It’s official, I’m terrible at spontaneity. When I suspended my regular weekly posts on this blog in August, I said I’d continue to post whenever I had time and inspiration. I believe I’ve posted once between then and now. While I can’t guarantee a steady weekly schedule now, I can at least promise some semblance of regularity. The reason for that being I now have something immediate to write about. I’m happy to announce (to those of you who haven’t heard already) that I will be spending August through December in Atlanta, Georgia with a missionary training organization called Global Frontier Missions.
In the coming months, I plan to write multiple posts covering the ins and outs of GFM, what I’ll be doing there, and the topic of missions at large. Today is more of an announcement so I won’t go in-depth into any of those topics here, but you can expect more articles to follow answering any questions you have. Of course, you’re always welcome to email me if you have any specific questions (contact info below).
With graduation a matter of weeks away, I’m stepping (more like stumbling) into a new stage of life. As I’m sure most of you know, I’ve felt called to serve as a missionary since I was eight and have spent the years between then and now delving into any and every topic potentially useful in the vague and broad field of what we call “missions”. But that’s a story for another day.
Now, for the less fun discussion. Like the majority of the missions-oriented field, I find myself in need of support. In an effort to reduce the dread that comes along with the idea of asking other people for help and provide a valuable personal connection for you as potential supporters, I’ve decided to take a different, more personal approach this time around.
My budget for my five-month semester at GFM is $6,515. Of course, one-time donations are very gratefully received and are a great help. However, I’d love to make this more valuable for you and give you a personal look into my mission’s life, wherever it takes me. I’m asking for regular partners in my ministry who can both pray and support me on a monthly basis during my stay in Atlanta. Even a few dollars can help. In return, I would love to meet with you (whether over lunch or the phone, as the time and circumstance warrants) and just talk about this opportunity.
I know there are many out there asking for support in many important ministries and opportunities, but I would love to pour into you as you pour into me. I will create a private email list specifically for my supporters to come together as a community where I can share even more personal experiences from my time with GFM (as well as during the preparation process) that wouldn’t be quite as suited to a broad public platform like this blog.
It is with this vision in mind that I’ve written today. I want you to know any gifts given aren’t going to waste and aren’t met with mere obligatory thanks. We are the church. I don’t want this to be some independent experience for myself alone, but an adventure benefitting a network of like-minded partners as well.
As with anything, pray. Pray for my ears to hear God’s direction and my feet to follow. Pray for my ministry to be effective and my relationships impactful. Pray that my mind and heart are expanded with the knowledge of new experiences and well-learned lessons. Pray that God moves powerfully. Pray also before you give. I consider myself trustworthy in this endeavor and I’m more than happy to discuss any concerns over budget or purpose anyone may have, but if God didn’t allot that donation to me it shouldn’t be mine.
Lastly, please contact me if you’d like to talk more about this ministry or have any questions. I’m excited for this new challenge.
“Oh, the fullness, pleasure, sheer excitement of knowing God on earth!” – Jim Elliot
CONTACT INFO:
- Email: missionary1026@gmail.com
- Phone: 317-494-2057
P.S. – You can learn more about GFM for yourself at https://globalfrontiermissions.org/
P.P.S. – It appears all of my posts later than February 3, 2019, have magically erased themselves, so apologies to those of you who have searched in vain for an old post you swore was around here somewhere.
[…] through December twenty-second (For more information on what I’m doing in the fall refer to my last post). I haven’t exactly figured out every aspect of my time there – and I’m excited […]