It's been a pretty crazy season (what else is new) :-) My new bride has been snatched away by the US Navy now for 117 days with 100 more to go. Please continue to pray for her and I as we deal with this long separation. I was blessed to be able to visit with her a few days earlier this month as her ship was ported in Phuket, Thailand - we had a wonderful time together. It was not a planned stop and I found out about 3 days after I returned from 2 weeks in the Philippines that she would be there May 1st - our one year anniversary thru May4! So I got home from the PI April 12th, taught at Horizon Park Chapel on the 17th, then all the Easter activities the following week, flew to Albuquerque for a couple of days of meetings with the Shepherd's Staff board Apr. 25-26, and 3 days later began a bunch of flights back across the Pacific to Thailand. I got home the evening of May 5 and am finally recovered from not only travel but medical stuff too. While I was in the Philippines a nasty amoeba parasite decided to hitch a ride on my innards and about killed me. I never felt that sick. I was in a Filippino hospital for 4 days, but God used it to bring me close to several Shepherd's Staff missionaries serving ail over the Philippines.
The bug was dead but my system still hadn't quite recovered before I was across the ocean again. On my way home from Thailand I got hit with a bad chest cold and that, coupled with jet lag put me out for several days. Thankfully the body still heals :-)
I know many were praying for me and I honestly believe I couldn't have made it without those prayers. I know there was an element of spiritual warfare going on and you guys, alongs with many others, helped sustain me thru it. That Philippines trip - tho I was ill for half of it - had to be the best visit I ever had to the PI - and I've been there many times over that last 20 years. The depth of fellowship I had with folks I knew and many more I had never meet was so sweet. I think there is a deeper bond of intimacy that develops during times of suffering and helplessness.
While I was hospitalized I had a team of "bantays" (meaning, watchers) with me 24/7. Among them were all the missionaries I really hoped to spend time with during the Pastor's Conference (which I was supposed to teach at and missed the entire thing). I wanted to go to them and bring them encouragement - but God had it work the other way around - and in the end - koinonia - sweet communion - constant prayer!
The summer ahead also looks like it's going to pretty full. We are continuing to grow at Shepherd's Staff, serving close to 160 missionary families - of which 80 are my responsibility, being sent out from West Coast churches. I hope to be visiting many of those churches and meet face to face with the pastor and the team that is supporting their missionary. Missionary care is our developing focus and we can't do that effectively without the sending church being on board. You'd be surprised how many churches really don't have a clue about the needs of their missionary, much less a plan to meet those needs. And that's where we can help - so pray for open doors this summer.
Finally, one last word of thanks to each of you for praying and caring about the new things God is doing in my changing life and ministries.
I love you all and pray for God's best for you too. Press in closer to Him! And press on faithfully in all He has called you to do - for His Glory.
In His arm's,
Pat
Western Regional Mission's Pastor
Shepherd's Staff Mission Facilitator's
http://www.shepsstaff.org/kenney.aspx
http://www.poimenministries.com
http://escorev.blogspot.com.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Monday, March 14, 2011
March 2011
What an interesting month March has been so far.
Of immediate note is of course the ongoing crisis in Japan. Our hearts ache for the countless families now dealing with loss and change far beyond anything they ever imagined. We humbly ask the Lord to strengthen the believers there and use them to bring consolation, comfort, and the Gospel to so many gripped with dismay, hopelessness, and fear. Yet as I think about what's happening in Japan, I realize I'm dealing with some real fear myself. I've watched the media coverage of many a calamity over the years but always from a sort of detached safe distance. Not so today. I may safe in San Diego but I'm certainly not detached.
Shortly after the earthquake and Tsunami devastated Northern Japan, the Navy ship my beautiful wife serves on was diverted to Japan to assist with rescue and recovery. Yesterday the media reported that several airmen attached to a helicopter wing returned to the ship with low level radiation exposure. The ship (the Ronald Reagan nuclear powered aircraft carrier) was quickly repositioned away from the danger area. I talked to Pam this afternoon and she said she was fine but sounded quite busy.
