and support that have already been shown to my family. The kindness and generosity of God's people has already paid for this trip from what I understand. It is humbling to be so supported and cared for.
Thank you all, and thanks be to God for privileging my family and me in this way. What an honor it is to serve the Lord.
Adam
I'm on this new diet (no gluten, dairy, or vinegar), it makes for boring food, but I feel great. Alert and I can focus better. So, while I was up at 3 am, I'm still awake and alert. It's a blessing.
I got myself packed and organized yesterday. I'm very methodical about how I travel. I've streamlined as much as I can. I have a rather small suitcase. It is actually small enough for the overhead bin of most planes. The down side is that if I throw in exercise clothes and clothing in which to sleep, then I've taken up most of the suitcase already. This won't be as much of a problem during warm weather, but during cold I always pack a couple of layers. This still works well for an overnight trip as I only bring one pair of pants, one sweater (wearing them - I guess that's a good thing) and two other turtle necks (and other things obviously).
My laptop case is crammed, I always bring a number of magazines or documents that I haven't gotten to and figure hours sitting on a plane or in an airport is a perfect time to read and then toss them. I also always bring at least one fiction book, and one non-fiction. Then I have to have my Bible, notebook and journal. Until the library has a full supply of downloadable books that I can read on my handheld, then I can't slim down much there.
For my birthday, Marge bought me a new King James translation Bible. I picked a super-slimline so that it more easily fits in my laptop bag. I also bought a three ring binder that is about the same width. Now I can take notes as I read and think, and then can organize the notes for later use. So often if I journal my thoughts on Bible passages they just get buried in a stack of journals. This way I can take the notebook with me and also have a notebook with organized notes. I'm looking forward to being able to revisit the notes, not have to start over, and benefit of previous thoughts and idea.
When the alarm went up at 3am, I was up in an instant and we were on the road by 3:45am.
We drove up Interstate 131 toward Grand Rapids in mostly clear conditions. It's amazing how often Michigan doesn't plow their roads. Once we crossed into Allegan county visibility dropped down to about 50 feet and the roads became fairly treacherous. We had the road to ourselves for most of the way, so I just drove straight up the center. As we got toward Grand Rapids, the sky cleared up completely.
It's always pleasant to travel with Marge. Once at the airport we sat at Starbucks for a coffee, and I got in the security check-in line. I'm flying Delta this weekend as it was the best price. It's been good so far. I've tried to stick with Northwestern because I like their Detroit hub, but with booking travel only a week prior, the prices were fairly steep all around. Delta was the only carrier that got me in the price range for which I was hoping.
I flew out of Gerald R. Ford in Grand Rapids at 6:30am and now on three hour layover in Cincinnati. I'll read and work and walk around. When I was growing up, my dad was a United Airlines pilot. We took a major trip at least once a year, and I got used to long layovers, so this is no big deal.
Had a blessed time of prayer and study 0n the plane although I never made it past verse one of chapter one in I Corinthians. I know that I should be missing getting to go to church, but I'm digging the adventure of this trip and the time to sit quietly, think, study, meditate. I'm not sure how I'll be traveling with other people, I'm so used to traveling alone, and not talking for long hours. I do miss Marge and the children. I don't enjoy being away from them. I know I'll adjust to travelling together.
I appreciate the generosity and support that have already been shown to my family. The kindness and generosity of God's people has already paid for this trip from what I understand. It is humbling to be so supported and cared for.
Thank you all, and thanks be to God for privileging my family and me in this way. What an honor it is to serve the Lord.
Adam
Monday, February 12, 2007
Progress Update
I have been corresponding via e-mail with Pastor Ron Barnes for the past couple of weeks. Ron Barnes is an ABWE missionary involved with church planting and training in the Czech Republic. Several years ago the president of the Baptist Union in the Czech Republic invited ABWE to assist them in the work of church planting, Bible training, and leadership training in the Southern Bohemia region.
