We paused this week to hear testimonies from three men in varying stages of deputation. Here is what they shared with us.
Beginning deputation:
Nick & Lindsey Stelzig, along with their son Gabriel, have recently begun deputation to plant churches in Boston, Massachusetts. He shared how God has taught them that He will always provide what we need, when we need it. We must keep a right perspective and attitude, to ensure that we do not become discontent with God during times of waiting.
During deputation:
Joel Smothers is in the midst of his deputation to go to Brazil, where he will minister alongside of the Dickens family. He shared how the Lord has impressed him with Proverbs 4:7. We must seek wisdom and understanding above all. Deputation is a great time to learn things you will need on the field. When you seek this, the Lord will give more than and greater than you expect. One special blessing God has given him on deputation was in leading him to his fiancé, Noel Ring, who grew up as a missionary in Brazil and is currently serving in Puerto Rico. They plan to be married in June of 2017.
Finishing deputation:
One of our missionaries has just completed deputation and will leave this week to go to the Far East. (Their names have been omitted for security purposes.) He shared that the greatest lesson they learned was to expect nothing, for we deserve nothing. If our attitude on deputation is that we are in it for the money, we are no better than someone working in the secular world. Prayer support is so much more important. Our faith must not rest in what man can give us, but in the power of God.