Growing Deep, Reaching Wide

I wanted to take a moment and share a little of what God has been doing over the last month. As always, thank you for praying, encouraging, giving, and continuing to walk alongside us in the work the Lord has called us to here in Southeast Asia. Truly… we feel that partnership deeply.

Ozark Christian College Missions Team:

This week we’ve had the joy of hosting a team of 18 university students and 3 staff members from Ozark Christian College.

My prayer with teams like this is never simply that they would learn information about missions, but that they would begin to see more clearly what life in the Kingdom actually looks like. The Christian life isn’t about gaining knowledge, titles, or ministry platforms. It’s about faithfully walking with Christ and being willing to step into the brokenness and hurt of people’s lives with the hope of the gospel.

Over the course of the week, the students spent time building relationships with Cambodian Bible school students, serving alongside local believers by helping paint a church building that means a great deal to our family, and meeting missionaries and ministry leaders from four different nations. People from different backgrounds, different methods and different ministries, yet all laboring together toward the same goal: seeing the Great Commission carried forward among the nations.

It’s been a beautiful, stretching, and deeply encouraging week.

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Missionary Mentees, G and T Blue:

This past month we also officially announced our new missionary mentorship program and introduced the first couple we are walking alongside through it: G and T Blue.

Liz and I have genuinely love getting to know them. They remind us so much of ourselves at that age… But beyond that, what encourages us most is their sincere love for Christ, humility, and willingness to go wherever the Lord calls them for the sake of the gospel.

They are currently preparing to head to Southeast Asia as soon as their monthly support reaches the needed level.

If you live in the southwest Missouri four-state area, you’ll actually have an opportunity to meet them in person. They’ll be sharing about their ministry vision and burden for the Kingdom of God at Connect Christian Church in Carl Junction, Missouri on Thursday, May 21st at 7pm. If you have time, we’d encourage you to come hear their story and spend time with them.

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Student Ministry:

Lasty, one of the sweetest things this past month has been seeing the continued growth of the university student ministry, through our partnership. Relationships with the students are deepening, but even more encouraging is watching doors begin to open with their families as well. During a recent holiday, several of the dormitory leaders traveled to visit different students’ families in their home villages.

It was a simple trip in many ways… meals together, conversations, laughter, listening, learning about one another’s lives. But moments like these matter deeply in this culture. Trust is built slowly and relationally, and these visits help create space for the gospel to move more naturally through the students into their homes and communities. We’re praying these relationships continue to grow and that entire families would eventually come to know Christ.

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Thank you again for continuing to pray for us. Please continue praying for wisdom as there continues to be discipling of students, mentoring new missionaries, and seeking to faithfully invest in the next generation of Kingdom workers both here and abroad.

We’re grateful for you all. To God be the glory!

Eric, Liz, and family