The Czech Republic is one of the more stable post-communist countries in Eastern Europe. However, 60% of adults identify themselves as atheists. It is the least evangelized country in Eastern Europe. In Southern Bohemia there is only one Baptist church which is in the city of Ceske Budejovice. There are few other Bible believing churches in the region. Pastor Barnes is currently supporting the work of the Baptist church in Ceske Budejovice, and two other church plants that will be starting up within the year. He is also coordinating work on starting a Bible Seminary in a nearby city.
I sent Pastor Barnes some information about me, our family, and our call to missions, and we corresponded a number of times via e-mail. The work in Southern Bohemia is of great interest to us, so I made arrangements for Pastor Barnes to call me via Internet phone on Saturday morning. I was on one phone and Marge and the children were on the speaker phone. We spent about two hours getting to know one another, and working to get a broader sense of the work and culture in the Southern Bohemia region of the Czech Republic. It turns out that he will be in the states for about one week, and will have the afternoon free on Sunday 18-Feb.
After Marge and I spoke with him on the phone, we really felt like working with the team in the Czech Republic could be an excellent fit for us. Typically the next step is to take a survey trip to meet the team there, spend time with the church members and leaders, and experience the culture. However, since Pastor Barnes is going to be in the states, I decided the best next step would be to fly out to Newark where he will be and spend the afternoon with him. We’ll share a hotel room together and then go our separate ways. Choosing a field of service and joining a missionary team is something like a marriage.
If my meeting with Pastor Barnes goes well, and we all think we should take the next step, then we will schedule a survey trip. This is all very new for me, and asking for help is not something I am accustomed to do. That said, I have already received several offers to help with travel expenses, and that help will be needed. These trips are completely outside our budget, so we are trusting God to provide, and believe He will.
Donations Accepted
Bethel Baptist Church has set up a special account for anyone who would like to donate toward our missionary expenses. This account is only temporary in that when we are officially appointed as ABWE missionaries, then we will have an account set up with them. We will be appointed as ABWE missionaries upon successful completion of Candidate Seminar.
In the meantime we will have several times when we will need to travel. I’m already starting to set up dates to go share my testimony and sing at some churches where I have family or I have been to before. I’m not officially raising support, but this gives me an opportunity to make contact, encourage people, and share with them how God has been working in our lives. We will need help with the expenses of traveling to churches, the trip this weekend, the survey trip, and travel to Candidate Seminar.
As always, please don’t feel any pressure to give money. Your prayers and friendship are most important. However, if you would like to give some money, please send it to:
ATTN: Donation for Parmenter Missions
Bethel Baptist Church
402 South Westnedge
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
Keep in touch.
We would love to hear how you are doing. The best way to get in touch with us is via this e-mail link. If you would like to send us an old fashioned paper letter, I promise one of us (or several of us) will write back to you. You can write to us at Parmenter Family 1512 Bank Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49001.
Finally, let me know how we can pray for you. We want to support you with our prayers even as you are so kindly praying for us.
In Christ,
Adam Parmenter
On behalf of Marge and the kids
The Czech Republic is one of the more stable post-communist countries in Eastern Europe. However, 60% of adults identify themselves as atheists. It is the least evangelized country in Eastern Europe. In Southern Bohemia there is only one Baptist church which is in the city of Ceske Budejovice. There are few other Bible believing churches in the region. Pastor Barnes is currently supporting the work of the Baptist church in Ceske Budejovice, and two other church plants that will be starting up within the year. He is also coordinating work on starting a Bible Seminary in a nearby city.
I sent Pastor Barnes some information about me, our family, and our call to missions, and we corresponded a number of times via e-mail. The work in Southern Bohemia is of great interest to us, so I made arrangements for Pastor Barnes to call me via Internet phone on Saturday morning. I was on one phone and Marge and the children were on the speaker phone. We spent about two hours getting to know one another, and working to get a broader sense of the work and culture in the Southern Bohemia region of the Czech Republic. It turns out that he will be in the states for about one week, and will have the afternoon free on Sunday 18-Feb.
