I’ve just boarded the flight back from Tirana through Frankfurt and then on to Chicago. Pastor Bill Van Tuinen, Krista, and I have had a tremendously encouraging visit with our ministry partners here. I’m leaving with four key takeaways.
First, we are grateful to have solid partners in our global Gospel ministries. As you know, it’s the people who make or break everything. I come away confident that we have partners with strong integrity, robust theology, and exceptional discipline. Nick and Melissa Wilger, Plator and Nicole Collaku, Zefjan Nikolla, and the teams they lead are faithfully on mission for Jesus and take their calling seriously.
Second, we are privileged to be a part of God’s mission among the nations. God is on the move in Albania. One of the cities I preached in is Durrës, where the apostle Paul once preached and where Titus was martyred. It was also the city under communism where Albania was declared an atheistic country. Today, a vibrant and growing Christian movement has risen from those ashes, and we have the profound privilege of supporting our brothers and sisters with our prayers and resources.
Third, we are blessed by the wise leadership of Pastor Bill Van Tuinen. Traveling with him and seeing his interactions with our partners on the field, I’m impressed by his ability to combine a tender shepherd’s heart with savvy resource allocation. Pastor Van Tuinen is a tremendous gift not only to our church but also to our global family. He’s the right man to manage our global ministry reach.
Fourth, we have an inspiring task to finish. Jesus has sent us out as His Spirit-empowered people to make disciples of all nations. We are a Gospel movement in the city for the world. Global missions is deep in our DNA as a church. We must continue to sacrificially invest in the global work of God until the name of Jesus is lifted high among every nation, tribe, tongue, and people.
I want to thank you for your faithful giving and prayerful support of our global missions, including allowing us the time away for this trip. Your faithfulness is bearing fruit among the nations. Our Albanian brothers and sisters specifically asked me to share their gratitude and love for each one of you. You are loved, more than you know.
