Jackson Missions Cohort

If you've been following my ministry updates, you know the focus of my ministry in Sydney will be mentoring young Asian-Australians toward gospel work both in Sydney and throughout Asia-Pacific. But of course my move to Australia has been delayed by the pandemic.

But God's timing and providence are always good, and he has been preparing me for that ministry during even during a global pandemic. Last Fall, I joined the Birmingham Missions Cohort (B-MC) committee, helping to plan and facilitate an equipping ministry for ten weeks (February-May). Participants met twice each week and learned about missions, met with missionaries, heard from many speakers, and participated in several local and regional excursions with internationals and refugees. B-MC has strengthened my sense of calling to Sydney, and increased my ministry toolbox for the work to which God is calling me there.

B-MC participants & committee members

As Australia's borders remain virtually sealed (see "Australia Status" below, as well as the news link at the bottom of the sidebar), I am planning to bring the missions cohort program to Jackson this Fall. On June 1, I am hosting an informational meeting for representatives from the Jackson metro PCA churches with the purpose of assembling a committee to develop and facilitate a Jackson Missions Cohort. As we are able to use and build upon the Birmingham program, most of our work is already done.

Please pray for the June 1 meeting. And pray for J-MC to be a success in equipping future missionaries, as this is one of the ultimate goals of the ministry.

Australia Status

Australia is one of the most geographically isolated nations on earth. When Covid first struck, they quickly closed their borders and enacted a strict social shutdown. Although some 900 Aussies have died from Covid, they've been able to essentially eliminate the virus within their borders. When a case does pop up, the region is quickly shutdown, keeping their Covid cases nearly nonexistent.

Australia currently has very limited access to Covid vaccines, and the rollout of what they have has been very slow; 30% of Aussies do not intend to get the vaccination, and many of the other 70% are in no hurry to do so because of the success their shutdown has had. But until the majority of Aussies have been vaccinated, their borders will not re-open.

My immigration lawyer is now saying he doesn't anticipate the borders opening until at least December; the government is talking about mid-2022, but businesses, universities, and others are pressuring them to open up more quickly.

This leaves me and many others like me in the lurch, with no end in sight. While that can be discouraging, I'm thankful that God has provided meaningful work for me in the States -- both work on my house renovation and ministry work (see article above).

I'm also extremely thankful for so many of my financial supporters who have continued to faithfully give. As a supported missionary, I'm always conscious of the fact my salary comes from friends who are trusting that I am being faithful in my calling, making good use of their contributions. Being "stranded" in the States has greatly intensified my fears in that regard.

I can tell you, regarding the contributions toward my ministry, that I am living well below my budget while in the States. This means that the unused funds are accumulating and thereby decreasing the amount of money I need to raise. In fact, although I have actual pledges for 88% of my budget, accumulated funds, once prorated over the course of a four year term in Australia, brings me to 99%. As I will likely go over 100%, those additional funds will decrease the amount of support I need to raise in the future.

So again, THANK YOU to all those of you who continue to give toward my ministry in Australia. Your faithfulness is a huge encouragement to me. And THANK YOU also to all those who lift me up in prayer; funds may get me physically to the field, but prayer sustains me and the ministry.

	Follow FB Group
	Forward to a Friend

Calendar

Tuesday, June 1

J-MC informational lunch meeting with potential committee members from Jackson area PCAs. (If you are local and would like to attend, please email me for more information.)

June 28-July2

PCA General Assembly in St. Louis, MO.

Fall 2021
Jackson Missions Cohort ministry (exact dates and duration to be determined).

Prayer Points

Praise God for a successful B-MC! Six young adults met two nights per week for ten weeks. We had a wonderful time on the last night hearing how God has worked through B-MC. Some of the participants are taking next steps in exploring missions as a possible career! All of them have been challenged to see the opportunities for involvement in missions among the internationals living among us in our own cities.

Pray for J-MC. Pray for the info meeting next week, for the formation of a committee, and for many eager participants whose love for the lost will grow and whose support of missions or sense of calling to missions will blossom.

Pray for Australia. Pray that the borders will open sooner than expected. Pray for the ministries that are struggling to meet the needs of people during hard times and with limited staff. Pray for the seeds of the gospel that are currently being sown.

Pray for me. Pray that God will continue to encourage me during this time of uncertainty. Pray that God will continue to provide meaningful ministry opportunities right here in Jackson, MS until such time as I'm able to depart for Australia.

Praise God for providing the funds for my ministry, both while here in the States as well as in Australia.

Praise God for the way in which he is using B-MC and J-MC to prepare me for ministry in Australia.

Ministry Overview