It was almost two years ago that I accepted the assignment of developing LAM’s North American Alliance department in order to work with, assist and develop resources for missionary sending and supporting churches, but that was immediately sidetracked when I had to take over and re-structure our International Alliances Department. I am 100% certain that this was by God’s design and it gave me a spectacular overview and introduction to all of our international ministries, equipping me to advise North American Church’s on how to intelligently work with Latin partners. As recently as two months ago the banner of International Alliance Director was definitively handed to a co-laborer, finally liberating me to peruse what I’ve been chomping at the bit to work on. The only question was where to begin...
Well the conference I attended last week was a huge encouragement in this direction. The "Interchange" Conference put on by Catalyst Services focused on coaching in the context of partnership development, training mentors of future missionaries and conflict resolution between missionaries, churches and missions agencies. If it's a surprise to you that there's conflict involved in CHRISTIAN missions, so sorry! Actually, this conference touched most of the areas I have been, and am currently working in spanning our international alliances, the missionaries that work there and the churches that send these missionaries out. I also had the spectacular opportunity to learn from others that facing similar challenges as LAM, and those who are a few years ahead of us in developing their own North American focus and can help me avoid many of the pitfalls they have had to learn from.
All in all, it was a VERY encouraging time for where I believe the Lord is leading LAM, and our role in assisting North American churches and Christian ministries assess, or re-think how their particular vision and calling at home, relates to the commandment of "GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL NATIONS...".
Please be praying for me as I work to create a master plan for this department even as I continue to work with many of the churches that have partnered with us over the years. I have already been blessed in being able to take part in re-connecting churches with Latin ministries they had lost contact with, mediate various issues between missionaries and their sending churches and assist numerous churches as they work through a re-structuring of their missions program. I feel like a kid in a candy store (or myself at Outdoor World) in what I believe the coming year may hold, but I also see an OVERWHELMING amount of work, and for this I need your prayers as well. Please pray for wisdom, endurance, discernment and the Lord's provision of an assistant (a supported missionary would help keep costs down) who could help me keep up on all that needs to be done.
Thank you for your prayer and financial support as we enter into this new year. Check out or new web page, and please consider making an end of the year gift via:
- Online giving page: Abegg Online Donations
- Printable Mail in: Abegg Printable Donation slip
God bless and Merry Christmas!
Valley Forge at Sunset on my way back to Philadelphia.
