The Questions:
1. Brief Bio and current ministry
2. When did you start tithing?
3. What is your personal giving policy?
4. Share a story that inspires you...
From Esther Irwin
I have spent time in prayer and thought; here is an example of what God has laid on my heart
1. Mission Story started in 2002
- Ron travelled to Ukraine - with HART
- I visited daughter Shannon who was with ACC in Uganda
- Ron - Cuba with World Serve
- Ron and I - back to Uganda
- Ron and I - Brazil to visit niece and family who were missionaries in Manaus
- Henry observed the heart change and passion for mission in Ron and asked him to prayerfully consider heading missions at CSC
THIS has not been without challenges, but oh the joy and abundant life have experienced! God has blessed above and beyond
Many people say "Why go? Why not just send the money?" Life change is the answer such as Ivan - Nepal, Sylvia - Ukraine, Jerry and Donna - SA, Dan and Kerri - SA, Glen - Mexico, and on and on. It also opens my eyes to reality and all we have been blessed with - keeps my feet and head where it should be
Sharon Jaymes says it best in her book "The Power of a Woman's Words" when she went on her first missions trip
"Yes, there were dental needs. I expected that. What I did not expect was the sense of contentment and joy I saw on the faces of the 12 children who lived in a one room thatched shack with no running water and a packed dirt floor. The contentment of the woman who had one dress to wear, the satisfaction of the men who filled their bellies with food from the ocean and tropical fruit that sprang from the surrounding flora. I did not expect the incredible praises to God that rose through the church roofs, the laughter of children dressed in tattered rags, or the coos of mothers contentedly holding their babies to their breasts. I had arrogantly come to help these people, but they had helped me. I experienced what Charles Spurgeon penned "He is richest who is content with the least" ".
Currently -Part of Sept 22nd Hike/Golf for Nepal committee: 170 participants with 33k of 40k goal raised to purchase vehicle for partner church
- Serve in CC
- Looking forward to prayerfully consideration along with Bible Study group to show Undaunted in complex dining room. Last year we showed
Courageous to just under 100 people - powerful response.
- What else? Who knows? Adventures that only God knows of - Proverbs 16:1 "We can make our plans, but the Lord gives the right answers".
2. I believe that as I DAILY spend time with God, asking for the Holy Spirit to guide me that He opens doors. It is MY CHOICE to walk through them & experience
Him at work
3. My Mother taught me @ a young age to Tithe. But it stopped for a number of years when we put God on the back burner. That is another story for another
day.
Now - YES!!! As Randy Alcorn says in his Book "The Treasure Principle": God is my Money Manager: Also, have I been blessed to raise my standard of living,
OR my standard of giving
4. Good stewardship and be diligent - pray, find out about the organizations you are tithing to: Are they good stewards? Are they furthering God's kingdom? There are "Christian" organizations out there that are not working in Jesus name. Yes, they are 'doing' good deeds, but if they aren't sharing the hope of the world, JESUS, then I don't want to participate in their work. Make it fun! Ron & I often ask each other "How much do you believe God wants us to give?" I am amazed at how the majority of the time we write down the same answer! God is great! Such confirmation!
Your verse this year is 1 Tim: 6:18. I love to put verse 17 with it: " Command those who are rich in the present world to NOT be arrogant, to NOT put their hope in wealth which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in Christ who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds and to be generous and willing to share".
Do you know that if you can buy a book, and have the ability to read it, that YOU are rich by world standards?
5. Wow! You want to be out of the chapel by nightfall right!!!
Well, since Nepal is where I have most recently been involved, let me share how this came to be.
Six years ago, at this time a team of 6 met Dr Geoff Ibbotsen and his wife Jenny in Kathmandu to visit a number of ministries. We were to determine whether we felt God leading us to promote a CSC partnership. We knew 1 of the people on our team when we left. After every visit Dr Geoff had us pray, discuss, and answer many questions about the ministry (he is a surgeon, therefore VERY organized). On the last day there we had a 100% consensus to encourage CSC partner with SDSS. Wow! God at work. As the partnership developed, and we realized the funds required to proceed with the land & building to the tune of 1M+, we said NO WAY!! But now, 6 years later, God again has shown His glory and that HE wants this church/ministry centre built! It is to be completed in March, with most funds already on hand. Isn't HE awesome - ONLY HIM! Ivan and April leave this Thursday for Nepal and have asked for prayer. Many times as teams go over to visit our partner churches they experience spiritual warfare: Work issues, family issues, etc. This time is no different BUT GOD is good and as we are obedient and humbly rely on HIM for our strength HE amazes us with His goodness and provision. We have observed this again as He has answered prayer already for April and Ivan. What a privilege to serve our risen Savior! There IS NO BETTER PLACE TO BE!
