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May 2024 Update

“Train up a child in the way he should go,
Even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

-Proverbs 22:6 (NASB)

“And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. ‘Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’” 

-Matthew 28:18–20

Legacy has been something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately. It’s been a common and consistent theme preceding and following my arrival here in Trujillo. There is so much work before us, and the Lord has been equipping. We’ve been praying and the Lord has been answering. He is a constant help in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1). The work that I’m doing now, what affect is it having and will it last? This last semester we taught from John 14 through John 16, and what powerful passages those are. Jesus is speaking with His disciples and preparing them for His departure. That He in His death would not only provide a means of atonement and reconciliation for our sins, but that He was going to prepare an eternal place for us. Even more, that He was coming back for us. These are exceedingly great and precious promises (2 Pet. 1:1-3). In John 15 He says this: “You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you,” (John 15:16). We have been called to be His, to bear fruit, and not just any fruit, but fruit that will remain or abide. Our works are to be exemplary of someone who has fully surrendered their lives to Jesus, but also to leave an impact that will last; a legacy. Man, I want my works to remain in Him, to be done in His time, His way, and with His heart and means. In that, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that, by His Spirit, I need to disciple and train people to take my place. That they would be ready when I’m gone, and that they would be equipped to carry on the work the Lord is doing. There’s much to learn, and there’s much work to do, but it’s absolutely worthy of my life—it’s His. 

Moyobamba

There’s been so much going on it’s been hard to remember what’s happened in basically a month! We were in Argentina in the beginning of April, and two weeks later we had a missions trip with the school to the jungle a little further north east in a place called Moyobamba. For those who came last May it’s the Calvary Chapel that Pastor Andrew just planted at the end of last year. What a blast! It was such a beautiful area. The people were so kind and welcoming, and God is doing an amazing work! We did construction, we did outreach, we taught the Word, we worshipped, and we encouraged the Body there in the jungle of Perú. Many of the Christians there are first generation Christians and are very young in the faith, but they are learning a lot under Pastor Andrew’s stewardship. We got to be present for their first baptism and 15 people got baptized—praise the Lord! It was an amazing trip, and I hope to go back to help them again in the future. Getting to meet people whose lives have been changed by the Lord in such radical ways was an amazing thing to see. A man who had once been known by many for who he was in his past, at an older age, being saved, surrendering his life and living for Jesus was such a cool thing. Getting to see him baptized was a blessing!

Life in the month of May

Right after we got back, it was May! Time has flown by and the Lord has been doing a lot! As I write this, we have just under two weeks before our Summer Missions Internship! After we got back to Trujillo we got back into the swing of things. Getting into our daily routines, doing administrative work and construction. The students had two more classes. We had one of the first Calvary pastors in Peru come and teach one of the classes—Pastor Lucho. Then after that, Pastor Brent from Calvary Roma came and taught the last class for the students—it was a great time! I was working on accepting new students into the institute and getting things ready for graduation and even our next semester. Then we had graduation. It was a bittersweet time, but it’s so exciting to know that those finishing and being sent out not only have a heart to go, but to be faithful to the work the Lord has put them to. I’m going to miss those who are going to other places, but I’m excited to see what God is going to do in their lives! One thing that’s been amazing to see is how the Lord is blessing the deaf ministry that we have at Calvary Trujillo. It’s been growing quite a bit, and some have been surrendering their lives to Jesus. Please pray that the Lord would continue to provide avenues to minister to such an unreached community.

Right now I’m in charge of handling correspondence and applications regarding students and prospective students here at CBI Perú. In that I’m seeking to come alongside students wherever I can to disciple the guys, and get ready to take on scheduling for service hours for the rest of the summer and the coming semester. The person who’s been in charge of admissions and correspondence is getting married and moving with her husband (one of our other campus administrators) to Brazil, and then they’re going to plant a church in the city of Concepción in Chilé. That being said, with her gone I will be doing a lot more of those things administratively. I’m excited to help where I can and do my best to keep things going smoothly. 

Prayer Requests and Needs:

Please pray for me and the team we have here at CC Trujillo. There’s a lot going on, a lot of work to do, and a lot of growth taking place in the staff, the school, and the church. It’s all exciting, but we certainly need the Lord’s wisdom and guidance for what’s next, for how to adapt and change well with the growth of our ministry, and to be faithful witness to the people of Perú here in Trujillo. 

-To draw closer and closer to the Lord

-To represent Him well and faithfully

-To be faithful in new responsibilities 

-Eyes to see where I need to grow

-To have a teachable heart

-To disciple well

-To learn Spanish quickly,

-To be able to disciple well and with the Lord’s heart

-To be well prepared for teaching the book of Acts for the Summer of Missions Internship (I’ll be teaching 2 or 3 days of 12).

