Coming Soon: FamilyFEST!

In addition to ESL workshops that will be available this spring and summer, there's an exciting missions opportunity coming to central Wisconsin this summer! It's called FamilyFEST!

July 19-24, God's people will minister to the people of the Wisconsin Dells. The mission is lasting impact!

Every year, 3.1 million tourists come to the Dells to play. Thousands of international students come to work. And over 5,000 residents call the Dells their permanent home.

What does this mean for ESL ministries? Did you catch that "thousands of internationals..." part? Our hope is to reach out to those students through English as a Second Language classes that week. Understand that the purpose of an ESL ministry is to intentionally share the gospel of Jesus Christ as we teach English to internationals in the community. And what happens if international students surrender to Christ here in the Dells? They return to their native countries, missionaries for Jesus.

I hope to hold at least one ESL workshop this spring to equip workers for FamilyFEST. After a workshop I taught last summer, several people told me they wished they had a place where they could put their newly-learned skills to work right away, without launching an entire ministry. FamilyFEST provides that opportunity. And I pray that new teachers/missionaries would have great experiences that would spur them on to continue through new ministries.

Let me know if you'd be interested in attending a workshop...it hasn't been scheduled yet. Give me your feedback: where is the greatest need?

Want more info on FamilyFEST? Visit the website! Right now the site goes to the blog, and you can stay updated on new developments as we plan this event. Feel free to contact me with any questions!
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Just Can It!

As an English as a Second Language teacher, I put a fair amount of time and prayer into developing lesson plans. So do the other teachers in the ministry. We want our students to learn English, and we want to come prepared to teach as effectively as we can. The lesson plan is an awesome tool! But sometimes, God has something even better in mind. Sometimes we arrive to teach, get everything set up, and then He tells us to set it all aside and let His Spirit lead!

So tonight, instead of her planned lesson, Grace had the privilege of hearing one of her students share his testimony in English. What an awesome reminder that not only are we sharing the Gospel with nonbelievers, but we are edifying the body of Christ too! By sharing his testimony in English, her student is gaining confidence to share Christ with English-speaking people, as well as Hispanics! What an awesome gift!

Thanks for canning the lesson plan tonight, Grace, and following the leading of the Spirit! Thanks for sharing it with me so I could be encouraged too!
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Pray for Empower Evangelism Conference

The annual Empower Evangelism Conference is rapidly approaching! This year I have the opportunity to share Literacy Missions with others through a breakout session at the conference, as well as a display in the missions mall. Please pray for me as I prepare the materials for this session. Pray for those that will attend and that God would work through this opportunity to call many into literacy missions. Pray also for the conference itself. I'm very excited about hearing the speakers this year, particularly Reggie McNeal as I've heard a bit about some of his writings. His perspective on the missional life is refreshing, and inspiring. Please pray this would be a time of encouragement, conviction, and equipping, as well as great fellowship. Thank you for the prayers!!