How autumn has gotten started…

October 12, 2023

Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may preset everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.
Colossians 1.28-29

A large part of my week gets to be spending time with people for this aim. Seeing each person established in their faith, gift-mix, personality, and equipped to live out their own values and passions. What a great privilege it is be invited into their stories. It was the fall of 2006 when I read Psalm 71.18, “So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come” After reading that, I felt God say to me, “you can go into full ministry, if you want to.” My response was YES! Although I had no idea what that would mean, I celebrate being in ministry for 15 years. Thank you for being part of this journey!

“I wanted to personally thank you for supporting Sarah and the work the Lord is doing through her to reach the nations in Stockholm. Interning with her the past few months has affirmed my future direction in full time ministry, and I am so excited for what will come next as a result. Through my time with Sarah, the Lord taught me continuously how important it is to abide with Him in order to bear fruit in the lives of others. I grew so much as a daughter of the Lord, growing confidence in who I am in Christ as well as a disciple of Jesus, stepping out to intentionally share my faith and encouraging believers to do the same. The Lord is really working in Tensta, moving through answered prayers. To be a part of that work is something I am so thankful to the Lord for as well as you for supporting Sarah as His vessel.”

Being connected to the family of God we have the opportunity to share friends when they move. After arriving 10 days here in Sweden, I was able to have this beautiful Turkish family over for dinner as we have common friends. Thankful in ways to continue to share life and Jesus with them.

Last month I gathered with leaders from across Europe to reflect on how God had been at work this past year, what was currently happening, and what goals did we have for the next year in serving GCE (Great Commission Europe) fellowship of churches.

What’s next?

STUDY UPDATE. Over the next two months, I need to finish a paper for the research as well as conduct a number of interviews. Finding willing participants has been slower than hoped, but I am trusting for a break through any day now.

PRAY FOR THE MINISTRY ACTIVITIES. For the Monday group as there is a core team that really is starting to own a vision to impact their peers (ages 18-25). The Tuesday night Swedish book club, for new people to be able to join. For the Friday fellowship group of women, where two new arrivals have been invited to join tomorrow night. These particular ladies are starting to explore what Christianity means. Deep dive Saturdays (November 11th), creating space to dive deeper into a topic, there is a three hour commitment to come to these as it may be more like a workshop to grow in knowledge and understanding on a particular topic. On October 21st, I will participate in a conference called God’s Kingdom in our City.

FINANCIAL UPDATE. Thankful for the gifts that have come in this past month! Because I have no long term roommates, the home has gotten to host 7 teams this year that have resulted in a new church, a handful of new believers, and dozens of new friends that have gotten to hear truth. In order for me to handle the budget without roommates, I need to raise $500 in monthly giving. Would you join me in praying for this need? If you know anyone you’d like to challenge to support a missionary, feel free to point them my way or send them this link! In order to cover next year’s budget, I am also looking to raise $12,000 in one-time gifts to cover ministry events, trainings, and missions projects. If anyone would like to talk in more details about this, please let me know!