Focus

When we pay attention to the Spirit’s leading, we often find ourselves doing unexpected things, things that were not originally in our plans or our minds. This is a common occurrence here at EMM — among our staff as we dream of new ways to participate in God’s kingdom work, and in the lives of our workers as they respond to the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of those around them.

What do you do when everything stops? EMM’s Christian-Muslim Relations Team was familiar with a steady flow of invitations to teach, equip, and train.

In January 2018, EMM worker Vojta Prkna attended a four-day retreat in the Czech Republic — where he is from and lives — called the Battle for the Heart. It was a kick-off retreat to a longer program that he would go through with a small team of four people. The program consisted of two retreats, individual preparation, and team meetings.

Binsa* is a recently appointed EMM worker serving the Buddhist and Hindu community in Lancaster, Pa. She is a Bhutanese refugee from Nepal, who is now creatively sharing the gospel.

John and Debbie Coats’ situation suddenly changed at the end of March. The Coatses serve with EMM in Cambodia. They had been in the city for several weeks because the roads to their province had been closed. Since their children’s work was closed by the authorities due to the coronavirus pandemic, John and Debbie were using the time to prepare to help in the village if the disease got out of hand.

I’m certain you’ve heard us talk about Dr. David W. Shenk over the years on this program. Perhaps you even know David personally. I’m excited to announce that on September 21, Herald Press will be releasing David’s newest book called, “A gentle boldness: Sharing the peace of Jesus in a multi-faith world.”

While recuperating from surgery, Andrew* decided to watch his favorite missionary film, “Hudson Taylor.” In one scene, a recent Chinese convert addressed Hudson with deep sincerity. He said: “For many years I have sought the truth, as did my fathers before me. But only here, in the words you have spoken, has peace come to my heart. Is the gospel doing well in your country?”

Shovel in hand, Michael Hostetter heaped soil onto a pile in front of him. Rainwaters had been gushing into the foundation of his house. Michael knew that he had to just start digging to solve the problem. Meanwhile, the world had come to a standstill, through ebbs and flows of closures and reopening in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

On August 26th, Barry is embarking on a cross-country motorcycle trip to listen to the stories of EMM short-term alumni. Barry’s goal is to raise awareness for EMM’s new short-term mission program called Advance, underscoring EMM’s long-term commitment to raising up young people to live out the gospel.

Sometimes in mission, visible transformation is incremental and even hard to see, especially when circumstances like a global pandemic disrupt your regular mission routine. This past year has probably been the toughest year in ministry that Alan and Carol Wert have faced since their sabbatical in 2010. That’s why passages like Colossians chapter 1 can be so encouraging. The Werts are reminded of how Christ came to earth and how his presence here allowed his followers to see the God who cannot be seen.