December Pictures

Banners that Natalie from FDFC made.

December Update

Merry Christmas!

I pray that this letter finds you all well this holiday season. God is good! What a joy it is to be called to His service. I pray that we never forget that it is pure joy to serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

I have been distressed to hear about the YWAM shooting, and the shooting at the church in Colorado Springs that happened yesterday. If you are reading this I ask that you take a few moments to lift up our brothers and sisters in Christ up in prayer. I have been challenged recently by a friend to be quick to prayer. Often I think to pray, but not near as much as is needed. I long for prayer to be an automatic reaction, and no longer something that I plan to do. If I hear anything that needs prayer, than it is my desire to be quick to drop everything and pray. I believe that we will all quickly agree to the power of prayer and its necessity.

The RTE Television service is now only two weeks away. It has been busy trying to get everything squared away, but I believe everything should be in order now. Although a lot of the preparation has been additional work, I pray that this service will be a benefit to those who see it. We lift the service up in prayer asking that the Lord will be able to use it to share Christ with people this Christmas. I believe that if Christ is able to reach even one person through this service, than the work to prepare will be irrelevant.

In my last update I mentioned that I did not believe God was calling me to be the leader of the Friday night youth club this year. What can I say, God is so good. One of the men who started the club, Dave, has really taken charge of Friday nights. It has been really incredible. Dave is from this area of Tallaght and can relate with the kids very easily. He attends the West Tallaght Fellowship, and has invited his pastor along to help on Friday nights. Everything has been well organized and the experience has been a drastic change from last year. I have really enjoyed being with the kids and have had many more opportunities to share the Bible and the Gospel with the kids. We are trying to get them to do memory verses; however, I don’t know how well that is going yet. I do know that the word will never return empty (Isaiah 55:11)!

I wanted to be sure to mention that God bringing Steo into the house is an answer to prayer that I long to give glory to God for. Last year I was praying desperately for God to not return me to Ireland alone. While I was traveling around the States, a few people mentioned to me that they felt led to pray for me to have someone in the house with me. I keep saying it, but God is good. He has answered that prayer faithfully! I believe that it is important to rejoice together when God answers our prayers. And He does!

Our church in Tallaght is connected with another Methodist church in Lucan. Bill, our minister, is also the minister of the church in Lucan. A couple of weeks ago we had a cultural night with the Lucan church where people brought food from their native culture (I brought hot dogs) and sang songs in their native tongue. This was a very wonderful time of fellowship. Many of the people in our congregation, as well as the Lucan congregation, are from Africa. I would say that about three fourths of the people that came that night were African. It was very enjoyable to watch as they got up and sang praises to God in their own language. It was a very blessed time that I thank the Lord for.

Natalie Williams from FDFC was kind enough to make us banners to hang up at the church. I think that they are absolutely phenomenal and am very grateful to her and everyone that helped her sew. We finally got the new projector up, and while we had scaffolding here were able to put up the banners. God has given us all different gifts, and can use them for His will and purpose as long as we submit to Him. I am thankful for Natalie’s obedience to use her gifts and talents for the ministry of the Lord.

While I was home I began to date a lovely young woman named Cairistiona. Again, God is good. I am anxious as she is going to be able to come to Ireland during her Christmas break. She will be leaving Denver on December 14, and returning in January. Please pray for her as this is her first time to travel internationally, and she is going at it alone. Please pray for God’s protection over her as she flies, and for the Lord to bless her time while she is here.

Kevin and Shirley are continuing to pursue the vision that God has given Kevin. They both believe that God is calling them to move into a new house apart from the Methodist church in order to get this new ministry underway. The house they are moving into is rather expensive as all housing is here in Ireland. They have run across much opposition from fellow believers that do not believe God will provide the money. However, they are confident that this is what God is calling them to do. Luke 16:10 says that he whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much. Kevin believes this is his next step of faith. Please pray that God will provide. I know Kevin and Shirley love the Lord and long to be obedient to Him. Pray that He will carry through in providing the finances needed to buy this house.

Thank you once again for your continued prayer and financial support. I pray again that you have a blessed Christmas. His grace and peace that surpasses all understanding be with you all.

November Pictures

This is me in Lahinch getting ready to surf. The Lahinch surf school.

Billy, Andy, and Phil.

