A Most Wonderful Season!

There's a song that is heard a lot this time of year with the refrain “It's the most wonderful time of the year.” The Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season is most certainly that. But even more important is the fact that the Christmas story is the most wonderful truth in human history! That this wonderful season begins with Thanksgiving is so appropriate. Our hearts are filled with gratitude and praise to the One who loves us so much that he has “blessed us with every blessing in the heavenly realms!” We certainly are blessed far beyond anything we could ever deserve. With wonderful family, friends, and neighbors. With faithful colleagues and partners serving with us in the United States and around the world. Your prayers, encouragement, and generosity have allowed us to serve in ways we never would have imagined – to the glory of God the Father.

For the past five months, we have been serving in the role of Regional Director for the Europe and Mediterranean Region of Converge International Ministries. Our region has been rocked by wars in Ukraine and Israel. Our workers and ministry partners across the region are affected by these tragic conflicts, ministering to displaced, traumatized people, and facing increased tension as the threat of broader conflict in Europe and the Middle East grows. But even in these heartbreaking times, God is doing heart-changing work! Here are a few highlights (links provided in some cases, identities protected in others):

UK: Sunday attendance increased by 55; 12 people baptized: 15 are participating in a group exploring the gospel. UK Ire Update

Poland: News of baptisms, a spontaneous church start, and leader development: martinez-family-update

Moldova: New team members arrived! moldova-prayer-letter?e=[UNIQID]

Finland: From one new church per year to one per week! the-church-in-finland

Estonia: The world’s most atheistic nation has seen remarkable growth. Our team there is now active in 5 separate areas of ministry including church planting, deaf ministries, outreach to Russian and Ukrainian language groups, and camps – where 34 people gave their lives to Jesus this summer! Estonia-Outreach

Ukraine: We were blessed to travel to New Hampshire where we met our dear Ukrainian leader Ivan Kunderenko and his family, We shared the need for prayer, and support for the growing but traumatized church there. Several faculty and staff from the Dartmouth college Psychology department expressed interest in helping train trauma response. Separately, we were able to assist with the sending or $25,000 from the Ukraine Relief Fund to help a Converge worker acquire a 3D printer for use in a prosthetics center located in a church camp.

Romania: “Smiles Caravan” Family Ministry;  Bible college training new pastors
and planters; new Converge Project fund project-romania/

Germany: Appointees Tim & Lori Hawkins continue to move steadily toward deployment with a focus on Berlin. Hawkins Berlin

Sweden: Our Sweden ministry leaders have returned with great vision! Jarmans Sweden

Morocco: New appointees are working to land, and a team visited last month to make connections with believers and leaders. (Info secure)

Tunisia: A Global Worker couple has joined our team and is located in Tunis. Serving at a local school with Tunisians and expats from other lands. (Info secure)

Egypt: Training continues to be a cornerstone of our ministry, equipped approximately 500 pastors and leaders through diverse programs. Egypt update

Lebanon: Our faithful workers have returned to southern Lebanon after a season of home service (and the birth of their first child!). Pray for them as they return and rebuild their work. (Info secure)

Israel: Following his assassination, Charlie Kirk has been the subject of many conversations. Rabbis have shown video clips of him speaking - and not just about his support of Israel but also of his strong stand of faith in Jesus! Our workers in Israel remained in country during the hostilities, and that has enhanced their acceptance among the people. (Info secure)

What a remarkable season it has been! Across the region God is growing His kingdom amid persecution, upheaval and war. We see new believers baptized, new workers deployed, and new local leaders developed. A wonderful season, indeed!

On a personal level, we are blessed to have Nicole and her family just a few hours away in Wisconsin,
and we visit them often. We were able to be with Andrew and his family in Jacksonville, FL for Thanksgiving. And we anticipate visiting John and his family in Arizona in the Spring. Mom is doing incredibly well in her new setting at Goldwater Care Center, just 6 miles from our house. Our house church in Kenney continues to gather, and we continue to serve at Texas Christian Church in Clinton. Bob has many opportunities to serve as pulpit supply for local congregations from many denominations, and Carol reaches out to neighbors in need in the love of Christ.

Thank you so much for your continued love, prayers, and support of our ministry to Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. Your partnership and participation make a difference for the Kingdom of God!

We pray you have a wonderful Christmas and a blessed New Year!