This weekend, AFMM Historical Tour

Getting very excited about this weekend, will be taking folks through Western & Eastern Massachusetts on a historical tour. Can't wait!

For more information, go to www.allnationsassociation.org

Final Thoughts on South Africa 2011

I have been meaning to put a few thoughts on my trip to the Southern Hemisphere. Here is my attempt to summarize my experience in South Africa.

First, I want to say that it was a wonderful experience and I hope to return in a year or so, Lord willing. In my years of ministry experience, it was indeed a highlight and I hope in the future my ministry will have more opportunities like this in South Africa.

Assisting and helping ministers in underdeveloped countries and developing countries is a real interest to me. The church is growing quickly in Asia, Africa and South America. The ministers in these regions need help, and using my experience to equip them better seems like a good use of my education.

24 ministers from South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia & Congo. A wide variety of ages, and experience, all willing to learn. The testimonies and breakthroughs were inspiring. It was so rewarding to hear many of them making some significant strides in their understanding of the gospel and their ministry. I am hoping they are going home with a new sense of purpose and tools to help them in their ministries.

What was evident during the 2 weeks, was the work of the Holy Spirit. I know I was not that inspiring to listen to, or my 2 colleagues. But I really sensed God was at work, and it was an honor to be apart of it.

There is more I can say, but I will end it here. I am grateful for the opportunity, I am thankful for Life Church Foundation and their effort to put this together, and I have a new found respect and appreciation of the good people in South Africa.

I had a meal, he ate at a banquet

God often speaks to us in the in between moments in life. When we are just living life and going through the motions. That happen to me Tuesday Night.

Tues Night we took the 24 GLI participants, and took them to a local restaurant that has a special on Tuesdays. It is a nice place, offers a 3 course meal, drink included about $6. 35 people were fed for about $200 USD. Good deal, nice place, the food was fine.

As we were driving the some of the pastors from Namibia back to their dorms, I asked them how they liked the meal. An older gentleman, with a heart full of thanksgiving and great emotion said to me “ Pastor, I will never never never forget this night. It was so wonderful, I will write about it, I will always remember this night. I feel so blessed.”

After we dropped them off, I asked John, my friend who was with me, what he thought of the Namibia minister's comment. And John surmised, and I think he is right, this was probably the first time he ever sat down and ate a modern South African restaurant These ministers come from in Namibia, the bush, they don't have place like this to eat.

For me, it was a simple meal at a nice restaurant, something I have done countless times. I take it for granted. It filled my stomach and I was satsified. But for my Namibia brother, it was a banquet. He sat at a table with 20 other ministers and church workers and enjoyed a feast. He also filled his stomach, but instead of just being satisfied, he was grateful and thankful. He was filled with joy, and felt blessed.

It is a moment I don't want to forget, God teaches us sometimes important lessons in these moments. I felt humbled, and somewhat spoiled for taking for granted a meal that was provided for me. May it lead me to be more thankful and grateful for God's provisions in my life.

GLI South Africa 2011 - Day One

Today, the Global Leadership Institute begins in South Africa. A very exciting day.

This is in partnership with Life Christian Foundation. 24 pastors mostly from South Africa and Namibia.

In the picture is Dr. John Thompson, speaking for the first time to the participants. Please pray for this training and ministry. There is a lot of need in Africa for solid biblical training.

Traveling to the Southern Hemisphere

In a few days, I will be departing for the Southern Hemisphere with 2 other men from the States. Our purpose and mission is to help training African minsters from neighboring countries. This is very much a passion and interest of mine, helping to train and provide resources to ministers in underdeveloped and developing countries. This will indeed by time well spent.

The organization we are working with is Life Christian Foundation (LCF). Looking forward to meeting them and working with them for the purposes of the gospel.

I will be trying to keep folks update via twitter, facebook and the blog. Look for future updates!

Dr. Ralph D. Winter

When I was in College, I took a course on Global Missions. My prof, not an expert in the field by any means used a course from the U.S. Center for Global Missions. It was written by it's leader, Dr. Ralph D. Winter, and it was very formative in my Christian Walk.

After graduating, I studied for several weeks in Pasadena, CA at the HQ for the U.S. Center for Global Missions. I was there to prepare for teaching English in China. Ralph Winter was of course there and I had a chance to meet him. It was a honor for me, and I was thankful to meet the person who influenced me in my thoughts on Global Ministry.

Ralph Winter went to go home with the Lord on Wednesday. I think we lost a very valuable resource when it comes to global missions. A very influential man, I am sad to hear of his passing.

Romania Missions Trip => Spring 2009

The Presbytery of Northern New England is sponsoring a mission's trip to Romania to work with a an agency that helps care for orphans. Romania has a very high percentage of orphans.

There is a video about the trip that is quite good, and shows who we will be partnering with. I will warn you, it may make you cry.

Click on the link to download the video.

If you are interested, contact me and I will give you further information about the trip.

OMF Conference in Peabody, MA

We have had some busy weekends, and will continue I am sure.

This past weekend the family attended an Overseas Missionary Fellowship (OMF) conference in Peabody, MA.

If you are not familiar with OMF, it is the descendant of Hudson Taylor's Missionary Group, China Inland Mission. They are based out of Singapore and are focused solely on Asia.

It was great to spend time with these folks, and hear from people who have a passion to spread the gospel. The highlight was watching a DVD called "Breakthrough" I bought a couple copies to share, it is very moving.