Jones Journal e-Mailer for 2013-05

jonesjournal.org > newsletters > e-Mailer for 5/13

Dear Friends,

Warm springtime greetings (despite snow a week ago) in Jesus!

If you'd prefer you can read this e-Mailer online, or see past issues on "Newsletter" page at www.jonesjournal.org. This monthly e-Mailer includes updates on ministry, family, praise, and prayer.

Let me begin with a personal reflection that I hope won’t bore you, because it starts with me battling boredom.

If I had a dollar for every time I have said, “I believe ministry flows out of relationship, on the field and in the US” then I wouldn’t have to raise any more support. Okay, that might be an exaggeration. I feel like I’m repeating myself over and over during this itineration cycle. I’m afraid it will sound boring to our newsletter readers if I present it that way. So I am forcing myself to pause and reflect on how best to report our itineration ministry to you.

While it might be true that repeating myself on the phone and by e-mail gets boring for me in the moment, nonetheless I do see two key benefits during itineration ministry. 1. The repetition reinforces the truth I already know and firmly believe: Ministry really DOES flow out of healthy relationships—with God and with each other. The mission of God is to reconcile man to Himself through grace by faith in Christ’s work on the cross. Missions is all of us who enjoy a restored relationship with the Father working together to take that message to those who do not know Him yet, whoever or wherever they might be. 2. In the process of establishing and renewing relationships while here in the US I gain new appreciation of the uniqueness of each person. I see the creativity of God in the variety of personalities and giftings He has bestowed upon each member of His Body, the Church.

In my reflections on my “boredom” I realize I actually have received a gift I can share with you. How many people get to visit dozens of churches and meet scores of ministers across the country? I get to see the multi-faceted creativity of God in the different styles of worship music and media used, the architecture employed, the volume level during song service and preaching, the ethnic or unique dress styles, the variety of foods and beverages enjoyed in fellowship, and the regional expressions and accents spoken in ministry or casual settings. God is at work building His Church!

Another thing I often mention itinerating is that when we first went out as missionaries specifically to children people commented that focusing on kids was new. Thankfully, it’s not a novelty anymore evidenced by the emphasis on the four to fourteen age group around the world. Last month the Global 4/14 Day of Prayer for “ONE MILLION Christians praying for TWO BILLION children" fell on Sunday April 14, when I happened to be itinerating in New York City. Promise Ministries Church in Flushing, NY spearheads the 4/14 Movement, so I made a point to meet with Director Herman Mendoza, who afforded me the privilege of meeting Pastor Nam Soo Kim (pictured that night). I ended up sharing at his Friday night Korean prayer service.

That was the beginning of a great trip around New York City getting to minister in The Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island and visit Manhattan. Pastor Ron Squibb and Staten Island International Christian Center did a fabulous Missions Convention. The kindness and generosity of each of the pastors I met with and their churches amazed me.

During the 22 years we have been living in the tropics, there is something I have never even considered requesting prayer for: rain. Panamá is in an extended dry season drought and needs rain for generating electricity. The government has limited open hours for schools, public offices, and requires businesses to turn off all lights during evenings/nights or use their own generators.

Another prayer request is for the consolidation of Central Bible College (CBC), AG Theological Seminary (AGTS) and Evangel University (EU). As Missionary in Residence for school year 2013-14 I am privileged to work with the students interested in missions. Campus Missions Fellowship (CMF) from CBC combines with the World Changers club from EU and we get to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Assemblies of God in 2014! Join us in praying for an epic impact on EU students for missions!

On the family front, Chloe still loves being a nurse. She always has a smile, even after working all night. She adds a ray of sunshine to our home and to her patients, seen here following the Springfield Color Run.

Our two college students, first Celina, then Tony, finished the spring semester at Pepperdine U. and Evangel U. respectively. We are all six back home together for the summer. And it’s going to be awesome! Before Celina came back from college, Yvonne, Chloe, Grace and I went to help her move out and enjoy seeing where she has been living this past year.

Gracie has another couple weeks to finish her freshman year of high school, while our two college students start summer classes, mostly online, and jobs or job hunting! Gracie invited a friend from school to her youth group. When she learned the girl didn’t have a Bible, Gracie gave her one of hers.

As always, feel free to call or write for a coffee appointment, a Window on the World, or a full missionary service, if we are not yet scheduled. See our contact info below.

Thank you for partnering with us in sharing the Good News that is new every morning, just like His steadfast love. May God fulfill this promise in our hearts today:

I'll give you a new heart, put a new spirit in you. I'll remove the stone heart from your body and replace it with a heart that's God-willed, not self-willed.

I'll put my Spirit in you and make it possible for you to do what I tell you and live by my commands.... You'll be my people! I'll be your God!

(Ezekiel 36:26-28, The Message)

Yours for Them,

Kirk for all

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