Evangelical Free Church of America

"In the autumn of 2021, I went to Paris for a vision trip, and God just checked one box after the other. Answered prayer, answered prayer, answered prayer. Yet, I had no peace. I couldn't figure that out. I was like, “God, this doesn't make sense. You are the God of peace. Why would you call me somewhere and make me feel so unrestful and anxious about being here?”

I went to see the Eiffel Tower, then to a cafe to do my devotions in Mark 6, where Jesus sent out His disciples to go share the good news. I remember reading and meditating on that Scripture and the Lord revealing to me, “Hey, Colin, I sent my disciples out with nothing. Because I am everything. I need you to be willing to give up everything. I need you to be willing to give up your family and your future family and your finances. I need you to be in full surrender.”

I remember sitting in this cafe thinking, “God, I don't know how to do that.” I sat in this cafe just crying. The Lord, one finger after the other, opened my clenched fist trying to hold onto control.

The biggest theme of my journey at this point is surrender. Surrender of what things are supposed to look like, surrender to listen and hear, surrender to step out in faith and just show up. I don't know how to lead a ministry of 40 different musicians that don't know Jesus, and I'm the only Christian in that space yet. I'm not in control. And God is the one that’s going to provide all of this.” ––Colin Welch, EFCA ReachGlobal city team member (Paris, France)

Colin Welch: God Wanted Me to Give Up Everything — EFCA Blog A ReachGlobal missionary shares how he was called to Paris.

"It's a time of great flux for immigration. Last year, we broke the 100 million forcibly displaced people number, according to the United Nations. That's the largest in recorded history, and it's really impacting immigration within the United States. It's really impacting our organization [Immigrant Hope], because of the sheer volume of requests and needs and the diversity of them.

We’re trying to diversify [at Immigrant Hope] a little bit by providing things our clients desperately need, like offering English as a second language. This is the lowest hanging fruit, and probably one of the most significant ministries for the Church. Income jumps significantly when an immigrant naturalizes but language is the biggest barrier to naturalization for many people. That’s the kind of long-term relational ministry that a church can do to make a huge impact on people's futures. And so we're looking to help with that in the Atlanta area.

I'm telling you—I was a senior pastor for years and at Immigrant Hope, I have never shared the gospel more in my life with people who would never walk into a church. It's just a beautiful thing." —Tim Isaacson, executive director of Immigrant Hope (Atlanta, Georgia)

"As I studied Scripture, it became clear to me that the pastorate involved confirmation from other Christians, accountability before the faithful, an examination of character and a demonstrated ability to rightly handle God’s Word. The ordination process does precisely these things."

On the Value of Ordination — EFCA Blog 5 reasons why ordination matters to EFCA pastors.

"The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the Lord." Lamentations 3:25-26

"Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest. So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place." Mark 6:31-32

"Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2

"Trust in the Lord forever,
for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal." Isaiah 26:4

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock." Matthew 7:24

"Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath." Mark 2:27

"The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14

"In peace I will lie down and sleep,
for you alone, Lord,
make me dwell in safety." Psalm 4:8

"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8

Tom Cairns, EFCA archivist, highlights missionary training in the EFCA's history.

The First Missionary Candidate School — EFCA Blog In 1951, the EFCA’s missionary training program established a foundation for future growth.

"Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God." 3 John 1:11

"The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace." Romans 8:6

"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace." Ephesians 1:7

"By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. 3 Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done." Genesis 2:2-3

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalms 46:10

Joey Woestman, EFCA pastor of Faith Church, reviews "Questioning Faith: Indirect Journeys of Belief through Terrains of Doubt” by Randy Newman.

A Must-Read for Those Who Doubt — EFCA Blog Review of “Questioning Faith: Indirect Journeys of Belief through Terrains of Doubt” by Randy Newman.

"You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you." Isaiah 26:3

"But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come." John 16:13

"Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path." Psalm 119:105

"For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." Colossians 1:13-14

"Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up." Proverbs 12:25

"I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.” Jeremiah 31:25

From this week's ReachNetwork Update—our e-newsletter covering church planting news, stories and resources:

1. Watch the story of The Light WPB 🎥
2. Celebrate 3 new church plants ⛪
3. What one pastoral transition got right 👍

READ: bit.ly/4cVETHT
SUBSCRIBE: bit.ly/4cYX3J2

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." Isaiah 43:2

EFCA Worship Leaders: Registration is now open for the EFCA Worship Leader Network Gathering, Oct 21-23 in Madison, Wisconsin. Join other worship leaders to be equipped to lead your congregation with vibrant, biblically-grounded worship.

Learn more + register: bit.ly/4d0e5GN