Just a few nights ago, Gwen and I experienced the power of a true desert windstorm. The invisible yet obvious force shows itself through its effects. From night to morning the landscape took on a new look as piles of sand were rearranged. Jesus talked about the wind of the Spirit, how it is uncontrollable, unpredictable and in many cases unrelenting. This powerful wind of the Holy Spirit is having His way in our lives and we want to share with you some major changes blowing us to another part of the world with an amazing challenge and opportunity.
Jerry and Gwen in front of new IMM center
After 3 months of wrestling with and praying about this unexpected shift in ministry, we believe God is moving us to Madrid, Spain to become the new directors of International Media Ministries (IMM, you can read about this powerful ministry at www.imm.edu). How we came to this decision is a much longer story than can be related here. Just let me say, we have experienced that relentless and unpredictable wind. And, just as there is an amazing calm after a big blow, when we finally said “yes” and gave way to His divine direction in our lives, we experienced an incredible calm of His perfect peace.
What this means is we will begin fundraising and deputation almost immediately, dividing our time between Southern California and Oregon. We will pack up the ministry house near USC and move out by July 29th. At the same time, we will continue to fulfill our obligations with Chi Alpha and ISFM until January 1, 2009 when we will officially take the responsibilities as Directors of IMM. We anticipate our physical move to Madrid to be sometime in March.
Obviously, we need your prayers and support now as much as ever! The opportunity to influence millions of people through electronic media that is culturally sensitive and relevant is before us. Yet we have several months and many miles of itineration to go before we can take our place alongside an amazing team of people dedicated to this vision.
Yes, the winds of change are blowing. We have the confidence that He who commands the winds has your life and mine firmly in His hands, caringly and effectively guiding all the way!