 MISSIONARIES T̶O̶ FROM AFRICA“We believe we are greater together, and that we can see significant Kingdom progress in both Africa and the US through our collaborative efforts.” It was a privilege to look into beautiful African faces as we expressed our need and desire for them to send missionaries to serve here in the US as part of a growing partnership between Cru in Africa and Cru City here in the US. I was on this call with part of the VP team for Cru Africa in my (Jeff’s) new (bonus) role on City’s Diaspora Ministry Leadership Team.  Diaspora refers to people who have been dispersed form their homeland. It is a broad word that doesn’t speak to the reason for the dispersal, but merely acknowledges the reality of the dispersal. Diaspora covers the Israelites in exile in Babylon, migrant farm workers in the US, Ukraine war refugees, and so much more. It covers those who willingly relocate, those who feel they have no choice but to relocate, and those truly forced to relocate. Missions nerds have recognized mission to and through diaspora communities as the next vital frontier in global missions. As the world’s people move around the globe, global missions morphs in ways never before experienced. Why is it so vital? Scale, access, and opportunity. SCALE. There are almost 300 million people living outside of their country of birth; that’s pushing 4% of the world’s population. ACCESS. The US is home to far more international migrants than any other nation; we have just over 50 million diaspora living within our borders. The world has come to us; we don’t need a passport to do global missions. OPPORTUNITY. Whether the move was voluntary, pressured, or forced, living in a foreign country creates unique pressure points that can lead to openness to the Good News of Jesus’ love and redemption. What’s more, people are coming here from countries we can’t get missionaries into, creating opportunities to make inroads into countries and cultures we struggle to reach. I was asked to join City’s Diasporas Leadership Team, not to replace my usual global missions focus, but to bring global missions focus and experience to City’s work with diaspora communities here in the US. One expression of that is that I have the crazy privilege of helping City in the US learn to receive missionaries from Africa, who will both help us reach their diaspora communities here in the US, and who will contribute to City’s broader efforts to make disciples in the US. A hallmark of our efforts and approach since we joined City global is helping the global church partner to fulfill the Great Commission because we live in this exciting moment in which missionaries are crisscrossing the globe from everywhere to everywhere. Now we get to help City in the US join the ranks of those blessed by the our brothers and sisters from around the world. Thank you for being in this work with us!  Prayer Requests and PraisesThat our marriage, parenting, neighboring, and work would flow out of an intimate connection to Jesus. Receiving missionaries well is complex, and there is much to do in coming months and years to integrate foreign missionaries into City’s work in the US, but the effort is very worthwhile. Please pray for Jeff and others involved in this process. Jeff is traveling to Guatemala in March (leading a Filter of Hope trip), DC in April (Diaspora Leadership meeting), and Minnesota in May (City Global Lead Team meeting.) Please pray for him AND Sarah and the girls in his absence. In addition to her usual work, Sarah is filling in for someone she usually reports to while he is on sabbatical for the next two months. Please pray for energy and wisdom for Sarah as she carries a larger load and serves more people than normal. Copyright (C) 2024 Jeff & Sarah Johnson. All rights reserved. You are receiving this e-mail because you have requested updates on the Johnson’s ministry. Our mailing address is: Jeff & Sarah Johnson7564 Farm View Circle E Indianapolis, IN46256 Add us to your address bookJeffrey.Johnson@Cru.org Sarah.Johnson@Cru.org |
Gabhart’s Update – March 2024
And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens. Revelation 3:7 (ESV) No matter how dark a situation gets, we worship and serve God, who is sovereign over all things and will not be thwarted. Whatever He plans, will be accomplished. It can be hard to watch as it plays out, but we can rest in the knowledge that God is working all things for His glory.  Teams going to the Bahamas on a mission’s trip February has been a hard month in Haiti. National elections were supposed to occur on Wednesday, February 7th. Since the Haitian President was assassinated in July of 2021, the Prime Minister has governed the country. The gang activity has prevented elections. In February, one of the political opponents of the current government called for a revolution. This resulted in violent demonstrations occurring all over the country. MFI had to postpone several flights due to the unrest for the safety of our crew, passengers, and our Haitian workers. At the end of February, gun fire in the vicinity of the airport at Port-au-Prince prevented MFI from being able to complete the flight we had planned to end there. The United Nation’s multi-national force is currently in training to prepare to come in to address the gangs. This latest violence at the airport is designed to prevent the Prime Minster from returning to Port-au-Prince.  Wing pull inspection  Wing pull inspection Something that we have recently learned is that the gangs are preventing the children from attending school. Many of the schools in Haiti are run by Christian missions and the gangs have been threatening to shoot the schools that continue to meet. Please pray for safety for the schools that defy the gangs and that the gangs will have a change of heart towards their fellow countrymen. This is a very hard time for most of Haiti. There are some communities that are isolated from the violence, but they are becoming fewer as the gang activity spreads. Please continue to pray for the safety of the missionaries who have remained. Please pray for wisdom for MFI leadership to know when to go and when to stay so that we can continue to support those doing the vital kingdom work in Haiti.Thank you for your faithfulness in love, prayers, and support as we serve at MFI. James and Sam Gabhart |
| FAMILY NEWS |
March is a month of celebration in our house. This month Jonny turns 16! Several of you may be curious, but no, he has no desire to drive at this time. So, instead of a license for his 16th birthday, we are getting him a State ID. He’s reached the age where getting used to carrying identification is a really good thing. Also, for his birthday, our church has an incredible concert series that is coming. We are all going and it will be incredible. One artist, Cliff Preston, was at our church in December for the Christmas Concert, and he is a great up and coming artist. His band, The Band Table will be performing, and Stars Go Dim too. Here’s what is so exciting, our church’s youth group is opening and performing original songs. What an opportunity for them, and for us to be able to support them for Jonny’s birthday. Jonny turns 16! We are so excited for another opportunity with our church coming up this summer. Our youth group is participating in a mission’s outreach camp trip up to Liberty University. The entire camp is focused on missions and service projects. Chris and Abby are looking forward to going. Jonny has chosen to stay home this time because of not wanting to be too far from home for as long as this camp is.  Abby and Chris excited to be going on the summer camp missions trip!  Marriage Date Night With a camp like this comes costs, and fundraisers too. We find out more of what that will look like soon, but our “littles” will be sending out support letters to help be able to fund this trip. This will be Abby’s first trip with the youth, and as of this trip, we will have 3 kids in youth group. It is incredible to think how fast time has flown, and just how blessed we are by having three, incredible kids who love Jesus. Prayer Requests Kathy’s surgery was postponed for now. Pray the items that need addressed can be done quickly, and that she can feel even more confident in having it done.Prayer for our desire to have a home of our own, and the ability to keep saving for itPrayer for MFI, the needed wisdom in filling open positions, and for God to provide the correct people to fill themPraise that our vehicles are still holding on and getting us where we need to goPraise for our faithful supporters, both in prayer and financially. Prayer for God to bless their consistency to support the work He is doingPraise for our church encouraging our youth kids to not be afraid to follow where God is calling themMinistry UpdateWe are so thankful to all who are following God’s leading in supporting us. We currently receive $5,800 (95%) in monthly commitments. We need an additional $300 to be fully supported.Online Giving: www.missionaryflights.org/gabhartORMail Checks to: 3170 Airmans Driv Fort Pierce, FL 34946 Memo: Gabharts #2837 |