One of my new roles is to lead a team of pastors and leaders on the West
Coast. We are working at deepening our reach in each of the cities we are
currently located, while expanding to new areas and developing a network. So
much of our ministry is about finding, equipping, empowering, and supporting
leaders so that they can reach their communities for Christ more effectively.
I organized a short trip with one of my teammates from Los Angeles to scout out and support what another teammate, Pastor Damon, is doing in the Oakland area.
We also met several key partners who are interested in
some of our programs (prison ministry, church-based seminary, trauma healing
and church planting).
Please be in prayer for Pastor JC as he leads one of
our Prison ReEntry workshops next week with the hope to empower other churches
and launch a network of ministries and resources for the formerly incarcerated
(returning citizens).
San Francisco
Pastor Damon also held our first Evangel School of Church Planting in
San Francisco for a church team that is relaunching its ministry. The report
was that this was a “Groundbreaking” event. There was a lot of healing amongst
the team and a great strategy was put in place to march the church forward to
re-emerge as a light for their community.
Also, the church leadership is well connected with a network of 700 churches
that we hope will provide a pipeline of new opportunities to help empower with
affordable and accessible resources.
Dallas
I spent a few days in Dallas visiting some existing ministries and
getting to know other church and ministry leaders. The first night I shared my
passion for church planting and emotional/spiritual/ relational health with one
of our church-based seminary (TUMI) satellite classes.
The following day I lead a training focusing on domestic abuse and child
abuse, so along with pastors and church leaders we had some teachers and a lady
who is a survivor who is starting a ministry for women who have survived or are
living in domestic abusive relationships.
I partnered with a great pastoral couple there in Dallas, Pastor Beto and Antonia, and was able to meet a whole new network of pastors and introduce one of my teammates, Pastor Lorenzo, to this group as well.
There were 39 people in the workshops, which represent 8 churches and several other ministries. Through our training-the-trainer model we hope these individuals will train many others and impact their city in a significant way.
Los Angeles
Los Angeles Christian School – I continue to
mentor a great group of Trauma Healing Trainers and did further
training with some of them as we trained up a new group of parents from our
youngest son’s school.
Fuente Church – We have been experiencing an uptick
in attendance and participation following our outreach events during Easter
week and Mother’s Day weekend.
*Please be in prayer for about 50 of us headed to the mountains this weekend for our Family Camp. Also be in prayer for our team of 10 preparing for our mission’s trip to the Dominican Republic in January.
Rebecca
Our oldest child, Rebecca, has been on the mission field in Los Angeles
since she was 3 years old. She has been part of many highs and lows, successes
and failures in our church planting and outreach and support of those who
empower the poor. Since she has been such a huge part of our life and ministry,
we thought you would appreciate hearing her heart and see how you might pray
for her as she heads off to college in the following month.
Dear
Friends,
As many of you know, I have completed my time at Maranatha High School, and with that, I would like to reflect on my time there as well as update you on my plans for the future. I am overwhelmed with thankfulness as I have been blessed to attend a school that has helped me grow as a student and as a follower of Christ. My fondest memories were participating as a counselor for multiple freshman retreats, playing softball, being one of the football managers, and painting in my art class. While all these activities were enjoyable to do, they helped me figure out who I am and what my greatest passions are in life. Leaving the comfort of Maranatha’s community has been difficult to navigate, yet I have faith that the Lord will guide me through this next step of life.
This fall I will be attending Texas Christian University, where I will be able to immerse myself in a lively student life and have all the academic resources I need to succeed after graduating. I am beyond grateful for the prayers and support from all of you as I have grown older and as my parents have grown their ministry. I would like to ask for prayer as I enter a new chapter in my life, where many grow away from God and are faced with temptation. I will be moving on my own to Texas, and the transition is often difficult for the first semester or year, and I would appreciate prayer for that as well. Lastly, prayer for me as I make new acquaintances and friends and for strength as I continue living our God’s command to reflect His character wherever I am. “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16. Thank you all again for your kindness and love and I hope to update you all soon!
Sending Love,
Rebecca
Wolyn
If you would like to send her a note or care package while she is at
college her mailing address is:
Rebecca Wolyn
2901 Stadium Drive
TCU Box 295357
Fort Worth, TX 76129
One of her practical needs is a laptop computer (and some dorm room items
too). If you would like to give towards helping Rebecca with these needs, please
let us know or send a check to (before August 4). For dorm items a gift card to
Amazon or Target would also be helpful. [These gifts would not be tax-deductible]
Rebecca Wolyn
2422 Juliet St.
Los Angeles, CA 90007
We are blessed to be partnering together to bring the hope and light of Jesus to some of the darkest communities in the US and beyond!
Thank you for all of the love and support – prayers and financial gifts!
Chad, for the Wolyn Family
