Life is quite a journey! For me - the journey from a small farm town in KANSAS to the heart of BOSTON to do church planting and pastoring a diverse urban congregation. And I have not done it alone! Rita and I met at Evangel College in 1981, married in 1982, and departed MISSOURI for Boston in 1984. Three New England children later, now grown - Janae, Brady, and Cherise...and three Chinese international students...and now expecting our first grandchild in April; the times they are a changing'!
In 2001, I founded the Intercultural Ministries program at Boston's Emmanuel Gospel Center. Over the past two decades it has been my honor to come alongside hundreds of Christian leaders from around the world - immigrants, refugees, asylum-seekers, and internationals. We have learned from one another, wept together, rejoiced together, cooperated and collaborated in a myriad of ways. All with the aim of expressing and expanding the beautiful Kingdom of God, on earth as it is in heaven. And that work continues to this day.
As a Christian non-profit we have always relied on support from those who believe in us, and believe in our work. In some cases we have provided consulting services for which we have been paid, but the primary way we have been sustained over all these years are from individuals and churches who support us with regular and occasional financial support. Each year, we trust God to put the puzzle pieces of our support together to make ends meet. And this year is certainly no different.
We are asking both old and new donors to help us continue our work, to be one of the puzzle pieces that God uses to sustain us in this challenging year of 2020. Due to COVID, we have understandably lost some support that we hope to make up in this year-end campaign. We are seeking to raise $7,500 to help us begin 2021 strong.
We know that many of you are also struggling to make ends meet and so we take helpful guidance on giving from the Apostle Paul:
"And in this matter I give my advice.
For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.
Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need."
-2 Corinthians 8:10,12-14
If you cannot give financially, we always covet your prayers and friendship!