November Update

I have been back in Ireland for about a month, and God has been really good at helping me to transition back into life over here. God has blessed me with a house mate. Steo has made day to day living incredibly different, but amazingly wonderful. We get along very well, and it has already been a tremendous help in keeping me from feeling lonely. I had hoped to be able to really invest in his life, and this has made that possibility become very easy. Please pray with me that our living together will be a benefit to Steo’s spiritual growth as well as my own.
God has already helped me to make new connections with new people. The Methodist church hired a new lady to run the center on a daily basis. I began talking with her and discovered that her daughter had just taken a missions trip to Greensburg KS in order to help with the rebuilding of the town. How incredible is that!? It turns out that she knows Tim Garrett who used to live here and work as a youth worker for the Lucan Presbyterian Church. Tim then went on to be a Youth Ministries professor at Barclay College. It was Tim who brought Tyler and Chris Bousman to Ireland, and it was through that trip that they became acquainted with Kevin and Shirley. It is truly amazing to see God working.
I went on a surfing trip with a friend named Phil Thomson. Some of you may remember him. He was one of the two guys that came over to America to meet the group that was already here. Phil is an active leader of DV8 which is a Christian gathering that happens once a month. Last year I had the privilege of helping with the worship team. I believe God is calling me to a bigger role in that team this year, and I am hoping to get more involved in the leadership of DV8. I was able to talk to Phil about it extensively on our trip, and he is excited to help be do just that. I am excited to see how God uses this ministry this year.
Everything went well with my visa, and I am officially able to stay in the country for another year. However, I discovered that they base it off of my original visa date, and I only have legal status here until August 3. I spoke to Bill about this and my future plans and it is a possibility that I will only be here through July. We spoke about the continued process of investing in people and helping to raise and train others who can lead the music after I am gone. Please be praying with me that God will not only lead me, but others to step up into this leadership role. My prayer is that I will not be leaving a gap when I leave.
The Friday night soccer club has been put on hold through at least Christmas. I am having trouble getting people to be committed again to this ministry, and it is something that I cannot tackle alone. Again, I am fearful to be the main leader of this ministry because I do not want to leave a gap behind. I really long to see an Irish person step up into this role so that the ministry started can continue and the kids will not feel abandoned. I am more than willing to help and support this ministry; I just do not believe God is calling me to be the leader of it this year.
Kevin and Shirley believe that they will only be at the Methodist Church for another six to twelve months. Kevin has been active in working on starting his own church which will be called Shine Ministries. He believe that this is the direction God is calling him, and believes that he is being called away from the Methodist Church.
A local TV station televises church services from around Ireland regularly. The Tallaght Methodist Church has been asked to be a part of this and have been offered the chance to lead the service on December 23. This is a very exciting opportunity that we are all looking forward to. Please pray that God will help us to be affective as we prepare for this service.
I am also working quickly to help put together a carol service that will be held on December 17. We are hoping to get a local choir to come and sing some carols as well as having some of our local congregation to share their talents that God has blessed them with. I am excited to be able to take of an active role in this service as I did not do much for it last year.
The men’s and women’s groups that were started are continuing to go very well. The men’s group meets here at my house every Tuesday evening. God has really been emphasizing to me the need to be submissive and serve on another. A huge problem that I have seen amongst Christians here in Tallaght (not only the Methodist Church) is their lack of unity. Everybody thinks that they know best and nobody wants to listen to one another. I often feel that everyone is going in there own direction and causing nobody to go anywhere. This is a huge prayer concern. I believe that if these people would submit to one another and consider others better than themselves (Phil 2:3) that unity would come to this place. Please think of us in your prayers as we strive to follow Christ’s example of servant hood (Phil 2:6).
I was surprised at how quickly my money was running out since I have been back in Ireland, and quickly learned that the exchange rate was $1.45 to €1. God has been very good to provide me with all that I need even though I was not expecting the decrease of the value of the dollar. I do ask that you will pray that God will continue to provide me with what I need, and will lead me to be wise with the money that He provides.
Thank you all very much for your constant prayer and support. May God bless and keep you in all that you do.

June Pictures

I loved this tree and the stairs.

I like the dew on this flower.

"Does the rain have a father? Who fathers the drops of dew?"

- Job 38:28

It was a cold and rainy weekend.

