The Faithful Witness pilot project has reached the 7-year mark! Lynell corresponds with teams of workers living in nine challenging regions among people with little or no opportunity to otherwise hear about the Saviour. Many communities now see the love of Jesus uniting his followers, and experience God’s loves as workers express this in many ways. Involved since the project’s inception, Cliff continues to manage project finances.

What are some highlights?

Seeing the ‘full circle’ of planting churches that thrive, multiply, and launch into mission as we encourage workers from countries such as Ethiopia now serving as cross-cultural workers.

Recently Lynell received feedback that a church in USA diligently facilitates prayer for the requests Lynell collates monthly and responds in practical ways to be part of God’s answer to the needs of one of the teams of faithful workers.

Each month Lynell writes to each worker and includes a scripture. Recently a team leader wrote saying Ephesians 3:20 was the encouragement she truly needed.

Some challenges?

“Working remotely and being part of a USA-based project team is isolating. We’ve missed the good working relationship we formed with the first project leader, and now the second project leader has concluded their service. Constant change is challenging.

We are thankful for the amazing support of Hokowhitu Baptist Church since 1993, and Life Church Timaru since 2014. However, we are now without church support and the spiritual covering we truly valued.”

Life in North Canterbury

Cliff commutes by motorcycle daily into the heart of Christchurch, then travels (by Ute) through the heartland of New Zealand. As Environment Canterbury’s regional operations engineer, he oversees river management and flood protection work teams. Lynell works three days a week at a busy medical centre in Rangiora and really enjoys having nursing colleagues again.

“We love having our children in nearby Christchurch, with plenty of opportunities for fun events. We’re also getting to know people at Thrive Church and are now involved with two life groups and are part of the ministry team. Our life groups have seen many answers to prayers. Studying Amos together, we’ve been encouraged by Amos 9/Acts 15:12 that God will use the miraculous signs and wonders he is doing among non-believers to form a people for Himself.”

Pray for

Thanksgiving as they celebrate 31 years of service with SIM. Pray for their work-life-ministry balance and for their walk with God to be ever richer and deeper—an integral part of being a beacon to those they long to introduce to Jesus.

Guidance and wisdom as the Faithful Witness project review nears completion and recommendations are made to SIM’s International Leadership Team to strengthen the project.

For a harvest of souls from seeds faithfully sown in hundreds of communities.

Encouragement, protection and provision for workers.

For more details and how you can support Cliff and Lynell, please contact SIM NZ.