Not into reading? Check out some of my Instagram reels from this month instead.
A Dream Come True
The highlight of June was our family's trip to northern Ohio and Canada. I had been invited to conduct a Sending Church Elements training at Gateway Church in Findlay, Ohio, which is only a few hours from the Canadian border. I have always dreamed of taking my entire family to other countries, so this was the perfect opportunity for us to do it for the first time. Compared to so many people I know, going to Canada for a day is a laughable international experience. But for me, holding six passports in my hand as we crossed the border together, it was something I had waited for for thirteen years.
Pictured (left to right): Gateway Church, six Bell passports, Journey Behind the Falls tour (watch video here)
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Also as part of our trip to northern Ohio we visited Cuyahoga Valley National Park. This meant staying in a platform tent for a couple of nights. That might sound like "glamping," but it was a big step for our crew beyond just backyard camping. We hiked, visited waterfalls, road a train, cooked over a fire, and the girls earned the park's Junior Ranger badge. So much fun!
Pictured (left to right): our platform tent, Elisabeth and the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad (watch video here), hiking the Ledges Trail, Madeleine at Brandywine Falls (watch video here)
An Upstream Summer
As is often the case with ministry in the summer, things are pretty slow at Upstream right now. However, I'm thankful to be able to slow down, catch up on delayed projects, and prepare for a busy Fall season. Some things I've been working on:
Top priority: Upstream's brand renewal (coming soon!)
Continuing to lead a cohort of missions pastors in Cameroon
Confirming plans for my next book, Pentecost and Missions
Join Us in Prayer
Thanks to your prayers last month, the training at Gateway Church was a success, the final production of The Sending Church Applied is coming along nicely, and our family's summer so far has been fun and restorative. For July you can pray for the following:
For a week-long trip to Dallas-Fort Worth. Later this month I'll be teaching at two events of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, and then connecting with numerous church leaders throughout the area. Pray for fruitfulness and for Katie while I'm on the road.
For the promotional campaign of The Sending Church Defined in Spanish. It's wonderful to have this translation now published, but we need to get the word out! I've been networking and preparing a big email/social media campaign. Pray that the book goes far and wide to equip Spanish-speaking churches to send well.
For opportunities to supplement our income. Not only do I love to preach and work with my hands, it helps our family's budget (especially with all this travel and four growing girls). Pray for a few ways each month I can make a little extra without Katie or myself getting a part-time job.
As always, thanks for your support!
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