Am I concerned for her safety and health - of course! Am I trusting God that she and her fellow sailors will be OK? Yes - but once again, a crisis reveals my fears. I realize that Pam isn't kicking' back on a pleasure cruise but working hard on the most powerful warship ever. I knew that in my head but seeing and hearing reports about the deteriorating condition of the Fukushima nuclear plants causes my heart to tremble and my mind to worry. I find myself giving in to fear. Fear for her well being, fear that something worse may happen...and yes, even fear that I will loose her too. Yet fear can only be answered with faith. If I've learned anything thru my own personal losses, disappointments, and transitions over the past few years, I have learned that God is faithful and I must trust in Him alone.
Psalm 73:25-26 says, "Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon the earth that I desire besides You. My heart and flesh may fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
How blessed we are to have God's Word to comfort our hearts and refocus our thinking! What power and peace there is to trust in the Lord and not depend upon my - or anyone elses understanding. Only as I submit all my ways to Him and acknowledge His power over all - only then can I walk in His peace that passes all understanding. So I must rest in Him. 40 days into Pam's deployment with 177 days, 12 hours and 45 minutes till she returns home; yes I think God is stretching my faith once again!
I'd like to share one other thing God has been showing me these past few weeks. As I shared in my update last month, I was asked to be a part of the teaching team at the Philippines Calvary Chapel Pastor's Conference the first week in April. This past year Shepherd's Staff began serving several missionaries already in the Philippines so I saw this as a great opportunity to visit and encourage many of them one on one. There was also the possibility that I might be able to meet Pam somewhere near the Philippines a week after the conference. So I accepted and began booking my flight arrangements.
Then the fears began. I began to think, "What the heck are you doing, Pat??" "You're planning an 20 day trip that is sure to tax you physically and with all your medical issues you could really get messed up!" So I had several appointments with my doctors who checked me over, gave me meds and inoculations and vaccines - and medically I was good to go. But the fears remained and even grew stronger. I began to agree with the 'voices' and felt that there was no way I'd be able to handle the heat and humidity and dirt and bugs and food and sleeping conditions and and and....
.....and then it came to me! A revelation! A lightning bolt thru my clouded thinking! What about God??? Is He able to sustain, bless and use you even in the Philippines? I felt a big "Duh!" I realized I had not even ASKED Him to help me. My fears and worries were dominating me and I was walking in the strength of my flesh and not by the strength of His Spirit. So I began to call upon Him! I began to ask Him to strengthen my heart and straighten out my thinking.
And almost overnight I began to relax and get excited for what God might want to do. Instead of worrying about ME I began praying for those I would be visiting. You'd think I'd know this after all these years - but as I've often said, "The flesh has short term memory!" You mortify the flesh today and tomorrow it rises up again - oblivious to the beating it took the day before.
Perhaps that's why Paul the Apostle said, "I die daily" (1 Cor. 15:31)
So please pray for this conference: for the pastor's, pastor's wives, and other church leaders who will be attending. Pray for their safe travel to Dumaguete. Pray for my study in Eph. 5:22-33. Pray for Pastor Bong and Calvary Chapel Cebu where I will be teaching the Sunday after the conference. And please pray, if it's God's will, that He might keep Pam safe from harm and that I might see her for a few days before returning back to the states in mid April.
In His Arm's,
Pat
Of immediate note is of course the ongoing crisis in Japan. Our hearts ache for the countless families now dealing with loss and change far beyond anything they ever imagined. We humbly ask the Lord to strengthen the believers there and use them to bring consolation, comfort, and the Gospel to so many gripped with dismay, hopelessness, and fear. Yet as I think about what's happening in Japan, I realize I'm dealing with some real fear myself. I've watched the media coverage of many a calamity over the years but always from a sort of detached safe distance. Not so today. I may safe in San Diego but I'm certainly not detached.
