Tag Archives: missionary preparation

•

Our home church, CrossRoad Church, officially commissioned us to go as missionaries yesterday. It was good to feel supported and encouraged in that way as Pastor Kevin Griffin blessed us and my upcoming journey. “Missionary” means sent one, so this was a significant pronouncement. Coincidentally it was the congregation’s 25th anniversary as a church body, so it was a special blessing to be presented on such an occasion.

The service was broadcast by Livestream, and remains available at https://www.facebook.com/CrossRoadChurchJax/videos/1574275832767262/. We are introduced at 22:45 on the recording. There were some technical issues with the pastor’s microphone, but hopefully you will understand the context and hopefully hear the blessing enough to add your “amen” to it.

Thanks to all who came by, prayed for, encouraged, or came on board as financial partners!

Scriptures:

“Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”” (reference the Good Samaritan)

Luke 10:37 NIV

“He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”

Mark 16:15 NIV

““A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”

John 13:34 NIV

“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.””

Matthew 28:18-20 NIV

“He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

Luke 10:2 NIV

“And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!””

Romans 10:15 NIV

Link to verses on Bible Gateway

• 4 Comments

•

Seven years ago, Cindy and I responded to the call to become foreign missionaries and made a seven-year plan that would see us finally on the ground in Uganda, East Africa. The seventh year is here! Seven years ago we made our intentions public. We called things that are not as though they are, and now the seeds we cultivated are budding and will be in full bloom very soon. 

Three days ago I tendered my resignation from the hospital that has been my second home since July 17, 2017. My last day in the E.R. will be April 14th, exactly seven years since we prepared to board a plane for Uganda the first time. Since I notified my coworkers of  intentions, I’ve had to answer a lot of questions, the answers to some of which are still up in the air. 

"I tendered my resignation from the hospital"

Since I count on those of you who read this to be in prayer for us, I will fill you in on our human plans so far. In keeping with the teaching of James, I will not be so vain as to say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there…” (James 4:13-15*). We are responsible, however, to plot our course for the Lord to direct our steps (Proverbs 16:9*), and here I will articulate the general course we have set. 

God willing… I will travel alone to Uganda April 24th, spend six weeks at a mission in Karuma, helping where I can, and assessing where Cindy and I can best be used in that mission. I will return June 5th, and spend the next several months in resource development, recruiting the mission sending partners we need to make our ministry a reality. Then, if it suits the Lord and the mission in question, the long-term deployment will begin in September. It is that close! It’s practically here!

"I will travel alone to Uganda April 24th"

Now the bad news. Cindy will be staying behind in Florida, taking care of her aging parents for a time, and will join me at a later date. We understand this takes a toll on a marriage, but believe we are divinely equipped to make even a long-distance relationship work. We recognize the importance of honoring parents and not deserting them in the name of ministry (Matthew 15:4-6, Mark 7:10-13*). While Cindy has a duty to her parents in their unexpectedly changing circumstances, I am reminded of Jesus’ words:

“No one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.” (Luke 18:29, NIV*, emphasis mine; see also Matthew 19:29 and Mark 10:29*). 

I am not sacrificing merely to receive what these verses promise, but I do see Jesus’ teaching as approving of a missionary’s deployment, even without his precious bride when necessary, for the sake of the Kingdom. Please pray with us that all will go according to God’s will and that our every thought, word, and action will bring Him glory through Christ Jesus, in whose name we do all. 

*Scripture references

•

I graduated Saturday! I’m officially a college graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), a University of Florida Gator alumnus! (#GoGatorNurses #GatoRNurse) The US allows nurses to practice with an Associate Degree as long as they pass the licensure exam, but the rest of the world is trending toward requiring the BSN. Since Uganda follows trends in the UK, it seemed wise to keep up with the global standard. 

I posted this selfie on social media sites Saturday and it has received more attention than any other post I can recall in my online history. There isn’t anything special about the lighting, the outfit, or even the guy in the frame, but the idea that someone like me can redefine himself I think appeals to people. No one is stuck being what they once were. God changes lives, and so we who believe and rely on God are excellent examples of lives that are changed. When I look back at the person I was twenty or even ten years ago I am amazed at what God has done. Each day I pray that God will build with me and do with me as He wills, and every year I am amazed when I look back at what He has done. This is one milestone I cannot look at without seeing the obvious marks of the Master’s hand at work. 

No one is stuck being

what they once were.

Here is further evidence. I just received a text from a fellow police officer who has started nursing school. She reached out to me for advice and encouragement. Nursing school is a long, hard journey. After I gave her a quick “don’t give up” pep talk, she responded with this commentary that showed I am no longer the monster of a man I once was. She said, “You are, and always have been an inspiring, encouraging, and awesome guy.” Folks, that is nothing short of miraculous evidence there is a Spirit in me that is not the spirit of Todd Lemmon. The natural me is ornery, selfish, critical, demanding, and spiteful. The me this young lady knows is someone different entirely, and I say that to honor the God who lives in me, not myself. 

God is awesome! He is still in the business of creating. He wants to re-create you today. Will you let Him? If you already have, will you prove it in the way you love those around you? Will people say that the Spirit in you made them live better, love more, shine brighter? 

May I pray for us today? 

Holy Father, today, please make Yourself obvious in the lives of those reading this. Accept the offering of our lives and do something amazing with them. Create in us something beautiful only You could imagine. Use our smile to brighten someone’s day. Give us words that will encourage someone who needs You. Be so bright in us that the darkness in those around us has to flee. May our every thought, word, and action bring You glory through Christ Jesus our Lord, in whose name we pray. Amen!