October 2020 Update

Last Monday, September 28, I (Chris) landed in Minnesota after a strange but very encouraging trip to Hawaii. The state of Hawaii was under a stay at home order when I arrived and I almost cancelled my trip. But the state of Hawaii granted me exemptions from the required 14-day quarantine, and, at the encouragement of ministry partners there, we decided to move forward with the trip. I worked within the parameters of the COVID restrictions and took necessary precautions, but by God’s grace, I was able to go.

On Thursday evening last week, I met with a pastor of a Samoan Congregational church. We talked about the challenges of training the next generation of pastors on both Oahu and in Samoa, and he is excited about our plans to provide ongoing training in the Pacific Islands. We even talked about him translating one of my books into Samoan and taking a trip to American and Western Samoa together in the coming years to help launch some pastoral training efforts there! Our long term prayer and vision is to help equip pastors in Pacific Islands where they do not have access to quality, theologically-robust, in-person theological training, and this was a step in that direction. Please keep praying for faithful servant-minded pastors in Samoan churches.

The main purposes of my trip were to encourage weary pastors and churches, to continue to advance our ministry vision in the Islands, and to keep moving ahead with fundraising. I think the Lord worked in all three of those areas. I preached at Kailua Baptist Church and the Refuge Church Laie, lead a gathering of the Local Theologians Fellowship (in partnership with the Center for Pastor Theologians), and held a Zoom meeting with 28 potential students and partners for our Bethlehem College & Seminary extension site. I also had prayer gatherings with several small groups, met with about a dozen pastors on Oahu, and spent time in prayer and conversation with a few pastors who are facing some intense ministry challenges. Several new contributors joined our team, including one who gave an unexpected (and unsolicited) $1500 gift!

Here is the bottom line: we are seeing the Lord work in providing new donors and churches but are praying for many more by the end of the year. We have five supporting churches committed and several more congregations who are considering joining our team. As we approach the end of the year, we are praying for many more individuals who join us as well. 

We are praying for at least 21 more partners who commit to give $25 per month by the end of 2020.

We are praying for at least 15 more partners who commit to give $50 per month by the end of 2020.

We are praying for at least 7 more partners who commit to give $100 per month by the end of 2020.

Would you pray with us about these partnerships and consider taking one of these spots giving $25, $50, $100 (or whatever the Lord might lead you to give) to help us training pastors and teachers in the Hawaiian Islands and throughout the Pacific Rim?

To click “CONTRIBUTE” and follow the instructions.

In the Grace of the Lord Jesus,

Chris and Katie Bruno