Let's Wake Up and Walk Like Jesus Walked!

I am stunned by the number of people that I meet on a daily basis here in Annandale, Minnesota and the surrounding communities that are lost and have no idea that they have a creator that wants to have a relationship with them.

Our culture here in North America is such that we adore knowledge itself, instead of the one we were created to adore, Jesus Christ!

We spend most of our time planning our programs and classes all while the world around is dying and so badly in need of a Savior.

God's word tells us to be immitators of Christ and we see that during Christ's ministry on earth he was out reaching the sinners in the streets, teaching through simple parables. He desires that no one should perish!

We also see that the Pharisees were religious, legalistic and loved to make themselves look important.

Why do we tend to complicate what wasn't meant to be complicated?! God's word says, "Go, therefore and make disciples of all nations" ...not, "go therefore and huddle in your buildings and discuss theology."

Wake up, followers of Jesus Christ!  Let's be hearers AND doers of God's word in this world that is so badly in need of a Savior!

Humble servant of King Jesus,

Diane

Shalom!

Senior Pastor Denny and Sue

Associate Pastor Jeff and Diane

Jeff and I stand in AWE at the work of God's hand over this last year!

God has been directing, encouraging and guiding us clearly!

As we reflect and look back at what God has done, we remember how heartbreaking it was to leave Brazil last April!  Brazil, a country and people that will forever remain in our hearts!

It would have been so easy to stay there. But when God calls us to "go", He does not promise us that it will be easy.  And in our 10th year, it was getting easy and comfortable.

As missionaries there, God had blessed us again with full support for that year, our 10th year.  Ministry was effective, we had finally obtained permanent visas and our daughter and son-in-law were planning to move to Rio to teach at the International Christian School.  We had so many reasons to stay!  And we had one better reason to return to the United States....Jesus Christ!  We could see how our own country was/is turning away from the Lord!

So return, we did---to the country of our origin, because God was clearly calling us to do so! 

God gave us a short stop in Grimes, Iowa, where we stopped to encourage and minister together with some incredible brothers- and sisters-in-Christ.  Now, God has clearly has called us to Annandale, Minnesota. 

Jeff will serve as Associate Pastor at Annandale Evangelical Free Church beginning April 1st.  To quote a sister-in-Christ from AEFC, "His (God's) hand is all over this one!"  Thanks, Nancy, for these encouraging words!

Through Jeff's interviewing process and "courtship" with Annandale Evangelical Free Church, the Holy Spirit has worked incredibly, guiding and affirming!  Allow me to share just one of the many...

One morning during the 5-day candidating visit, I was prayer-running around Pleasant Lake in Annandale, praying for peace as we sought God's clear direction. 

I looked up and saw a sign saying, "Shalom".  I praised God for that word of encouragement!  Upon second glance, I realized that the sign actually said, "Shallow Water"!  

Both encouraged me!  "Shalom", because it means peace, and "Shallow Water," because to me it means that there are times of magnificent ministry opportunities ahead in Annandale after what seemed to be unending and deep waters of being in limbo!

We are so excited and looking forward to what God has in store for us in Annandale!  Praising Him for revealing our "NEXT"!

Shalom,

Diane and Jeff

John 14:27 says, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

Romans 15:13, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope".


Thank you for praying for us!

We are astounded at the work of the Holy Spirit and will share more soon!  

He is guiding and directing our next steps in such a beautiful way, doing things that only He is capable of.

We have great hope for the future!

God ALONE is worthy of all glory, honor and praise!

Humble servants of the Lord Most High,

Jeff and Diane

God is always preparing each of us for our "NEXT".

What's our...."NEXT"?

When Jeff and I returned to the United States in April, we never would have imagined what God was orchestrating.  

We have had the privilege to work alongside some AMAZING Christ followers, dedicated to knowing God's Word and applying it in their lives and ministry.

We celebrate these brothers-in-Christ that matured in their walks with Christ incredibly during these past six months.  

As well, we celebrate our brother-in-Christ who has decided to use his energy and efforts to go to seminary and become a pastor!

Last Sunday was a bittersweet day as we closed the church plant and celebrated what God has done through all of this journey.

Now we stand at a crossroads, Jeff and I.  We are excited for our next chapter and are listening intently to Him as we reflect, pray, dream, consider and seek God's will for our next ministry.  

We are in awe of our amazing sending church, Westwind, that is so beautifully caring for us!

Thanks to those of you who have reached out to us via e-mails, texts and phone calls with words of love and encouragement!

Please pray with us as we follow God's plan for our lives and for our "NEXT"!

Humble servants of the Lord Most High,

Jeff and Diane

1 Peter 1:3-9, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade---kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.  In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.  These have come so that your faith---of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire---may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.  Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls".