I hope and pray you had a nice Thanksgiving wherever you were. I was in Kenya on Thanksgiving. As countries open and restrictions subside my travels are picking up again. It was a blessing to speak at the graduation of the Nairobi Baptist Bible College that I had a part in starting 30 years ago. Praise the Lord for those still surrendering to serve God in the ministry and for a place where they can receive training — 16 graduates this year.

I will be going to Uganda in January 2023 to participate in a conference of pastors and churches promoting missions. Africa is seeing many good things happen with people catching on to the idea of the Great Commission. As they understand their responsibility, I can see Africa moving from a Mission Field to a Mission Force.

In March 2023 I will be in Greece to help celebrate a building dedication with George & Luisa Dimakos, James & Cristina Sinde and Michael & Shaleena Quinlan. God is really working through their ministry to reach those traveling through Greece into Europe from the Middle East and North Africa. It is wonderful to have someone there prepared to reach them with the Gospel!

In May 2023 I will be traveling to Japan to participate in the memorial service for Lavern Rodgers that the Japanese churches are planning. I am sure this will be a special event for the multitudes who have been eternally impacted by the life and ministry of Bro. Rodgers.

There are more trips later in the year plus a mission conference in between these trips. Someone asked me why I like to travel so much. I told him, “Because it’s harder to hit a moving target.”

The new building project is still under way. Many permits are nearing final approval. There has been a little delay in the permit for grading. Once that is complete, the clearing of the land will start. It is exciting to think about what it will be like when things really get under way. Please pray for God to provide the necessary funds needed because of inflation and the rising cost of materials. We know He is still in control and has clearly opened the doors every step of the way so far. If you would like any booklets to pass out to pastors and people to promote the project, let me know and we will send them to you.

Check out this podcast we recorded and posted on November 15th. It is me and Mark Milioni discussing the opportunities that BBC here in Springfield is now able to offer those needing to complete their required mission courses and how BBC can now work with international training institutions. I think you will find it interesting and helpful to many. We have worked on this for over a year.

Did you receive this year’s Christmas card from the Mission Office yet? We had fun changing it up a little this year. You need to look closely into each window and see all that is there and what each person is doing.

We did a computer-generated selection process to pick 10 missionaries from the names of those who responded to my letter a few months ago. If you received $50 in your account the end of November, you were one of the top 10 winners. I believe there were 64 that responded.

When I think of Christmas, I think of what Jesus said in John 20:21: Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

Just as Jesus was sent to BE the way – born of a virgin in Bethlehem, lived a sinless life, and became the way of salvation on the cross, you have been sent to SHOW the way of salvation through Jesus to a world in desperate need.

Thank you for GOING and I pray that fruit may abound from your labor during this Christmas season!

Your friend,

Jon