Encouraging Meetings Over Food & Coffee

Kristy and I are enjoying a light series of meetings this week and next. Thus far, we’ve mainly been trying to catch up with a few financial partners and friends of mine that needed to be introduced to Kristy. Since December was so crazy, it didn’t leave a lot of room to set up meetings in advance for our time here in the Pacific Northwest, so we’re just seeing what last minute meetings can come together while we’re here.

On Wednesday, I had a chance to catch up with Gil Steensen, an old friend and former youth worker. I was really encouraged to hear about how much ministry ownership Gil is taking in the church he’s a part of. He’s a great example of an everyday believer with a missional mindset in his work as a meat cutter, as well as in his church commitment.

Yesterday, I introduced Kristy to Dave Childers, the missions pastor up at Grace Community Church in Auburn. He’s one of the biggest reasons I’m serving in Europe now. While he was with Reign Ministries, he set up the two trips to Ireland and Great Britain that I went on years ago that led to my heart being so burdened for that part of the world. Dave continues to open up the minds and hearts of American Christians by taking them on short-term trips all over the world. I’m always blown away by Dave’s travel schedule – this week in Africa to encourage and train pastors, the next week in Asia, via Europe to see this or that youth pastor, etc., etc.

After lunch with Dave, we connected up with Gene Poppino, the Student Ministries Pastor at Grace. Gene is a veteran youth pastor in the northwest whom many other youth pastors in the region and around the world look to for wisdom and advice. I always feel encouraged after getting some time to catch up with him and I’m always amazed at how easily he’s willing to make room in his schedule for me. He’s a great example of the “people are never an interruption” principle – even on a Thursday when he has to prepare to teach three times the following weekend. Gene is also involved in training, shepherding, and encouraging youth pastors around the world, from Europe to Asia to South America.

Today, I’m hoping to catch up with a friend back in England (via Skype) for some ministry consultation and fellowship. Tonight, Kristy and I have been invited to dinner with a family from my parents’ church here in Longview. Over the weekend, it’s back up to Auburn to lead worship singing at four Grace Community services and introduce the congregation to my beautiful wife!