I went to orientation with United World Mission the last week of January. It was so good. God confirmed in my heart that this is what He wants for me. I got the meet the president of UWM and many of their missionaries. What was really impressive to me was to see their hearts to serve one another and to help me find God's best for me, not THEIR best for me. You could just feel that they cared a whole lot about each person. UWM accepted me!
As John Bernard, the president, shared on their vision and philosophy of missions, it was the same vision that I have. I am so excited! UWM wants to see a church planted in every village, town, and community because they believe that the local church is the most effective way to make disciples. I can see it, too. How are we going to go and make disciples of all men? By planting strong, solid churches all over the world.
Some of the missionaries I met...
Daniel and Lisa Downy have been missionaries with UWM for years. They were recently kicked out of a closed country, but before they were kicked out, they were able to impact their area with the Gospel. They started training the national church leaders there and putting the vision in their hearts to plant churches. The Downys took the facilitative role of training the nationals instead of doing the work themselves. What was the result? The national church leaders set a goal of planting 2000 churches by 2010! And before Daniel and his wife were forced to leave, they saw some 30 churches planted and many of those churches already planting more! The work was exploding! And it was the national believers who were doing it! So even if they are not ever allowed back in the country, the work will continue! Wow!
I also was blessed to be able to meet John Edwards, the area director for Latin America. He and his wife, Bonnie, are retired and have an awesome heart to serve God. One thing John said that hit me was this, "I really like UWM because they help me to be who I am. They don't try to make me someone or something I'm not. I really like that." John is a very humble, down-to-earth man who has dedicated his life to serving God on the mission field. I brought him and his wife to the airport on Tuesday of that week as they were heading down to Chile, so it was nice that we got at least a few minutes to talk.
Finally, UWM told me...
On Friday, the last day of orientation, they officially accepted me. (They had interviewed me on Monday.) And we had a special ceremony, etc. I'm so excited as I see this whole new chapter in my life being opened. It's like a new page that is yet to be written.
So what are my plans?
Before going with UWM, I�ll need to go through a 6-month intensive missionary training course called CIT. (Center for Intercultural Training - www.cit-online.org) CIT is located in Asheville, North Carolina. It is a partner with UWM and trains missionaries from many other missionary organizations and churches. CIT is Interdenominational and has a solid Biblical foundation.
The 6 month training period is divided into 3 months of Bible training and 3 months of cultual training. What do they teach in the cultural training? You may ask, "Josh, don�t you understand the culture after 2 years?" In giving you the titles of some of the classes, I think you�ll see the importance of of this preparation...."Conflict Management", "Effective Teams & Team Leaders", "Ethnomusicology", "Saturation Church Planting", "Spiritual Formation", "Church Planting Models"... The point of this training is to prevent "missionary burnout" and prepare you in every way possible to serve effectively on the field.
I'm excited about going to CIT. I start in May and will end in November of this year. After that, I'll likely be home for Christmas and then head out in January to the field. We are praying now about what country would be the best for me, where I could be the greatest help. And I believe by the time school starts and maybe much before, we will know the country where I'll go to. As for now, I just know it'll be in Central or South America.
So what will happen to the work in Mexico?
It will continue. I'm going to be there from March to May working hard to prepare them to take over in every area that I'm serving so that they will be able to continue on fine without me. Pastor Chacho, my mexican pastor, is supporting me in this as well. Of course they are sad that I won�t be able to stay, but they want God�s best for me. Goodbyes are hard when you�ve made such close ties with people. I�ve already shared my heart in this with the worship team and they are very supportive, holding me up in prayer.
I see God opening doors and confirming the way, and it�s very exciting to see! I can�t wait to see what the future holds! Please continue to hold me up in prayer. Thank you so much. I will keep you informed as to how things develop!
For His Glory,
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