As last year came to a close, we found ourselves reflecting on God’s direction in moving this mission forward while also recognizing how deeply rooted we remain at home. Over the holidays, we were grateful for the opportunity to spend time with extended family as we prepare for a season of distance and transition. These moments were a gift from the Lord as a reminder that relationships are never secondary to the mission.
That same posture of presence carried into our church family as the year ended. December included several funerals, which, for a pastor, means slowing down, grieving with others, and simply caring well for people. Even as we prepare to be sent, we are thankful for the blessing of walking with God’s people through seasons of loss and hope.
“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving” (Col. 2:6-7).
Thinking About What It Means to be Sent
In December, I had the opportunity to record an episode of The Backwoods Baptist Podcast with my good friend, Harold Smith. Our conversation focused on biblical missions — particularly what it means to be biblically sent.
It was encouraging to step back and reflect on how sending is a work shaped by the church, grounded in Scripture, and carried together.
You can check out the Backwoods Baptist at tinyurl.com/backwoodsbaptist.
World Missions Day
I want to encourage you to participate in World Missions Day on February 22. While American missionaries like us raise 100% of our support, long-term and sustainable church planting requires more than individual workers. Strategic partnership with BMA Global provides leadership, coordination, and continuity that help missionaries labor faithfully within healthy, multiplying movements around the world. Through this shared effort, churches and missionaries work together to establish a lasting gospel presence. You can register for World Missions Day at bmaglobal.org/worldmissionsdayregister.
Sent Forward into New Conversations
January has already brought many opportunities to share our vision for gospel work in France. Alongside encouragement, these conversations have sometimes included honest questions, such as, “Isn’t France already a Christian country?” I’m grateful for people who are willing to ask thoughtful questions, as they open the door to meaningful discussion about the spiritual realities of a post-Christian culture in which fewer than 1% of the population are born-again believers.
We have several presentations scheduled in the coming months and would love the opportunity to visit more churches. I’m thankful for every door God opens to share how He is leading us to France, what He is already doing, and how others can take part in this work alongside us.
If you’d like to schedule a visit with us, let me know. You can contact us at derrick@livingoutthegospel.com or michelle@livingoutthegospel.com.
Walking Together Through the Barnabas Hub
Michelle and I are planning another online gathering for members of our Barnabas Hub, our prayer partners and senders who desire to walk closely with us in this work. If you are already part of the Hub, we hope you’ll join us in February for another video call. If you’re not yet connected and would like to be, we would love for you to walk with us through prayer and encouragement.
Join the Barnabas Hub at livingoutthegospel.com/newsletter.
Trusting God with What We Cannot Control
Recently, our home church elected a pastoral search committee to position itself for an upcoming transition. While many details and timelines remain unclear and dependent on factors beyond our control, we rest in the confidence that we serve a God who is sovereign over every season. He continues to direct both the sending and the sustaining work in ways we cannot always immediately see.
How You Can Pray with Us
• Safe travel and clarity as we share our vision in the weeks ahead.
• Preparing and provisioning for a spring exploratory trip to France.
• That God would raise ministry partners to walk with us.
• Grace and mercy as we part with some sentimental holiday items that cannot go with us to France.
If God leads you to partner with us, support can be sent to BMA Global, P.O. Box 878, Conway, Ark. 72033, with “Bremers to France” written in the memo line.