Shortly after the earthquake and Tsunami devastated Northern Japan, the Navy ship my beautiful wife serves on was diverted to Japan to assist with rescue and recovery. Yesterday the media reported that several airmen attached to a helicopter wing returned to the ship with low level radiation exposure. The ship (the Ronald Reagan nuclear powered aircraft carrier) was quickly repositioned away from the danger area. I talked to Pam this afternoon and she said she was fine but sounded quite busy.
Am I concerned for her safety and health - of course! Am I trusting God that she and her fellow sailors will be OK? Yes - but once again, a crisis reveals my fears. I realize that Pam isn't kicking' back on a pleasure cruise but working hard on the most powerful warship ever. I knew that in my head but seeing and hearing reports about the deteriorating condition of the Fukushima nuclear plants causes my heart to tremble and my mind to worry. I find myself giving in to fear. Fear for her well being, fear that something worse may happen...and yes, even fear that I will loose her too. Yet fear can only be answered with faith. If I've learned anything thru my own personal losses, disappointments, and transitions over the past few years, I have learned that God is faithful and I must trust in Him alone.
Psalm 73:25-26 says, "Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon the earth that I desire besides You. My heart and flesh may fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
How blessed we are to have God's Word to comfort our hearts and refocus our thinking! What power and peace there is to trust in the Lord and not depend upon my - or anyone elses understanding. Only as I submit all my ways to Him and acknowledge His power over all - only then can I walk in His peace that passes all understanding. So I must rest in Him. 40 days into Pam's deployment with 177 days, 12 hours and 45 minutes till she returns home; yes I think God is stretching my faith once again!
I'd like to share one other thing God has been showing me these past few weeks. As I shared in my update last month, I was asked to be a part of the teaching team at the Philippines Calvary Chapel Pastor's Conference the first week in April. This past year Shepherd's Staff began serving several missionaries already in the Philippines so I saw this as a great opportunity to visit and encourage many of them one on one. There was also the possibility that I might be able to meet Pam somewhere near the Philippines a week after the conference. So I accepted and began booking my flight arrangements.
Then the fears began. I began to think, "What the heck are you doing, Pat??" "You're planning an 20 day trip that is sure to tax you physically and with all your medical issues you could really get messed up!" So I had several appointments with my doctors who checked me over, gave me meds and inoculations and vaccines - and medically I was good to go. But the fears remained and even grew stronger. I began to agree with the 'voices' and felt that there was no way I'd be able to handle the heat and humidity and dirt and bugs and food and sleeping conditions and and and....
.....and then it came to me! A revelation! A lightning bolt thru my clouded thinking! What about God??? Is He able to sustain, bless and use you even in the Philippines? I felt a big "Duh!" I realized I had not even ASKED Him to help me. My fears and worries were dominating me and I was walking in the strength of my flesh and not by the strength of His Spirit. So I began to call upon Him! I began to ask Him to strengthen my heart and straighten out my thinking.
And almost overnight I began to relax and get excited for what God might want to do. Instead of worrying about ME I began praying for those I would be visiting. You'd think I'd know this after all these years - but as I've often said, "The flesh has short term memory!" You mortify the flesh today and tomorrow it rises up again - oblivious to the beating it took the day before.
Perhaps that's why Paul the Apostle said, "I die daily" (1 Cor. 15:31)
So please pray for this conference: for the pastor's, pastor's wives, and other church leaders who will be attending. Pray for their safe travel to Dumaguete. Pray for my study in Eph. 5:22-33. Pray for Pastor Bong and Calvary Chapel Cebu where I will be teaching the Sunday after the conference. And please pray, if it's God's will, that He might keep Pam safe from harm and that I might see her for a few days before returning back to the states in mid April.
In His Arm's,
Pat
Saturday, February 19, 2011
February 2011
Here is a link to a Sunday morning study I taught in 2 Cor. 1 at Horizon Park Chapel in San Diego on 2-13-11
http://horizonparkchapel.org/virtual_service.asp?P=95
My wife is presently deployed in the US Navy on board the USS Ronald Reagan Aircraft Carrier. She has just begun about a 7 and a half month 'cruise' and has been gone about 3 weeks now. Fortunately we get to email frequently and have phone calls every other day.
