Walking Alongside of . . .

As a ministry that is connected broadly in this region, we have the privilege and opportunity to see and discuss many things related to what God is doing. There are amazing people—men and women and even children pursuing God in their own context which would be difficult for you or I to do the same in those places given where they are and what it entails. For this I am thankful, that God desires to use His entire Church, that is, every Christ-follower. God, through His genius and infinite wisdom, knows that it will take all of His people mobilized into His mission to ensure that every person in this region has an opportunity to hear, see, and respond to the gospel. The mission God has called us into is certain, but it can be hard. It can be troublesome. It can have, and typically does have, a cost. It can and frequently wounds those engaged in it. While our future is secure in the hope of Christ, the here and now can be a struggle given this world is still marred with sin, evil, and that which propagates it. Even so, we are to be light, a hope, a help, a source of life to those who are desperately seeking truth, and to those who are fighting for the souls of every man, woman, and child.

It is in this common battle for the souls of all people, we have a unique opportunity and responsibility to come alongside of those in the midst of it who have found themselves wounded. Wounded in the sense that they cannot continue to fight the battle but wish to do so knowing they need to be restored, refreshed and revitalized. It is here in the healing process that we have a unique opportunity to be used by God to come alongside those in ministry leadership who have been wounded.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Galatians 6:9-10 (NIV)

Given our desire to be used in such a way by God, The Chapel is piloting a new ministry called Renewed Hope to come alongside of the wounded and hurting. These are ministry leaders who can no longer engage in the battle but desire to do so and are willing to submit themselves to a process of recovery and restoration. Accordingly, we recently invited and engaged a pastor and his family from New York City to participate in this new ministry. This family moved to Buffalo a week or so ago to be near their extended family. While here and while participating in the program, The Chapel will help them with housing and living expenses to cover their basic needs. We will also provide intense and customized counseling and guidance specific to the situation at hand so that the pastor, his wife and his children can be restored and revitalized. The intent is that after a season of recovery they will be able to reengage fully into the mission of God wherever He calls them.

So, my ask for you as you read this is to pray for this family and this new ministry. May this family be restored fully such that they can reengage in a ministry leadership capacity in the future. Please also pray that we have the resources to continue this ministry in the future both in terms of money and in terms of counseling capacity. May God use this new ministry for His glory!