Yesterday (Sunday afternoon) I met with several folks here in Kansas City that form a prayer-support team for us. We had a wonderful talk about the up-coming transition—our move from Costa Rica back “home” to the United States.
One of the things we talked about was the fact that I'm convinced that it is time to turn the work in Costa Rica over to the leaders there. It's time for me to step aside and allow my faithful men to pastor their church (2Tim 2.2). I'm convinced of that and comfortable with it.
We also took a little bit of time to talk about ministry plans once I'm back in the States. I'd like to share these plans with everyone, especially those of you who pray for us.
I am (and have always been since the decision was made to bring us home) actively and intentionally looking for ministry opportunities in the States, especially in the Kansas City area (although I'm open to ministry opportunities in other places). If there is a church without a pastor that would desire to consider me for the position, I'm entirely open to that. If there is a church whose senior pastor would desire to consider me as an associate, working with him in teaching, preaching, evangelism, discipleship, and/or Hispanic ministry, I'm entirely open to that, too.
If God doesn't open a door in an existing church or ministry, then my plans are to get a job and dedicate my “free” time to prioritized ministry, and on the top of the priority list is intentional, strategic evangelism while I and my family attend KCBT (I still consider KCBT my "home," and we love the people there and the pastor, Jeff Adams).
I have also been doing area studies and considering the possibility of starting a new church—a church dedicated to intentional evangelism, biblical discipleship, expository preaching, theological training, and missions). If God would open that door, then I would be a bi-vocational pastor (supporting myself with a secular job) until the church could (and was willing to) pay my salary (1Cor 9.14; 1Tim 5.17).
So, as you pray for us (and thank you for praying for us!), please don't misinterpret my search for a secular job. The Apostle Paul, at times, worked a secular job in order to support himself (Acts 18.1-4). That is what I plan to do, unless God opens a door immediately for me to continue in vocational ministry (for example, an existing church or ministry calls me to form part of their paid staff). However, my search for a job (to support my family, etc.; 1Tim 5.8) is in no way a decision to quit the ministry. I am not quitting the ministry and I desire to continue in vocational ministry as a pastor-teacher. Until God indicates otherwise, that is my calling.
If for a season I need to labor in a bi-vocational capacity, that's fine. I'll get a job to support my family and preach on the streets (the #1 priority for all of us as Christians is evangelism). If no other doors for ministry as a pastor-teacher open up, then I am praying about starting a church.
The need for Bible-believing churches dedicated to the intentional, strategic, and aggressive fulfillment of the Great Commission is enormous, both in the States and around the world. I'm still breathing, and that means that God still wants me to participate in His work to meet that need. And my gifts and calling indicated to me that my part in that work is as a pastor-teacher. So that is what I aim to do, by the grace of God and for the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thank you for keeping us in your prayers. ~Greg