Lots of news!

Wednesday March 24, 2004

“How would you like to marry me?” “I’d love to.”

Those words were spoken as Grace and I walked along the Grand River in Kitchener near her parents’ home earlier this month. We’re engaged, and planning to be married on July 10th of this year! It’s exciting to see where God has taken each of us over the last few years to bring us to this point. He’s been preparing each of us for each other, and all that He has for us.

As you know, I had the opportunity to spend a month in Athens recently, working with refugees in a refugee drop-in center started by International Teams (IT). It was a great time to learn more about refugees, and some of the things that I can do to help. It was also an exciting way to serve the people there, build relationships, and have an impact on the lives of others.

Many of you are aware that my role with IT is in transition as well. Several years ago, I felt called by God out of employment in the computer industry into ministry with IT. I sensed God saying “start walking in that direction. I’ll tell you what you need to know as you go along.” So I did. I pursued the ministry He directed me to, and began walking down that road. After a year, it became clear that the particular program I was involved with wasn’t going as IT had hoped (although the ministry of IT as a whole is still thriving). The decision was made to shut that program down. However my call has remained the same – “keep walking down this road, and I’ll tell you what you need to know as you go along”. I’m excited about what He has next.

So, what will I be doing? There are a couple of areas I’ll be involved in here at IT – mobilization and refugee ministry. While details still need to be finalized and we’re seeking input from church leaders, what’s next is firming up.

One of IT Canada’s mandates is to assist the church in Canada in raising up people to mission. I’ll be able to contribute to this effort in a number of ways – traveling with several short-term teams that go out each year, building relationships with team members and encouraging them in wherever God might be calling them. If you’d like to be a part of one of the teams, let me know! I’ll also be able to participate in various projects related to mobilization – developing communication resources (videos, web sites, print, etc.), and developing various computer systems that will assist us in being more effective in our efforts. It’s exciting to have opportunities to make use of skills God has developed in me over the years.

I will also be involved in refugee ministry locally. IT Canada has been developing a new ministry to new immigrants in the Kitchener-Waterloo area this past year. There are opportunities for Grace and I to participate in this, connecting with new families and/or individuals to the area. IT is also in the process of setting up a refugee discipleship/housing project in the area that we may be able to work with in the coming years.

Thanks so much for your continued interest and prayer. It is so valued and needed! Please keep praying:

• Praise God for our engagement. Pray that Grace and I would be prepared for what God has for us
  


• Praise God for the opportunities He has for us. Pray for wisdom & guidance as we continue to make decisions about my role
  


• Please pray for spiritual protection as well. When people are doing what God would have them do, the evil one tends to do what ever he can to confound it

Thanks so much for standing with us. May God richly bless you!

For His glory,
Steve