After Marge and I spoke with him on the phone, we really felt like working with the team in the Czech Republic could be an excellent fit for us. Typically the next step is to take a survey trip to meet the team there, spend time with the church members and leaders, and experience the culture. However, since Pastor Barnes is going to be in the states, I decided the best next step would be to fly out to Newark where he will be and spend the afternoon with him. We’ll share a hotel room together and then go our separate ways. Choosing a field of service and joining a missionary team is something like a marriage.
If my meeting with Pastor Barnes goes well, and we all think we should take the next step, then we will schedule a survey trip. This is all very new for me, and asking for help is not something I am accustomed to do. That said, I have already received several offers to help with travel expenses, and that help will be needed. These trips are completely outside our budget, so we are trusting God to provide, and believe He will.
Donations Accepted
Bethel Baptist Church has set up a special account for anyone who would like to donate toward our missionary expenses. This account is only temporary in that when we are officially appointed as ABWE missionaries, then we will have an account set up with them. We will be appointed as ABWE missionaries upon successful completion of Candidate Seminar.
In the meantime we will have several times when we will need to travel. I’m already starting to set up dates to go share my testimony and sing at some churches where I have family or I have been to before. I’m not officially raising support, but this gives me an opportunity to make contact, encourage people, and share with them how God has been working in our lives. We will need help with the expenses of traveling to churches, the trip this weekend, the survey trip, and travel to Candidate Seminar.
As always, please don’t feel any pressure to give money. Your prayers and friendship are most important. However, if you would like to give some money, please send it to:
ATTN: Donation for Parmenter Missions
Bethel Baptist Church
402 South Westnedge
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
Keep in touch.
We would love to hear how you are doing. The best way to get in touch with us is via this e-mail link. If you would like to send us an old fashioned paper letter, I promise one of us (or several of us) will write back to you. You can write to us at Parmenter Family 1512 Bank Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49001.
Finally, let me know how we can pray for you. We want to support you with our prayers even as you are so kindly praying for us.
In Christ,
Adam Parmenter
On behalf of Marge and the kids
Friday, February 9, 2007
Czech Republic
I've been corresponding with the missionary who is the country coordinator for the Czech Republic. He is getting a new work going there in the Southern Bohemia (a region of the Czech republic). There is only one Baptist church in Southern Bohemia.
ABWE reports that in a survey 60% of adults identified themselves as atheists. ABWE was invited in to work in Southern Bohemia to train national believers as maturing believers, leaders, and church planters.
I've been reading a little about Bohemia and learning what I can. Marge and I are very interested, and are scheduled to have a phone conversation with Pastor Ron Barnes who is the team leader/country coordinator in the Czech Republic.
Pray that if this is the best place for us to serve the Lord that God will clearly draw our family to the work there.
Adam
ABWE reports that in a survey 60% of adults identified themselves as atheists. ABWE was invited in to work in Southern Bohemia to train national believers as maturing believers, leaders, and church planters.
I've been reading a little about Bohemia and learning what I can. Marge and I are very interested, and are scheduled to have a phone conversation with Pastor Ron Barnes who is the team leader/country coordinator in the Czech Republic.
Pray that if this is the best place for us to serve the Lord that God will clearly draw our family to the work there.
Adam
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Boy Is It Cold!
It's been wind chill of up to 20 below the last several days here in balmy Kalamazoo, Michigan. Marge and I are finishing up an assignment called "Grey Areas". It's a tape series about dealing with life style issues to which scripture does not make a definitive statement.
Obviously, this will be an issue requiring maturity on our part as we join with a team of missionaries who are from various background in a culture that is foreign to our own.
After that we will be studying up for our doctrinal oral exam. We also are supposed to review a book that is designed for study with new Christian. They would like us to go through it with a new Christian. We are going to go through it as a family first, and then think through who else we could study it with.
