If you have small cracks of difficulties in your life here in America, they can easily become earthquakes when you move to a foreign culture. This was a statement that I came across when I was reading a book called “Ministering Cross Culturally.” The adjustments required to adapt to a new culture combined with the spiritual attacks thrown at you while planting a new ministry, can be a recipe for disaster. In April of 1998, Lisa and I flew to the United Kingdom on a scouting mission to discern if God was calling us to minister there. Near the end of that trip, we were both experiencing cold feet and asked God to make His will overwhelmingly clear. The next day we met two significant individuals that we felt were an answer to our prayer. Peter Glazier, a long standing member of the largest church in Sidmouth, shared with us his heart for lost people of the community. Peter went on to say that he felt strongly that the Lord intended to use us in ministry to lost teenagers there. He believed that this would inspire local churches to reach out to lost people in Sidmouth in new ways. Peter commented that we may not see the fulfillment of this vision, however, he believed God planned to use our ministry as a spark to ignite the work with lost people in the town. Before we left for home, a prayerful woman named Mrs. Gee, told us that she believed the enemy had a tremendous stronghold over that community, but was confident that God was calling us to Sidmouth. She warned us saying, "This will by no means be easy, with a front-lines spiritual battle raging." We left that trip with the strong sense that we were meant to do this. At the same time, we understood that this would not be easy, yet also believed that there was a tremendous need to which God was calling us. During our four years in England, we saw the Lord do amazing things in our midst: • Many lost, unchurched teens came to faith in Christ. • Many families came to Christ through their kids and Young Life. • We trained high school believers to begin an outreach ministry with middle school kids in town. • We started a church service for unchurched families in the community. While we saw the hand of the Lord using us in the lives of others, Lisa and I experienced trials for which we felt unprepared. We tried to work through the trials, but they only grew more difficult. In June 2002, Lisa and I moved back to America to try and save our marriage. Many supportive believers have walked with us through this trial, for whom we are so grateful. After much prayer and a great deal of counseling, I am saddened to say that our relationship has now ended in divorce. I have struggled with writing this newsletter for months, as there is no easy way to communicate this. Words cannot express the depths I have walked through over the past four years and the sorrow I feel over the break up of our marriage. One evening recently, I was having a heart-to-heart talk with my oldest son Murphy. He asked me, "Dad, was it all worth it?" "Was what worth it?" I replied. "Going to England," he responded. I did my best to answer his question, and let him know that Lisa and I may have had this struggle in any geographical area. Then I asked him what he thought. Once again, he paused for a minute to think and then responded, "Dad, I think of Jenny and Simon, of Barry and Andrew and Joe, and of all the kids that became Christians while we were there.” “They didn't even go to church or have youth groups before we moved there.” Then Murphy concluded by looking at me and saying, "Yes Dad, I think it was worth it even if our lives kind of stink right now." His response was more than I could bear, but one that I believe was correct, as painful as it was to hear. (Article continued on reverse side)
Hailey, Murphy, Courtney & Connor
A year ago at this time, I asked the Lord to give me direction and make it clear what I should do next with my life, and how I could best use my gifts, passions, and experiences to further His Kingdom. That process led to meeting with older, wiser followers of Christ, as well as taking some much needed time for reflection. The counsel of these individuals confirmed the next endeavor to which the Lord was leading me: Endurance Leadership. The mission of Endurance Leadership is to “empower churches and youth ministers to succeed in building long-standing ministries that reproduce fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.” I have been busy setting up a new intensive training for youth pastors in the Washington, DC area, and in Charlotte, NC. I wish I could tell you there are others competing in this effort, but sadly there are not. Most who minister to teenagers do so with little training or personal mentoring. One of the biggest hurdles to getting this effort off the ground has been convincing churches that training and supporting their youth workers is a worthwhile investment. (Continued on reverse side)
Please Note for Contributions All gifts are tax deductible and should be made payable to “Endurance Leadership.” Please complete enclosed form and send to: Endurance Leadership 7900-D Stevens Mill Rd, #150 Matthews, NC 28104 (704) 363-6903 Will.Cravens@juno.com
Since we started in the fall, here are some of the exciting opportunities that I have been involved with: • • • • Youth Ministry Consulting - I have served as a youth ministry consultant with churches that are serious about making an impact on the teens of their communities (In the DC area, Jacksonville, FL, & Newport News, VA.) Speaking to large groups of teens - God has given me some fantastic opportunities to speak to teenagers and youth leaders in different areas on the east coast, and recently to a large group of Swedish teens on a week long camp trip. Youth Worker Training Intensives - I have led training intensives two different weeks with youth workers preparing to go overseas to reach lost teenagers (most recently teaching at Multnomah Bible College in Portland, OR). Publishing Resources - I am working hard to get training materials compiled and published.)
I have enjoyed using my gifts and experiences to work with churches, youth ministers, and student leaders; helping to clarify vision, place youth leaders and train up volunteers to reach teenagers more effectively. I continue to line up engagements for the summer, fall and coming year. The long-range plan for Endurance Leadership is that the ministry would be self-supportive in 3 to 5 years. This means that the training and consulting would develop to such an extent that all budgetary needs would be met by the cost of the training intensive, seminars, talks, and special engagements. In the meantime, however, we are still very much dependent on each one of you to continue to stand with us and support this endeavor. Thank you for including us in your prayers and your giving. Presently our revenues are not quite adequate to pay my salary and small expenses. If you can afford a gift during this quarter it would be most appreciated. Whether you have given or not, thanks for your prayers over the years and especially at this time! I also want to express my gratitude for the incredible sacrifices that so many of you have made to make this mission possible; it has meant a great deal to me!
I am not by any means saying that I think God desired this outcome or that any amount of new converts justifies a broken marriage. However, I do believe that this could have happened anywhere in the world and wanted to share with you some idea of how the kids are processing this crisis. I realize that many of you already know this, but some of you may be extremely shocked in reading these words. First and foremost, I ask for your prayers for Courtney, Murphy, Connor and Hailey. Please also pray for Lisa and me as we make our way forward and sort through this crisis. If you would like to speak personally with me about this, you are more than welcome to call or e-mail. Our divorce is truly a tragedy and yet God is God and His faithfulness is far beyond our own means. He can resurrect the dead and perform miracles when all hope is lost. Please pray that God's will be done and that this can somehow be used for His glory.
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