-To continue to be a steward of my body by working out and eating well

-To be wise with the resources the Lord is providing

-The Lord’s wisdom, preparation, and guidance as to helping plant a new CBI

Needs:

-Many of our students from Latin and South America are here on scholarship.

-The funds for the property for CBI Mendoza in Argentina. 

Thank you so much for your love, for your faithfulness in prayer and giving, and thank you for partnering with me to live out the Great Commission!

The Lord bless you, and keep you, and make His face to shine upon you…

Dios te bendiga!

-Jordon

There always seems to be much to do, and sometimes it can be hard to balance all that’s before us. It can be so easy to get caught up and distracted in all of the little things that pop up in life that we can lose sight of what’s important. It can be far too easy to say yes and not have a plan to fulfill that word. There is a work–a task that He has called us to. If we allow Him, He will give us a grace that is sufficient for that task. It’s certainly not easy, but it’s worth it. He assures us that He will enable us by His grace to be all that He has called us to be. To give us the strength, and to empower our will by His Spirit for the glory of His name. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it. There is nothing more worthy of our time and attention than the Lord, our relationship with Him, and what He has called us to. 

These last several weeks have been a whirlwind. Just before April, I began my process for obtaining a religious workers residency to live and serve here in Peru. Shortly after, I was able to get a permission from immigration (as you’re not typically allowed to leave until you obtain the residency) to then go with our Pastor here to a conference in Mendoza, Argentina. That was all at the beginning of this month. The Lord provided. He opened doors, and He’s putting things in front of me to walk and serve in. There’s much to do, and as I’ve gotten older I like to be still–it’s stretching for me. Since we returned from Argentina, I’m excited to be back and to be serving as I’m taking on more responsibilities here with CBI Peru. Construction, on several fronts, is still under way, and my schedule is well balanced between responsibilities in construction and administration with the school. Much is happening here and God is doing a great work! I got to sit in on our Nehemiah class that Pastor Cory taught–it was a blessing! Seeing Nehemiah’s heart of service and devotion in the face of some overwhelming opposition. Seeing his faithfulness despite the opposition because he knew the thing that God had called him to… and that was to help rebuild the wall of the city of his ancestors. The Lord provided him all he needed, and He does the same for us today. For you and I. He’s been doing so with the church, and ministry of Calvary Trujillo. We’ve moved to two services a Sunday and we’re already very full, and more are giving their lives to the Lord. He is raising up people to serve and be a blessing where there are needs, and the CBI students are closely involved with what’s happening in the church. Growth is happening, and I’m excited to see all that the Lord is doing!

We just returned from our week of missions, and I was a part of the team that went to Moyobamba, a city in the jungle. It was a really sweet time, but I’ll share more about that in my May update–God is doing an incredible work there too!

How to Get Involved

Prayer! I need your prayers. For myself, for my walk with the Lord, that I would represent Him well in the work He has called me to, and that I would continue to be busy about the business He has called me to. We are helping train up the next generation of church planters, pastors, and missionaries here in Peru and God is doing a great work! And further expansion in time to come. Would you please continue to pray for us? For this ministry? For my role in it and that God would make and keep me faithful in what He has called me to, and that I would help relieve burdens in ministry wherever He allows me. That I would point everyone here to a risen King and Savior, and that I would exemplify His heart, His love, and His forgiveness in all things. What He has called me to is worthy of my all because He first gave Himself for me. He is the goal, He is the prize, and He is absolutely worthy.

• Empowering by the Spirit
• Using my time well
• For immigration process to finish well and smoothly
• To have eyes to see what He’s doing
• To be led of the Spirit
• For strength and endurance
• Summer internship
• Next semester

What’s Coming Up

If you could please be praying for this summer, we have graduation in 3 weeks (2 more classes), and I am gaining more responsibility for the coming semester. Please pray for students to finish well. We also have our upcoming “Summer of Missions” program, and all those who will come and intern over the summer to learn and that the Lord would cultivate a heart of surrender and to live on mission. Please pray for this upcoming semester that all who attend and serve would draw closer to the Lord and be better equipped for the life the Lord has called them to. Please pray for wisdom for the church and our pastors as we are needing to keep up with the growth that is taking place. 

Service Opportunity!!

If any of you would be interested in interning over the summer we will have a 6 week missions training program (for those ages 18-29) where we will go through the book of acts and spend three 2-week periods in three different locations (here in Trujillo and in the jungle) serving and coming alongside church plants. If that sounds like something you would be interested in please let me know!! I’ll put the link below so you can come check it out. Please let me know if you have any questions. 