The other preparation work is financial. We are looking at our debt, which is small by most standards. If we sold our house today, we would likely pay it all off. We aren't waiting or that, so last night we sat down and planned out our savings and checking cash flow, tax returns, and some reimbursements that we'll be getting and what we'll be able to put toward debt.
We've cut out things like home internet access, and video rentals. We are also checking with each other before we spend any money not on the list. That's no fun. However, the cool thing is that we are planning on building up a small cash reserve. We haven't had that so that unexpected expenses always turn into credit card debt.
We'll shortly be developing a missions wish list, because there are certain items that we'll never be able to afford. We're discovering that there are people that want to help out. Things like a projector and lap top for Presentations at churches. The lap top will also help with studies, etc. It feels funny asking for gifts. I want to earn everything on my own, but I know that part of the way others participate in our missions journey is by giving. So, I'm learning how to receive.
By, the way, I'm setting up a missions newsletter. If you would like to receive it, please click this link, send me an e-mail, and request being added to the e-mail newsletter.
Adam
Obviously, this will be an issue requiring maturity on our part as we join with a team of missionaries who are from various background in a culture that is foreign to our own.
After that we will be studying up for our doctrinal oral exam. We also are supposed to review a book that is designed for study with new Christian. They would like us to go through it with a new Christian. We are going to go through it as a family first, and then think through who else we could study it with.
The other preparation work is financial. We are looking at our debt, which is small by most standards. If we sold our house today, we would likely pay it all off. We aren't waiting or that, so last night we sat down and planned out our savings and checking cash flow, tax returns, and some reimbursements that we'll be getting and what we'll be able to put toward debt.
We've cut out things like home internet access, and video rentals. We are also checking with each other before we spend any money not on the list. That's no fun. However, the cool thing is that we are planning on building up a small cash reserve. We haven't had that so that unexpected expenses always turn into credit card debt.
We'll shortly be developing a missions wish list, because there are certain items that we'll never be able to afford. We're discovering that there are people that want to help out. Things like a projector and lap top for Presentations at churches. The lap top will also help with studies, etc. It feels funny asking for gifts. I want to earn everything on my own, but I know that part of the way others participate in our missions journey is by giving. So, I'm learning how to receive.
By, the way, I'm setting up a missions newsletter. If you would like to receive it, please click this link, send me an e-mail, and request being added to the e-mail newsletter.
Adam
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Frog in My Throat
All week co-workers have been leaving work or staying home because they have contracted the "crud". When I was a boy, my mom used to call it a bug. I've been changing my diet and excercising more in order to build up strength and endurance, but I guesse no one can escape the bug forever (that puts an odd picture in my mind).
Today is also the first time since Sojourn went on hiatus that I have been scheduled to sing anywhere outside my home church. This morning I'm singing at Newberg Norton Bible Church. Just one song and my testimony. Marge and I aren't raising missions support yet, but I wanted to start getting used to going out to churches by myself. There are churches where Sojourn or I am known that I want to go to just to say, hi and share my passion for missions.
Anyway, I'm glad that the acompaniment CD has three keys (high, medium, and low). This crud has busted me down to the medium key.
Adam
Today is also the first time since Sojourn went on hiatus that I have been scheduled to sing anywhere outside my home church. This morning I'm singing at Newberg Norton Bible Church. Just one song and my testimony. Marge and I aren't raising missions support yet, but I wanted to start getting used to going out to churches by myself. There are churches where Sojourn or I am known that I want to go to just to say, hi and share my passion for missions.
Anyway, I'm glad that the acompaniment CD has three keys (high, medium, and low). This crud has busted me down to the medium key.
Adam
Saturday, January 20, 2007
The Journey So Far
WHY CAN’T WE ALL JUST BE MISSIONARIES?