I'm keeping busy with Shepherd's Staff. Just this past week I interviewed 4 new missionary families. One already in the field in Entebbe, Uganda; another heading to work with the Shoreline Calvary Chapel church plant in Camden Towne, London; another going to assist in a Calvary Chapel Bible Institute in Rotorua, New Zealand; and the last a young family preparing to work with the CC Bible College in Lima Peru.
Do keep these folks and their families in prayer.
I'm heading up the freeway tomorrow for the Southern California Regional Pastor's Conference at Steve May's church - CC South Bay. I'll be representing Shepherd's Staff there and sure to make a bunch of new friends - God willing :-)
Blessings! Pat
http://horizonparkchapel.org/virtual_service.asp?P=95
My wife is presently deployed in the US Navy on board the USS Ronald Reagan Aircraft Carrier. She has just begun about a 7 and a half month 'cruise' and has been gone about 3 weeks now. Fortunately we get to email frequently and have phone calls every other day.
I'm keeping busy with Shepherd's Staff. Just this past week I interviewed 4 new missionary families. One already in the field in Entebbe, Uganda; another heading to work with the Shoreline Calvary Chapel church plant in Camden Towne, London; another going to assist in a Calvary Chapel Bible Institute in Rotorua, New Zealand; and the last a young family preparing to work with the CC Bible College in Lima Peru.
Do keep these folks and their families in prayer.
I'm heading up the freeway tomorrow for the Southern California Regional Pastor's Conference at Steve May's church - CC South Bay. I'll be representing Shepherd's Staff there and sure to make a bunch of new friends - God willing :-)
Blessings! Pat
Friday, December 31, 2010
Happy 2011
It's New Year's Eve 2010 and I just wanted to give God glory for all He has done in My personal life and the ministries I serve.
This past year saw me healing more from the surgeries and complications of 2007-2009. It also saw me falling in love and marrying Pamela; becoming a step dad to Haley - a freshman at TCU; becoming a Navy dependent and learning the challenges of being married to active duty military. This year also saw me moving twice - first, from Escondido (where I lived and pastored for nearly 30 years) to Yucca Valley after our wedding, and then on to Coronado (North Island) where Pam is stationed thru the end of 2011.
This year also the ministry of Shepherd's Staff Mission Facilitators grow a lot - it has more than doubled in the couple of years I have been serving - we are currently providing quality administrative support for over 150 missionaries and their families!
The year ahead will also be interesting in that Pam will be deployed for most of the first 8 months of 2011. Prayer would sure be appreciated for both of us to remain strong and fruitful and growing in our love for the Lord and each other during this time of separation. I may have opportunity to visit her a couple of times and concurrently visit some of our missionaries in Asia, The Mid-East, and Africa. Pray for wisdom and favor with airlines and travel agents :D
Pam and I are so blessed - and we thank you all for your kind expressions of love, encouragement and support this past year. We look forward to serving our great God and King this coming year - it could be THE year! Maranatha!
In His Arm's,
Pat
This past year saw me healing more from the surgeries and complications of 2007-2009. It also saw me falling in love and marrying Pamela; becoming a step dad to Haley - a freshman at TCU; becoming a Navy dependent and learning the challenges of being married to active duty military. This year also saw me moving twice - first, from Escondido (where I lived and pastored for nearly 30 years) to Yucca Valley after our wedding, and then on to Coronado (North Island) where Pam is stationed thru the end of 2011.
This year also the ministry of Shepherd's Staff Mission Facilitators grow a lot - it has more than doubled in the couple of years I have been serving - we are currently providing quality administrative support for over 150 missionaries and their families!
