Today is the start of Yarmok - a week-long cultural festival

Ministry opportunity

I received a phone call from the Baptist Union president this morning.

He's asked me to get back to him in the next week or so about a request.

He has asked me to be a part  of a "2-man team" for the central region of the Baptist pastors. The other person role is to function as an administrator (handling the logistical issues of where to meet, when, etc.). My role would be spiritual leader for the monthly meetings of the pastors in the central region.

I asked him to clarify what that means (spiritual leader) and here is a summary of what I recall him telling me:

1. The spiritual leader is to guide the pastors meetings to stay focused on being disciples and making disciples.

2. The Baptist denomination as a whole has stopped nurturing disciples at all levels. We need more than sharing at these meetings, we need the pastors to be able to leave knowing that their hearts and lives are pure before the Lord and that when they lead & preach, that people are following their example, not just their words.

3. The Great Commission & Great Commandment are to remain high priority during these meetings.

That means that on a monthly basis I need to be with these pastors and it may mean mentoring some along the way if the need arises (Tomas didn't say that, but I'm extrapolating from our conversation.)

The Central region will be meeting from now on in Lucenec (about 45 minutes from Bystrica), not Poprad (almost 2 hours away). (Yesterday, they divided up the regions - again - as they should be.)

Okay, so what do you think? I'd appreciate any feedback, hard questions, etc., so fire away!

Thanks for praying for/with me on this. I'll share my position on this after I hear from you all.

Financial concerns

I recently sent out an email to our supporters that informed them of our painful financial situation. For the past 4 months, we have been seriously under-supported.

This chart typifies the percentages of our support for the past 4 months.

As a result, we are needing something like $16,000 to bring us back to where we should be. We would surely appreciate your prayer support in this.

Our income in the past months has averaged 61.35% of what should be our normal income. June has an unusually good look to it, but it's deceiving. One of our supporting churches is facing a lawsuit within it's denomination and wanted to be sure that we received our support through the end of 2008, so they gave 6 months of support in June.

In reality, the amount would have been 67% for June, bringing our 4-month average down to 56.85%.

We can say - with Paul - “Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Phil 4:11-13

Really, the “peace of God which passes all understanding” is our portion in these days. Linda and I have committed to pray and let the Lord worry about our needs and - so far - we have been pretty worry-free.

Thanks for praying!