This coming Thursday, three friends set out on three very different journeys, but each path has a single goal: to serve God and others. I ask for prayers of blessing for the three of us, those we will encounter along the way, and our families who cannot join us physically on the journey.
My friend and brother Deacon Greg, leaves on Thursday in preparation to lead a group of pilgrims to Rome for the Jubilee called by Pope Francis. The pope has asked this to be a Jubilee Year for Hope, and God knows we all could use hope in our lives! So this will be a unique journey for Greg and his fellow pilgrims as they pray for us in joy and hope in the splendor and glamour of the Eternal City.
My friend and shipmate Jim will leave on Thursday on his 20th mission trip to Zimbabwe. During and following an illustrious Navy career, he has been most active in the ministries of the Methodist Church, and it is under their auspices he and his fellow missionaries have served. For more than sixteen years, Jim and his team have built clinics, schools, accommodations, and anything else the communities need.
My own journey of discovery also begins on Thursday, leading first to Hawaii, where I will again have the opportunity to work with the newest group of people starting their own journey toward possible ordination as deacons. From there, I return to Australia, where I’ll speak with deacons and deacon candidates, their families, and seminarians in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, and Parramatta before returning home.
Three very different journeys, but each a pilgrimage of faith and hope.
Please pray for us!
Deacons Today: Servants in a Servant Church 