The year ahead will also be interesting in that Pam will be deployed for most of the first 8 months of 2011. Prayer would sure be appreciated for both of us to remain strong and fruitful and growing in our love for the Lord and each other during this time of separation. I may have opportunity to visit her a couple of times and concurrently visit some of our missionaries in Asia, The Mid-East, and Africa. Pray for wisdom and favor with airlines and travel agents :D
Pam and I are so blessed - and we thank you all for your kind expressions of love, encouragement and support this past year. We look forward to serving our great God and King this coming year - it could be THE year! Maranatha!
In His Arm's,
Pat
Thursday, October 28, 2010
update October
It's been a busy month with much activity with Shepherd's Staff. Lot's of road miles as I've been meeting with potential missionary applicants, sending church pastors and mission's pastors, missionaries and their support teams locally in San Diego, Orange, and Riverside counties. Earlier in the month I was blessed to represent Shepherd's Staff at the Midwest Calvary Chapel Pastor's Conference in Hartford City, IN. Got to meet up with missionaries served by SS from the East Coast and Midwest who are serving in Africa, Peru, and the Ukraine. I also was able to visit my family in the Chicago area which is always a lot of fun!
Joe and Sara Nelson's care team with Pastor Cliff Watson at Calvary Valle Vista in Hemet, CA. They are new Shepherd's Staff missionaries who just arrived in the Philippines today, 10/28, in preparation for ministry in Thailand.
A special highlight of the month was participating in the commissioning service for a couple young ladies, both RNs, who are heading out to the very challenging mission field of Israel. One of them, Kristina, I've known since she was 4! She and her family attending CC Escondido in it's early years before her mom and dad were sent out to plant a church in Tennessee. As she and her friend, Maria, were sharing their stories I was so proud and blessed. While Kristina was sharing, a friend of mine from Horizon Christian Fellowship and himself a missionary in the Philippines leaned over to me and said, "In ministry, it doesn't get any better than this - to see the fruit of your work..." So true!
Of course, the big challenge this month has been being alone. The midwest trip was planned partly because my wife was going out to sea with the Navy for several weeks. As it turned out, her leaving was delayed and she was home a while after I flew out. When I returned 9 days later, we had one day together and then she was underway - and won't be home for a few more weeks. I miss her terribly but we do get to talk on the phone often and flood each other with daily emails.
View from the fantail of Pam's ship - pretty cool
I have been ramping up my ministry activities and fellowship opportunities and doing my best to keep busy and stay out of trouble while she's away :-)
On Monday, 10-25, I turned 61 - now that's sticker shock!
Our dogs, Roxy and Sweety celebrating with me!
When I was a young adult and before I became a follower of Jesus, I didn't think I'd live to be 30. And apart from Jesus saving me I likely would have destroyed myself. But thanks be to God, by His amazing grace He forgave me and redeemed me and made me His child and a man after His heart. And what a good life it's been! Sure there have been seasons of deep loss and pain and fear and even doubt - but thru it all, He has remained faithful and never stopped holding and loving me and I count it a priceless privilege to still be loving and serving my Lord and Savior!
That's it for now! Draw near to God and He will draw near to you!
Pat
Joe and Sara Nelson's care team with Pastor Cliff Watson at Calvary Valle Vista in Hemet, CA. They are new Shepherd's Staff missionaries who just arrived in the Philippines today, 10/28, in preparation for ministry in Thailand.
A special highlight of the month was participating in the commissioning service for a couple young ladies, both RNs, who are heading out to the very challenging mission field of Israel. One of them, Kristina, I've known since she was 4! She and her family attending CC Escondido in it's early years before her mom and dad were sent out to plant a church in Tennessee. As she and her friend, Maria, were sharing their stories I was so proud and blessed. While Kristina was sharing, a friend of mine from Horizon Christian Fellowship and himself a missionary in the Philippines leaned over to me and said, "In ministry, it doesn't get any better than this - to see the fruit of your work..." So true!
Of course, the big challenge this month has been being alone. The midwest trip was planned partly because my wife was going out to sea with the Navy for several weeks. As it turned out, her leaving was delayed and she was home a while after I flew out. When I returned 9 days later, we had one day together and then she was underway - and won't be home for a few more weeks. I miss her terribly but we do get to talk on the phone often and flood each other with daily emails.