Nadine and Steo in Newcastle

More of Nadine and Steo in Newcastle

June Update

Faithful prayer partners,
We are now into the month of June, and I am quickly seeing my first year in Ireland fade away. This past month has been very exciting. God is continuing to stir the hearts of people and it is obvious that His hand is moving. It is exciting to me that many of the events that have happened began just after I chose to submit to God’s will, and committed to stay longer here in Ireland. What a mighty God we serve! “My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.” – Psalm 62:7
As some of you may know, Kevin used to be the youth pastor here at the Tallaght Methodist Church. When I came over last July, Kevin left that role and stepped into the Senior Pastor position. As a result, many of the young adults that were in Kevin’s group began to slip away. God has been laying these kids on Kevin’s heart, and Kevin soon discovered that there are not many places anywhere that focuses on a young adult ministry. We decided that on Thursday nights we would begin such a ministry.
About four weeks ago we opened our doors on a Thursday night praying that the Lord would bring this age group in. We invited everyone we knew in that age group, and as a result fifteen guys came into the building. It was incredible. We barely had to lift a finger and God brought these young men into the church. Most of them were not Christians, and very few of them actually had anything to do with Kevin’s previous youth club. However, I believe that through this program we will be able to attract those from his previous club back to the church.
A couple weeks ago we asked a couple of these young men to come help us with a project we needed to do at the church. Many of them were excited and willing to help. The time I was able to spend with them during this project was ground breaking. God is on the move! I was able to develop relationships with them and begin to gain their trust. We have yet to see any of them commit to following Christ, but I know that we are moments away from seeing a break through. Please be praying for the salvation of these young men. Pray that they will see Christ for who He truly is: their Savior.
I took Steo and his girlfriend Nadine with me on a weekend away last weekend. We went up to Newcastle which is located in Northern Ireland. I have mentioned that I attend a service called DV8, and that is who was hosting this weekend. God really refreshed me. It was a wonderful time of fellowship with other believes. I have struggled to get to know many people outside of Tallaght, and through the weekend I was able develop my relationships with other Christians. It was also a good chance to hang out with Steo more. We have been able to spend quite a lot of time together these past few months. His heart is changing as well as God continues to draw Steo closer to Himself. It is a blessing to be able to encourage him in his walk with Christ.
Although I still struggle with the Friday night club, I am slowly becoming more comfortable with what is happening. It is a slow process, but I again trust that God’s hand is moving. It is important for all of us to remember that it is not us who do anything, but Christ who lives in us. It is only through Him that we have the power to do anything. Please pray that I will be bold to share Christ with these kids. It is not our job to make them accept Christ, but it is our job to tell them who Christ is. I often find myself very nervous when I attempt to share the gospel with them. That is not right. God did not give us a timid spirit, but a spirit of power (2 Tim. 1:7)! Pray that all the leaders on a Friday night will receive an anointing from the Holy Spirit, and be able to move in His power.
Kevin has decided to change the format of Bible study. We are no longer going to meet on a Wednesday as a large group. Right now, we are splitting into two groups: a men’s group and a women’s group. What these are essentially going to be are small groups. We hope that by doing this we can begin having small groups in the church. I am very excited about this change and look forward to meeting with the men! Kevin and I have already brainstormed some different things that we can do with the group. We will be able to continue to study the Bible, but then put it into practice as a group. I look forward to the opportunity to serve each other and others around us as a group. I am anxious to lift each other up in prayer as is needed. I know that God is going to be able to move through this group, teaching us and growing us in our relationship with Him.
On June 23, the leaders of the Church are going away for the day in order to discuss the vision of the church. “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” – Proverbs 29:18a. I do not know what all will come of this meeting, but I pray that it will be productive. Please be thinking of us on this day as we desire to know God’s will for the church. We desire to move forward and to make a difference for the Kingdom of God. We need vision.
My ticket to fly back home is on July 23rd. I ask that you will continue to pray as seek the Lord to know if you should continue to support me financially in this ministry. I know this is where God is calling me to be, and trust that He will provide the financial support I need. Thank you for all your continued support this past year, both financial and prayer. I look forward to seeing you all soon. Gods grace be with you all.

