Greetings from Springfield!

During the missions morning service of the May Fellowship Meeting, we recognized several for 30 years and three for 50 years of service. Those are amazing milestones in service to our Lord Jesus. We did not have any new missionaries to approve this week. We had some but for various reasons they moved back their approval to September or next year. However, with new WIN missionaries in July and November and new BBFI missionaries in September we will see 16 new missionaries join our forces.

I want to personally thank you for praying for my recovery from my heart attack and stents that were placed. I have finished 20 sessions of physical therapy and am on the road to recovery. I have basically been working since the event, but I have taken things a little easier. I still have a couple of months before my next international trip.

As an update to our building project: the Event Center is finished. It looks great and we have used it for several meetings and the missionary luncheon. Also, the short-term apartments are done, and we have already had missionaries staying in them. They turned out very nice. The retirement apartments are soon to see drywall going up which is a big step forward.

I often wonder why the Lord hasn’t returned with all the things going on around us. In those times the Holy Spirit reminds me of several verses. The first is 1 Timothy 2:3-4 which says:

For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

The second is 2 Peter 3:9:   

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

We live in a sad and wicked world, and it seems to get worse daily. But when you think of all those who have yet to hear the gospel and then God’s desire that all be saved and for no one to parish without knowing Him – we still have a job to do. That’s why He waits.

Thank you for staying in the battle for the souls of men, women and children all around you who need salvation. God has you right where He wants you and your faithfulness makes a difference. Be safe out there and shine your light!

Your friend,  

Jon