A Look Ahead: 2023
Over the past few weeks, you’ve probably received lots of newsletters reviewing the activities and celebrating the faithfulness of the Lord in 2022. It’s always great to look back and give God the glory. We try to do that regularly through the year, and if you’d like to review any of our updates from the past year, you can do so on our website: bobcarolmarsh.com. In this update, we’d like to share our vision and plans for the year ahead…knowing that we make our plans, but God directs our steps (Proverbs 16:9; 3:5- 6).
Growing the Team: We are adding two new members to the Euro/Med Impact Team! With 59 nations in our region, it’s obvious that one person cannot come alongside local gospel movements across the region. God in his grace is building our team of Impact Specialists who will focus on specific geographic regions and/or people groups. As these new folks come on board we’ll be sharing specifics. We’re very excited about this growth and the potential for increased effectiveness!
Egypt & North Africa: If you have not done so yet, please read THIS UPDATE about Ashraf, our team member in Egypt. He’s doing a wonderful work in his homeland! We are very excited to be going to Egypt and North Africa in late February to meet gospel movement leaders!
Nordic & Baltic: We’re very excited to work with TWO members of the Impact Team in this area! Our Baltic Impact Team Specialist is focusing on a church planting movement in Southern Estonia, and our Nordic Impact Team is having influencing in Sweden, Russia, and all across Europe through their involvement in M-4.
Ukraine & Russia: We continue to serve the church in these two waring nations. While travel is impossible to Russia, we are working with gospel leaders there to strengthen and grow the kingdom of God. We are particularly working with Deaf ministries and equipping church leaders. In Ukraine we continue to oversee the collection and distribution of the UKRAINE RELIEF FUND, and we’ve established the Ukraine Consortium, a network of US churches whom God has called to impact ministry there. We’re supporting local pastors and equipping local lay leaders who have stepped into vacant pastoral positions. Here’s just one story from a pastor there:
- Anatoly is 74 years old. He has never been to an Evangelical church. But three weeks ago. he was just walking by the church, and it was as if someone pushed him to go inside. He once said that he would never go to church…But the circumstances of life made his heart softer. One son had died, and the other is now at the front…Yesterday, January 1, 2023, Anatoly asked God for forgiveness and accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior! An incredible start to the year!
Germany: We also are blessed to serve two couples who are called to Germany. We’d love to have you take a moment to introduce our friends and partners in Munich, the Tromanhausers. They recently shared THIS UPDATE on their work in that great city.
Kenney, IL: Missions begins at home. We’ve been approached to begin a new work in our village among neighbors without a church home. We’re very excited, humbled, and God dependent for all that is needed. Please pray for God’s leading and blessing as we follow Him!
There’s much, much more! We’ll keep you updated on progress on these and other opportunities for ministry that God has granted us in the Europe & Mediterranean Region, and here in the USA! Thank you for your partnership and prayers that make it possible!