I love you all and am so glad to have your prayers and support. What I am doing here would not be possible without you–thank you!

Bendiciones,

-Jordon

“For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.” 2 Chronicles 16:9a

He indeed shows Himself strong… It’s official, it’s been more than a month since we left California. You all are missed, but I am so blessed to be here and I feel very much at home in what’s going on and where the Lord has me. Our schedules here are full to say the least, but in some really great ways. Living on a campus provides a very different structure to life and living. It’s been a blessing getting to know the students more and getting to sit in on their first class this semester. It makes sense he just so happens to be from a Calvary not too far north of Santa Rosa.

I’ve honestly felt right at home. There are always opportunities for growth and learning how to focus more on others, and those are welcome lessons. The schedule here is structured in such a way to prepare students and interns for ministry. We take Monday’s off and are working/serving Tuesday through Sunday. It’s been such a blessing to connect with the people who call Calvary Trujillo home. We’ve already been able to go and have dinner with different people in the church and it’s been such a blessing!

Everyone here is so hospitable and giving of their time and resources and I’m encouraged to see it. There are a lot of things that I get to be a part of here. I’m currently helping a lot with construction, as we are getting ready to welcome our team from Calvary the Rock that’s going to help us build our new men’s dorm! I’m so excited to see so many faces from home, and I’m excited to see the impact these projects will have on students and the school. We finished up the new little storage (well mostly—all functional and in use now). Now we’re finishing up pouring concrete for the new floor for the dorm and getting ready to pour the cement for the rest of our bathroom as well as prepping to put up a steel frame for the dorm itself! It’s busy, but awesome to see things progress and be a part of it. Thank you for your prayers and support in all of this!

Every Saturday we will have outreach with the students and will be going out, and in different venues, from nursing homes to juvie, and sharing the Gospel wherever the Lord allows us! Andy has had an amazing opportunity to help lead a Bible study at the fighting gym around the corner (the owner is a student and loves the Lord). Already we’ve been seeing it grow. Please pray that the Lord gives wisdom and fruit from that time as there are many unbelievers. I’m excited to begin helping with outreach and evangelism with the school. There’s a big university nearby and I’m excited to go share Jesus! Outside of construction, serving, and staff/intern discipleship, I’m getting ready to jump into some admin work as well. I’m going to be helping in a registrar role here helping with grades, transcripts, correspondence and more. Every Tuesday we are a part of Calvary Trujillo’s Church Planting School—we just finished our second week and it’s been awesome! We even have someone teaching us Spanish on Monday nights—God is good! My prayer is that the Lord will use me to help strengthen this ministry in whatever way He would have. Please pray with me that I would be that blessing!

What’s Next?

 …To be faithful. The Lord is doing an incredible work here in Trujillo. There are two prayer teams right now for new church plants, one in Chile, and the other in Venezuela. There’s an upcoming conference in Argentina that I’ll be going to with several people from the church in April. Please be praying that the Lord would speak, and that He would have His way! Other than that, things will be business as usual here in Peru.

Prayer Needs:

-to finish construction well (we’ve gotten a lot of work done—the Rock’s team gets here tomorrow!

-to study well for our sermons with church planting class

-to be a good example to students

-to grow in the Lord and walk in faithfulness

-that He would empower by His Spirit and give boldness to make Him known

-that He would continue to help in language learning

Thank you so much for your prayers and partnering with me to take the Gospel to the nations. God is doing a work, thank you for being a part of it.

Dios te bendiga,

-Jordon

January 2024

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21 (NKJV)

I pray this update finds you well! It’s been a little more than one week of being sent out and living down in Peru. It’s already been a productive time and I am so blessed by all of the relationships that are being grown and the new ones being forged. I’m excited to see all that the Lord is going to do in this coming season and semester. Thank you so much for your prayers!

Right now, there are a lot of people on campus, but many are still to come. It looks like we’re going to have at least a few more people from the states so that will be nice to be able to grow in our Spanish together. If you didn’t know when we took off, we left last Wednesday around 1pm. We were able to talk with someone waiting near us for our flight about where we were going and what the Lord was doing and that began one of multiple conversations where we got to share Jesus. Please pray that those conversations will be seeds that the Lord will water. During our flight to LAX we got to have a great conversation with a college student sitting next to us. She had a lot of questions and I pray the Lord helped us to answer well!  We had about a 6-hour layover in LA so we went to Santa Monica. It was my first time, but Andy had already been there (for those of you who don’t know, Andy is the other missionary being sent out from my home church). We had a good time exploring a little. It was a great way to pass the time and also provided an opportunity to share the Gospel with our driver who was from India named Gouthem. Please pray that those seeds would turn to salvation!

