Greetings

Friends and family,

We press on in our trek toward the Czech Republic. Once again, we thank you for taking interest in and committing to investment. Your prayers are incense before the Lord, and they’re a pleasing aroma to Him (Rev. 8:4). Your financial investment is storing up treasures in heaven where moth and rust do not destroy, and they will reap a hundredfold (Matt. 6:19-21; Mark 10:30).

Here’s a quick look at some adventures and blessings we’ve experienced, a financial update, and look ahead.

The Travels Continue!

From July 28th to August 6th we were in Fullerton, California. Jared preached at Cornerstone Bible Church‘s Youth Camp, teaching through the Armor of God (Eph. 6:10-20). Cornerstone Bible Church is where Faith Bible Church (Spokane) sent Isaiah and Melissa Mackler for ministry. This is also the Denny’s Primary sending and supporting church.

After the youth camp, we headed a little further north to Santa Clarita, CA. We stayed three nights with dear friends we served with during our time in seminary. They also hosted an open house for us to share about our pursuits of the Czech Republic.

On Thursday the 3rd, we spent a day in our favorite California city, Santa Barbara. Dear friends whom we served with at The Master’s University greeted us there, and we enjoyed the perfect 78 degree beach weather together.

We then drove back to Fullerton to stay 2 wonderful nights with the Macklers. Jeena Lim, who serves with the Denny’s, was in town for family purposes as well, and we got to spend an evening with her!

Before we left, the Mackler’s were very kind to host an open house for us as well. About 20 members from Cornerstone Bible Church came, expressing their interest and excitement that we are joining the Denny’s in ministry.

That week we also learned that Cornerstone will be supporting our ministry relationally and financially as well! That puts us at 5 supporting churches, and we are extremely thankful!

Financial Update

At this point, we are at roughly 55% of personal and ministry needs pledged or supported, and roughly 40% of one-time needs covered. Once again, we’re amazed, and it is evident that God is a generous God who produces generosity in those who love him!

That said, there’s still much to do.

THIS IS IMPORTANT: By January 2024 we will be living on the monthly support of friends, family, and churches. The continued prayer request for finances is this:

• Pray that by January 2024 we would have at least 80% of One-Time Funds given/pledged. It is about $40,000 more that is needed for that 80% mark. These funds cover things like visas, purchasing reliable vehicle(s) in Czech, establishing a home in Czech, future furlough funds, plane tickets to Czech – in short, a complete ‘uprooting’ and ‘re-rooting.’ (Everything given between now and January goes toward those one-time funds.)
• Pray that at least 75% of personal & ministry monthly needs are flowing in by January 2024. That’s an additional $2,250 monthly that is still needed to reach the 75% mark. (That’s 10 people at $225 a month; or 20 people at $112.50 a month; or 40 people at $56.25 a month.)

We are eagerly waiting to hear from two other churches here in Spokane about their support. It’ll be amazing to see how God provides.

Here’s where to give.

Next Travels

From September 3rd to September 11th we will be visiting ‘stage right’ of the 1986 Top Gun film: Fallon Nevada. We will spend time with another supporting church, Grace Bible Church, which is pastored by Mike Rosario. He and his family were once at Faith Bible Church.

We’ll spend several evenings building relationships with members, leaders, and families from the church, and Jared will have the opportunity to preach as well.

Praise God with us that all of our scheduled travels are for the purpose of visiting churches ALREADY supporting us. We have not been required to travel explicitly for the purpose of finding support.

Looking Ahead

We continue to live in ‘two worlds.’ While practicing Czech on Duolingo, we’re also planning College Staff Retreats and Fall Retreats and Sermon Series, etc. While occasionally shopping for houses in Czech, we’re also talking about how to wrap up things with our current home.

While things like these are still in process, others are certain: Starting in September, Josh Gilchrist will step in to a Resident College Pastor position here at Faith. He and Jared will overlap until January, then Jared will no longer be the college pastor, and… we will be missionaries.

It likely goes without saying, but this both saddens and excites us. This is something we’ve prayed about, pursued, and planned for over 10 years. Please pray with us over these things! 10 years is just a ‘blip’ on the radar, and there are many more ‘blips’ ahead that we will need your prayers to endure through.

Peace to you

Dear friends and family: We do not labor in vain. We do not sacrifice in vain. We do not pray in vain. An eternal weight of glory awaits those who are in Christ.

Continue in your labor with us. Sacrifice with us. Pray with us. Until glory.

Let goods and kindred go,
This mortal life also;
The body they may kill:
God’s truth abideth still,
His Kingdom is forever. – A Mighty Fortress