I spent this past weekend at a coaching weekend for my home church. A team was brought in to evaluate the ministries of the church and to provide some guidance and direction for the future. Although I'm in the process of transitioning out of my position with the congregation, a part of my heart will always remain with them, and it was refreshing to hear their collective hearts for God. It was encouraging to listen to their prayers for God's direction and guidance.
As a part of the weekend, one training session in particular asked this question, "Is there an elephant in the room." Essentially, is there something happening in the congregation that while it is obvious and present, no one really wants to talk about or address it. Certainly there are those things in our lives that seem to fit into that category, regardless of who we are or where we are going.
For us at this time in our life, that elephant often feels like money. We spend so much time now on the road, visiting churches and individuals as we try and raise enough support to leave for the mission field. We cannot begin our work in Africa until we have 100% of our support pledged. And in these visits, these conversations, it seems money always lurks in the background. I understand at this point that it's important and necessary. But for us, our prayer is that people see beyond the finances. That cooperatively we are dreaming and visioning the lives on the other side of the dollars and cents. We don't want our conversations laced with pressure and any sense of guilting people into partnership.
Instead we pray fervently for a team. A group of people that don't want to just write a check and forget. We are looking for people who have a heart for God, a heart for kids, and a heart for the people of Africa and beyond. People that surround us in prayer, in the knowledge that we commit to do the same for you.
Slowly I believe we are raising that team. We have begun relationships that I am convinced will pay lasting dividends in the kingdom of God. The money is slowly ticking upwards towards our goal, but the relationships are blossoming rapidly and with the beauty of a common purpose in Christ.
Thank you for your love and support. One of the amazing things about this journey is witnessing individuals and churches that have a heart for missions and can't help but push the love of God forward.
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Logistic Stuff: Since our last blog, we've had the great fortune of being with the New Philadelphia Church of God, St. Paul's Church of Christ (Port Washington), and the First Church of God in Tallmadge. They have all begun to support our ministry and we are grateful for their partnership.
In the coming months we will be at Churches in: Petersburg IN, Reynoldsburg OH, Marion OH, and a couple of congregations in PA. We will also be at the Ohio General Assembly and Florida General Assembly Meetings.
For a complete list of times and dates, hit us up at revcompton@gmail.com and we'll pass along our latest newsletter with all of that information.
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One Final Note: My home church, Ontario First Church of God, has been working on a church wide garage sale to benefit our ministry. I want to sincerely thank them for the tons of hours they are putting into that work. We are humbled by your generosity and servant-hood. If you're interested in being involved with that, it's October 20 - 22.
Much Love,
Scott
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