RUF Partnership
As announced in my January newsletter, upon my return to Sydney I will be leading the effort to develop a new focus of ministry to international students at our four university ministry locations (click here to see that newsletter).
Toward that end, I am very pleased to announce that I have been approved for ministry partnership with Reformed University Fellowship (RUF), the university ministry of the Presbyterian Church in America. I remain primarily an MTW missionary, but will now have access to RUF resources, wisdom, experience, etc.
One significant opportunity is RUF Summer Training. This will be a week of meeting with campus pastors and lay leaders from around the US as well as other global locations. Although I have many years experience working with university students, I am eager to learn specific strategies and best practices as it relates to international student ministry.
Aussie Interns Vision Trip
Three young men in Sydney, recent university graduates, are now attending seminary to prepare for full-time ministry. Each of them is also interning at one of our four universities, teaching weekly at large group meetings, ministering to the students, and providing leadership for the chapters.
The interns will also be attending RUF Summer Training in Denver. Taking advantage of this opportunity, I will be guiding them on an additional week prior to training on a vision trip. Starting in New Mexico, we will worship at churches in Los Alamos (where I taught school many years ago), and Colorado Springs, CO. We will also meet up with RUF staff at a few universities in the two states, exposing the interns to ministries similar to what we have in Sydney, but gaining additional insight into how campus ministry is done in other places.
Visa & Support Update
Everyone wants to know when I will be able to return to Sydney, but nobody wants to know that more than I do!
Waiting is difficult, especially when there is so little one can do beyond praying. But praying is no a little thing! While I do not know the future timeline, I can rest assured that God does. He is working out perfectly the date of my return.
However, it does seem that there is progress. Harbour City Church seems to be in a better place in order to apply for sponsorship, and we hope that will be in the next few months. When they apply, I will simultaneously apply for a visa, which is dependent upon approval of their sponsorship application. Our immigration lawyer has advised that it typically takes about six months for a decision on the applications.
In the meantime, I continue to raise up financial ministry partners. In addition to three new supporting churches (since returning from Australia last year), several individuals have increased their giving.
My monthly budget is $10,046. This covers not just my salary and health insurance, but also ministry expenses on the field — so really both a personal and a work budget. I currently have pledges for 86% of this, leaving me $1,400 short of being fully funded.
If you are already partnering with me through financial giving, would you consider increasing your level of support? Inflation continues to erode the value of what was pledged just a few years ago.
If you are not currently contributing, would you prayerfully consider joining my ministry team? One-time contributions are helpful in meeting one-time budget items such as visa fees, moving expenses, etc. But monthly or annual pledges are what enable me to depart, having a stable base of financial partners.
To increase your giving or to start giving, click here.
Thank you so much for your consideration!
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