It is summertime in Springfield, but we are staying busy in the Mission Office.

Two weeks ago I was the main speaker at a youth camp for three churches. I was a little uncertain as to how I might relate with teens and asked the Lord for His direction numerous times as I prepared to preach seven times over the course of the week. The Lord really blessed with six salvations, five surrendering to full-time service and three of those for missions. In addition, several had already surrendered to be missionaries, and I was able to give them good direction and build that relationship to work with them in the future.

In two weeks we hold our annual Advanced Mission Training (formerly known as Candidate School). We have 15 new missionaries who will attend, several current missionaries attending for refreshers in several sessions, and a few former missionaries looking to be reinstated soon. We look forward to this week very much. Please pray our new missionaries will take this time seriously and will be able to grasp all the information that we present to them.

The evening of the last day of our Advanced Mission Training I will begin my trip through LAX and on to Papua New Guinea. This will be my first time visiting this country. I look forward to spending time with our missionaries and national pastors as well as preaching missions in several churches and conferences. Please pray for safety, health, and that God would use me to encourage those churches and leaders. I am told we have over 400 churches in PNG. This will be my first international trip since my heart attack five months ago.

I am sure this finds you staying busy with the ministry the Lord has given to you too. It is a privilege to be a part of His mission. Thank you for being faithful to His calling upon your life. Please let me know if there is any way I can specifically pray for you.

Your friend,

Jon