Dear Epaphras,
St. Patrick is now the patron saint of Ireland, but he didn’t start out that way. In fact, Patrick started his ministry as a missionary to the unreached. He was neither invited nor wanted in Ireland. He was a foreigner in a foreign land. He went because God called him to go, and he faced many hardships along the way. He faced opposition from people, and from the spiritual forces of darkness that had long held sway in that superstitious land.
Patrick took teams with him. Together, they preached and served to establish the church where it didn’t exist, and in later years to strengthen and encourage the church where it did. Over the years of his ministry, and the generations that followed, the people and the culture were changed. They didn’t become less Irish, but they were transformed by Jesus.
So, yesterday, in our various ways, we celebrated the life and ministry of a church planting missionary who went to a hostile people group. Sadly, today, the Republic of Ireland today is one of the least reached countries in Europe. Pray for our Church planting team in Balinah, Ireland who have started a small congregation and are faithfully sharing Christ in creative ways in markets on the streets and in neighborhoods.
We are settling into our new (to us) home and enjoying a simpler lifestyle. We can walk to the store, the girl’s school, Julia’s hospital, our pastor’s home and life is just easier. We are already talking with others from our church about starting a ‘life group’ in Bayonne, with no present Christian witness. We are already looking forward to who Jesus will bring to Himself through this group.
Last week Sara and I were in Chiang Mai, Thailand to meet with the International Director and the six other Regional Leaders (and spouses) in PIONEERS. It was a very encouraging time and strategically important as we talked and prayed through issues that affect our 280 teams worldwide. We also spent time worshipping and encouraging one another. We left filled up.
Sara stayed on in Thailand for the second of three leadership development courses she is following and I returned to play “Mr. Mom.” I’m growing, by the minute, to appreciate all Sara does to manage the home and provide for me and the girls while living cross culturally. A Huge thanks to Nana Herzog who came and ministered to the girls last week!
Thanks for your continued prayers for our nearly 400 now church planters on 72 teams in Europe. The Lord continues to call people to this spiritually needy continent called Europe and we are humbled to provide leadership. Thanks also to those of you who stand with us financially. We are blessed by you!
In Jesus,
Steve (for the Curreys)
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