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Hi Friends and Prayer Warriors,
Given that I graduated from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (an SBC institution), and we're members of a Southern Baptist Church, a question I'm often asked is "Why are you ministering through Denton Bible Church/Serve and not the IMB or another ministry?"
That question has multiple answers, depending on the perspective. First, from a theological perspective, I affirm both the doctrinal statement of DBC and the Baptist Faith and Message 2000. Though their emphases are slightly different, they agree on the foundational doctrines of our faith.
Second, from a calling perspective, I believe that my calling is to train pastors and church leaders. Each of the various missions agencies has a slightly different emphasis that is helping to move the gospel forward globally. When I was on staff with Campus Crusade for Christ in Russia, our emphasis was on evangelizing and reaching college students who would then be plugged into local churches. It's a wonderful ministry and my time there was life changing. But long term, it doesn't suit my calling. When I was in seminary, I interviewed with the International Mission Board. At the time, they were not taking new appointees for 2-3 year foreign commitments because of funding shortfalls. We weren't ready as a newly married couple to commit to 4+ years, having never lived overseas together. Also, the IMB emphasis is on frontier church planting, which is awesome work that needs to be done. Again, I just wasn't sure it was a good fit. Denton Bible Church's emphasis in world missions is leadership training. As of the last missions conference, DBC missionaries were responsible for present training of over 8,000 pastors and church leaders worldwide. There's no question that evangelism is a huge part of advancing the church. However, training leaders to shepherd new converts is also vitally important, and DBC is helping to fulfill that responsibility around the world. For me, it seemed clear this was the agency the Lord was calling us to join.
Third, from a cost perspective, DBC presently allows 100% of the funds we raise to support this ministry to flow directly through to this ministry. Meaning, they don't charge any administrative expense. Other agencies typically keep 10-15% of the funds raised to support their admin staff, etc. Even most NAMB missionaries today raise their own financial support, but we'll get to that in a future post.
Finally, from a relational perspective, there's just something incredible about being a part of a team where you know everybody. I've got the big boss's cell phone number in my phone, and if I ever get in a real mess, I can make a phone call for help. When things are challenging, which is often, our small organization does a fabulous job of taking care of us spiritually and emotionally, which is vital to our life in the mission field.
Next week we'll explain the DBC/Serve and Mountain Vision relationship.
Things you can pray for this week.
This Thursday is our first Thursday food distribution. Please pray the Lord would send those he would have us to help.
On Friday, we'll be making a mad dash for eastern NC. We're going to a wedding on Saturday, and then Sunday planning to visit a couple of our partner churches. On Monday and Tuesday, Daniel will be touching base with a couple of pastors of partner churches before coming back to TN on Wednesday. Meredith and Lily will be in NC through Sunday, May 13. Please pray for safety as we travel and for encouraging visits.
One final note. A couple of months ago we asked you to pray that the Lord would help us make the best decision for our family about our housing situation. After much prayer and counsel, we've decided that the most cost effective thing for us to do is to build a house here in East Tennessee. Daniel's dad, Papa Joe, is going to move here this summer and build it for us. We're excited about our home being a place of ministry, and look forward to hosting many of you in our home in the years to come.
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| Sweet Lily, standing on her drum dancing to fiddle music first thing in the morning. She wakes up full of life! |
Hi Friends and Prayer Warriors,
Given that I graduated from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (an SBC institution), and we're members of a Southern Baptist Church, a question I'm often asked is "Why are you ministering through Denton Bible Church/Serve and not the IMB or another ministry?"
That question has multiple answers, depending on the perspective. First, from a theological perspective, I affirm both the doctrinal statement of DBC and the Baptist Faith and Message 2000. Though their emphases are slightly different, they agree on the foundational doctrines of our faith.
Second, from a calling perspective, I believe that my calling is to train pastors and church leaders. Each of the various missions agencies has a slightly different emphasis that is helping to move the gospel forward globally. When I was on staff with Campus Crusade for Christ in Russia, our emphasis was on evangelizing and reaching college students who would then be plugged into local churches. It's a wonderful ministry and my time there was life changing. But long term, it doesn't suit my calling. When I was in seminary, I interviewed with the International Mission Board. At the time, they were not taking new appointees for 2-3 year foreign commitments because of funding shortfalls. We weren't ready as a newly married couple to commit to 4+ years, having never lived overseas together. Also, the IMB emphasis is on frontier church planting, which is awesome work that needs to be done. Again, I just wasn't sure it was a good fit. Denton Bible Church's emphasis in world missions is leadership training. As of the last missions conference, DBC missionaries were responsible for present training of over 8,000 pastors and church leaders worldwide. There's no question that evangelism is a huge part of advancing the church. However, training leaders to shepherd new converts is also vitally important, and DBC is helping to fulfill that responsibility around the world. For me, it seemed clear this was the agency the Lord was calling us to join.
Third, from a cost perspective, DBC presently allows 100% of the funds we raise to support this ministry to flow directly through to this ministry. Meaning, they don't charge any administrative expense. Other agencies typically keep 10-15% of the funds raised to support their admin staff, etc. Even most NAMB missionaries today raise their own financial support, but we'll get to that in a future post.
Finally, from a relational perspective, there's just something incredible about being a part of a team where you know everybody. I've got the big boss's cell phone number in my phone, and if I ever get in a real mess, I can make a phone call for help. When things are challenging, which is often, our small organization does a fabulous job of taking care of us spiritually and emotionally, which is vital to our life in the mission field.
Next week we'll explain the DBC/Serve and Mountain Vision relationship.
Things you can pray for this week.
This Thursday is our first Thursday food distribution. Please pray the Lord would send those he would have us to help.
On Friday, we'll be making a mad dash for eastern NC. We're going to a wedding on Saturday, and then Sunday planning to visit a couple of our partner churches. On Monday and Tuesday, Daniel will be touching base with a couple of pastors of partner churches before coming back to TN on Wednesday. Meredith and Lily will be in NC through Sunday, May 13. Please pray for safety as we travel and for encouraging visits.
One final note. A couple of months ago we asked you to pray that the Lord would help us make the best decision for our family about our housing situation. After much prayer and counsel, we've decided that the most cost effective thing for us to do is to build a house here in East Tennessee. Daniel's dad, Papa Joe, is going to move here this summer and build it for us. We're excited about our home being a place of ministry, and look forward to hosting many of you in our home in the years to come.
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| Our dear friends Zach and Casey Kiker came to visit this week! |
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| All the little ones did great playing together. |
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| Lily with Aunt Casey and Noah |
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| Late Wednesday afternoon we took the kids for a hike up to Sills Branch Falls. |
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| Noah hiked all the way up! |
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| Lydia and Lily rode up in style. |
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| Look mom! A bug! |
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| These centipedes were all over the trail. |
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| The falls are beautiful. |
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| Zach, Casey, Noah, and Lydia! |
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| Shraders! |
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| Lily wanted to get in the water! |
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| The hike down was steep! |
I really appreciated the explanations as I learn how to keep praying for your ministry there. The family photos on the hike are great too!
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