New Seasons

It is official. Our family will be returning to Ft. Lauderdale this summer.

After much prayer and seeking the Lord for wisdom and many conversations with those close to us, it was clear that God was guiding our family back. We will rejoin Calvary Chapel for this new season the Lord has provided. 

We would like to thank those who have supported us the last three years. 

In my conversations and correspondence, it is clear that so many have dedicated time to pray for our family and the greater purpose of the Lord’s work. From individuals, to couples, to churches and organizations, we know that there is nothing greater than having others pray on your behalf. Thank You.

Many of you have given sacrificially to assist and support the ultimate goal of the gospel going forth! It has been personally humbling and overwhelming to see the ways God has supplied all we needed. We have learned so many times that God will always provide for the work He has designated. If you were one of the many in this process, we pray you felt appreciated and realized all He had to teach you through your stewardship and care of our family. 

Our transition is bittersweet in that we are excited to return to Calvary Chapel Ft. Lauderdale, but we realize that valuable and necessary work will continue in Coatesville and the regions beyond. 

About a month ago we gathered for a meal with our Providence Coatesville church family to share with them our next steps. Again, it was a mix of excitement and tears because we have developed some amazing friends while here. In fact, the word friends doesn’t quite cover what happens here. Josh Crans, Providence Coatesville’s pastor, has a phrase he uses quite often at our church. “The church isn’t like a family, it IS a family.”  We will always carry that with us. 

County Corrections Gospel Mission continues to make great strides in the midst of everchanging leadership at Chester County Prison. 

It is no accident that there continues to be ten times the amount of believers and Christian volunteers than those of other religions coming to hold services, perform one on one counseling and encourage the officers. God is still deeply working here! We pray this will always be the case as CCP has been a testament to how the gospel has permeated the walls and hearts of inmates, correctional officers and administration. This is also a testament to God’s faithfulness through Jack’s steadfast leadership for 53 years and counting. I will personally miss the men we engaged with for discipleship and those who are in the midst of local reentry. Please pray for continued faithful volunteers to be raised up to shepherd those soon to reenter. 

NOTABLE PARTNERS:

There are a few churches and organizations that have been extra special to us and walked with us in deep partnership over these years.

Calvary Chapel Church in Ft Lauderdale Florida, Believers Bible Fellowship in Mt. Airy Philadelphia, Mt. Gilead Bible Conference in Sebastopol California and CalvaryLife Church in Southbay Los Angeles. 

We cannot express how much you have encouraged and strengthened us along the way. 

CONTINUE TO PRAY:

Pray for Josh and Jordan - They have selflessly served Coatesville for over 20 years and will continue to be pillars of this community. Pray for Josh as he has expanded his ministry deep into Coatesville High School as God has used him to reach the teachers and the sports teams. He also ministers to other urban church planters. Pray for Jordan as she oversees another summer of camps and undertakes a new building project for the new BACC home. Coming Soon!

Pray for Jack and Sue - God has preserved Jack’s health in such a way that it's nothing less than miraculous over the last few years and we pray He continues to do that. Jack has been blessed to influence people and ministry around the world, but his heart has always been with the local church, the city of Coatesville and the prison. Pray for Sue as she and my mother continue to teach the Mom’s Club Bible study held each week throughout the year. In our recent reflections as a family, we were reminded that Jack and Sue’s care of the Mayo family started well before we decided to come minister together and continues even to this day. 

ONE FINAL WORD…

Although God is moving our family back to Florida for a new season, we would never be equipped to do what is ahead without the lessons from our time here. When I was teaching at CCA a few students gave me an engraved wood block for my desk with a quote on it. It said, “It is a privilege to do what God has entrusted.” We have been privileged to be a part of God’s work here.  If you have spent any time reading our posts - anything good, or right, or excellent, or noteworthy is always a testament to Jesus and not us. 

Some of you may feel led to continue to bless and support CCGM. The Vasquez family will be joining the ministry and they would be grateful for help getting a solid financial springboard. We know them well and they have a heart to reach those who are lost with the gospel.

God doesn’t need us to accomplish His work and we are actually blessed to participate.

May God continue to bless the work in Coatesville.