November 25, 2024 -- Urgent Prayer Request & Update

Visa Update Just moments ago, I learned that Harbour City Church's application to renew their sponsorship permit (ability to sponsor foreign worker visas) was rejected. As my visa application is tied to HCC's sponsorship, my visa will also be rejected. The reasons for the sponsorship rejection are financial. When reviewing the financial records of the church, they see a lot of funds going out (donations to various ministries). Additionally, a visa sponsor is responsible for paying the salary of their sponsored workers, and for paying for their moving expenses out of the country if their visa expires or is rejected. We provided documentation that MTW pays the entirety of my salary, and also for my repatriation, should that be necessary. It appears that either the government looked no farther than the ledger sheet, or they are not satisfied with a foreign entity being financially responsible. However, HCC has sponsored missionaries in the past, and with a much more tenuous financial condition. The church is able to appeal the decision, which must be done within 28 days. We will be looking into the situation to determine whether we believe we have grounds to appeal. In the meantime, I have not yet heard anything about my visa application; there is no way of knowing whether it has been processed, or when I would be notified of the rejection. Once that happens (if we do not successfully appeal the sponsorship visa), I will have 28 days to leave the country. I appreciate your prayers for this situation. I am in Australia at the will of our heavenly Father. He brought me here, and he is able to keep me here if that is within his greater plan. I see many opportunities for ministry here, and desire to be a part of that. But I also know that God's plans are far greater than anything I could ever imagine. Pray that I will make the most of my opportunities, wherever they may be, and that I will be open to the will of God. Ministry Update City Sanctum has been meeting for over a year, post-Covid. Our November meeting brought participants eager to hear about how to cope with toxic work environments. It was discouraging to hear of so many difficult work lives; we live in a very fallen world. And yet we were able to encourage each other to be faithful in our Christian calling, working our best, loving our neighbors, and taking every opportunity we are given to share the love and grace of Jesus Christ. (Audio of past talks is available on the website, as well as on Podcasts and Spotify.) I had many opportunities to teach at our university ministry the last several months. I did a three-part series on the gospel and apologetics, as well as talks such as "When I Doubt," and "Looking Out for #1" (honoring God's name). If able, I am scheduled to speak at summer camp (January) on (1) calling and vocation, (2) the gospel and my testimony, and (3) apologetics. I'm thankful for the many diverse means in which God provides ministry opportunities such as leading a men's small group, participating in our cycling club, or spending time with a young man as we build a "Setters of Catan" board and a chess board. Please pray for the Holy Spirit's work in these young lives. USA Trip I was able to travel to the US in October, spending a week in Iowa with family to celebrate my mother's 90th birthday. 28 of us spent the weekend at Inspiration Hills, outside my hometown. Lots of memories were recalled and made. We are very grateful for God's grace upon our mom and family. From Iowa, I flew to Atlanta, rented a car, and drove to Charleston, SC to see my college roommate and his wife for a couple of days; then it was on to Jackson, MS for 12 days. It was good to catch up with friends and a couple of supporting churches, and to accomplish some much-needed work at my house. It was back to Atlanta, the first weekend of November, for MTW's Global Missions Conference. 1,700 people gathered to worship our merciful God, and to learn what he is doing around the world. MTW Australia had a booth in the exhibit hall, as well as several smaller breakout opportunities, to share about opportunities for ministry here -- everything from university interns to longterm missionaries. Please pray that God's call to "GO" and to "SEND" will be heard. Prayer Points Pray for wisdom in regards to my visa, and the church's sponsorship  permit. Pray that God will direct us well in whether to file an appeal, how to go about that, etc. And pray ultimately that I will be receptive to where God is leading me -- whether that is continued ministry in Sydney or elsewhere. Pray for Harbour City Church members to be spurred on to be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, and the ends of the earth. Pray for my mom, as she had a health scare on Sunday morning and is currently hospitalized for testing. Praise God for healing mercies for my back and knee (following a cycling accident in July). I'm at nearly 100% -- trying to regain lost leg strength.