HUMBLE MISSION

“To comfort all who mourn…to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.”

~ Isaiah 61:2-3

Dear Friends,

The heart of BrookLink is gripped by the quote from Andy McCullough’s book, Global Humility: Attitudes for Mission: “The mission of Christ is a humble mission.” Invitations abound to speak into the hearts of faithful church leaders, and we are thrilled to be sending our trainers overseas this summer. Following the job wanted description of missionaries from McCullough’s book, our trainers serve, not judge; they learn, not dictate; they are amongst, not above. We’ve asked Dr. Dan Green and Drs. Paul and Lisa Sinclair to share what God has planned for them in the weeks to come.

You have grown familiar with Dr. Dan Green and his ministry in the Czech Republic, and he is thrilled to return in-person next month. After two years constrained by the pandemic and limited to virtual teaching, consulting, and connecting, he is scheduled to depart for Prague, Czechia on June 15^th, along with his wife, Lynne. This will be their 22nd trip, teaching at the Evangelical Theological Seminary of Prague, meeting with pastors and church leaders, providing seminars in local churches, and connecting with those they have been in ministry with during these last 25 years. New this year are the challenges presented by the presence of many Ukrainian refugees.

“The churches have opened their modest buildings to house and feed those who have come to them. For example, the church in Vysoké Mýto (a church of approximately 75 people) is housing nine women and their children.” Prague is about the same distance from Kyiv, Ukraine as Milwaukee to Philadelphia. Dan will be teaching on the topic of Forgiveness at the seminary and offering seminars and consultation on the topics of grief and trauma for the pastors and church leaders. These seminars were requested in light of the presence of many refugees.

Aside from typical challenges that international travel promises, staying COVID-19 free is important for so many reasons, including being allowed to return to the US. Dan requests prayer for good health for all involved, peace in Ukraine and Eastern Europe, that they will be an encouragement to all, for students to be open to receive and share in the learning process, that they will reflect God’s love to the refugees that they meet, and for safe travels. Thank you.

Dan looks forward to being reunited with Dr. Dalimil Staněk, a student of his 14 years ago who has since earned two doctorate degrees, serves as a pastor, professor, and psychologist. Dalimil’s second dissertation offered a narrative theory of forgiveness, a development of work they have done together over the last 10 years.

Paul and Lisa Sinclair whole-heartedly embrace what Stuart Briscoe says as they prepare to teach in Peru: “Resources, however limited, willingly offered, divinely empowered, become more than adequate to do what God wants done.” Their long-time friends, Dick and Ruth Robinson (studio portrait below), have invited the Sinclairs to support training indigenous church and mission leaders from June 27th – July 11th. The Robinson’s ministry agency, RiverWind, has a strategic role in the formation of indigenous leaders in the Amazon Basin located on the Ucayali River in the Amazonian rainforest. The Sinclairs‘ trip has two parts. Initially, they will serve pastors and church leaders in the city of Pucallpa (photo below on the left) on spiritual formation, mental health and marriage counseling. Next, with Dick and Ruth, they fly upriver to the small river community of Nueva Italia (photo below) to engage in area schools and with pastors who work in a context of increasing secular and gang influence. They will connect with teachers, pastors and leaders dealing with problems of drugs, sexual promiscuity, humanism and violence. Fulfilling the vision of BrookLink, Paul and Lisa look forward to partnering with various Peruvian ministries, including the United Evangelical Churches, Fraternidad, Divino Redentor Church and RiverWind.

Paul and Lisa‘s Peruvian teaching trip supports the growth of churches in the Amazonian jungle villages. This small map of Peru to the right provides context of where they will serve in relation to its coastal capital, Lima.

Won’t you join us in rejoicing and praising God as our faithful servants go to the corners of the earth to proclaim the goodness of God? And please pray for God to let the seeds planted by their worthy labors bear much good fruit. Your prayers, support and partnership are so deeply appreciated. We love you.

Shalom,