Ministry transition

{Note: This was our last post to this blog, as we transitioned from 20schemes to other ministry work. You can learn more about the current work of 20schemes here.
You can also read Suzanne's blog here.}

The family on departure day -- with our big ol' moving truck!

One year ago, our family was planning for an upcoming trip -- and potential move to Scotland. Who knew that today we'd be ministering in the desert of New Mexico rather than the Highlands of Scotland?

Well, the Lord knew.

The beautiful Jemez Mountains, north of Albuquerque (it's pronounced "HAY-mas", in case you wondered).

As we've been settling in, we've been reminded of God's goodness in so many ways.

God's physical provision for us through His people -- both here and our friends around the country -- has been humbling.

Our new church family readied our home for our arrival.

Living in the middle of the desert surrounded by glorious mountain ranges has been surprisingly refreshing to us. We are awed each day by their everchanging beauty and by their Creator.

Ready to tackle Pino Trail in the Sandia Mountains.

In the midst of the busyness of this transition, we're so thankful to be continually spiritually refreshed. Both the blessings and the trials of new opportunities drive us to the Lord and His Word. And He is faithful.

We hope that you'll continue to pray for us in this new ministry -- even as you continue to follow the work of our friends at 20schemes (so many exciting things happening there, as well!).

• Pray for Jeff in his work as elder. He's just joined the preaching rotation, beginning with Ruth 1, and is getting to know the church family.
• Our family has a heart to share hospitality with the church family and our community. Please pray that we'll make and take opportunities, and that these times will be encouraging to our guests.
• AnnaKate is settling into her new home, routine, and church in North Georgia. We are praying for continued wisdom -- both for her and us -- as we parent this sweet young lady from afar. This is new territory for us! We are working (and praying) on finding a car for her, as well.

(By the way, check out how much our Jared has grown over the past 18 months -- he's so much taller in the moving truck photo than in the older photo in our header! We're proud of the young man he's becoming.)

Westward bound!

Back in February, we told you about some challenges we were facing. Those challenges, along with Jeff's growing desire to return to pastoral ministry (whetted by our almost-move to Scotland), led Jeff to begin exploring opportunities for full-time pastoral work.

In the Lord's faithfulness, a church in Los Lunas, New Mexico, has invited Jeff to be co-elder. Our family visited Los Lunas and Albuquerque for about a week back in late April; Jeff preached, and we spent time getting to know the church family and checking out the area. We hope to relocate in mid- to late-July.

We're so thankful for the past seventeen months of sharing the ministry of 20schemes with churches all around the country.

We'd appreciate your prayers during our transition, especially in the following areas:

1) While we're planning for AnnaKate to travel to New Mexico with us, she'll return to Georgia to attend college. Please pray that we'll be able to find a safe and reliable (but inexpensive) car for her. We're thankful that the Lord has already provided her with a job, a wonderful living situation and a good church.

2) We have many details to work out for the transition. Please pray that in the midst of all of this, we'll recognize God's sovereign hand and rest in His plan.

3) Please pray for health and physical endurance for our family leading up to the move and during our 3-4 day cross-country trip.

4) We hope you'll continue to pray for 20schemes' ongoing work of bringing gospel churches to Scotland's poorest -- there is still much to be done.

Thanks for your prayerful support!

Evangelicals Now interview with Mez

Evangelicals Now recently posted an interview with Mez McConnell, ministry director for 20schemes and pastor of Niddrie Community Church in Edinburgh, Scotland. We wanted to share this interview with you because it's a concise overview of the mission and ministry of 20schemes. You can help us by reading it and then sharing it with your friends via email and social media.

And if you need more information about how you and/or your church can be involved in this ministry, please contact us. We love to talk about it and help people learn how they might partner with 20schemes!

Evangelicals Now: 20schemes