The Doors Keep Opening!

Hello friends and family!

We are excited to write to you once again, asking you to praise God with us and join us in prayer. There is MUCH to be thankful for.

Here’s what you’ll read below: A brief recap of events from March to June; a look ahead at our travels to new supporting churches; an ‘ask’ for you; and prayer needs. This may be the most exciting update yet!

(If you’re interested in a fuller version of this update, you can click here. That update will give a bit more information on the churches supporting us, and how we came to this relationship with them; as well as some other personal details.)

A RECAP OF EVENTS FROM MARCH TO JUNE

Shepherds Conference

In early March, right after we sent out our last update, a handful of the pastors and members from Faith Bible Church had the privilege of going to Shepherds Conference in Southern California. While at the conference, Jared was able to establish connections with several churches who are now interested in or committed to supporting us (more on that later).

Sweat Equity (or ‘Sweatquity’…)

In the month of April Jared took a week of vacation to work on some home projects.

We added a bedroom/nursery and fixed up a portion of the basement. We believe we have a desirable 5 bed 3 bath house to sell next year for the future purchase of a home in Czech after we’ve lived there for a few years.

New Life

Our baby son, Caleb, was born on May 15th, just one day before Bennett’s birthday! Caleb was a burly 8lbs 4oz, 21 inches at birth. He is healthy, and so is Claire. His big brother and sister (Bennett and Millie Jo) love taking care of him.

A LOOK AHEAD AT OUR TRAVELS

That brings us to the month of June and looking ahead. We’ll be bouncing back and forth from Spokane to Czech, and to other states to visit churches throughout the whole summer.

While College Ministry slows down slightly in the summer, we will continue engaging with students on a weekly basis in the form of various gatherings and devotional times at parks and homes throughout the summer.

Caution, this family makes frequent stops…

At the end of June, Jared will be in the Czech Republic for 10 days. He’ll join the church there for their family retreat where he’ll get several teaching opportunities on the topic of ‘Faithful Stewards of the Mercies of God.’

Then, at the end of July, the whole family will head to Fullerton, California for about a week and a half. Jared will preach at a youth camp for Cornerstone Bible Church. We’ll then vacation for a couple days after this.

In August, Jared we will visit one of our new supporting churches, Redeemer Bible Church, in Gilbert, Arizona. This church eagerly jumped at the opportunity to support us when Jared was at Shepherds Conference.

September brings the opportunity to visit another supporting church in Fallon, Nevada (Grace Bible Church). They’ve invited our whole family for a week-long visit with their church.

Then, in either October or November, we will visit Grace Community Bible Church in Austin, Texas. This church has also committed to supporting us, and we are eager to continue our friendship with the leadership there.

This is exciting to reflect on with you! Please also be in prayer for conversations with three other churches here in Spokane.

THE ASK

Will you help us prepare ‘Now’ for ‘Then’?

If you are seriously considering supporting us financially, would you prayerfully think about beginning this support in the very near future? We ask this humbly and with great thanks to you for praying about it.

The simple table below shows the reason for this request, but the short explanation is this: One Time funds and Monthly/Annual funds will be needed before we leave for the Czech Republic. Here are the details:

Period of Support	Aim of Support
June 2023 to January 2024	Raise at least 80% of ‘One Time Funds.’
Beginning January 2024 to June 2024	Switch off Faith Bible Church salary, on to monthly support.
January 2024 to June 2024	Anything given above and beyond our monthly support will be put toward our One Time Funds.
June 2024 to Indefinite Future	Once we’re moved to the Czech Republic, One Time Funds will have been met, and monthly support will continue.

We praise God that we now have a total of four churches supporting us. Our specific prayer has been that we wouldn’t need more than 5 churches to support us at 60-70%, with the remaining 30-40% being individuals and families. There are a handful of reasons for this.

We estimate that with these first four churches we may be at about 40-50%. Future conversations with some of these churches will make these numbers more clear and concrete.

More specifically, however, roughly 18% of our One Time Funds are funded. Not just pledged, funded! That leaves June through December 2023 to fund the remaining 62% to reach our 80% goal. If every church were to begin giving NOW, that number would jump up quickly. The same goes for individuals and families.

CLICK HERE begin supporting, or give a One-Time gift, if you desire to do so. (All funds are processed through Faith Bible Church, and are sent monthly to our agency, Missionary Financial Services.)

There is much to praise God for! His mercies are evident and new every day. These are just some of the ways that is true.

If you have any further questions for us about our ministry, our financial needs, our own life, our plans (etc.) please know we want to be open. Reach out via email or phone or in-person, and we’ll happily talk with you.

PRAY WITH US

Family

Good adjustment to being a family of 5.

Faithful proclaimers of Christ to unbelievers in our life.

Ministry

Balancing College Ministry while also beginning to put time toward Czech ministry.

Czech

Jared’s Czech visit at the end of June. Claire at home with kids.

Financial provision

Strength of the church in Czech

Thank you all for your willingness to walk through this time of life with us. We are indebted to you for your prayers, your friendship, and your care.

To God be the glory for the great things he has done and will do.

Psalm 9:1-2

“I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.”

May our lives sing his praise.

Love, 

Jared & Claire (and Bennett, Millie Jo, & Caleb)

(If you’re interested in a fuller version of this update, you can click here.)