On April 1st 2006 we had traveled to Shipshewana, Indiana where I sang at a Gideon’s banquet. Hearing about all the exciting work that the Gideon’s were doing reignited my desire to work in a full time ministry capacity. I didn’t see myself as senior pastor or youth leader, and without the seminary degree what could I really do anyway (or so I thought). We were driving home that night, and talking about these things when Maryellen said, “Why can’t we all just be missionaries?”
That was where it really started. For a month Marge, the kids, and I talked and prayed about it, and wondered if there was some kind of “How To” manual on getting from “Why can’t we all just be missionaries?” to stepping off the plane in some far country.
My brother Kerry suggested that we attend the Missionary Assessment Seminar hosted by the Baptist General Conference (BGC). The point of the conference was to assess potential missionaries for suitability for the field. We started working on the application in May, and it was as extensive as if we had been applying for full time missionary service with BGC.
We also started to look at ABWE (Association of Baptists for World Evangelism). We had a dinner meeting with their missions “Mobilizer” and were impressed with his nurturing and Spirit lead approach to missions. That said, we wanted to continue with the BGC process and return to consideration of ABWE afterwards.
In the midst of all this, I (Adam) resigned from my role as lead singer in the Christian contemporary band Sojourn (www.sojournband.com). I helped found Sojourn and we were together for nearly 15 years. It was a difficult but friendly parting as we made our final performance in August 2006. Also, we began to communicate regularly with the Bethel missions committee in order to keep them posted on our progress and receive any guidance they might have.
Marge and I attended the four day BGC conference in October. It involved several class and case study sessions as well as Psychological and missions assessment/testing. At the completion of the conference we were given positive feedback. Also, for several months we pursued the possibility of going with the BGC’s mission organization, but that opportunity fell through, and we returned to pursuing ABWE as our mission agency. We had opportunity to enjoy meals with several ABWE missionaries and found them energetic, progressive, and passionately devoted to spreading the Good News about Jesus Christ.
GREETINGS FROM THE WORLD
To date, we have nearly completed the application process with ABWE. Once you get past a certain point in the application process, ABWE sends your application out to regional and country mission coordinators. They look at your “profile” and (I’m assuming) if they think you might be a potential candidate for their field some send you an e-mail greeting. We have received greetings from ABWE missionaries in the Czech Republic, Israel, Slovakia, Romania, Poland, and the Latin America Coordinator. We have not made a decision on a field of service yet, and hadn’t really though of Eastern Europe, but we believe it deserves further research and correspondence.
The exciting thing is that I’ve discovered there is a need for a guy that has business background and experience doing lay ministry. In other words, the church planters could certainly use a helper. That is what I want to be. I get really excited just thinking about it.
GETTING TO CANDIDATE SEMINAR
The final step before Candidate Seminar is the Doctrinal Oral Exam. We need to meet with one of the ABWE representatives to do that. Usually you connect up with them when they are somewhere near where you live. We are hoping to coordinate a time this spring.
Candidate Seminar is the final step to being accepted as an ABWE missionary. It is a 9 day event in which we would be presenting ourselves to leadership at the ABWE home office, attending classes, and meeting with representatives of the various countries and regions in which ABWE serves. At the successful completion of it we will be recognized as ABWE missionaries. We also believe that we will receive valuable counsel from representatives of the regions in which ABWE is at work. We are planning to attend the Candidate Seminar on July 7th through 15.
Please pray that we will be able to discern God’s direction as we consider the various options of countries where we could serve. Also, pray that we will exercise Godly wisdom to make sound financial decisions, and the faith to trust in His timing.
Our hearts (my whole family) are set on missions. It’s been exciting to watch the children take their faith more seriously, and as a family we are spending more time reading the Bible together, and praying. We’ve also learned about how God is at work in countries all over the world, and that there are needs in countries we had never considered. It’s been a wonderful time of growth. There has also been some testing, and struggles. All-in-all, I feel enriched through the process.
