The Importance of Partnership

 

St. Finbarr's Oratory in Gougane Barra National Forest Park in County Cork.

For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building 1 Co 3:9 (NIV)   Over the years, in various newsletters, I have said how I cannot do this ministry without you. It is a true statement.  Partnership is something I have been thinking about for quite some time. As I have reflected on the past sixteen years of being a missionary, I am awestruck how the Lord has knitted together so many partners to join me in this work. Laboring together as brothers and sisters in Christ is how the Lord meant for ministry to be done. It is such a joy and privilege to serve Him with you. For you who have prayed, given financially or traveled the globe with me, my spirit has been encouraged and strengthened by your partnership. All glory to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!   So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 1 Co 3:7 (NIV)

We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. Pr 16:9 (NLT) The new year is underway and so is our planning. Please pray for the Lord’s direction as we make, prepare and finalize plans for 2023.   IRELAND Pray - We are leading a team in July to the beautiful county of Donegal. There are two new e3 staff members on this team who we are training. This Plano-based church has begun a new partnership with our national partner in Donegal and one of their desires is to start a Celebrate Recovery program. CR is a wonderful ministry and one we believe would be very impactful for Ireland. Please pray for open doors and direction for this. Pray - For wisdom as we are in the beginning stages of a possible partnership with I Am Second to reach Ireland. Pray - For wisdom and open doors for another partnership that is in the works. This would be with some Romanian churches in Ireland and our e3 leaders who oversee the Romania strategy, as well as our Romanian national leaders, are helping us get connected.  Pray - For all the details in planning a leadership training in late autumn for our Irish partners.   GO SHORT at CYPRESS BIBLE CHURCH   We have exciting things going on in the Go Short ministry of our church, which I co-lead with e3 staffer, Stacie. Pray - For our team going to South Africa in March. We have eighteen people going to do evangelism and various training workshops for pastors, preschool teachers, and those who work with special needs children. A couple teenagers have joined the team and they will have the opportunity to go into a high school and share with the students. God is really moving and doing wonderful things in Motherwell; I’m looking forward to returning to South Africa! Pray - For wisdom as we plan a vision trip to Japan to co-labor with long-term missionaries. Also, pray for William who is coming on staff with e3 to possibly lead this strategy. 2023 began with a dense fog over Houston, Texas. “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Je 29:11   If you have been to my home, or if you have seen some of my pictures on social media, you know that we have an amazing view from our 11th floor condo. Usually, we can see for miles to the horizon! On New Year’s morning, there was dense fog in Houston and our vast view was limited to about 40 yards as you can see in the above picture. It just reminded me how we have no idea, ever, what is before us. But of course, God does and that is such a comforting thought. What a great reminder to have on the first day of a new year. As an added bonus, this is what our view looks like on a fogless day. We absolutely love the sunsets!