Discipling : : Teaching : : Serving
Our Lives
Valerie and Jonathan by the creek in Kandern
It was a June evening back in 2008 and we had just had a great meal with our missionary friends who were home for a year from serving at Black Forest Academy (BFA). Jonathan had sponsored them for more than six years before we got married and this was a chance for Valerie to meet the people we were supporting with a monthly gift. That was it. Good food, Godly friends to share some time with… but God had something greater in store for us.
As we left the restaurant and walked to the car, Valerie said five words that changed our lives forever. “We could totally do that!” Do what? We had been married less than a year. Valerie had been at her new job for less than six months. Jonathan was less than two weeks from making a complete career change. What lousy timing for God to tug at our hearts! But He did. Then finally after two years, we took a step of faith and now… “We are totally doing that!”
This website is a way to keep our families and supporters updated and to proclaim the faithfulness that God in His grace continues to demonstrate in our lives and ministry. In Hebrews 11, it talks about the four components of faith: hope, belief, perseverance and obedience. We are striving each day to exercise faith as we disciple and teach missionary kids (MKs) from around the globe.
We are also living by faith finacially because all BFA staff members raise their own financial support. Your tax-deductible gifts will help us, BFA students and missionary families from 40 other countries. Our most imperative need is for monthly sponsors. You can even give right here through our website or you can print out a support form to send in. We also need your encouragement and prayers. We hope that you will become a part of our support team, but even more importantly, we hope that you will respond obediently to God’s direction in your life.
It was a June evening back in 2008 and we had just had a great meal with our missionary friends who were home for a year from serving at Black Forest Academy (BFA). Jonathan had sponsored them for about five years before we got married and this was a chance for Valerie to meet the people we were supporting with our monthly gifts. That was it. Simple. Good food, godly friends to share some time with… but God had something greater in store for us.
As we left the restaurant and walked to the car, Valerie said five words that changed our lives forever. “We could totally do that!” I’m sorry. What? We had been married less than a year. Valerie had been at her new job for less than six months. Jonathan was less than two weeks from beginning a new job and a complete career change. What a strange moment! What lousy timing for God to tug at our hearts! But He did. Now almost two years later, we’ve modified that phrase to “We are totally going to do that!”
In a study of the book of Hebrews, we’ve learned about the four components of faith as described in chapter 11: hope, belief, perseverance and obedience. We seem to have a good grip on the first three, but obedience? This is where God has been working on us the most since June 2008. He has given us unique skills. He has worked out the timing. He has shown us needs that match our spiritual gifts. He has asked us to obey and follow the example of His Son Jesus who, like us, had to overcome His own desires in order to do God’s will (Matthew 26:39). How could we say no?
We have faith and believe that Valerie was right! But we need your help to “totally do this.” All BFA staff members raise their own financial support. Your tax-deductible gifts will help us, the BFA students and keep missionaries on the field around the globe. Our most imperative need is for monthly sponsors. A one-time financial gift is a second option. You can even give right here through our website or you can request a support form. This last need is something everybody can do. We need your encouragement and prayers. Just knowing that we are not alone and that you are standing beside us gives us strength. We will also commit to praying for you and sending you words of encouragement as you minister in your world. Just send us your prayer request via email or leave a comment below if you would like other visitors to the site to pray too.
So where is God asking you to obey? Has He equipped you and called you, but you’ve yet to respond? Where does your passion and ability intersect with someone’s need? Where does the Holy Spirit continue to say, “Come on! We could totally do that!” We hope that you will become a part of our support team, but even more importantly, we hope that you will respond obediently to God’s direction in your life. Okay. That’s our story…. we love to hear what God is going to do with yours!
