On Expedition +

WAY PAST 

I had the joy of attending a high school reunion this summer in Spokane. Our daughters Kristin, Stephanie, and Leslie attended with me. One of my classmates told them that her parents warned her about me back in high school because I was a “bad boy.”

I wasn’t a Christian in high school but I received Jesus five years later. One of my passions since then is to see as many of my classmates as possible come to know Christ. Many have. Kudos to my classmates Linda, Bill, Carol, and others who have kept our class together and helped bring Jesus into view over the years.

Here (left) is a photo of one of my classmates who came up to me at the recent gathering in Spokane to tell me how he, like me, had come to know Christ. What joy!

ALONG THE WAY

It has been a joy too to play a role in the lives of others over the years on campuses in the U.S. and in cities around the world. Brad Bailey is one.

I knew Brad as a high school student and after graduating from college he became our youth pastor at our church plant in Geneva (across the border in France).

Brad went on to serve as the pastor of the Westside Vineyard in Culver City. He just handed off the pastoral leadership after 35 years of effective and faithful service. We met regularly over those years, and I was asked to put together a video clip for the celebration to honor him.

Here is part of the note Brad sent me afterward:

“During Saturday’s event … it was a special blessing when you came on the screen. It captured a special place in my heart because of my appreciation for you … and the many years alongside.”

Another person who has brought me joy is Neil Cole.

Neil attended high school with our daughter Laina who shared the Gospel with him. She then brought Neil to our home where I added to what Laina had already communicated. Some weeks later Neil opened his life to Christ and has lived out a life of telling others of the Good News of Jesus.

Neil has been a part of a church planting movement and authored 15+ books. His most recent book, Journeys, is about the development of the apostle Paul’s missionary strategy (and more). Neil sent me a copy that I read this summer and highly recommend.

NOT SO LONG AGO

I had the joy of being part of Scott and Jacqui Curley joining our church planting ministry with Christian Associates (now Communitas) that Sharon and I helped start and led for 25 years before joining Global Training Network. Scott is now leading the church we started in Warsaw, Poland.

Scott and Jacqui sent me the following joy-producing notes:

“Wow! Nine ‘grandsons’! And look at that full head of hair on you! I’m insanely jealous! But how cool that you get to impact two generations down the line in your family. That’s a great legacy.”

“I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciated your emails to us as we were going through the loss of my mom—and her goodbye service. You have been such a gift to us, from when we started with Communitas 28 years ago. It’s been a beautiful ride so far, and we thank God for you. Scott and I were just talking about how you used to bring those milk tabs from the U.S. for our cat, Mitten. That was so special. 😀”

TAKING PLACE NOW … AND ABOUT TO TAKE PLACE

It also brings me great joy to see our Global Training Network Divine Expedition Training multiply in ten+ countries. Phil Graf just returned from a training in El Salvador and is about to begin the Divine Expedition in Mexico.

Our Divine Expedition team is about to return to Guatemala where Guatemalans will lead the first two phases of our training. Here is a photo from one of our past trainings:

JOY IN THE MULTIPLICATION OF BOTH MINISTRY AND FAMILY

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention how much joy I have in my family.

Two of Phil and Laina’s daughters, Chelsea and Sydney, gave birth within a month of each other.

I was also able to be with four daughters and our granddaughter, Monika, and her three children in Idaho (near Spokane). I could go on and on but will save it for the slide presentation of all my grandchildren I will show you later :-).

JOY NOW, JOY TO COME

How can I not say with Nehemiah, “… the joy of the LORD is my strength” (Neh. 8:18) , or with the Psalmist “For you make me glad by your deeds, O LORD; I sing for joy at the works of your hands” (Psa. 92:4).

Even though joy in this life comes and goes, we know there is an even greater joy ahead for us all: “For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you?” (1 Thess. 2:19).

I am full of joy when I think of you,

Linus