Exciting News This Week!

This week is quite exciting! It’s a short post because I need to get some sleep before flying out tomorrow. Tomorrow, or actually today, we have a team headed to Latvia to work alongside the Eagle’s Wings (Ergla Sparni) leaders for teen camp. This will be some of the team’s third year going, some their second, and the first time for a couple of them. We love continuing to develop relationships with the team over there and will be talking with one of the pastors about a work trip for the fall. Do be praying for safe travels, great conversations, and good health.

On another note, we’re excited to announce that we have received word from the IRS concerning our tax deductible status. They have given us an approval and we are official! With that said, it’s time to start talking with the tax guy, figure out what needs to be done now, and start raising some support to help get me through this start up time. Several good friends who have started businesses and organizations have told me that the first couple of years are the toughest. I need to keep my head to the grindstone and keep pushing forward.

Alright, time to hit the bed before flying out in about 8 hours. Thanks for the prayers and encouraging words. If you’d like to help out financially, please check out the donate page.

Working on all the details…

Starting something from scratch means figuring out all the details. While I’m not starting completely from scratch because I understand the trip aspect of the business, the getting all the other things figured out is so much fun. Today I’ve spent a bit of time working on setting up the newsletter option on the website. And just as I figure out one thing, it’s another thing that needs to be dealt with. But using my web hosting platform will save me a lot of money instead of using Mailchimp. Some of the other things I’ve been working on is a promotional flyer to be able to hand out to churches, groups, and individuals. Think that’s finalized and now I can work on a fundraising flyer. There have been a few things on the website I’ve been trying to tighten up and work on the design a bit. There’s always something.

As for things coming up with trips and networking, I’ve got a few things in the pipeline. One of the big things I’m excited about is a work trip to Riga to help a pastor friend fix up his church for their 100 year celebration in the spring. Will need about 6-8 people to join in on that one. Being in October it’ll be cheaper than the upcoming summer trip. A local church has also reached out to me about running their Vacation Bible School the end of July. Their children’s person and VBS director randomly decided to step back from helping out. So I’m working with them to pull off a few days of activities and learning with the kids. Will need to find some local teens and adults to help out with that. Not only will it help provide some income, but it’ll be a great networking opportunity to connect with a small local church who may need some trips organized for them. Some final details are coming together for the trip in June. Met with the team last night and will meet again before we go. It’s such a good team going. Looking forward to seeing God working through them at camp this summer.

Couple things to be praying about. Getting into a routine has been a little difficult. It’s been a struggle saying goodbye to my old position at the church. Feel like I need some time to mourn that season of my life to move on and haven’t taken the time to do that. It’s kinda weird stepping out of position at a church and then sticking around. But I’m glad there’s nothing that happened to make it where I had to or wanted to leave. And they are very supportive of where God has led me. But I need to get into a new rhythm, soon. Also pray for some good fundraising connections. I’ve been reaching out to some of the people who have helped in the past and who have mentioned they would like to help. But with grad season, Memorial Day, and holidays starting up, it’s been tough making those connections.

Going to go finish up this newsletter stuff…make sure to sign up for it! I promise not to blast your emails constantly.

Successful trip to Europe!

One friend called it a reconnoissance trip. Another called it a vacation. Whatever you want to call it, it was two and a half week trip to meet with missionaries, organizations, and pastors in the Netherlands, Latvia, and Czech Republic. While there I was able to attend a conference Bridge Builders International puts on called Prayer Days. There were groups and individuals from all over the Baltics who came together to share what’s going on in their ministry while also being able to have some time to rest and find fellowship with other people doing similar work for Christ.

My time in Amsterdam was really good. It was great to connect with former classmates and colleagues, hear what they are up to, and make some contacts for potential ministry partners. While some things I thought might work out that didn’t, there were other surprises that happened to open up other opportunities.

The Prayer Days were great to connect with our current ministry partners while also meeting some potential new ones. One that isn’t even in Latvia but in the UK! I’m always amazed on the new people God brings into my path and stories I get to hear about what God is doing throughout the world. One lady runs a camp for underprivileged youth and kids. There may be some opportunities to not only help with camp, but also connect with some of these families and do some work/handyman trips.

In Prague I got to catch up with an old classmate from seminary who has been working in Prague for over a decade. Hearing what God is doing in his life and ministry as well as the people he’s working with was so good. It really is a blessing to hear from missionaries that are doing great things. I had the chance to grab a meal or coffee with several missionaries and pastors there. Excited to hear how there could be some great camp opportunities to help out with.

Now it’s time to start processing all this information, reach out to those I got to meet with, and begin praying about the direction to head in not only 2027, but potentially in the fall of 2026.

It’s happening!

Slowly but surely this ministry is getting off the ground. For those who don’t know, I’m currently wrapping up my position as a student pastor while working on all the details to start taking multiple trips with youth groups and young adults to Europe next summer. Many have asked where things stand so I figured let’s add a blog to the website so people can stay up to date.

Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve been contacting friends, missionaries, and contacts people have shared with me in Europe. The purpose for contacting them is to sit down and do a face to face with people to share the vision and mission of the ministry and see who would like to partner up with us. So far I’ve connections in the Netherlands, Prague, and the Baltics that want to discuss what it looks like to bring small, intentional teams over to help assist with their ministry. One of the common things I’m hearing from missionaries and churches in Europe is that they lack the man power to accomplish want they want to do or to do it on a greater scale than they currently do.

I’m looking forward to heading over in a few weeks to start sharing the vision and making plans for summer 2027!

Here’s some things you can be praying about at the moment:

• Finish well at my current position

• Funding to cover the cost of this trip in April

• Clarity for who to work with in the coming year