Dear Church,
On August 16, Cheryl Murphy and I will join Bishop Hope and others from our Annual Conference at RDU to board a plane for Armenia. This time last year, neither of us thought much about this part of the world. Indeed, we had to get a map out to see exactly where this oft-forgotten country is. (See the map in the fellowship hall!)
What are we thinking, going to Armenia? Aren’t there closer places we could go in mission?
I am reminded of Paul’s travels. Do you remember that Paul had one idea of where he should go to spread the gospel, but that the Spirit had another idea? (Read Acts 16). During the night, Paul had a vision: a man stood begging him to come to Macedonia to help him and his people. Although Macedonia was not on Paul’s itinerary, he and his team went immediately, being convinced that this is where God had called them to go.
Cheryl and I believe God has called us to go to Armenia, and we have asked you to pray for us and for the sisters and brothers in Christ with whom we will share our lives. We will meet family we never knew we had, when we go to live and serve among the Christians in Armenia, the oldest Christian nation in existence. The Armenian Apostolic Church has remained in existence despite unbelievable suffering throughout her history, including genocide, earthquake, and war. We expect to learn from these Christians what it means to remain faithful even in the midst of terrible suffering. They have asked us to come, and we are going, to support the ministry they are already engaged in.
See our itinerary in the August newsletter, and remember to pray for our Team. We will look forward to coming back, as your missionaries, to share the good news of our time with our brothers and sisters in Christ in Armenia. Thank you for your prayers, your support, and your love of God and commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Grace, peace, and love,
Pastor Grace