View from the fantail of Pam's ship - pretty cool
I have been ramping up my ministry activities and fellowship opportunities and doing my best to keep busy and stay out of trouble while she's away :-)
On Monday, 10-25, I turned 61 - now that's sticker shock!
Our dogs, Roxy and Sweety celebrating with me!
When I was a young adult and before I became a follower of Jesus, I didn't think I'd live to be 30. And apart from Jesus saving me I likely would have destroyed myself. But thanks be to God, by His amazing grace He forgave me and redeemed me and made me His child and a man after His heart. And what a good life it's been! Sure there have been seasons of deep loss and pain and fear and even doubt - but thru it all, He has remained faithful and never stopped holding and loving me and I count it a priceless privilege to still be loving and serving my Lord and Savior!
That's it for now! Draw near to God and He will draw near to you!
Pat
Friday, September 24, 2010
Schedule update
Teaching at Calvary Chapel Living Hope in Oceanside, CA this Sunday 9-26. Service starts at 9:30am.
Representing Shepherd's Staff at the Calvary Chapel Midwest Pastor's Conference in Hartford, Indiana Oct. 11-13.
Representing Shepherd's Staff at the Calvary Chapel Midwest Pastor's Conference in Hartford, Indiana Oct. 11-13.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Another new chapter
Hi Folks!
Today marks the beginning of what should be an interesting and challenging season. As most of you know, my beautiful new wife, Pam, is also a family medicine doc for the US Navy and has just begun her final tour of duty before retirement - on CVN 76 The Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier. As the ship is ported in San Diego, she'll be able to go back and forth to work each day as a normal job. But carriers aren't designed to sit for long and there will be times, some short and some long, when she'll be out to sea. Please pray for her and I as we adjust to interruptions in our family life. Also, Pam's daughter, Haley, left for college this past Saturday. She's an incoming freshman at TCU (Texas Christian University). That's also a big change for Pam and Haley as well!
Ministry wise, I'll be heading out to Albuquerque, NM later this week for a Regional Mission Pastor's meeting at the Shepherd's Staff offices. We'll be discussing our schedules for the next few months and evaluating the work we're doing. Pray for wisdom concerning decisions that need to be made - specifically, if I'm to attend the Hong Kong Calvary Chapel conference next month.
This Saturday morning, I'll be speaking at the Calvary Chapel Escondido Men's Ministry breakfast - hope you men in the area will be able to make it - they always put on a great spread and the fellowships pretty decent too :-)
Love to all of you - and thanks again for your encouragement and prayer!
In His Arm's,
Pat
Today marks the beginning of what should be an interesting and challenging season. As most of you know, my beautiful new wife, Pam, is also a family medicine doc for the US Navy and has just begun her final tour of duty before retirement - on CVN 76 The Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier. As the ship is ported in San Diego, she'll be able to go back and forth to work each day as a normal job. But carriers aren't designed to sit for long and there will be times, some short and some long, when she'll be out to sea. Please pray for her and I as we adjust to interruptions in our family life. Also, Pam's daughter, Haley, left for college this past Saturday. She's an incoming freshman at TCU (Texas Christian University). That's also a big change for Pam and Haley as well!
Ministry wise, I'll be heading out to Albuquerque, NM later this week for a Regional Mission Pastor's meeting at the Shepherd's Staff offices. We'll be discussing our schedules for the next few months and evaluating the work we're doing. Pray for wisdom concerning decisions that need to be made - specifically, if I'm to attend the Hong Kong Calvary Chapel conference next month.
This Saturday morning, I'll be speaking at the Calvary Chapel Escondido Men's Ministry breakfast - hope you men in the area will be able to make it - they always put on a great spread and the fellowships pretty decent too :-)
Love to all of you - and thanks again for your encouragement and prayer!
In His Arm's,
Pat
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
