We were blessed already this year to welcome an amazing couple from Texas who were investigating future ministry investment possibilities, and then a team of 12 from Arkansas and Oklahoma on their ninth Costa Rica/Cabecar mission trip. What a great start!
When I checked my email today, my longtime friend and ministry partner, Ray Young from Matrix Ministries, was hitting me up for his next trip, as well as offering a nice gift for one of our precious Costa Rican churches. I like those kinds of emails!
Changes in 2017
Pastoral training events, church development projects, and mission teams will continue to form the core of what we do at The Brook Ministries. But in conjunction with my doctoral studies at Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS), in 2017 we will begin to explore how we can “write the book” on pastoral training (or some aspect of it) for Costa Rica, and invest more intellectual capital in strengthening churches.
What will this look like? There won’t be much noticeable change, however, we will have to carefully manage the calendar and let go of some “non-essential” projects in order to invest that time in building a new future. Our commitment is to the churches of Costa Rica and we will evaluate every opportunity against its ability to positively impact the church. DTS will actually let me build my entire doctoral program around the mission of The Brook. Two birds, one stone.
To that end I ask for your prayers. We feel as if we are entering the third chapter of our ministry, and are experiencing some spiritual battles as a result. We are trusting God to see us through those battles and to accomplish His will in us even in the light of our weaknesses and failures. His grace, you may have heard, is sufficient. And that is what we are counting on.
“I need to be a better man.”
One of the pastors from Arkansas asked me in an unguarded moment: “What do you need to do your ministry?” I was reminded of a time when I asked the same question to a Cabecar pastor (through a translator, English to Spanish to Cabecar, back to Spanish and back to English). I was expecting him to tell me he needed building materials, bibles, lanterns, or similar items. His answer:
“I need to be a better man.”
Without a doubt you all make us better. We are continually humbled by your prayers and your donations to the ministry.