It has been very exciting to get our feet on the ground in Portland and begin the process of settling into a rhythm for our family. We have been painting rooms (something we have not done in our 14 years of marriage), unpacking boxes (some that have been packed for almost 8 years) and hosting (family and friends from Oregon, Washington, Alberta, North Carolina and Scotland). We even had the opportunity to attend two weddings of very dear friends - one from Portland and one from Scotland (It was such a blessing to be able to lead worship at one of them). Every step has made it feel more like home. Of course, in a lot of ways, Portland IS home to Britany and I, which has created a strange mixture of the old and the new.
We have had the amazing opportunity to reconnect with so many people (and there are still many we have still not yet seen). Yet, at the same time, we come to Portland with a new vision and the new ministry we are joining with a new set of eyes - new opportunities! Everything feels new... and so we have hit the ground running. We have been eager to meet with new and old friends to ask the question... Lord, what do you have for us here? And who do you want to join us in that work? The common response time and time again has been discipleship - which is so near to my heart and passions that I know it cannot be an accident.
My new job description describes my role like this:
The Director of Discipleship will be responsible for the discipleship branch of The Berean Way – which is found within the Equip and Duplicate mandate. This will include the development/writing/teaching of resources and material for discipleship, discipleship training and leadership development among Berean Way volunteers and indigenous Pastors (in India, Uganda, etc). In addition to basic discipleship development, the DD will also focus on pre-trip and post-trip equipping and leadership development for Berean Way volunteers.So far, since we've been in Portland, this has looked like... getting to know the ministry, meeting with potential volunteers, developing/writing discipleship training material (and tools) and helping strategize and plan for our upcoming trips this next year. It has been pretty exciting to see how much people have been anticipating our involvement here with The Berean Way.
Secondary responsibilities may include (but are not limited to): expanding the relational base of the Berean Way through meetings – for prayer and financial interest, teaching (when given the opportunity) locally and internationally – to generate interest and increase exposure, modeling the mandates of Teach, Equip and Duplicate in everyday life – for integrity of mission and authenticity of message.
Our most pressing prayer requests are:
1 - That God would bring the right people for our upcoming trips to Uganda, India and potentially Nicaragua. People with a passion for prayer, discipleship and God's Word. We are looking for people to be a part of a 16 session discipleship training that overlaps the trip on both sides AND for people to support those doing the training.
2 - That our kids would have a smooth transition into their new school. They are fairly excited (as excited as kids get to go to school) but very nervous. Pray especially for Duncan as he navigates his new Individualized Education Plan.
3 - Balance. That we would figure out a way to balance all the new relationships with all the old... and that we would BE the people God has called us to be in this place.
grace and peace,
Tim