On April 1st 2006 we had traveled to Shipshewana, Indiana where I sang at a Gideon’s banquet. Hearing about all the exciting work that the Gideon’s were doing reignited my desire to work in a full time ministry capacity. I didn’t see myself as senior pastor or youth leader, and without the seminary degree what could I really do anyway (or so I thought). We were driving home that night, and talking about these things when Maryellen said, “Why can’t we all just be missionaries?”
That was where it really started. For a month Marge, the kids, and I talked and prayed about it, and wondered if there was some kind of “How To” manual on getting from “Why can’t we all just be missionaries?” to stepping off the plane in some far country.
My brother Kerry suggested that we attend the Missionary Assessment Seminar hosted by the Baptist General Conference (BGC). The point of the conference was to assess potential missionaries for suitability for the field. We started working on the application in May, and it was as extensive as if we had been applying for full time missionary service with BGC.
We also started to look at ABWE (Association of Baptists for World Evangelism). We had a dinner meeting with their missions “Mobilizer” and were impressed with his nurturing and Spirit lead approach to missions. That said, we wanted to continue with the BGC process and return to consideration of ABWE afterwards.
In the midst of all this, I (Adam) resigned from my role as lead singer in the Christian contemporary band Sojourn (www.sojournband.com). I helped found Sojourn and we were together for nearly 15 years. It was a difficult but friendly parting as we made our final performance in August 2006. Also, we began to communicate regularly with the Bethel missions committee in order to keep them posted on our progress and receive any guidance they might have.
Marge and I attended the four day BGC conference in October. It involved several class and case study sessions as well as Psychological and missions assessment/testing. At the completion of the conference we were given positive feedback. Also, for several months we pursued the possibility of going with the BGC’s mission organization, but that opportunity fell through, and we returned to pursuing ABWE as our mission agency. We had opportunity to enjoy meals with several ABWE missionaries and found them energetic, progressive, and passionately devoted to spreading the Good News about Jesus Christ.
GREETINGS FROM THE WORLD
To date, we have nearly completed the application process with ABWE. Once you get past a certain point in the application process, ABWE sends your application out to regional and country mission coordinators. They look at your “profile” and (I’m assuming) if they think you might be a potential candidate for their field some send you an e-mail greeting. We have received greetings from ABWE missionaries in the Czech Republic, Israel, Slovakia, Romania, Poland, and the Latin America Coordinator. We have not made a decision on a field of service yet, and hadn’t really though of Eastern Europe, but we believe it deserves further research and correspondence.
The exciting thing is that I’ve discovered there is a need for a guy that has business background and experience doing lay ministry. In other words, the church planters could certainly use a helper. That is what I want to be. I get really excited just thinking about it.
GETTING TO CANDIDATE SEMINAR
The final step before Candidate Seminar is the Doctrinal Oral Exam. We need to meet with one of the ABWE representatives to do that. Usually you connect up with them when they are somewhere near where you live. We are hoping to coordinate a time this spring.
Candidate Seminar is the final step to being accepted as an ABWE missionary. It is a 9 day event in which we would be presenting ourselves to leadership at the ABWE home office, attending classes, and meeting with representatives of the various countries and regions in which ABWE serves. At the successful completion of it we will be recognized as ABWE missionaries. We also believe that we will receive valuable counsel from representatives of the regions in which ABWE is at work. We are planning to attend the Candidate Seminar on July 7th through 15.
Please pray that we will be able to discern God’s direction as we consider the various options of countries where we could serve. Also, pray that we will exercise Godly wisdom to make sound financial decisions, and the faith to trust in His timing.
Our hearts (my whole family) are set on missions. It’s been exciting to watch the children take their faith more seriously, and as a family we are spending more time reading the Bible together, and praying. We’ve also learned about how God is at work in countries all over the world, and that there are needs in countries we had never considered. It’s been a wonderful time of growth. There has also been some testing, and struggles. All-in-all, I feel enriched through the process.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)