GEM change of leadership

We returned from our mission’s annual conference yesterday afternoon.

Every year our missionaries gather together in Europe to celebrate, worship, commiserate and dream.

This year, we met in Sopron, (pronounced “show-prone”) Hungary. This year was different in that we celebrated 15 years of growth & leadership under Ted & Lynne Noble’s direction and recognized the Nobles for their contribution. It also marked the end of their time with G.E.M. as God has called them on to other work in His Kingdom.

However, Henry & Celia Deneen, were installed as our new president this week and we are extremely encouraged by what they bring to the table.

It’s really difficult to sum up 10 days (I was at a pre-conference conference before Annual Conference) in just a few short paragraphs.

What I will say is that, thanks to Ted Noble, we have a solid launching pad and rocket delivery system in place for Henry Deneen to use to launch GEM into orbit and take us places that would not have been possible without Ted’s diligence in getting infrastructural issues settled and in line over the past 15 years.

Henry Deneen is a visionary, an encourager, a challenger and will take us into new paradigms, endeavors and experiences - of that I have no doubt.

After his Thursday night address to the GEM body gathered in Sopron, I approached Henry (who affectionately calls me “Gramps”) and said, “Henry, you have no idea how badly I want to go where I believe you are taking us.” Europe is desperate for a movement of God’s Spirit - morally, emotionally and so much more.

Please pray for Henry & Celia as they take hold of the leadership baton on Sept. 1, 2007.

Camp is over...

WOW! Big House English Outreach Camp has come and gone! We had a total of 42 people including leaders and campers, making it the smallest summer camp we have ever had. In no way is that a bad thing because the Lord is Lord over everything - as always.

I often hear, “The devil is in the details.” I don’t believe that, though. Especially as I see how the Lord put together this camp and cared for all of the details. The team that camp from The Kirk in Tulsa, OK., was superb! The average age was about 50! I honestly had my doubts as to whether or not this team would be able to keep up with high school teenagers! On top of that, they are all women!

Here’s the deal. We had twice as many gals at camp this year as we did guys (a first for Big House - we have always had more guys than gals in the past). We also saw that these women had TONS to give to our young people and that their love for Jesus and young people was very evident and deep. What a blessing for these young folks!

You probably want “the bottom line” as some call it - the “head count” as others call it. Well, Juraj & Mirka committed their lives to Jesus Christ for the first time during Camp. Petra rededicated her life to Jesus at camp as well. And Martina and Eva talked to some leaders, but weren’t ready to make any commitment just yet.

Please pray for Juraj, Mirka, Petra, Martina and Eva as they enter a new phase of their spiritual lives. Martina & Eva know how to receive Christ as their Savior - should they ever decide to do so - and we hope to help them along that path.

We will be having a re-union in early September, so keep your eyes open for that...

By the way, if you’re interested in bringing a team to Slovakia specifically for an English Outreach Camp, the next one is already on the calendar for July 19-26, 2008!

Blessings!

Why they call me "Gramps"

Probably like you, I’ve had nicknames all throughout my life. The first I remember is “Turnip.” To this day, I really don’t know where that one originated.

I’ve been called Shadow, Shaddy, Pops, Shelly Kattuck, Bear among others (some I cannot repeat here!).

Recently, I’ve been the focus of a new nickname - Gramps. It has nothing to do with being a real granddad - both of my daughters are still single, unattached and not desirous of having children before the wedding date (for which I’m thankful).

Back to the explanation at hand.

We have 2 young ladies living with us at the current time (among others!). Emily and Michelle are what our mission calls “EuroQuesters.” These are people who opt to come to Europe for about one year to serve alongside of career missionaries to determine whether or not God is calling them into long-term mission work.

Emily & Michelle arrived in Slovakia in October, 2006, but it wasn’t the first time for either of them.

Since their arrival and in light of the significant age gap (they are both 25 years old) between them and me, they started calling me (affectionately) “Gramps.”

I’m not offended - actually, I receive it as a title of respect and endearment. I’m near the “half-century” mark (Feb. 19, 2008 will be my 50th b-day) and consider it a joy to have walked on this planet as long as I have - especially since I have had the joy & privilege of coming to know Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord.

Frankly, I could think of a lot of other MUCH worse nicknames people could call me. In that light, I like “Gramps.”

More later,
Gramps