As we continue to walk this journey toward mission work in France, we are encouraged by how God is confirming His call one step at a time. Last month, we shared how the Lord was stirring our hearts for the French people and invited you to pray, give and share in this vision. This month, we want to celebrate His faithfulness and share how He is leading us forward.
“The Lord has done great things for us, and we are glad” (Psalm 126:3 NKJV).
• Growing Support and New Opportunities — Just four weeks ago, we publicly shared that God was calling our family to France. We took the following weekend to rest, pray and remember that obedience starts with worship. On our mini vacation, God stirred in our hearts as we drew closer to Him and each other.
Our Facebook group has grown to 200 friends praying for our success and opening doors to make the mission God has placed on our hearts a reality. We’ve sat across kitchen tables and cups of coffee with individuals praying about joining our monthly support team.
At Immanuel Baptist Church in Nashville, where my friend Paul Herndon serves as pastor, I shared our call to France. There, a kind lady shared with me that the Lord was leading her to become a monthly sending partner. I’ve said from the beginning that if God is in this, He will make a way — and still, I find myself rejoicing in amazement at seeing and hearing how God is moving in people’s hearts, just as He moved in our own.
That same afternoon, I drove to Ashdown to share again at the Harmony Association’s annual meeting hosted by Central Baptist Church. There, the stories of some of my ministry mentors came flooding to mind. I was encouraged by the opportunity to worship atop the shoulders of giants in the faith who came before me and to see the same missionary spirit so alive and well. Before the day ended, one pastor invited us to present at his church this November. Each “yes” feels like another confirmation: God really is building a team of senders.
• Preparing for Transition — This month, our attention turned toward the practical side of obedience. We’re renewing passports (and waiting for the government shutdown to end), finalizing registration with our language school in France, and working to stay connected to the Pasleys, the missionaries we’ll serve alongside in France. We’re already praying that God knits our families together in unity and friendship.
Through BMA Global’s Missionary Care Team, Michelle and I have begun counseling and spiritual health preparation. It’s humbling to see how the Lord is shaping our prayer lives through this process. More than once, I’ve come home eager to share something I thought to be unbelievable from my day, only for Michelle to open her journal and show me where she had prayed for that very thing. A praying wife is a blessing like no other.
At Denver Street, transition has begun. Soon I’ll step down as pastor to become our church’s missionary. This Sunday, Dr. John David Smith, president of BMA Global, will be at our church to teach what it means for a church to send one of its own. It’s a new chapter for all of us, and we’re trusting God to write it.
• Trials and Trust — While this month brought us many blessings, it has not been without its challenges. A simple water pump issue in our primary vehicle turned into a $4,200 repair bill the week before I was supposed to drive to Nashville and Ashdown. God has shown up for us as we navigate the challenge of having one vehicle for the family, managing meetings, school drop-offs, pickups and Michelle’s part-time job. These moments refine our faith and prove again that God’s supply is never late.
• Things to Look Forward to — Michelle and I are planning to host an online meeting for our prayer partners and friends who would like to know more about what we’re planning and how the Lord is providing. We want to share our hearts while providing a ministry and financial update to each of you who would like that. And of course, we want to answer your questions as if we were having a conversation. If you’d like to be sure you’re a part of that, just email us or send us a message on Facebook. Our goal is to provide transparency in everything we do with the people God has placed around us.
How You Pray This Month
• Opportunities to Share — We want to share our calling and vision with the people God will use to make ministry in France possible.
• Provision — New monthly partners and one-time gifts are necessary for us to move forward in faith.
• Transition — Wisdom as we begin the pastoral transition at Denver Street and prepare to sell personal property in anticipation of moving.
• Endurance — Strength and joy through both the progress and the setbacks.
If God leads you to partner with us financially, you can give safely in two ways:
• Online at tiny.cc/BMAGlobalGive. Please click “add message” and enter “The Bremers to France” to designate your gift.
• Mailing your check to BMA Global, P.O. Box 878, Conway, Ark. 72033, and writing “Bremers to France” on the memo line.
If you would like to connect with us, please use the following contact information:
• Email: derrick@livingoutthegospel.com or michelle@livingoutthegospel.com
• Mailing Address: 3245 Eagle Drive, Greenwood, Ark. 72936
• Social Media: facebook.com/groups/764035819887347, x.com/pastorbremer, facebook.com/derrick.a.bremer, instagram.com/pastorderrickbremer
