March 20th, 2016

Update on our transition. March 2016 Newsletter

“While we love what we do in coming alongside Asian Christian leaders to support their growth and the growth of their ministries, we know that we cannot continue to do it without American partners. Jim is looking for some other mature missionaries he could work closely with in pioneering and growing mentoring ministries for the church in Asia.” (from our November newsletter)

This weekend we are spending five days with a ministry in Colorado getting to know possible collaborators for Jim. These are seasoned missionaries in leadership development on the national level who are also seeking the Lord about how to re-engineer their ministries.

At the end of March, Jim will return to Ho Chi Minh City with two veteran cross-cultural CRM colleagues who are also considering a partnership with Jim.

As the Lord refines what is next, Jim is clear that he should resume itinerant (non-residential) ministry in two cities where the Lord has given him deep relational investment with gifted local pastors. There are few models for fruitful churches in these countries, and some of those Jim mentors have tremendous potential to serve as model churches in their cities, and perhaps even their countries.

He will travel every other month to Asia - April, June, August, & October – to build on the help he has given for years to pastors and churches. He is exploring how to move forward with them from building their individual churches to now helping other pastors and churches in their cities, churches helping churches.

Thank you for your partnership and your support for us – we need it and we feel it!  While we don’t have all the answers for what the next chapter of ministry will look like exactly, we are moving forward with what we can do from where we are at.

Tyler & Army Ranger School

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. –Lamentations 3:22-23

Since January 3rd, many of you have prayed with us as we followed and supported our older son Tyler through what we hear is the toughest training the Army offers: Ranger School. March 4th we were at Georgia’s Ft. Benning to pin on the hard earned tab.

Oh Lord you were merciful to Tyler in allowing him to pass through the 3 phases without “recycling” or injury. We are astounded by the toughness you have built in him, and trust you for what your plans are for him to have received this status. Lord, in this ordeal you have carved a new depth of faith in Tyler to know your presence in the midst of real suffering. Thank you for the evidence of power through our prayers as we joined together for Tyler, and may we all be more viginant to be praying for others, as we’ve again seen the blessing and power that comes when we partner with You on behalf of others in need.

MISSIONS CONFERENCE. Since late last year, Kimberly has been caught up in helping plan a missions conference at our sending church, Rolling Hills Covenant Church. Before the holidays she began collecting and writing stories from missionaries supported by our sending church where many of our individual donors attend. Facebook and Instagram are now littered with some Amazing Stories of what God is doing around the world. See for yourself by typing #beamazedrhcc in the white search window at the top left of the screen while logged into Facebook. For the most amazing sermon on the “why” of missions. Click here.

Thank you Lord that we are nearby and could have a part in serving the church which sent us. Bear fruit through the inspiration of this weekend, that our congregation would grasp your heart for the nations.

PRAYER. The session in the conference for prayer that she helped lead with Andy Douglas, a younger missionary from RHCC, was as wonderful as she dreamed it would be. We searched out and found many of our church’s older prayer warriors to share from their experience and inspire us. We gathered requests from our missionaries. We offered 1-to-1 prayer coaches for those who might be shy about praying in a group of strangers. But best of all, we spend a good amount of the time praying.

Oh Lord! that we all would keep leaning in to knowing you, our heavenly Father better through prayer! Teach us what it means to be effective partners with you in salvation, protection, strengthening, fighting our enemy the Devil, and changing our world through the privilege of prayer! We are so weak in this important part of being your children! Forgive us Lord! Lord, teach us to pray! Give us more disipline to practice prayer!

Jim & Kimberly Creasman

And if you didn’t catch it before, SERIOUSLY, for the most amazing sermon on the “why” of missions. Click here. You will not be sorry if you take the time to listen.

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