March 23
March, 2023
Dear Supporters,
February was very intense and productive. I was with our colleague Jim Caminata in Spain, Italy and Romania from February 7th until March 3rd. This trip was the result of months of planning and prayer as we sought the Holy Spirit’s guidance. In November, we were asked by pastors, deacons, and leaders to organize a conference of discipleship and equipping for church servants. We arrived on the 8th of February in Valencia, Spain, and received with love by the family of our colleague, Pastor Bebe. He completed the Models for Disciple-makers in 2018. For a week, we went through this study with 28 people. The work that Pastor Bebe is doing with the church in Valencia is remarkable. His ministry is known throughout Spain. In the following letter I will present some of Bebe’s ministry along with the church where he serves.
The following week I went to Romania and my colleague Jim to Italy. From February 15 to February 22, we continued the pastoral conference of discipleship and equipping in Oradea, Romania. There we found hunger for discipleship, as somewhere between 38 and 47 people came seeking training. During this entire period, I had meetings with pastors, missionaries, and workers from the churches of God in Bihor county from the morning into the evening. I also preached the Word of God in 9 churches, in evangelization and spiritual building services. At one of the services I was asked by one of my disciples to officiate the blessing of his child.
February 23rd to March 1st, I started the Models for Disciple-makers with pastors and leaders in the church in Tinca, Romania, at the church where I grew up. Pastor Ionut Pungila, the pastor of the church in Tinca, participated with other pastors in the discipleship course in November. After this course, he asked and insisted that I hold a conference in the church where I grew up. This request made me happy and delighted, especially seeing the impact that the discipleship models had. After finishing the courses, we had a time for questions and answers.
While in Northern Italy, Jim’s heart was overflowing with profound gratitude as he saw the disciples he has nurtured and trained blossom in their faith and obey the commands of Jesus to make disciples. 24 individuals gathered with him to review the disciple making concepts. On the Sunday of his stay in these churches, he delivered messages based on God’s power, love and splendor. Subsequently, two teams were established to carry out the process of disciple making in neighboring cities- they must remain in our prayers. All praise and glory belongs to the Lord.
While I was away, Ethan and Sarah continued the ministry operations in Robbinsville and with our partners in Tennessee. The church in Ducktown continues to face adversity as they seek to grow, and we continue to assist them through advising and training of elders, as well as through preaching about once a month. With every trip comes spiritual attacks, and while I was gone, one of ETM’s well pumps quit working. Ethan has been learning the water systems at ETM and is finding a replacement. An intentional daily quiet time focused on study and prayer keeps these setbacks from becoming distractions as we continue our aim to partner with churches who are struggling and help them become spiritually strong by disciple-making.
Colin is healthy and busy but discovering the advantages of retirement. He still does a lot of counseling, teaching and occasional preaching but his schedule is flexible enough this year to accommodate his favorite entertainment, March Madness. He is also preoccupied with the training of a 4 month old puppy and a 7 year old dog learning to share amicably.
I thank God that I arrived home safely to my family and my colleagues who prayed for me. I also thank you for the prayers you raised for me. Thank you for the support given to the work of ETM, may God bless you and give you grace in the future.
