Dear Friends,

It is summertime in good ol’ Milwaukee.  The temperatures have been reliably warm, the ethnic festival season is in full swing, and there is growing excitement around the city about hosting a presidential convention next year. Wisconsin is truly a great place to be during the summertime.

Recently an article was published in Christianity Today about Ethiopia being on the front lines of the next mission movement.  The article struck me in two significant ways.  Firstly, the evidence of seeds sown long ago by missionaries that have grown into what now are evangelical denominations of millions, is awe-inspiring. It recalls the verses in Ephesians, “So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.” (Eph. 4:11-12). The Ethiopian Church has not only grown numerically, but spiritually too!

BrookLink in Ethiopia in 2018

Secondly, I was overwhelmed with gratitude as I read of the Ethiopian revival because of our faithful supporters. BrookLink has had multiple opportunities to partner alongside and witness firsthand the growth and success of Ethiopia’s Kale Heywet church.  It has been a privilege for us to train pastors and church leaders for the past three years, and to have continued conversations with leadership about developing a long-term training partnership with Kale Heywet. This partnership includes expanding BrookLink’s influence beyond pastoral training to include child and family ministry training.  Our ability to “say yes” increases each year, and we are so grateful for your financial support which makes this possible.

BrookLink in Ethiopia 2017 

As the article points out “Africa is a young continent,” noting 6 in 10 residents are under 30.  “Soon the main harvest force will come from Africa.”  The perspective that “missions is not a Western responsibility,” is aligned to BrookLink’s values.  When we train pastors and church workers overseas, we enter their context to equip, empower and release them for greater kingdom impact.  Releasing leaders to influence their networks is how the Global Church is strengthened.

BrookLink continues to grow and transition even as I serve as Lead Pastor at Elmbrook Church.  As referenced in the letter from our Board Chair in February 2019, our team has been watching how God continues to use BrookLink worldwide. While I’m engaged at Elmbrook, the need for additional management of BrookLink’s ministry has become increasingly apparent. As discussed above, God continues to reveal opportunities requiring our services and ministry. To respond effectively to this growing need, our Board of Directors has decided to proceed with a search for an individual who will provide additional, daily leadership for BrookLink. We’re excited about this addition to the BrookLink team!

I would like to invite you to pray with us:

1. Pray for safe travel, endurance and successful conferences in India, where Paul and Lisa Sinclair are currently spending five weeks training for BrookLink.
2. Pray for our partners in Pakistan. This month I was supposed to be in Pakistan conducting a large training conference. Due to circumstances there, this conference has been postponed to early 2020.
3. Pray for wisdom and discernment as BrookLink’s Board of Directors conduct a search process to address BrookLink’s day-to-day governance.

I look forward to sharing more information with you in the coming months.

Wishing you every blessing as you enjoy the end of summer and look forward to fall!