If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Galatians 5:25

Greetings! Before we launch into the summer with the expectation of vacations and relaxed Covid measures, I would like to update you on what God has been doing since the beginning of the year. After our January board retreat, Pastor Brad Diehl and a team from his church in Berlin, Maryland, accompanied me to Albania. Brad and I led a Teacher Training Workshop (TTW) with 11 participants from two churches in Albania. Two classes are now meeting, and leaders are being trained. In Skhoder, I led the Cross Before the Crown seminar with 12 church leaders. The principles were well received, and everyone was encouraged by the training.

Teacher Training Workshop in Albania

In March, Mindy and I visited Cross Life Bible Church in Westminster, Maryland. Pastor Brad Diehl joined me again, and we led a Teacher Training Workshop with four pastors. One participant leads an international ministry. We are excited at the possibilities of what God will do through this partnership. In mid-April, I met with Bob Loeffler to discuss his ministry with CCI. Bob accompanied Aaron Issler to Uganda a few years ago and has kept in touch with the pastors there who helped Aaron teach the class. Aaron passed away in September from Covid complications. As Bob and I talked, I sensed the Holy Spirit leading me to challenge him to serve as the full-time East Africa Regional Director. Bob is active in his home church, Lakeview Church, and has taught at Trinity College (a Christian college in New Port Richey, Florida). He has served as a chaplain in a nearby hospital and subbed as a teacher in a neighboring school. I shared with Bob how God can use him to launch a movement in East Africa of new churches led by qualified men and how we can curb the spread of the prosperity gospel, which is no gospel at all. Bob went home and shared this with his wife, Becky, and his local church. Everyone was behind him! Praise the Lord! God is adding to the CCI team! Bob was appointed on May 15, 2022, as the Regional Director of East Africa. To learn about his ministry click here.

In late April, I visited Keith and Jenny Arnold in Mexico. I was encouraged to learn that all the other language school students have been inspired by the servant attitude of Keith and Jenny. It is more challenging to learn a language in your middle-age years. They are plugging away and expect to be finished in late June. Upon completion of Spanish language school, they will be in transition to move to Mexico and begin their ministry as Regional Coordinator of Northern Mexico. Find out more about his ministry by clicking here.

From Mexico, I traveled to Guatemala City to join Ray McKenzie. We had appointed Ray as the Malay Regional Director. But as I prayed and pondered the contacts the Lord has given to him, we decided to approach him about serving as the Central America Regional Director. When I arrived in Guatemala City, we sat down for dinner and began discussing this. The funny thing was that he was praying about the same thing. Our vision is to impact the world, led by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was working in both of our hearts and led us in the same direction! When we humble ourselves under God’s power and Holy Spirit, He leads us in the same direction!  Ray and I led a Teacher Training Workshop with 11 pastors and church leaders in Quetzaltenango (or, as they call it, Xela). Xela is located at an elevation of over 8,000 feet, so even though it is in Central America, the temperature was cool at that time of year. One of the participants, Isidro, has already started one class. Ray wrote me about the good news and said, “David, I can hardly contain myself over what I think God is about to do in Central America.” Ray was appointed as the Regional Director of Central America on May 15, 2022. Click here to learn more about his ministry.

The new class being taught by Dr. Isidro Menchú in Petén, Guatemala

We see great potential in Central America as there are already potential coordinators and a ministry organizer. The Lord has gone before us and is opening doors!

When we returned to Guatemala City, we met with representatives from the Baptist Seminary and the Baptist Convention. Both have decided to partner with us! Ray will return to Guatemala in July to train new trainers. The seminary will start satellite schools, and select churches from the convention (over 1,000 churches) will start classes also. We are asking God to raise up and mobilize over 1,000 evangelists, church planters, and missionaries from local churches for the glory of God!

“David, I can hardly contain myself over what I think God is about to do in Central America.” -Ray McKenzie, Regional Director Central America

Just after returning from Guatemala in late April, I traveled to Philadelphia to speak at the missions conference of Montco Bible Fellowship. I shared with them from Colossians 1:3-8 about the Gospel Bearing Fruit Through Faithful Servants. After lunch, I returned with my hosts, Albert and Patrice. Albert began talking with a neighbor, and as I listened, I sensed the Lord prompting me to share the gospel with her. I did, and she received Christ as her Lord and Savior right there on the sidewalk! Four days later, I left for Bangladesh and India. In Bangladesh, I joined Taron, one of our Regional Directors, and Von, a student and supporter of Taron. We led the God’s Financial Principles seminar with 40 pastors and church leaders. Two CCI trainers organized the seminar. This seminar is in partnership with Crown Financial Ministries and covers working, trusting God, getting out of debt, saving, generous giving, and honesty and integrity with God’s resources. The training was well-received, and they plan on using this in their churches.

Taron leading the God's Financial Principles Seminar in Bangladesh (Identities concealed to protect participants)

From Bangladesh, I traveled back to India. I led the God’s Financial Principles seminar with our team of trainers (some of whom I met for the first time). They will train pastors with this material, who will then teach it in their churches. The next day we traveled three hours, and I led the Cross Before the Crown seminar on leadership principles from 2 Timothy 2. The next day I preached in two churches, we had a fellowship meal in the afternoon with the pastor and his family, and then we had an alumnus gathering with 25 CCI graduates. They testified how the training had impacted their lives and work. Praise God for the way God is using Taron to equip key leaders in the countries that are hardened toward the Gospel. You can learn more about his ministry by clicking here.

What a whirlwind of travel these past months! Now, I’m back home. Thank you for praying for my safety and health during these travels. Mindy and I recently spent a week in Palm Beach, Florida. We are refreshed and enjoyed our time away. As you and your family spend time together, may the Lord restore your souls as you walk with Him. Grace and Peace,

David Nelson President & Founder Crossing Cultures International

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Typhoon Odette Update Repairs are still in progress at Camp Karis, Philippines. New roofs were added to the buildings missing roofs, and the tower that supports the water tanks was completed. The camp has one more building that needs to be restored. We thank God for supplying these relief funds to do this work. Camp Karis has reopened for some small Bible camps.

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