We are currently in the United States, but not for long. We head to Ukraine on the 18th of this month and won’t be back till the beginning of July.
While there, we will teach at two leadership training schools, a YWAM
base, minister in local churches, encourage pastors, and do some outreaches –all
with our amazing missionary friends on the ground there for many years, John
and Tawnya Lynch. Tawnya is Ukrainian and John grew up as a missionary kid in
Russia and Ukraine, but is American. We’ve all known each other for a few years
(a divine connection) and we look forward to ministering together again for the
3rd time.
One remarkable thing about Ukraine right now: even in the middle of a
war, pastors are asking how they can plant more churches. Apparently,
missiles and drone strikes have not convinced them that the gospel should slow
down. Their courage and faith are deeply inspiring. Our role will simply be to
encourage these leaders, share practical teaching, and strengthen the church
during a very difficult season. Please pray for our protection along with the
Lynch family, more salvations, and encouragement and safety for our brothers
and sisters in this difficult season.
Our time in the United States has been productive.
I recently finished writing a book for India, which is now in the final
editing stages in Hindi.
The book grew out of the leadership training we did this past November
and December there, addressing a very real problem. Many pastors in India work
every day, from morning to night, trying to handle the whole ministry by
themselves. Sometimes their families and marriages quietly and sadly pay the
price. The book's message is simple: trust God, train others, and build teams
so the work can grow in a healthy way. One national leader, after hearing the
teaching with his gathered local pastors one evening, urged me to put it into
writing so he could distribute it throughout India. The pastors that night said
they had never heard these teachings on rest and trust before but felt so
relieved to hear that it was God’s idea! We’ll be able to make it available to
them on Amazon India on Kindle for just 50 cents each, our cost, and a little
more if printed. Please pray that this spreads and restores many burnt-out
pastors.
Jesus never said ministry was supposed to crush us. In fact, He said the
opposite:
“My yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew
11:30)
Somehow, over the years, many pastors end up carrying a burden Jesus
never asked them to carry. This book tries to point them back to His
way—serving from grace rather than exhaustion.
Psalm 127:1–2, “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in
vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.
In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat—
for He grants sleep to those He loves.”
We rest in His care, knowing that God not only provides for those who
trust Him but even gives peaceful sleep to those He loves.
While in the States, we are also finishing up two booklets for our
seminar ministry in Mozambique, which will continue to help train and disciple the
churches there. More exciting news about that later…
If you did not get on our WhatsApp group for our 5 weeks in India with
continual prayer requests, testimonies, updates, videos, and photos, but would
like to be on it for this trip in Ukraine for 2 months, let us know. You will
need to download the WhatsApp app for free and tell us your name and number
associated with it.
Thank you for your continued prayers, encouragement, and support! And
feel free to drop us a line! J
Lots of love,
Brian and Lorena Wood
Transforming Lives Ministry
Transforminglivesministry.org
