Interdependence

On September 11,  I leave for a little over 5 weeks in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.  After a brief stop to meet our 5th grandchild on the east coast, my first week will be in Albania.  There, I will participate in the Lausanne-Orthodox Initiative, a movement of Orthodox and Evangelical Christians who wish to respect each other’s beliefs, learn from each other, and support one another as we each obey the call to share in God’s mission.  As a result of leading our own Navigator Orthonet Consultation on Evangelization and Discipleship in July, I am honored to be invited to this wider consultation.  You can read more about it at http://www.loimission.net. 
No, I am not joining the Orthodox Church!  But I am eager to see the Gospel moving among the many millions of people in the world who were born into an Orthodox culture in countries like Russia, Ukraine, Serbia, Ethiopia and many others. 

One of our Navigator core values is Interdependent relationships in the body of Christ in advancing the Gospel.  Our own consultation is already leading to collaboration on a mission trip for training Orthodox youth in evangelism and discipleship, and to publishing discipleship tools contextualized for Orthodox contexts.  Please pray that this initiative in Albania will lead to the Gospel spreading more and more fruitfully in Orthodox cultures and contexts.  (Colossians 1:6)
 
Prayer update - As you can imagine, I’m not looking forward to being away from home for more than 5 weeks.  I’ll tell you more about the rest of the trip later this month.  Renee plans to join me for co-ministry in two countries.  But, as the Lord brings us to mind this fall, please pray that God will provide special protection and grace for all of my family and me while I’m away for so long.