When our second flight was getting ready to leave, there was a man who was having some health difficulties, so the flight ended up being delayed by a couple of hours. As far as I’m aware, things ended up being okay. There were several people in the health care workers flying with us so that was a blessing. We got into Lima a couple hours later than anticipated—right at the time we were supposed to start boarding our flight, which led to a 7-hour layover until our next flight. Praise the Lord there was no lost luggage, and only minor delays. During our layover we went exploring a little in Lima and I got a much-needed haircut. We quickly realized that we weren’t in Santa Rosa anymore as we began to feel how hot it was outside. Thankfully we packed accordingly!

We arrived in Trujillo around 8:15/8:30pm Thursday night. We got all settled in as they already had a place picked out for us. We’ll be staying with the guys in the guy’s dorm for now. I’m excited to get to know them all better and to be able to speak Spanish more and more. On our first day here, we got to say hellos to people we haven’t seen in a long time and met some new faces as well. They showed us the ropes and we got right into working on some projects. There’s already a lot that has changed since our last visit, but there’s much more to come! All the growth that is taking place here in Trujillo is very encouraging. Not only that, but the new CBI campus is starting up in Brazil this semester!

Right now, we’re working on finishing up a new storage unit next to the current men’s dorm, and then we are going to begin prepping the floor for the new men’s dorm that CC the Rock is going to come and build. I even get to do cabinets, so when things slow down with the priority projects I’ll be working on some cabinets in the kitchen and doing some things with the coffee shop as well.

The Spring semester starts on Feb. 13^th, and I’m excited to help receive new students and some old ones too as not everyone is here yet. This Tuesday we’re going to get to see more what our roles will look like ministry-wise, and how we can pour into the students, make disciples, and be a blessing to the campus. Outside of our time helping in our ministry roles here and with construction I’m trying to spend as much time as I can to grow in my Spanish speaking ability. Thank you all for your prayers with that. My Spanish is already getting better, and there’s a lot of work ahead.

How to Get Involved:

Thank you so much for all your prayers, generosity, and support as I’ve come out on the field. It’s been an overwhelming blessing, and I’m really excited for what He’s doing. Right now, my greatest need is prayer. I want to honor the Lord and walk in all that He has for me to do here. If you feel so led, I think the greatest physical need is monthly giving and support. Your giving makes outreach and ministry possible, as well as opens doors to provide for physical needs as well.

Prayer:

• to be open to whatever the Lord has
• to be flexible
• to grow well in this season
• to learn Spanish quickly
• to aid however I can in the growth and development of the students and to help them understand and realize God’s call on their life through prayer and His Word
• to be faithful in the little things as well as the big
• to be an example of how a Christian man ought to conduct Himself in every way
• for physical growth as we train at the gym and are able to use that weekly for a Bible Study to reach the wrestling/jiu-jitsu/MMA gym
• continued prayers for my family’s health back home

Thank you for your prayers and support, Dios te bendiga,

-Jordon

I hope this season of life has been one filled with joy and gratitude as we exit Thanksgiving and find Christmas upon us. I don’t know about you, but if I don’t take the time to slow down then I can often miss the important things the Lord has placed right in front of me. So much has been going on and it’s so easy to be so consumed with tomorrow that I miss out on today. Planning and preparation is needed, but Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:34, “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Just one verse before He tells us, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” The remedy for my busy and distracted heart is always more of Jesus. I pray in this season that He would help you to keep your focus upon Him and that He would help you to find joy and rest in the midst of all the chaos that life can bring.

It can be so easy to get caught up in what needs to get done that I my focus can easily begin to drift. It’s so easy to be distracted with all the good things that come up. The Lord is continuing to show me the areas that I can be moved (Acts 20:22-24), and is continuing to teach me to trust Him and take me to new heights. As always, sanctification can be a much slower process than we might hope for or like, but He is not in a hurry and He tells us not to despise the day of small things (Zech. 4:10). I want to be able to say, like Paul, “but none of these things move me…” (Acts 20:24). The Lord is at work, and no matter what I might feel He is making me new each day, and He will continue to take me from grace to grace. I am excited for all the He is going to do!

