Dear Family and Friends,
As my time draws near to a close here in England, and the completion of my two-year commitment with AIM, my life and ministry are at some important crossroads. Because you have been so faithful in your prayers and support of me, I wanted to share these changes with you and would appreciate your continued prayers.
England Update
In September 2006 Adventures in Missions embarked upon a two-year commitment with some of the poorest and most needy churches in the Manchester area. The work has been both rewarding and difficult. Through it all I am profoundly grateful for the lives of the children, teens, and adults that we have seen transformed and encouraged. I have poured my life into this community over the past two years and seen God at work.
It is for this reason that I have been heartbroken with the news that AIM will not continue to maintain the England base past this July, thus ending our work here. The primary cause is the great financial cost to maintain an England base in comparison to other parts of the world. The dollar is at a historically low point in comparison to the British pound. I have had to accept this news as God’s ordering of my footsteps, however pray that I may be able to do ministry here again someday. Undoubtedly, God has borne lasting fruit and He is not done here!
Personal Update
Much to my surprise and as a real “God Thing”, at missionary training camp this past August God brought into my life a wonderful and godly young lady, Heather Beard, who is also a AIM missionary serving in South Africa. And in the shorten version, God brought together our love for people and missions, and then brought together our hearts as a couple, and we were engaged this spring and are to be married in Colorado, Heather’s home state this August 2nd.
So What’s Next
This rollercoaster of emotional highs and lows has definitely deepened our prayer lives, focusing us on what God has for us as a missionary couple. With England out of the picture for now, we began to pray about whether God would open doors for us to lead and serve in South Africa. Initially we thought yes, but then through prayer and the wise counsel of family and veteran missionary couples, the advice seems to unanimously be to build and guard our marriage during our first year, and this would be difficult to do with the rigors of a demanding overseas leadership position.
Missions In The Next Season Of Life
AIM’s home office is located in Gainesville, GA (north Atlanta suburb) and they have offered both Heather and I the opportunity to minister and serve through some key assignments that would allow us to live and work primarily in the Gainesville area this next year. This is still a developing job description but it would include some assignments such as:
•Continued development and working with the Ambassador Program, a short-term one-month mission trip program for 16-18 year-olds
•Provide leadership and instruction for various missionary training camps including the Ambassador, Real Life, and First Year Missionary Programs
•Travel and lead some short term international AIM trips in the spring and summer of 2009
•Speak, lead worship, and provide missions education for churches in the Atlanta area
Committed To The Call
God has brought much into our lives this past year. For that we say “YEA God”. We haven’t and don’t understand all God is doing, but one thing we are sure of — WE are committed to the call!
The great missionary mandate found in Acts 1:8 says,
“But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell the people about me everywhere — in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
We are prayerfully content that in being committed to the call that God is leading us to minister via Jerusalem for the next phase of our missions journey.
One thing remains constant for a faith based missionary, whether single or married. We do not draw a paycheck from a ministry organization and rely upon God bringing financial and ministry partners alongside us.
Heather and I have both been blessed individually with a wonderful team of prayer partners and financial supporters. We hope that you will prayerfully consider continuing your support of us during this next year of ministry and as we serve as a couple together.
As a married couple our financial needs and monthly support goal is $3,380 per month for the next year. This amount covers our organizational fees, taxes, social security, health insurance, and what we would live on each month.
It is through your generosity and monthly or one time gifts that we are able to take the love and message of Christ “everywhere . . . and to the ends of the earth.”
We would love to hear from you if we can answer any questions related to our ministry or your support thereof.
Be Blessed,
Chad and Heather
