As we approach the end of 2020, we are so thankful for all the ways you have prayed with us and supported us in our first full year of ministry.
This was a difficult year for many people around the world, and we pray often for those of you who have been deeply impacted by the events of 2020. We pray God’s provision and comfort, and we are so thankful for the ways you have encouraged us this year.
Here is a quick review of what our ministry with Ethnos360 looked like this year:
January-March: Ministry Partnership Development
We spent time building our ministry team and educating churches and individuals about global missions. Nick had the opportunity to preach and present our ministry to multiple church congregations, we met with small groups, and we built amazing relationships with our ministry partners. It was exciting to connect with other believers who share God’s heart for reaching those with no access to God’s Word and His gospel.
March-June: Florida
In a very sudden change of events, we cut our time of partnership development short and headed to Sanford, FL, so that Nick could serve an urgent need at the Homes of Ethnos360 in the midst of the pandemic. The residents of the retirement homes and assisted living communities were among the most vulnerable as the pandemic spread, and God led us there to serve. God used this time to grow our faith in Him as He provided the remaining ministry partnerships we needed during such unusual circumstances. Nick also was able to work alongside a former Grounds Coordinator for the Missionary Training Center, and he learned so much during our few months in Florida. Kathy worked on preschool lessons with Naomi and prepared for her teaching position here at the Missionary Training Center.
July-December: Missionary Training Center
In July, we were so excited to finally make our move to the Missionary Training Center! God worked in ways that we could not have orchestrated in our own efforts. He provided for our needs and kept us safe and healthy in our move from Florida to Missouri.
Kathy joined the childcare team here and began teaching in August. She and her team members provide a safe and loving environment for young missionary kids while their parents attend training classes together. As a former missionary kid, Kathy loves the opportunity to teach these children about God’s unchanging and unfailing presence, even though they face many changes in their futures. Due to the pandemic, the teaching year has included constant sanitizing, temperature checks, social distancing, and so forth. We are so thankful that the childcare team has still been able to provide this ministry to the families here, and that God has brought good even in hard circumstances.
Nick has really enjoyed his role on the Building, Grounds, and Maintenance team. His responsibilities are not limited to Grounds, as he has spent significant time in the mechanic shop, fixing and maintaining equipment, and he has also learned about the plumbing and sewage system on campus. A few times a month, he makes rounds to the wells and sewage treatment facility to ensure that the water and sewage systems keep running well. He also helps oversee groups of students who do “work detail” in the afternoons. It is a part of their training where they can learn practical skills as they help maintain the campus.
That is the zoomed-in view on what our year looked like with Ethnos360. We encourage you to look through other Ethnos360 blogs and on ethnos360.org for news from around the world! Our role here is one tiny part of what is happening around the world! This year, God worked through Bible translators to print new translations, He equipped new believers to grow thriving local churches, and local congregations raised up mature leaders to take the place of missionaries. It is so exciting to be part of training up the next missionaries who will GO and reach the remaining unreached around the world.
Praise God in His sanctuary;
Praise Him in His mighty heavens.
Praise Him for His acts of power;
praise him for his surpassing greatness.
Psalm 150: 1-2
Merry Christmas, and thank you for all the many ways you have supported us this year in ministry!!
