Shoulder to Shoulder Ministries, Inc.

The Italian Job and The French Connection

Posted on July 8, 2011 by shouldertoshoulderministries

The Italian Job Update

Ah Italy! The very name awakens ideas of travel, wonderful food and beautiful people. And I totally agree that Italy is a place of beauty, rich history, amazing foods and interesting people. BUT, it is also wrapped in spiritual darkness and is a very tough mission field.

Belgium Family, Missionaries to Italy along with Luke and Dawn of ACCI

Italy is steeped in both; an often-empty traditional religion as well as the occult. Only about 0.4% to 1.2% of the population consider themselves as ‘born again’ Christians. In addition to that, one Italian mission’s leader, with sad humor, told us “the Christian church in Italy is small and well divided!” We are told that most missionaries do not return after their first term. Italy has been dubbed “the missionary graveyard”.

Why so tough? First, as mentioned above, most hold to religious traditions versus a life changing personal relationship with the Lord.The need for a genuine, intimate relationship with God, that we are all born with, has been replaced by a mediocre attachment to empty rituals and traditions.

Operations Mobilization Unfinished Outreach Center

Italy is also a hot-bed for the occult and dark spiritual practices. This occurs primarily in the northern regions where we were. Added to that; the Christian church is small and divided. Pride, jealousy and divisive factions keep the church inward, weak, ineffective and a poor representation of heart of the Savior. This is not all churches of course, there are some wonderful churches doing a great job, but the local missionaries tell me they are few.

Patty worshiping in a cave where early Christians were martyred

I also can’t help but wonder, if another factor might be, that the missionaries in Italy and other European nations are less supported. I heard no complaints from the missionaries by the way, but the truth is prayer support, financial support and encouraging words are often the result of hearts being touched by visual needs. Photographs of needy children and rustic villages awaken our compassion, while thoughts of European nations are less apt to do so. Yet the heart of the Father longs to make Himself known to the hearts and souls of those who live in spiritual and relational poverty. Something to think about, eh?

Over the mountains lies France

Those on the front line. We had the privilege of connecting with a number of missionaries and the leaders of a healthy local church. Operations Mobilization (OM) and Adventive Cross Cultural Initiatives (ACCI) are two mission’s organizations that we connected with. Both are doing a wonderful work in Italy. We were able to teach, brainstorm with leaders, provide some counseling and pastoral care and get a good taste of the heart and direction of the ministry. Both groups based in Italy are relatively small in numbers but big in heart and vision. We are talking with both organizations about the possibility of S2S connecting with them in the area of staff training and development, pastoral care and more. This would require more travel and ongoing periods of time in Italy. We shall see how the Lord leads.

The French Connection

Right: Missionaries to France. Center is Pierrette, our kind host and prayer warrior

Our time in France was quick and full. It involved ministry to the hurting, encouraging some missionaries as well as meeting some wonderful stout-hearted believers. France is truly secular and hardened to the Gospel. Those who share the truth there need our prayers!

A Thought about America? I could not help but wonder, as Iexperienced post-Christian Europe, if I was seeing the future of America?

A special blessing was meeting with Patty Wolf, our good friend and a fellow missionary to Thailand.

The trends and pressures of our culture seem to be driving our country in the same direction: Secular, morally bankrupt and spiritually dark and empty. I am aware of no greater time for the believers in America to lovingly let their Light shine and their Salt bring flavor.

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The Aussie Outreach

Posted on May 24, 2011 by shouldertoshoulderministries

Bathurst, Australia Our work first took us to the city of Bathurst. We connected with our good friends and former S2S staff Jeff and Rowena Lloyd. Jeff and Rowena planted a C3 Church in Bathurst a few years ago. Their vision is to reach this rural community for the Lord and see lives transformed. Our ministry activities in Bathurst included leading at a marriage group, providing leadership training, pastoral care, teaching and more.

Unity! Jeff’s vision is a citywide vision for the people of Bathurst. Jeff and some local pastors have been meeting in order to build relationships and find mutual encouragement. We all know that the prayer of Jesus for unity among His bride is one that has not been fully answered, but the desire is growing.

The pastors invited us to provide a mini-retreat for themselves and their wives. The goal was to bless marriages and build relationships between the families. Pastors and their wives from several denominations attended. Around the evening meal, following the questions we provided, fun stories from the marriages and families were shared. Laughter was lively, guards were dropped and common ground was discovered.

During the course of the retreat a greater measure of trust was established. Both the joys and the hardships of ministry were shared. Tears began to flow and hearts were exposed. Something changed, something shifted. It was a step, a small step perhaps, but through the prayers of Jeff and others the Lord’s grace connected brothers and sisters at a deeper level.

Tasmania! The beautiful island of Tasmaniawas formally our home for four years. And in many ways, it still feels like home.

Phil's Shortcut

Again, we had the privilege of providing ministry in a number of settings; from ministering in a prison to pastoral care for those going through difficult seasons, formal times of teaching and informal ministry encounters that were clearly ordained by the Lord.

Directions Tasmania–

Phil and Anne Harback

We also had the privilege of working with my good friend Phil Harback. Phil’s passion is that Aussie men to be encouraged, empowered and enabled to fulfill their vital roles as husbands and fathers, as well as impact their communities. His organization, Directions Tasmania is doing just that. We were able to teach and encourage the men as well as speak to a special gathering of the men and the wives. It was a joy to contribute to the good work that Phil and his staff are providing for the men and ultimately the families of Tasmania.

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Shoulder to Shoulder Ministries Webpage has changed addresses and has a new look! We will be able to keep you updated with our current activities and whereabouts as we travel and minister in various places.

S2S provides training, development and encouragement to a growing number of missionaries and ministries worldwide. Through the vehicles of Training Seminars, Retreats, Small Groups, Pastoral Care and Counseling, missionaries, pastors and others are encouraged and prepared to meet the weighty demands of their work. The goal is that marriages are strengthened, family priorities are clarified, and skills are sharpened, all lending to the longevity, health, and success of the missionary or ministry calling.

Karen Pastor's Conference Near Burma Border

Recently Ray taught a group of Karen Pastors near the Thai/Burma border. Four of the pastors live and minister in a sprawling camp of 50,000 refugees. Many of the refugees have lived in the camp for 20+ years. It is an environment with little hope but hearts are open to find new life in Jesus.