Meet the Staff

Here is the Finishers Staff based in Gilbert, AZ.
L to R : Tom Adelsman, Colleen Erdmann, Paul Erdmann, Renee Ladd, and Don Parrott | |
The Bridge serves to keep you connected with the amazing ministry and impact of Finishers Project. We welcome your feedback, so please call or write. |
More For Your Consideration ---
Last month I shared a few items to consider on your journey to global impact. We received a larger-than-usual number of very affirming responses. Here are a few more items to consider:
- You want to be listened to and included in decisions and directions that affect your ministry. It is instructive to reflect back on some of the issues that shaped our values. When we first approached adult-hood we discovered that all was not what we believed it to be. The universities were not ready for us, mainly because more of us showed up than they were able to handle. The government was not ready for us since we questioned some of their decisions and discovered their answers were not completely accurate. Corporate America was not ready for us in that we desired a more collaborative approach to work than was currently in place. These three examples demonstrate how a lack of trust in leadership created a great need for us to be involved in shaping the decisions that affected our roles. We have brought this value into the missions realm and at times have pushed to reshape the processes and decision-making approaches we observed. At times we have been chastised and at other times we have been applauded for our "pushing." But it's part of our DNA. The secret is to do it in a respectful, godly manner.
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You want to feel fulfilled in whatever ministry you step into. The whole "success to significance" philosophy is an expression of our desire to contribute well. We want to be able to fully embrace and engage ourselves in ministry, not just be a bit-player. We have a wealth of experience to offer, ideas, passion and desire. We are at a time in our lives when we are ready to let it all hang out, so to speak. We don't have much to prove any more. We have pretty much figured out who we are and we're looking to fully invest that in a cause. The downside is sometimes the emphasis is too much on ourselves---what I want to do, how I want to minister, how I want to do something big for God. It turns out that such thinking can be a slippery slope. We may get a little turned around and be more motivated to fulfill ourselves than fulfill what God has in mind. So be willing to do a heart-check from time to time and keep centered.
- You are not totally comfortable with the old paradigm of the preparation, supporting and sending models. Those models were built on a church and Bible-training paradigm. They were appropriate models for their time. They expanded the church around the world and helped turn "mission fields" into "mission forces." We all stand on their shoulders. But the paradigm we are more comfortable with is built on an economic, business and relational platform. The bridges we find to cross into global kingdom work will be built on this newer paradigm. As it turns out, God knew exactly what type of harvest workers he would require from North America at this time in history, and he has carefully shaped the Boomer generation for such a time as this. It may be that you have run into a few obstacles as you have expressed your ideas regarding preparation or support or the issues involved in sending. Actually, you are just doing what we as Boomers have always done. Quite often our initial impact on institutions and organizations is unwelcomed. We cause frustration and create a negative impact rather than the good impact we desire. But we re-group, we learn, we persist and we bring about change. So let's be careful to always be learners and have the attitude Jesus demonstrated, being gentle and humble of heart.
Once again, our encouragement is to be intentional in taking steps of faith towards the "good works" you were made for. If you've lost your enthusiasm or become side-tracked, determine what logical step you should take right now, and re-engage. This is kingdom work. This is Christ's global cause. This is serious, significant and worthy! Settle for nothing less. And as you go---be respectful, keep centered and walk humbly. | |
Called to Serve in the Orosi Valley, Costa Rica
In case you haven't heard; we are leaving for Costa Rica on March 31st. As you can imagine, we are busy! We have a long list of things "to do". For the most part, we have said good-bye to our families when we traveled up North for some additional training in the offices of Global Outreach Mission. When we arrive in Costa Rica, we will virtually "hit the ground running", setting up our home and learning "the ropes" from the interim missionaries before they leave at the end of April; and we host our first short-term team in May---37 members strong!
Some have asked, "How do you feel now that you are actually leaving"? We are humbled that God has chosen to make the provisions for our family to go! We have 100% of support. Sadly, there are missionaries who never have the opportunity to serve on the field because they cannot raise the necessary funds. Naturally, we are excited to be going! But, we are also prayerful. We recognize that apart from God we can do nothing! We continue to invite you to pray for us as we now step out into full-time missionary service to the people of Costa Rica.
Adios, Ken & Sherri
We are leaving for Costa Rica!!!! Remember that it was Finishers who hooked us up with Global Outreach! |
Upcoming Events:
The Jouney Deepens Retreat in Elgin, IL, April 18-20. This weekend will deepen your relationship with Jesus and help you explore what it is like to be a missionary, discover whether a missionary or sender role is God's fit for you, and connect with mission agencies. www.thejourneydeepens.com
Our next Finishers Forum will be November 7-8, 2008 at Bent Tree Bible Fellowship, 4141 International Parkway, Carrollton, TX 75007 (Dallas area). The contact is Tom Matyas - tom.matyas@mglobal.us.
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Growing Pains
Young organizations, just like young children, often experience growing pains. In children, there are times when the muscles or tendons are still a little too tight for the growing bones which causes pain---growing pain, and it is always in the muscles.
In most cases the pain can be prevented with simple, daily stretching exercises. These exercises must be continued even after the pain subsides in order to keep the muscles and tendons relaxed and able to accommodate the next growth spurt.
We are experiencing growing pains in Finishers. Some of our "muscles" are not quite long enough for the ministry opportunities we have been given. One of those muscles is the powerful and necessary strength of finances.
I am asking you to consider helping us stretch out those muscles by contributing to Finishers during this time of growth. As in the case of a child's growing pains, your contribution will help the growth pains subside and you may even have a heart to continue the exercise in order to accommodate the next growth spurt.
We believe any ministry opportunity that comes before us should be given prayerful consideration. If we feel peace, we should be obedient and embrace that opportunity. If we do not sense peace from the Lord, we should also be obedient and not step into that opportunity.
I am asking you to take the same approach with this ministry opportunity I have just presented. If after prayerfully considering our request you feel peace, then be obedient. If you do not sense God would have you contribute, then please simply be obedient.
There are links in this newsletter to enable you to contribute on-line. Our address is here if you would like to mail your contribution. Or, if you would like, please email or call me to talk more personally about our "growing pains".
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Don Parrott CEO,The Finishers Project
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