It’s amazing how quickly the weeks go by when our schedule is full! It seems like yesterday that we were about to roll out with our new team, and now we’re in the middle of our last event of 2021. We want to thank you for your prayers during this season. More than ever before, we’re convinced that our teams are filling a great need for the Church. We’ve seen a year full of fear, anger, loneliness, and division within churches. Pastors and leaders are hurting and tired. Churches have been distracted and are confused about what is next. We have had the opportunity to come into these places, love these people, and share messages of hope, change, and mission. Here are just a few testimonies from the past two months:
The Lord found me dry and in a spiritual plateau. I wasn’t in the Word daily like I knew I needed to be. There seemingly weren’t enough hours in the day. During Thirst my desire and joy was refreshed for my family, spouse and the Lord. The day hasn’t gained any hours, but my day has had enough to have time to rest and lean into the Lord and to seek Him through His Word.
I’ve been in recovery for two years now and God has done some incredible things in my life. I was nervous to go to the ladies’ luncheon because I feared I would feel shame from my past. But the pastor’s wife shared her humble story and I felt safe. I even felt compelled to reach out to my (absent) father and ask his forgiveness for the ways I have hurt him. The Tuesday night service gave me the space to apologize to a pastor and his wife in our church, who I have impacted with my choices. Praise God that he is calling me to deeper humility and relationship with Him.
I came into Life Action tired. As a pastor life tends to be filled with much doing. It was a blessing to sit, enjoy, and partake, and be ministered to. To be reminded in a busy season that God personally desires to know me as I enjoy Him. To enjoy the Jesus I proclaim week in and week out in the midst of a busy and straining season.
My parents’ marriage was struggling for almost 7 years… I grew bitter and resentful towards my mom. The Holy Spirit began convicting me Sunday, but it wasn’t until Tuesday evening that I gave it to God and forgave her… The freedom from bitterness is so refreshing, and I’ve regained a contact as I unblocked my mom from my phone after a year.
In addition to our regular church events, Silver Team helped lead two special events. The first was at Life Action Camp, where we were able to participate in a father/son retreat. Our team served in the kitchens, ran games & activities, and helped make the weekend a memorable time for boys and their dads, me and Gabe included!
From there, we made the long trek to Texas, where we led the Ignite Conference, the spiritual emphasis week at Houston Baptist University. It was a really neat invitation to come alongside the administration, faculty, and student body at such a thriving university. As a Christian educational institution, HBU does not require a faith commitment in order to enroll, though students are required to participate in various spiritual formation activities, like chapel and the Ignite Conference. We got to lead worship, preach and teach, and make connections with students, faculty, and staff. During our time there, the Spiritual Life office saw 244 different students respond in specific ways, from interest in becoming a follower of Jesus to pursuing more intentional discipleship and Christian community.
After about eight weeks of constant movement and activity, it’d be easy to lose sight of some our greatest ministry and influence – our team. Over the last two months (not to mention 6 weeks of training before that) we’ve had the joy of developing and deepening relationships with some of the most amazing young adults. We are regularly blown away at the sincerity of their devotion and love for God’s people, not to mention their crazy antics! What’s even more astounding is the fact that they look to us and for leadership and counsel. We need your prayers to lead this group wisely and effectively.
Next week, we’ll be hitching up and heading back to Michigan to park it for the holidays. We’re looking forward to being back at the house, traveling to see some family, and taking a little breather before 2022. Please pray for us and for our team that we will be intentional with our holiday break, finding ways both to recharge and to walk forward into the new year with purpose.
Key photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash
The Lee Family 