I love graduations.
Regalia. Pomp and Circumstance. Degree conferral. It’s all so much fun.
My own graduation in 2013 was rich with meaning for us. We spent 6 years being trained by some of the best at DTS and as I walked across that stage I remember feeling grateful for the investment of my professors in me, eager to get to work and thankful to finally be finished!
A Graduation in Haiti
Just a few weeks ago, 37 men and women walked across a differant stage in Haiti to graduate from STEP seminary. The first class to enter the seminary after the 2010 earthquake, they are now trained and ready to make disciples and transform their communities – to the glory of God.
As they walked across their stage, I bet they felt much like I did: grateful, eager and thankful.
Imagine what their impact will look like 5 years from now as they begin to make disciples in their communities.
Think about it – If each of those 37 men and women make just 5 disciples a year for the next 5 years, that’s925 new disciples!
But – if each of those new disciples make 5 more a year, that’s a potential of almost 300,000 new disciples in five years! I don’t know about you, but that gets us excited!
We believe a disciple is someone who is learning to live and love like Jesus and helps others to do the same. Imagine the impact that 300,000 new disciples would have in Haiti!
The truth is, many of those 37 graduates will go on to pastor churches of 100 or more people. What if each of those church members reproduced themselves? If I start to run the numbers on that impact, my brain starts to hurt.
We can’t wait to join the team at STEP to help get the next generation of Haitian pastors and disciple-makers out and serving!
Baby #3 is Here!
We’re excited to announce the arrival of our son, Joshua Alan Perkins! He was born a month early on June 2nd, weighing in at 5 lbs 9 oz and 21 1/4 inches long. After a brief stay in the NICU, we brought him home on June 5th.
Baby and mom are doing great and Grace and Lydia LOVE being big sisters. It is so fun to see how sweet they are with him.
If you missed it, check out this video we shot to introduce him.
Missouri VBS Project
We were so excited to see one of the churches on our support team, Cornerstone Community Church in Harrisonville, Missouri, take us on as a special project for their VBS last week.
Not only did they meet their fundraising goal – they DOUBLED it.
It was so fun to be with them via FaceTime when they unveiled the final results. You should have heard those kids yell with excitement!
Update: 75% by Sept. 15th
We’re so thankful for those who joined our support team this past month.
As of now, we are at 35% of our monthly support.
In order to stay on track for our summer goal, we need to add 9 new people to our support team this next month. If you think you’re ready to be one of them, let us know.
How Can You Pray This Month?
Joshua: Praise God for the safe arrival of Joshua. Prayfor us as we adjust to being a family of five.
STEP Graduates: Pray for these 37 new graduates of STEP as they begin their ministries.
Chikungunya: Continuepraying for those affected by the Chikungunya virus that is sweeping through Haiti right now. Although it is rarely fatal, it is very painful. Pray for this outbreak to subside.
Support: Continue prayingfor God to bring others to our support team.
So grateful to be serving with you,
Luke, Becca, Grace, Lydia and Joshua
