Author Archives: Hope & Isaac Douglass

An Unexpected Twist to Missionary Care

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I must admit that up until January of this year I have had a very limited view of missionary care.
Having just concluded a six week trip to Mexico where I had the privilege of leading the Calvary School of Missions, I struggle to find the words to express the joy and growth brought about through this experience. It has been difficult at times as I left my fiancé, Jenn at home but both of us see the sacrifice being well worth it. I spent the last six weeks watching seven young men and women seek the Lord for His will for their lives. The Calvary school of missions was a six-week intensive Missions training School focused on education in the morning hours, teaching students the Biblical philosophy of missions, cross-cultural ministry, church planting techniques, and so much more. The afternoons were filled with various types of outreach, homework, and lessons in self-care and relationship building.

School Photo

As the title of this update reflects, the unexpected twist in missionary care is that my focus has been on caring for missionaries in the field, I still truly believe this is the call the Lord has upon my life, however, as usual, His view is so much bigger than mine. The opportunity that I’ve had to care for and train up missionaries on their way to the field was such a rich experience and has brought much joy to my heart. Don’t get me wrong, it was not without challenges but God sustained us through every one of them. The pastors and leadership of Calvary Chapel Saving Grace put a great deal of trust in me in allowing me to lead this school and for that, I’m truly grateful. The opportunities for me to utilize the skills and gifts God has given me in team leadership, outreach coordination, safety and security, caring for others, and Bible teaching was so rewarding and I believe brought great glory to my God and King. For many years I have been leading short term trips to Mexico with absolutely no clue how God was going to use those trips in this school. As I was leading this school it seemed as if each one of my many trips to Mexico over the years condensed into one fluid experience where God was able to use me and the relationships that have been built over the years to make this school successful and safe. Much thanks to all of my friends in Mexico, I love you all so much.

As I have returned to the states with a renewed vigor an expanded view of what missionary care is all about, it’s with great anticipation that I look forward to what the Lord has in store for me in my new expanded view.

Thank you all so much for your prayers, love, and support. If you wish to get involved in what the Lord is doing in and through me first and foremost I need prayer partners, secondly please consider partnering with me financially. Checks can be made out to Saving Grace World Missions or SGWM, with my name in the memo line then mailed directly to Saving Grace World Missions, 17451 Bastanchury Rd., Suite 203, Yorba Linda, CA 92886-1873

Or For your convenience, you may consider giving through electronic funds transfer or direct deposit. Simply click on the “become a financial partner” button below and fill out the information.

PRAYER REQUESTS:

  1. That I would be a better communicator of what God is allowing me to be involved in around the world
  2. That I would follow through with a lifestyle change the Lord has put upon my heart long ago involving nutrition and exercise
  3. That I would courageously proclaim the Gospel at every opportunity given

~ Blessings,

Tim Pappas

It Just Keeps Getting Better

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Hello everyone, we had a wonderful Mission trip to Peru where I was able to be a part of the leadership team for our high school and young adults mission trip. We spent 14 days journeying to Peru ministering there and returning. Calvary Chapel Huacho was our receiving church and ministry partners on the trip. Pastor Craig Tippie and his crew there took fantastic care of us.  

  • Team Unity in Huacho

 We did several outreaches, and had deep fellowship with the church body there but most importantly witnessed six people give their lives to the Lord. I rejoice in the fact that six souls were saved. Another exciting thing about this is that they will be immediately discipled and welcomed into the church to have a place to grow in their relationship with Christ.

Pastor Craig said that it was a joy to have our team there and I completely agree. I was continually impressed and humbled at the level of unity, self-sacrifice, and love the youngsters from our church consistently demonstrated. One of the brothers who is a leader in Craig’s church said that our church reminded him of their church in the way that we love and serve each other.

I was reminded of what Jesus said to His disciples,

“…that people will know [we] are [His] disciples by our love one for another.”

-John 13:35

Another absolutely incredible opportunity on the trip was that I got to travel with my sweetheart, the love of my life and future wife. Ministering with her on a missions trip in Peru was an absolute joy, I think a missions trip should be part of any premarital counseling. We are getting married in November and I can’t tell you how grateful I am that we had the opportunity to serve in this way together.  

  • Breakfast is Served!
  • Answering Our Call

Upon returning from Peru I took a few days to regroup and have headed out to Mexico where I get to lead an incredible group of young men and women at the six week Calvary School of Missions. More about that in my next update!

Prayer requests: 

  1. That Jenn and I would continue to bear fruit as we walk forward in the call God has on our lives for the furtherance of the gospel around the world.
  1. Wisdom and humility as I lead the Calvary School of Missions (CSOM) for the next 6 weeks in Baja, Mexico.
  1. Strength for Jenn as she holds down the fort in California while we are separated for the next six weeks.

Thank you all so much for your love, prayers, and support. 

Blessings from Mexico

~ Tim Pappas

South for the Winter

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South, South, South…..

Some birds fly south for the winter, some retired folk go south for the winter and that’s exactly what I found myself doing. Granted I’m not retired nor am I vacationing or engaged in any other activities the birds might be engaged in down South, but I found myself continuing to follow the call of the Lord upon my life in the South during the season. It started with a couple of trips to Oaxaca where I was able to join SGWM missionaries who are dear friends of mine as they sought for a place to plant a brand-new church in southern Mexico 

  • Oaxaca City square

A few months after that I was able to take a three-week trip to South America where myself and three other pastors from Calvary Chapel Saving Grace were able to visit six missionary families in Peru and Brazil. My heart and the calling I believe the Lord has upon my life has been focused on missionary care and while we were in Peru we were able to spend deep, meaningful time in fellowship, worship, and prayer with some frontline servants of the Lord. I was highly encouraged as they shared how much our visits meant and it was a real confirmation that I am walking in the Lord’s will for my life.  

  • Pastoral Team to Peru

  • Peru Desert 

One missionary who ministers deep in the Amazon jungle shared with us that nobody has come to see the work in eight years. They welcomed us into their home and I felt like family. As well as spending time in their home, we went with them eight hours by speedboat deep into the Amazon jungle to see and be a part of the work they’re doing bringing the Gospel and the love of Christ to a native tribe there.  

  • Apurina Village send off
  •   Apurina Chief

Since then there have been a few trips to Baja Mexico in preparation for a six week school of missions class that I get to be a part of leading. More about that in my next update letter.

Words cannot express how much I appreciate all of your prayers, encouragement, and financial support. It’s been a challenging season but if I keep my focus on the Lord, His word and those He has brought into my life I continue to find exactly what I need to stay the course. 

PRAYER REQUESTS

  1. Please pray for my two major trips coming up starting June 22nd I will be in Peru for two weeks and immediately afterwards in Mexico for six weeks
  2. Please pray for my fiancé Jenn as she will be joining the team in Peru for her first overseas missions trip
  3.  Please pray for the six-week School of missions in Mexico all of July and half of August. 

Again I think you so much for your partnership in the Gospel and Service to missionaries around the world.

~ Tim.