Remaining Faithful

Hello Everyone!

It has been some time since we last posted an update. So we wanted to catch you up on some of what's been happening with us.

In the last quarter of 2019 we were spending time visiting colleges and universities, speaking with students interested in serving in missions and those discerning a call to missions. We were scheduled to have three Greenlight gateway teams for this summer. Two of the teams were headed to Thailand and the other to Spain.  Hosts in these countries were meeting regularly with us making plans for the arrival in a new culture, for new ministry experiences, all while exploring their own callings. Those teams would have been leaving yesterday, May 30 for the designated country. However, with the current global situation, all of these plans have been put on hold until next summer at the earliest. This has been a huge disappointment for the participants, the hosts, the nationals in these countries they were planning to meet and the TMS Global staff. 

Speaking in Churches about joining Jesus in his mission

We visited Winthrop's Wesley Foundation and had a time to share with students about serving cross culturally and to invite them to participate in Greenlight during the summers.  We felt encouraged by our time there and plan to revisit this Fall.

Wesley at Winthrop University

Texas Tech Wesley group

Worship teamPreparing for the students

Before the CoVid restrictions we were able to visit the Wesley Foundation at Texas Tech where we have developed relationships with students and staff.  One of the students we met participated in Greenlight 2019 to Paraguay.  We are continuing to walk alongside a number of people in Lubbock, Texas as they discern a call to global ministry

Opportunities to speak to Women's group at Smyrna First UMC about Missions

Early in 2020 TMS Global held its second Global Gathering in Cyprus. This is a special event because it brings together all of the CCW's of TMS Global. This is a time of fellowship, worship, growth and education for everyone in the organization. New CCW's are able to bond with others doing similar or vastly different work all around the world. We were able to step back in time and see the place where Barnabas lived and was buried and learn some of the history of the area.

At the Global Gathering in Cyprus

Because we were so close, we couldn't pass up the opportunity to go to Israel for about five days. Five days is not enough, but we packed in many opportunities to see some key places of the area like: Jerusalem, the Sea of Galilee, Mt of Olives, Garden of Gethsemane and a few others. It is hard to put into words how it makes the Bible more alive.  If you ever have the opportunity, we think it is a once in a lifetime trip.

At the Jordan River

Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered

Sea of Galilee

Over the past couple months we have continued to walk with those seeking to serve in various places around the world. There are fewer people seeking to reach out right now due to the world environment. Many countries have closed their borders but things things are beginning to open again or a least in the next couple of months will do so.  But for all of our people serving, we have been connecting with them. Anxiety and stress levels are all over the place. The is so much uncertainty as to whether visas will be granted or extended, whether borders will open or closed, whether people are allowed outside there residence.

 We have used some of our time to help with member care. We call and have conversations and prayer with our TMS Global family serving the world. God has been faithful allowing many to be able to continue to provide jobs for nationals or food for families or even for our CCW's to share a conversation  and prayer about why they choose to live in their country.

Hannah Grace making friends in Jerusalem

Praying for the nations

We thank you all for the support and prayers during this time and all times. We are excited for those who continue to push through the obstacles of the enemy to have a chance to serve. We look forward to walking and serving along side them to honor Jesus' request to make disciples.





Prayer requests-

-For Todd's family in the recent passing of his Dad,  James Attaway.
-For Pam's parents and transition from their home in Landrum.
-For Ashley and her recent engagement to Zach Garrison who she met at Clemson.
-For continued financial and prayer support in our current ministry work.
-For vision and discernment of how best to walk with those called to serve.