9/09/2015

How We Approach Mentoring



JIM: Seeking Ministry Colleagues
For these past 18 years, we have been learning about the Christian leadership context in Asia and relationally empowering pastors. We began in Singapore and then reached out to several nearby countries.
While in a transitional sabbatical year to discern what is next for us in ministry, I am still passionate about serving Christian leaders in Asia, where the resources and support and role models are scarce. We see a great need and the Lord has given us many open doors, especially in Vietnam and China. 
Some of the distinct characteristics of how we approach mentoring:
Personal - it is built on relationships more than curricula, so we meet in small groups and individually many times over a period of years. As the relationships grow, the trust and personal support grows with increased understanding of the leader's gifts, personality, challenges, and dreams. We go deeper with fewer, and encourage the leaders we mentor to reproduce their lives by investing in others.
Pastoral - it is focused on spiritual and character growth more than on skill development. When we are together, there is a lot of group Bible study and reflection and discussion that is attentive to what the Holy Spirit is pointing out in a leader's life for change and direction. We focus on who the Lord is shaping us to be, where he is leading us, and what he is calling us to accomplish for his kingdom.
Practical - mentoring starts in the context of where the leader is serving, and is put into practice within the leader's relationships and ministry. The starting point is where God has put us and what he wants to teach us, and the end point is applying what we are learning where we are at. We are not finished until the learning is put into practice.
Being the pioneer and the leader - and usually the only Westerner in the room - has been fulfilling. But is also tiring and sometimes lonely.  While my greatest desire has been for reproduction and I have seen that in many, many Asian leaders, I also recognize the need for more colleagues around me to keep going strong. To go the next lap in a healthy and effective way, I am looking for others who share the same values and vision and who want to work together. Here is a link to a fuller description of my ideal for an apostolic mentoring team.
Would you please pray with us over the coming months that the Lord would lead us to close ministry partners? If you have input regarding this search, please let us know!
Father, thank you for Jim’s fruitful service over the past 18 years and for the many leaders, ministries and lives that have been touched as a result. Now please lead Jim to others who share his passion and perspective for developing Asian leaders. Give him colleagues that will sharpen each other and complement each other and lead to greater multiplication across Asia in the coming decade, in Jesus’ name.
Helping people understand who Jesus is...
Have you heard of the Alpha Course?
We will be part of a team who is hosting tables for this 10 week investigation of what it means to follow Jesus Christ. A course from the UK, it has had a huge impact in Singapore. For years we have known those who have led groups or have begun to have faith in Jesus while attending this course. We are excited to help out in this initial run with The River Church (where quite a few of our supporters attend).
If you have friends in the South Bay who are curious and might consider investigating the Christian faith invite them!
Social: Open for invitations
We're making good use of a grill and had quite a few guests to our condo over the summer!
We've also had some sweet times with other RHCC missionaries who were traveling through So Cal during the summer.
As we move into fall season, let's plan some time to get together!
30th Anniversary!
Thank you friends for your prayers, financial support, and personal encouragement through this season of transition! We continue to be so thankful for the timing of our year back in the US - caring for parents, supporting our children, and treasuring the all too few opportunities we have to catch up with longtime friends.
In this sabbatical for discerning God's direction for our future ministry, we continue to feel his peace and provision.
Jim & Kimberly
Lord, thank you that you continue to give us everything we need - financially and relationally. We look to you for clear guidance for our next chapter in ministry. Renew our vision and passion, that our next chapter wil be tremendously fruitful in serving you!
You have a lot of choices where to invest your charitable giving, and we are honored and humbled when it's to partner with us through Church Resource Ministries.
1240 Lakeview Ave, Ste. 120, Anaheim, CA 92807 USA. You may designate by adding: "preferenced for Creasman-acct 5651"
Our US Address: 1418 Brett Place #124, San Pedro, CA 90732 Jim (310) 698-2588, Kimberly (310) 658-1500.
The Boys: 3 Time Zones Away in Virginia & Georgia
Last month, we had a simple launch party for Cameron in Orange County. Some of the men he looks up to shared advice, affirmed and prayed for him. He's ready for this next big step.
The boys are now settled at Liberty University VA (Cameron/Business Major), and at Ft. Benning GA (Tyler/2nd Lt Army Leadership Training).
We find that being in the US this year gives us closer connection with them. Even if it's not a lot of face to face time, text messages come more friequently when we're only 3 time zones away.
JIM
Judges
The boys had a great time with Jim in Colorado in July. And Tyler flew from Georgia to spend Labor Day weekend with us!
Our prayer for them is a growing hunger for God and finding good friends and role models with godly values and lifestyles.
KIMBERLY

No comments: