My heart swelled as I lifted up the refrain, “I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back.” A long time ago that was my own conviction as I considered leaving the US to serve Jesus in Japan as a young single man. I was convinced that Jesus was calling me to share the gospel and build disciples among a hard to reach people group.
This past week Rochelle and I were back with a group of new staff, all taking their stand to submit their lives to Jesus for the cause of His Great Commission.
Our hearts were filled with gratitude for what God had done. Most exciting for us was to see our son Ben, who has been accepted to serve in Japan, standing among the 80 other new staff with Cru. They were all commissioned that particular evening. They completed a week-long training conference preparing them for the challenge of finding their Ministry Partners and reaching their full-time ministry assignment.
Thank you, Lord, for raising up the next generation of missionaries, and for those to whom You are giving a heart for the Japanese!
Also there were 3 staff our Sending Team served by preparing them to join Cru Staff. Pam is joining the Story Runners ministry. She will help take the Gospel to oral learners. Jon’s heart is to encourage and empower Cru’s missionary kids to know Christ and make Him known. Ashley is joining Athletes in Action to organize international outreach projects for young women basketball players. We spent time together and rejoiced in their stories of God’s work through them and His leading in their lives.
Thank you for partnering with us to see these new workers give their lives for the cause of Christ and His Kingdom! We are so excited to see how God will use these faithful new staff that He has called into His Harvest Fields!
We are so grateful for you! As you pray and give, you are helping prepare many more missionaries like these to take the good news to the world! Thank you so much!