Matthew 9:36-38 “When he (Jesus) saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
Jesus Himself has such compassion on the lost people all around the world, in neighborhoods, in school rooms, in college classrooms, in the athletic fields, and everywhere they are. He wants us to pray for new laborers to reach these lost ones so they can join His family!
Steve and I feel so privileged to be part of sending these new laborers who are answers to our prayers to the places God has called them.
I (Rochelle) had the joy of being part of the New Staff Follow Up Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, April 26 -30th. About 60 new staff members gathered to be encouraged in the Lord. These (mostly) young people said “Yes” to the Lord Jesus Christ during their training in January, 2014. They have been trusting God to lead them to the partners who will finance their missions. I was there as one of the coaches. I met individually with 6 new staff units (couples or singles), to help them improve their communication of the vision and calling they share with prospective financial partners. I also encouraged them and listened to their challenges, joys, and frustrations of the last 3 months. I was so excited to get to know them and hear all the Lord has done in their lives and to hear their passion to win others to Christ! Let me introduce you to a couple of those I coached.
Alex and Taryn Bell are new staff with a great heart for the students of Australia! Only 2% of young Australian adults are in church regularly or have faith in God. Most of them are actually very apathetic about God. But the Bells know that God loves these young people. They want to help them see and experience the grace of Jesus. Australians have a strong economy, a passport that can go anywhere, and they love to travel. The Bells have a vision that God will help them change these lost Australian students into new laborers who have potential to help reach the world for Christ!
Another new staff that I met with is Courtneigh Bumgardner. Courtneigh first came to know the Lord as a freshman at her university through the ministry of Cru. She has a passion to help other students like herself who came to campus without any kind of church background. She will work on campuses in central Kentucky.
As we talked, she shared how she was struggling to keep her time with the Lord in the midst of the pressure of finding her ministry partners. It was a blessing to come alongside her and give suggestions and help her think of ways to manage her time. As we talked she realized that she connected best with the Lord outside and so she decided to take time for prayer and praise walks. I pray that God is encouraging her in this way as a result of our time together.
Steve and I know that Satan will do anything to keep these new workers out of ministry. We are so privileged to help them, pray for them, coach and train them. We pray that the Bells and Courtneigh and all the other new staff will see God provide all their finances, grow them spiritually, and enable them to be fruitful laborers in the Kingdom for years to come. Thank YOU for being part of God’s Kingdom-building plan through your prayers and financial support of our sending ministry! We praise God for you!!