Welcome to my field notes. It is both with great joy and hesitancy that I enter into the blogging realm. Great joy because the desire to put some of my thoughts and study into writing has been growing for quite some time now, and now this platform will allow me the opportunity to do just that. On the flip side, the hesitancy arises because I do not yet know how this blog may develop or grow over time, or even what exact topics may be addressed. However, as a pastor whom I respect so clearly and succinctly stated on his own blog, writers write. Therefore, this blog is my opportunity to do just that — to begin writing. How it develops over time will be seen. With that in mind, I would like to use this first post to give some brief introductory information about myself and the general purpose of this blog.
A little Background
The Lord has given me the privilege of serving Him on the mission field as an independent Baptist church planter since 2009 when, as a young twenty-three year old husband and father, my family and I moved to Siberia, Russia to begin language study with the goal of church-planting among the indigenous people groups of Siberia. In 2017, the Lord began working in my heart and my wife’s heart about a field change to Newfoundland, Canada. After confirming His leading, we left Siberia in 2018 and, after a time of furlough in the States, we moved to Newfoundland in 2019 where we are currently serving as church-planters in the city of Corner Brook. In each stage of life and ministry, the Lord has taught me much, and it is my desire to record and share those in order to be an encouragement, and even a challenge, to others who may read these notes.
Why a Blog?
In the present day of influencers, and podcasts, and YouTube videos, is a blog even relevant anymore? The answer mostly depends on the definition of “relevant.” If relevance is defined as “having the most reach and impacting the most people,” then, no, a blog is not going to be considered relevant. There are far better mediums to use if the sole purpose is maximum views and engagement with consumers.
However, as has been alluded to in the introductory paragraphs, that is not the intended purpose of this blog. Although an author writes in order to be read, this blog will function primarily as a repository in which I can deposit and distill my musings, study results, and observations. Writing gives me clarity — it is distilled thought. Writing forces me to think through not just what I say, but how I say it. It makes me set my thoughts “in order” and seek to find out “acceptable words” (Ecc. 12:9-10) that are understandable and clearly communicate the idea or thought. It is a process that I enjoy, and one that requires discipline and study in order to produce quality results. Therefore, although the written word may have fallen out of vogue in our entertainment-saturated society, it is still one of the most beneficial forms of media for both the reader and the writer.
Where do we go from here?
Much of the content posted here will be the conclusions and results of studying a particular topic or the lessons learned from different life events or ministry circumstances. Those posts (or series) will be punctuated by personal observations and practical suggestions regarding missions and missionary partnerships. One of my long-time desires has been to share the stories of modern-day missionary heroes and their pioneering works around the world. Whether that becomes a feature on this blog or not remains to be seen.
Regardless, my desire is to put in the time and discipline requires to put out quality writing that is engaging, encouraging, and thought-provoking. However, my responsibilities as a husband, father, and missionary-pastor all take priority, and while my desire is to contribute regularly to this blog, there will be naturally be seasons when posts will be more sporadic. With that in mind, I invite you to follow along as the field notes are written and shared. Feel free to follow, share, and comment, and I look forward to the feedback and interaction.
I am looking forward to reading your blog and also hearing how the work at Grace Baptist Church is going.My husband and I support your work both financially and with prayer support.I grew up in Corner Brook and still have many friends and family there.We attended Grace Baptist when we were home for my Mom’s funeral in June 2018.We were home for a month and I was able to minister in song three Sundays while there.We are glad to see that the church is still going and pray that it will continue to grow.God bless you,your wife and children.
We are grateful for your prayers and support and I’m glad to hear that you will be following and reading this blog. I plan for this blog to be a place for my own personal writings, and not necessarily ministry updates. Those will remain exclusively on our website and through our prayer letters.