DECISIONS:
You likely have noted that since
finishing my PhD in ’07,
discernment over my next focus in
ministry has been a regular theme
in these letters. Three concrete
options with InterVarsity are now
clear. We would greatly
appreciate your prayers for
discernment.
THANK YOU for your prayers for the 4-day
study retreat for 40 IV staff that I
led in John 1-4 to prepare us for
our leadership roles at Urbana
2009. We had rich, in-depth study
and gained fresh vision for our
teaching roles. I can’t imagine
more enjoyable ministry than
leading such gifted teachers in
Scripture study!
 |
| IV Staff studying John 1-4 at our camp on Catalina Island in February |
PLEASE PRAY FOR
- God’s guidance as JJ and I are
visiting the seminary in
Belgium March 8-16 to better
assess that option.
- Quality preparation for the
large amount of teaching I
have coming up this Spring
and Summer.
- JJ’s success in finding more
work to help us make ends
meet.
We thank God with joy for the
many ways so many people
enable us to serve in this ministry.
These are sobering economic
times for all of us. Thankfully, to
date, our donations almost exactly
equal expenses. But there is no
margin, and usually following Dec
we have a cushion due to yearend
gifts. We will be praying and
watching closely this Spring. |
|
3 OPTIONS:
1. Belgium: Through
InterVarsity’s
international
partnerships with
sister ministries, I may
be loaned to the
Belgian movement,
Ichtus, to serve as a
New Testament
professor at a
seminary there that
operates in English and trains
church leaders from north, south,
east and west Europe. I would
also be a training resource for our
sister movements in Europe.
2. Extend my present role: There are growing possibilities to
develop my current work training
IV staff in CA into an on-going
and formal staff development
curriculum that receives seminary
credit.
3. Graduate student
and faculty ministry:
I was a pioneer in this
arena of our ministries
in the late 80s at
Berkeley. The work has
thrived and grown
since then. There is
now an opening for a
veteran staff person to
direct this strategic
work at UC Berkeley
that focuses on Christian academic
engagement.
The good news is that each of these
compelling ministries fits my gifts and
training. Each has its own great
opportunities and significant risks. We wish
God would clearly call us to one of these,
but so far He has us depending on our own
sanctified discernment. Your insights and
questions are most welcome!
|
FINANCES
JJ has completed her bookkeeping certification and is now working on her
Excel certification. She has been diligent and makes it look easy.
She was able to spend 5 days in NYC with a musician friend who lives on
the upper west side. She loved her first ever visit to that great city.
Stasia has just submitted her
application to the International
Baccalaureate program within
Berkeley High School. Other BHS
programs are also great, but her
dad wishes he could enroll with her
in the IB program!
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