Newsletter December 2007 – No. 15

Our dear friends and fellow-workers in the kingdom, This is our last newsletter concerning the work of 2007. At MSP we don’t dwell much on the past. Beyond pleasant reminiscing and learning the lessons of history, it is a potentially wasteful indulgence.

The present with beak wide open like a hatchling constantly demanding food, distracts us until urgent needs are met. It demands attention but not absorption.

The future – near and far is our major concern. What is needed tomorrow, five, ten, fifteen years from now? The future of God’s work in the South Pacific fills our thoughts and inhabits our dreams.

The future is why we train missionaries at SIBI. The future is why we work with schools such as Macquarie School of Biblical Studies (MSOBS).

The chasm of 2008 yawns before us filled with promises of great advances on several fronts. As MSP begins the new year, we are excited about the possibilities of working with you and our mighty God. Thank you for your partnership!

The Peters Family’s Visa is Approved! If you read the Peter’s report, you will know their two-year visa has been approved. This has been a major hurdle since the Australian government has very strict rules they diligently enforce. Now all we need is to finish out their support needs. We need to get the Peters back to Sydney as soon as possible. If you can help, send your tax-deductible contribution to Craig Peters, c/of Park Central church of Christ, 3901 Jimmy Johnson Boulevard, Port Arthur, TX 77642. (I make it a practice not to ask for money in my newsletters but this is urgent!)

Jeff & Katrina Sims met at Stephen F. Austin College where they earned teaching degrees. They have worked with LST (Let’s Start Talking) in Japan and Mexico. They are determined to do mission work somewhere and have come to SIBI with their two babies to make preparations. They are considering working in Australia or China.

I’ve had a couple of meetings with them to discuss the needs of the work in Australia.

They are in the process of recruiting and training an LST team for the summer.

Of course, we would love to have such a quality family working in Australia but we will rejoice in whatever location they choose. Please pray for them as they seek God’s will.

Wollongong Team – We rejoice in the progress of the team moving to Wollongong in the summer of this year. It was a pleasure to meet them at the World Missions Workshop at Oklahoma Christian. This will be the first team to evangelize a new location in Australia in nearly three decades! The Aussie Mission team consists of the Mullins, Griffith, and Whaley families.

The three families met while training for ministry at the Harding University Graduate School of Religion (HUGSR). The team has been in process since February of 2005 when the Whaley and Griffith families committed to a relationship with the possibility of forming a mission team. In September 2005, the two families formally committed to work together in Australia. The Mullins family began meeting with the team in 2006 and formally committed to the mission in January 2007. The team plans to move to Wollongong, Australia in the summer of 2008. (information from the team website: http://www.aussiemission.com/about)

This team has been mentored by HUGSR and Missions Resource Network with Alan Phillips to prepare for the field. Check out their website for more information. Please give them a place in your prayers.

Upcoming:

Teaching Gospel and Culture to the Missions Track students at SIBI

Coaching preaching students in Preaching Lab, “Preaching from the Epistles.”

Presently scheduling Back on Track seminars in Australian churches

Sunset Workshop is January 23-27

Tulsa Workshop is March 27-29

May God be with each of you in 2008.
The LORD bless you and keep you;
the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.” ‘
Numbers 6:24-26