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filler@godaddy.com
Happy Easter season! I know it has passed – but we get to celebrate Easter every day – He Arose – He Lives – Forever!!!
***Exciting Opportunity***
Interested in a 3-to-6-month mission experience? Be sure to read about it at the end of this newsletter.
In March, I traveled to the country of Sri Lanka for a time of training four new church planting couples. We spent four days together getting to know one another, talking about the future, and beginning our training.
So let me introduce you to our church planters there (I received their permission to post this, but please do not share or repost anywhere).
During these days of training and fellowship, we also spent many moments in prayer and worship, and celebrated some recent baptisms that occured. We had the opportunity to host a kickoff service in the city of Mullaitivu. This city is just 14 years out of terrorist occupation and is in desperate need of hope and life (and we know who truly brings that).
From our 2024 year-end campaign funds, we were also able to purchase a motorcycle for a ministry couple there in Sri Lanka. Thank you for helping us do that. They were so grateful. You planted this seed and look at it now!
The ministry is now able to go farther, faster, and with greater joy!
In April, I traveled to India for the anniversary of Word for the World Marthandam. Pastor Bright planted this church 13 years ago. I was there on their 5th anniversary and since then God has blessed them.
The church has now bought property and has plans to build a Bible school that will also serve as their church meeting place. It was such a joy to be with them and celebrate the goodness of God.
While there we also had a chance to pour into some young men who are considering ministry (some full-time, others on how to shine their light in the marketplace).
Shortly after Marthandam, I was on to Chennai, India where we recently helped a church get started and they just celebrated their one-year anniversary in April. I am so proud of Pastor Joshua and the work he has done.
(*pictured right, in the photo below)
While in Chennai I also spent time with Pastor Able (*pictured left) – who is starting small groups to develop into a church plant in early 2026. We also met with Pastor Ranjith, a potential church planter in the early assessment phase. Our hope is to have three churches in different areas of Chennai by the end of 2026. I know we will all be praying together for this!
I posted some pics on social media during this trip – but here are a few more of two of our pastors receiving their gift from you all. We were able to buy motorcycles for these two young men and the work of ministry. One of them told me that this is the very first purchase of something completely in his own name. What a moment it was! The gift was so much more to them than just a motorcycle. Thank you for blessing these pastors and their families. Together, we’re moving the mission forward—one mile at a time. Thank you for being a key part of this journey! 😄
We will be beginning our work in Bangladesh and Vietnam this fall. We have been meeting with these families as they finish up their master’s degrees here in the Philippines. Please keep these families in your prayers as they transition back home to these areas and begin this new work. If you would like to make a gift to these particular church plants, you can donate here under the "church planting" memo.
In other exciting news, we are launching our official network for church planters in Asia, called City Church Network! We are currently working on our website, citychurchnetwork.asia and will have it running soon. The name was developed with the pastors and leaders we are currently partnered with. They liked it because it was simple and straight to the heart of our mission. Stay tuned for more to come on this relationship network as it is being developed, and please keep it in your prayers!
Elaine’s big brother, Kevin, passed away in March. She was able to travel there to see him, and to be with her family as Kevin passed. Please say a prayer for Elaine as being so far away from family during times like these is especially difficult.
Our family will be in the US from mid-June to the end of July. We would love to be able to say hello to as many people as we can. I will update you soon on where we will be – and if you are near, we would love to catch up over coffee. Feel free to reach out so we can make it happen this summer!
Our ministry coordinator in Sri Lanka leads a school for teaching English. His school has been around for 20 years and has developed a great reputation. They focus on teaching English so students can pass proficiency tests for college, the work force, or to travel abroad. God has opened a door in a predominantly Buddhist community as many of the young adults have been attending the English classes being held at a local Christian church. This ministry opportunity is about building relationship, sharing life, and shining the love of Christ through your actions. We are praying for long-term relationships to be formed and for lives to be transformed as a result.
The commitment is a minimum of 3 months and up to 6 months, as each test prep is approximately 3 months long. This is an incredible opportunity for a gap year, retired persons, or anyone with a love for this type of practical ministry. This will be a self-funded opportunity, so fund-raising will be necessary. Contact us below if God puts this on your heart and you want to find out more.
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Miles apart but partnered together - we feel your prayers and support every day.
Know we are praying for you always.
Have questions or would like more information? Reach out to us below.
Michael and Elaine Shreve