Things back in Sonoma County…

As you know I recently passed off the middle school group over to a family and it’s a blessing to see how the Lord is progressing the group already. It’s been growing a lot and I’m excited to see the growth that takes place as the Lord uses Mike and his wife Leslie! Please be praying for them as they continue to oversee the Middle School youth group! It’s been a whirlwind of a season. Time is short before our departure and January 17th is approaching rapidly. Between work, teaching, serving in other capacities at church, and trying to be intentional with the time I spend with family and friends it has been somewhat overwhelming. Even in the face of feeling overwhelmed I know the Lord is with me and using this time and season to prepare me for what’s to come. I’m thankful for His strength and renewal and I want to have a trusting, learning heart to receive what He is teaching me in this season. It’s all prep, and Jesus said, “he who is faithful in little will be faithful in much.” Please pray that I would be faithful and finish well. Last week I had two speaking engagements, both were a first for me, and one of them was my first Sunday message up at Calvary Chapel Willits. It was such a blessing to see some longtime friends and family in the Lord, and what a blessing to see the growth that is taking place since they planted it around 7 years ago. I got to share on our purpose as the church to go and make disciples. Please pray that the Lord would continue to provide them with opportunities to be a bold and shining light in a dark place. Every Wednesday we have missionary training with one of our pastors to prepare Andy (the guy that’s also going to Peru) and I before we head out. This has been a blessing and has provided a lot of practical reminders to help prep us for when we leave and how to get ready to go.

Peru-bound!

Right now I’m working on getting all of my paperwork ready to apply for a visa in Peru. Documents need notarization and to be apostilled (that’s a new one for me: it’s kind of like an international notary). Outside of some of those practical things for immigration, I’m trying to take time where I can to get my belongings packed up and sold/donated before I leave. I’ll be keeping some things, but much will go, and I will be trying to pack as lightly as I can when I go. I’ve got a lot to do, please pray that the Lord would continue to clear my path and make clear to me what doesn’t need to get done that I’ve unnecessarily added onto my plate. Please pray that I would finish well!

Here’s what’s left to do:

• a few different cabinet/construction style projects
• passing on or selling anything that I’m not taking (or putting what is staying in storage)
• getting everything else filled out and returned in time before we leave (all the legal documents for immigration)
• clearing out my residence and getting it ready for rent/sale (minor construction involved there)
• getting any final things that need to be packed and ready to leave

How to get involved…

My greatest need is prayer! Would you please pray with and for me and for the ministry the Lord has set before me?

• That Jesus would always remain my greatest priority—especially when busyness and necessity wants to draw me away from the secret place
• That I would be intentional in my times of prayer and seeking Him
• That I would have eyes to see the needs He would have me fill and how I can get others involved
• That I would have His heart in all He sets before me
• To finish things well
• To enjoy time with loved ones before I leave
• For continued financial provision
• That I would notice and utilize discipleship opportunities 
• That I would be a blessing and help to the ministry in Trujillo

Thank you so much for your prayers and financial support! I cannot express how appreciative I am! It’s amazing to see what the Lord has been doing and I just want to thank you for being a part of it.

As the Lord leads you, if you feel led to partner with me financially, the greatest need is for monthly support. One time gifts are always appreciated and are also a huge help as there are a lot of upstart costs and other things that can come up. Thank you so much!

“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” -1 Timothy 6:12 (NKJV)

“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” -Philippians 3:12-14 

Time can move so quickly! I am so thankful that the Spirit of God does an amazing work within His people and that we are ever being changed and moulded into the likeness of our Savior. Day by day He is making us new, and I look forward to seeing what He has in store for tomorrow! No matter where you find yourself today, especially as we move toward eternity, make Christ your aim! Run after Him with the strength He will provide! Time is short, let’s be about His business!

Peru (Part 2)

From power outages, to worship nights, to church planting, my time in Peru was a whirlwind! CBI Kauai was also there with us. Between all of us, we had a lot to do, and the Lord gave us the wisdom and ability to get it all done; and with time to spare. A few of the guys and I from the Saving Grace team were working on getting the new church banner up for Calvary Trujillo. We had a lot of help from Calvary Trujillo students as well as Kauai. This thing was huge! Almost 10 feet high by 50 feet long! After that I helped with the new coffee shop that was set up in the patio area (right under the overhang we helped install this past May). I even got to do some cabinet-work. The Lord knew what we needed and He helped us to get it all done! 

Each morning a pastor would share a morning devotional with us to start the day. These devos were a great preparation for what came with the conference. One of the devos that stuck out to me the most was on Acts 20:24 where Paul writes, “but none of these things move me…” He knew he was headed to Jerusalem to be bound and he continued anyway. What moves me? This has been a constant reflection since I heard it, and the Lord has been working away on me that I might be able to say as well, “but none of these things move me.” Please pray that I would be so rooted in Jesus.

