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Ministry
Report, March 2010 |
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Dear Prayer Partners, How rich is the diversity of the Body of Christ! Since our last report we have experienced this wonderful variety in the ways God calls people to know and serve Him. The first was through Diane’s trip to France and Zambia. Thank you for praying for her. The results were very positive – and, in an answer to prayer, she remained healthy while going from cold winter dampness in Paris in January to the middle of the summer rainy season in Zambia, and then back to the snowy Northeastern U.S.! During her time with the church located in the suburbs of Paris, the work that needed to be done on the first year of the catechism material advanced rapidly. While there, she was also interviewed for a recorded half-hour program of testimonies that is shown on French satellite television. Then, she participated in the seminar that brought representatives from seven countries to Zambia. This consultation led to some concrete decisions on further cooperation among these Churches on major challenges they all face, such as theological training, HIV-AIDS prevention, immigration pressures, poverty and rural development. It is impressive to see how creatively these Churches minister and work at meeting needs in their societies, in spite of their own lack of resources. We have much to learn from them! For a detailed description of her trip and numerous pictures, you can consult all of the posts on Diane’s blog. While Diane was away, Bill slalomed between East coast snowstorms to visit churches in MD and SC. After her return, they both traveled to Texas, giving presentations in 3 different Reformed Episcopal churches and attending the Anglican 1000 church planting seminar in Plano TX. It is always encouraging to see how different groups are trying to participate in Christ’s mission of building His Church.
That extended trip ended with Diane speaking at a lovely women’s tea, along with weekend ministries in different supporting churches in MD. We feel so privileged to have such a large number of partners in ministry. We are thankful for all the opportunities we have both to minister to and be encouraged by them. Our family continues to grow. We are delighted to announce our son Jonathan’s engagement to Sara Smith. Their wedding is planned for early October. In His service,
Diane and
Bill Jerdan |
Prayer Requests The Jerdans will be representing the Reformed Episcopal Board of Foreign Missions at the New Wineskins Missions Conference in NC early in April. Bill will travel to Germany at the end of April to consult with colleagues there about organizing future training sessions with young pastors, sharing some of what we have learned in over 30 years of church planting in Europe. Preliminary discussions are also underway for Bill’s participation in an on-site training program for indigenous West African pastors. He would lead a seminar on practical pastoral skills. The first of these would take place in early December of this year. We continue to search for the best place and situation for establishing a new ministry base. We are looking for somewhere close to a church with a growing outreach where we can have a ministry to internationals (probably graduate level students who will be returning to their home countries) and near an international airport to facilitate our overseas ministry. We want to continue using the ministry gifts and tools that we have developed during our years in Europe in order to benefit and build the Church in various places and cultures as opportunities open. Some possibilities are now under consideration, but we desire your prayers for the Lord’s leading, and are open to your concrete proposals. To receive a copy of the Jerdans' monthly report by email, send them a message at jerdandw@gmail.com |
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Our
next stop was Las Vegas, Nevada,
where we celebrated our twin
grandsons’ first birthday (photo
at right). Two very active
little boys did manage to keep
both grandparents busy! During
our time there, Bill flew back
to Philadelphia to preside at
the funeral of a beloved aunt.