Conference Report
How then shall I live?
This past week has been filled with the devastating news and loss of life here in south Texas due to some terrible flooding. In our life, it follows on the heels of recent ministry trips to Ukraine, where pastoral couples face the trials of a prolonged war, and Albania, where pastoral families face persecution for their faith in a mostly Muslim culture. All of this makes me ask, “How then shall I live?”
The very real uncertainties of life for so many make me value and treasure every day that the Lord gives us. It causes me to want to live each day to the fullest, love others as Jesus does, proclaim the Good News, be generous with words of encouragement, and pursue God’s purposes for me in His Kingdom Mission with greater zeal and passion. None of us know the day or hour of our home going, but we have been given the gift of life this day. I want to give Jesus my best for each and every day that I am given!
“And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”
Matthew 22:37
Albania
June 28 – July 6
In many ways, these same thoughts permeated the theme of the training conference in Albania, Treasuring Christ Above All. We studied God’s Word and challenged one another to a higher calling. Our local partners, Pastor Marsel and Denila Lela, did a great job inviting a diverse group of mostly first-generation pastoral couples serving in more remote areas around the country
One couple, Olger and Suzanna, are from a small town and came to our previous conference in Albania where they realized that they were completely burned out. They felt isolated from others in the body of Christ and the conference impacted them deeply. They returned home healed and with new tools and hope. During this training, they arrived healthier and were able to pour into and encourage others as they built new friendships.
For other couples, this was the first time they had ever attended a training conference together as a couple away from their children and ministry responsibilities. It meant they could give their full attention to each other and what the Lord was teaching them. They expressed their great appreciation for how much love and support they felt throughout the week!
Ways you can pray!
- Please continue to pray for God’s protection for our brothers and sisters serving throughout Ukraine as the bombings have increased lately. May they stand strong in their witness for Christ!
- Thank the Lord with us for His presence and encouragement through His Word to the faithful Albanian pastoral couples who attended our training.
- Pray for God’s protection of their marriages and fruitfulness in their ministries. Ministry in Muslim cultures often requires gentle boldness and patience, but God is at work drawing others to Christ.
- Pray for our Argentina (August) and Republic of Georgia (September) teams that are in the final stages of their preparations. May the Lord watch over and lead all of the couples that He is drawing to attend these conferences!
Thank you for your thoughtful prayers and gracious support!
Striving to treasure Christ above all each day,