Getting to serve there alongside the students, staff, and the other short term teams was a huge blessing. Seeing their hard work, tenacity, and joy in the face of many obstacles and trials was an incredible thing. Be encouraged church, there are a lot of young people that want to see this world effected for the Lord. He’s doing an incredible work, and the growth that is taking place is a beautiful thing to see.

What’s next?

I am excited to say that this January, Lord willing, I will be heading to Peru to serve alongside Calvary Trujillo and CBI Peru. I have an incredible opportunity to serve and learn the ropes of helping run a Bible College. An opportunity to disciple and help raise up the next generation of church planters, pastors, missionaries, and to see them sent out wherever the Lord calls them. I am excited to see all that the Lord has in store, and to be able to grow in the call He’s placed on my life. Jesus is coming soon! Let’s be busy and about His business! This whole world needs to hear and I won’t be satisfied, I won’t stop, until I’ve walked in all that He has for me this side of eternity! It’s not just me going, but the Lord has stirred in the heart of a good friend to come as well. Please pray that we would stand firm and be faithful in all that He has set before us.

How to Get Involved

Thank you for partnering with me in prayer! It has been a long time in waiting for the Lord to reveal what’s next, and I’m excited to go! This season, in many ways, has been surreal and bittersweet as I will miss my family (biological and spiritually speaking) a whole lot. This life is a vapor and where Jesus leads I must follow! Would you please continue to pray for me? To be faithful, to fall more in love with Jesus, and to make disciples well? Would you pray for me that I would follow His leading in all things, and that His Spirit would provide the wisdom, strength, and grace needed for all that He is calling me to? I need His strength, His guidance, and His wisdom. I know He will provide all that is needed, and I look forward to seeing how He does it!

If you would like to get involved by partnering with me financially, there’s a link below to help make that possible. Thank you for your support!

In Christ,

-Jordon

A couple of Fridays ago I was teaching on Mark 13 to my Middle Schoolers, just asking them if they were really ready for Jesus to come back. Many said no, and the Lord got them thinking about it in ways they hadn’t before or in a while. A big question for me lately is, “am I ready for Jesus to come back?” My oh my has He been doing a work in my heart with that one. It’s been a very busy season of life, but I feel like it’s been a fairly productive one too. Its been amazing to see the Lords provision and strength as Ive been dealing with work, ministry, and some big transitions as I prepare to go to Peru. Many things have been weighing on my heart regarding  family and other practical needs that need tending before I would leave for Peru. Many of those big things are being provided for as we speak, and I am looking forward to all that the Lord is going to do.

PERU

The Lord has certainly provided for this go around to Peru, your prayers and financial support are such a blessing! As I am currently in country and have been up to a lot the last two days, this update will be a segway into a special second edition coming soon to an email near you. Already I see the Lord doing much to prepare my heart and mind for the challenges that may come and I am beyond grateful for how the Lord has been giving me the grace to deal with it well. On Saturday morning it became clear there would be a couple snags as I headed down to join the team en route to Peru. An early delay brought about a flight carrier and connection change so I ended up meeting the team in Lima rather than at LAX. I honestly had a fair amount of time to spare and even with delays and some other curve balls the Lord caused me to meet up with the team from Saving Grace almost right after they checked their bags. Prior to that I got to meet an elderly gentleman by the name of Jeff. We had a great conversation, but outside of me sharing what I was up to, I didn’t get to talk with him more about the Gospel. He’s an American ex-pat who lives in Thailand with his wife and adopted daughter and couldn’t speak more highly of the Thai people. With that he expressed that he felt he aligned most with Buddhist ideals and beliefs, and kindly emphasized he was not a Christian. As I was trying to find a pause to share and at least give a few Gospel thoughts to hopefully spark some eternal thinking about what would happen when he died, and point him to a loving Savior, there was a call to prep for boarding. Any chance I had may have disappeared as I didn’t see him again long enough to share. Please pray that the Lord world bring more Christians to share the Gospel with him and that he would have a heart to hear the Lord’s call!

After meeting up with the team in Lima around 10pm California time, we boarded our flight 2 hrs later and got into Trujillo around 5:30am Peru (Texas) time. So far it’s been a sweet but busy couple days. Many familiar faces and lots of new ones as we’ve also been joined by CBI Kauai.  Please be praying for our teams and the outreach that will be happening in the midst of the big church planting conference coming later this week! There’s a lot to do, but with the Lord and many of his hands I know He will see us through. He is up to something good, and Im excited! With that I think its time for me to go to bed! Hopefully I will be doing a workout bright and early! Prior to my part 2, feel free to add me on Facebook or Instagram for some behind the scenes looks at what the Lord is up to down here en Péru.

