The first weekend of June I had the great honor of delivering a public prayer of blessing for an “up and coming” missionary, Carmella Jones.  We both happened to be at the Michigan American Baptist Women’s Conference in De Witt, MI.   Carmella has been endorsed for service in Hungary with International Ministries.  The Reverend Carmella Jones will serve in Hungary as a school chaplain through IM partner Hungarian Baptist Aid.

In this position, Carmella will act as a listening presence and offer pastoral care to students, families and the school community. Her experience in theological and nursing education uniquely equips her to teach and support spiritual and physical well-being.  I am excited to see Carmella move forward in faith to reach God’s best for her.  We anticipate wonderful stories of the new ministry of service she has embraced, responding to God’s call.

Another great blessing came from the weekend in DeWitt:  The American Baptist women of MIchigan raised over $3,000 for the Global Peacemakers Mentoring Project.  This gift will provide much needed funds to keep our peacemaking children and grandchildren (TCTT training graduates) moving and shaking up the world for peace!  Our graduates have been selling their own goats and growing tomatoes to sustain peacemaking ministry, especially in Africa.  We want to bless them with additional resources as they plan trainings in places of devastating conflict, like South Sudan. Please pray for them.  I am so thankful for your encouraging prayers for peacemaking —  and prayers for new missionaries like Carmella and GPMP grads.  Grace and Peace to you!