May Update: Decision to Stay

I want to first thank you all for your prayers. I mentioned last month that I was earnestly seeking God in the direction He would have me go regarding staying here in Ireland or coming back home. Although I denied His answer for a while, eventually I have come to embrace His call for me at this time. These past couples of months have been an interesting experience, but I am now %100 confident in the decision I have made through the leading of the Holy Spirit.
When I wrote my update last month I had begun the process of applying to Friends University in order to get my Masters Degree. I spoke with some people about living situations and was in the process of looking for a job. It has been hard being so far from home and I was very excited about the opportunity to move back to the States in order to be closer to friends and family. The more I made plans to come home, the harder it became to focus on the ministry that was happening here.
As everything was happening, I continued to pray that God would lead me to do His will and not my own. Something that I have learned in my short life is that God always speaks the loudest when He tells you something you don’t want to hear. As I was praying for God to show me His will, I continued to focus on what I wanted rather then what He wanted. As a result, I was miserable. I felt confused about His will, pulled in two different directions, and unclear about what I should do regarding this next year. God does not always speak to us in a loud boom, but is a soft whisper. He pricks us and pulls us until we submit to His will.
God’s first whisper came to me a couple of months ago when God reminded me about the story of Jonah. Jonah was displeased with the city of Nineveh and when asked to preach to them he ran away from God. I can very easily relate to this story. God has called me to minister here in Ireland, but in my heart I have been running from God looking for an excuse to come home.
God then proceeded to speak to me saying that he does not always ask us to do what we want, but to surrender to His will. We can see that even Jesus experienced this in the garden before he was arrested. He prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” God does not always call us to do something that we will, but as His children we must submit to His will and not our own. Even though it was clearly God speaking to me, I quickly wrote it off as my imagination. The truth is that I was denying that God actually wanted me to stay here.
I told Kevin about my plans and he kept kidding with me telling me that I was abandoning a sinking ship. He of course was just joking with me and trusted that I was doing all I could to discern God’s will. A few weeks later I purchased a CD by an artist called Waking Ashland. Interestingly enough, God was able to use one of the songs called “On Hands on Deck” to speak to me again. The lyrics to this song say, “All hands on deck, don’t abandon the ship. You’ll never know what this could have been. All hands on deck, my ship is sinking. Don’t let me go, don’t let me drown.”
When I heard the lyrics to this song I was immediately taken back. Not too long after that, God whispered to me again. He told me, “Jared, I have only begun my work here. If you leave now, you will be extremely disappointed when you hear about what is happening. You will wish that you were a part of it.” Although it was clearly God, I once again convinced myself that it was only my imagination and that I was still unclear about God’s will for me. I continued on my plan for a Masters Degree, and continued on in the turmoil that I was creating for myself.
God continued to speak to me through scripture and through people. There are many other stories that I can tell you about what God did to speak to me. However, the final prick from God that pushed me into this decision came from a pastor at a Baptist church we visited two Sunday’s ago. He was speaking about how God will tell you clearly what he wants you to do with you life, but that He will not bend your arm behind you back and force you to do it. It was that night that I finally gave in to God and surrendered to His will for the next step in my life. It is clear that God wants me in Ireland.
Ever since I decided to make plans to stay, the confusion and indecisiveness has left me. I no longer feel pulled in two directions, but am confident that this is what God wants me to do. I believe that this first year was important to help me get my feet wet, but God has bigger things planned for Tallaght. I am excited to see what God does, and am doing everything to embrace His call on my life rather than fighting it. I feel blessed that He has called me to a troubled area and desires to use me in this place. I understand that it will still not be easy, but I have confidence that He who is in me is greater that He who is in Tallaght or the world!
I also take encouragement from the book of Jonah. When Jonah submitted to God, He did amazing things in the city of Nineveh. And as we look to Christ, it also brings up an interesting question: what would have happened if Christ decided to do his will rather than his Fathers will in heaven? God sometimes calls us to do things that are in His will and not our own. We are called to be obedient.
I have already discussed my staying with the church here, and they are delighted to keep me for another year. As far as I know, right now it is going to be alright for me to continue living in the house. As far as the rest of my financial needs, I will need to raise support again for the next year. I ask that you please be praying about this and support me again if God leads you to do so. I will still be coming home at the end of July and look forward to seeing as many of you as I can. The church here would like for me to return to Ireland by the middle of September. I trust that the Lord will provide the means for this to happen.
Thank you again. God is already beginning to do great things here changing hearts and minds. I would love to tell you more about all that, but I will wait to do so in my next letter. May His grace and peace be with you all.