PRAYER REQUESTS:

-Middle School while I’m in Peru (Miss them already)

-Time in Peru, to bring refreshment for students and pastors who are serving and attending the conference 

-For teams to stay bold in the Lord and for his hand of protection during service and outreach

-Team unity

-Hearts to be stirred for missions

-Laborers for the harvest is plentiful…

-Relationships with students and staff to grow

*for the Lords will to be done!

P.S. If you’re wondering how you can get involved with what the Lord is doing, I will be giving some more info about that on part 2.

Thank you for your prayers and God bless you!

-Jordon

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27 (ESV)

Hey fam,

I pray that this update finds you well, and that your lives are being more and more measured in the peace that only He can provide. For many of us this season has been turbulent and uncomfortable—to say the least. I pray this passage would be an encouragement to you in that season. My mind goes to a quote by C.H. Spurgeon, it goes something like this, “I have learned to kiss the wave that slams me into the Rock of Ages.” For me, this is a reminder to trust in His sovereignty in this season, and to recognize where He is drawing me closer to Him in the midst of my pain and sufferings. 1 Peter 4:19 says, “Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.” His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23), His lovingkindness never fails, and we serve such an amazing God. He is trustworthy and worthy of my praise—even in the midst of my greatest trials and struggles. I pray that you would cast your every care on Him knowing that He cares for you, and that His love for you is beyond measure—it was displayed at Calvary, and His work for you upon that cross has brought a security of an everlasting kind. Peace He leaves with you…

Middle School:

As far as this last month has left me, there are a few things to report and update you about! Middle School has been going well. We have a solid core group of kids that are pretty amazing. I’m blessed by them constantly, and they’re pretty good about making me laugh too. This last month we had a lot go on, we had our Middle School Summer Camp where I took three of our middle school boys down to SoCal for a joint Calvary Summer Camp and it was a blast! The theme was “Living Water” out of John 8:37-38, and God was doing an amazing work in the hearts of the students and leaders who attended. Hearts were being set free and callings were made known—praise the Lord! Please pray for my boys that they would draw ever closer to Jesus and His heart for them, and that the truths they learned that week would only deepen and not fade. Lord willing, there will be an opportunity to do more camps like that in the future!

The week after camp we took our students for a joint trip to Hurricane Harbor (a six flags water park) and we had a blast! It was a great way to spend a hot day! Back at home we just said farewell to one of our leaders who is going off to college. We’re excited for her, but also bummed to not have her while she’s at school. Other than that we’ve had an addition to our leader team and are still plugging away through the Gospel of John.

Prayer for MS:

Please pray for the Middle School group! 

-That the Lord would help me to delegate well to my leaders, and that we would pour into those kids with our utmost as we receive from the Lord. 

-That those kids would begin to seek the Lord for His calling on their lives (even at their age)! 

-That they would fall madly in love with Jesus, and that He would empower us by His Spirit to minister effectively and unapologetically according to His heart and Word.

What’s next?

Fantastic news: my tickets are purchased and I am all set to go to Peru for the South American church planting and missions conference! I am going down with an SGWM team to help work and prepare for the conference!

Prayer for Peru:

-Please pray for me, that my heart would be ready to receive from the Lord whatever He’s wanting to speak to me during that trip.

-That He would continue to hone and provide vision for what’s to come.

-That He would use me and the team to be a blessing and encouragement to the school and those at the conference while we’re there!

-That He would give clarity on timing for when I am to go (still hoping for January).

If you feel led to partner with me financially as I prepare for going out long term, there is a link below where you can do that.

Thank you so much for your partnership prayerfully and financially,

-Jordon

One thing I feel the Lord has been impressing upon my heart more and more lately is to be faithful. My hope is that I have been, but there are always things to grow in, and I pray the Lord helps me to be a faithful witness of His until He returns or calls me home. Be faithful in the little thing—you’ll reap a harvest (Gal. 6:9), don’t despise the day of small beginnings (Zech. 4:10). If we are faithful in little, then we will be faithful in much (Luke 16:10). Lord, make us faithful in all things, and all for Your glory!

