We are sharing this again, in case it got missed in the busyness of Spring Break and Easter.
Mission Update from the Brennecke Family
The Brennecke Journal--Winter 2021
Dear Friends:
“…Nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” Jesus’s words in the garden sealed our salvation. It is said that the real battle was fought there. Everything that followed flowed from His decision to bear the weight of true obedience and submission to the Father. As I meditate on the importance that Jesus placed on submissive obedience to the will of God as a model for our lives, I am challenged to the core. After all, how should we live when we realize:
I was saved by another’s death: “…you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, … but with the precious blood of Christ….” 1 Pet 1:18-19.
He bought me so He owns me: “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Cor 6:19-20.
I have trusted Jesus for my eternal salvation, so it only makes sense that I should trust Him for daily provision and guidance during my earthly life: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Prov 3:5-6.
May we faithfully serve the One who loves us supremely, owns us entirely, and promises to guide us as we trust in Him!
Stewardship Ministries At the core of our ministry is this truth: God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Cor 9:7). Our overall task is to increase the joy of donors as they give to the Lord. The results matter! Of first importance, this delights God! A joyful donor likes the experience of giving and will likely want to repeat that experience.
Many donors are serious about their stewardship of the Lord’s money. Many give sacrificially. I have heard more than one person say, “You can’t out-give the Lord!” They say this from personal experience.
Personal Evangelism Many of you have heard of (and prayed for) my new friend Walter. Walter is turning 90 this May. For 70 of those years, he has carried burdens from 14 months of intense fighting in the Korean war. You may have heard of Chosin Reservoir, Heartbreak Ridge, Bloody Ridge and the Punchbowl. After landing under fire at Inchon, Walter was a forward observer in each of these major battles. That means he spent his time out beyond our outpost “line of resistance.” When his tour of duty was supposed to end, he had to stay because they had run short of forward observers. He would have stayed even longer, but when a grenade landed in his foxhole, his injuries landed him in the Norfolk Naval Hospital. A Bronze Star with Valor and a Purple Heart are on his fireplace mantle.
We met a few months ago in a local store. He was wearing a “Korean War” hat. I thanked him for his service and told him that two of our children came from South Korea – and that they would not be our children but for the sacrifice of guys like him. We struck up a friendship that day that quickly led to a Bible Study. We meet once each week. As God reveals Himself in the pages of John’s gospel, I trust the Spirit of God will open Walter’s eyes to his need to place his faith in Jesus Christ. Please pray to that end! Elaine, his caregiver, has joined our study, and she also needs the Lord.
It was a blessing when Kaye and Brennan visited Walter. It was good for Walter to meet them, and it was equally good for them to meet one of the men who sacrificed themselves for others. (And of course this visit provided Walter, a Marine, a chance to tease Kaye about her role in the Ohio Army National Guard!)
Our family is doing well! We live under the caring hand and power of the Good Shepherd and are very grateful to Him for daily grace and encouragement! Kim is soon to receive a new wheelchair, for which we are thankful. We keep busy in the ministries of Camden Baptist Church, and are sooooo thankful for our local church family.
We are also grateful for your partnership in giving and praying for our ministry. Thank you!
-------Steve & Kim Brennecke
