RAISING THE BAR ON LEADERSHIP
How things have changed in the short time since we talked. Covid 19 is having a devastating impact around the world. Our government and health department are doing their best to protect the nation and guide us all through this crisis time. As disciples of Jesus, we need to understand the He has not been surprised by this global pestilence and He has us firmly in His hand. It is time for us to make sure we are standing firmly on the rock which is our Lord and know that we shall weather the storm. Will some of us get the virus? Perhaps. Will some of us die, hopefully not, will some of us lose our jobs, probably. But whatever challenge this virus brings we know for sure the hope of the gospel. We know the truth of what the writer of Hebrews in Chapter 13:5& 6 reminds of. Jesus said, “I will never leave you, nor forsake you, so that we confidently say, the Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What will man [or virus] do to me.” It is a time for the light within us to shine expressing the love of Jesus to those with whom we connect our bubble, so that they too may experience the hope and peace of Christ.
Fortunately I didn’t go to the LMC in Indonesia. While the course went ahead, some of the trainers are now locked down away from their countries and homes. The Leadership Matters course I was to lead in Hong Kong in June has been postponed to next year. I am still leading the curriculum committee which meets on line and also I’m still in the team rewriting the LMC for Christian Miissionary and Alliance pastors in Canada.
The Caleb Leadership Ministries Board now has two new members bringing us up to four. Margie Rea from Crookston in the deep south and David Hill from Hamilton have been appointed. At our Board meeting last night, David accepted the role of Chairman and Margie as Secretary. Garey Clark continues his wonderful work as Treasurer. At that meeting it was decided to cancel this years Leadership course. We are hoping to transfer the few registered to next year. Who knows what the church landscape will look like in six months. We need to pray for churches around the world who will struggle to stay viable.
I am forming a committee to take advantage of this time to review the Leadership course and look at two main things. First can we shorten the course and secondly how do we put some of the course into an online format. Pray for the committee as we work through this over the next twelve months.
The Auranga church plant is on hold during the Covid 19 situation. We have also found that the land promised has been unpromised and a community centre which we will be able to use is to be erected instead. This will require the church plant team which includes the developer to decide how we proceed. The Lord has been reminding me what he has asked me to do, which is to plant a church Drury wide. The how is to be thought through some more, and I’m considering whether that will be a small group church with regular full church meetings and events using the community centre. However, the team and I will pray through this when we get back together.
With our pastor at Connect being on Sabbatical I am having to cover the leading of the church along with the elders. It’s been hectic as we prepare to be ‘connect online’ over the next month at least. I’ve been blessed by the great ministry team who have worked so well to get us up and running in a short lead in.
As above in regard to ongoing course development. I have a Bridge Builder’s course coming up in May if it goes ahead. Other short courses are now floating in the ether.
We are so grateful for all your prayers for us as a family and particularly Rachel. She finally had the biopsy and the results are that the tumour is benign PTL. The tumour is a Desmoid Tumour and they are a bit aggressive. The specialist said that his team will work out the plan to treat it which may involve surgery. Three months after Rachel’s had the baby, they will start treatments.
As I write, Rachel is in Christchurch hospital being induced. The baby had stopped growing and Rachel has been losing lots of weight. The decision was made to induce the labour. We pray that the process will go smoothly and Rachel and the baby will come through well. Pray for Jonny too. Unfortunately, Yvonne is unable to go down and support Rachel and the family until the transport situation changes.
Tim has restarted varsity although currently there is a two-week break before he will be back to learning on line. Aimee’s work has been shut down and she is home waiting to see what the wage situation will be.
Jay, Sakura and Kayla are doing well although Sakura has a trip to hospital due to chest and arm pain. Turns out it is exhaustion. She is doing better now. Jay is working from home mostly.
Yvonne has closed the BnB. She has applied for government help so we wait and see how that goes. Certainly, finances will be very tight for a while.
Hannah is doing ok. Her calling out seems to be at any transition time whether that is the end of a DVD or time to go to bed. Please pray that the Lord will take that away from her mind.
My prayer is that you will be kept free from the virus and find God’s peace and love as you spend the next month in isolation. May the Lord sustain you spiritually, physically, emotionally and financially. Finally I share this word of encouragement the Lord gave to Moses as they faced going into the promised land and up against a formidable enemy. I pray and claim it for us as we go into a dangerous landscape we’ve never travelled before; Dueteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail your or forsake you.”
Every blessing
Rex, Yvonne, Rachel, Jonny & Caleb & ?, Jeremy, Sakura & Kayla, Tim & Aimee & Hannah.