Summer With the Middle School

So far we’ve already been able to do two of our events; mini golf and laser tag and arcade at Epicenter! The kids are having a great time, and during our weekly study we’re going through John. This week we’re in John 7, and I’m excited to see what the Lord is going to do. Later this month we have our Summer Middle School Camp and so far it’s looking like we’re going to have around 5 students coming. It’s a joint Calvary camp and the theme is going to be Living Water! Please be praying that the students would taste and see that He’s good and that they would come to Him as their Savior

What’s Next

The last couple of updates I’ve been mentioning that there is an exciting opportunity ahead and I appreciate your prayers! It’s clear now that the Lord had other plans in my going to Peru. As I got to serve in Trujillo, the Lord began to stir in my heart towards joining the Bible college there to serve and learn how to help run and even plant a Bible college in the future. The Lord is doing a great work in South America and I have an exciting opportunity to be a part of it. Training up the next generation of pastors, church planters, and missionaries has been on my heart, since shortly after I began my first year of Bible college, and I am excited to be able to pursue going. As of right now we are praying about and moving toward my going in the beginning of the year in 2024. There is a lot changing and moving with the Bible college in Trujillo, it’s growing, and I am really looking forward to what the Lord is going to do there. Please pray for me for wisdom—on how best to prepare and get ready to go early next year. I’m currently trying to learn Spanish as much as I can on duolingo (there’s no replacement for being immersed in a culture and it’s language). I’m also going to start working on a good working budget for my time there. The plan is to start with a 6 month trip in the hopes of being a part of the work there long-term. I know the Lord will lead and guide! Prior to going in 2024, my hope is to attend the Calvary Church Planting and Missions Conference (September 28-30; the trip is Sep. 23-Oct. 2) that’s going to be held at the Bible College in Trujillo. It’s going to be a sweet time and an amazing opportunity to get an idea and pulse on what the Lord is doing in Peru and South America as well!

Prayer and Needs

-That projects at home for the benefit of my family would be completed soon.

-Completing other tasks I said I would complete.

-My dads health and recovery (motivation and strength).

-That I would be faithful in the ministries that the Lord has placed in my care.

-The right people to help take over those ministries in the long-term.

-That transition would go smoothly and without discouragement for the Middle Schoolers

>Conference

-The Lord’s provision to attend the conference. 

—I will be getting my airfare separately and then joining a SGWM team for a week.

—airfare currently is ~$700-900, and the cost of room and board is about $240

-Favor with the team and students—that we would be a blessing as we help work the conference and minister to the students and staff’s needs there.

Give

>6 Month Start in Peru

-Wisdom for the staff and myself moving forward on long term plans.

-Provision and getting the budget worked out

-Favor with all involved and that the work there would grow abundantly and for the glory of His name!

Thank you for all of your prayers and support,

-Jordon

I hope that last month you got at least a glimpse of how great our trip to Peru was. I’m so thankful for all that the Lord has done. This summer has a lot in store, and I’m looking forward to what the Lord is going to do. My goal right now is to rest in His goodness and be faithful where He’s planted me in this season. We serve a good God who always comes through, and supplies all of our needs. What a good God who knows what we have need of before we ask it!

Summer

This summer there is a lot going on. Mainly with the middle schoolers, but between friends, family, ministry, and work it is busy indeed. For middle school we’re going to be doing a couple of events a month and we have our summer camp coming up and I’m getting excited for that! Last week we took the middle schoolers to a local mini golf course and had a great time! We’re currently going through the book of John and are going to pick up in John 7 this coming Friday. Please pray for the students, that they would draw near to Jesus, and that they would run hard after Him. 

Missions

As far as missions is concerned, I will not be going to Uganda this time around, but am hoping to go to at least one upcoming conference this Fall. Please pray for the team from the Rock going to Uganda late July—it’s going to be a sweet time for them, and I’m excited to see what the Lord is going to do with their time there. Please continue to pray for wisdom and guidance as there are some opportunities on the horizon! I’m excited to see what the Lord will do and trust that He will put me right where He wants me. In the mean-time I will be seeking to finish some things up here at home to be ready to go when the Lord says to.

How to Get Involved

As opportunities arise I will definitely let you know as there will be needs that come up. Until then, if you would please partner with me in prayer, that would be incredible! I am so thankful for your prayers and support and I am thankful to have your help in that way. I pray that your heart would be encouraged and strengthened in your faith!

Updates on Dad

While we were in Peru, my dad had to go back into the hospital because his incision became infected. Good news though, as of yesterday, his surgical wounds are healed! He’s been doing a lot of physical and occupational therapy and is working really hard. If you would please pray for his heart to be encouraged in this season and to see what the Lord has for him to do in all of this that would be much appreciated! His doctor told him he would have a 50% chance of being able to go back to work, and my dad is eager to see that happen. It’s undoubtedly a long road toward recovery, but the Lord is good, and whatever comes I know He will sustain my family in the midst of it all. Your prayers are beyond appreciated. 

Please pray for me that I would manage my time well. That I would serve faithfully in every aspect of life, that He would continue to give me the mindset and drive needed to get done what’s needed—and that the name of Jesus would be glorified in all I do!

Thank you all so much, much love,

-Jordon