Lifes A'changing

It has been over 9 months since my last post.  Sort of feels like a confession!  God has taught us a lot during the last 9 months.  We are well on our way, support wise, for our move to Ireland.  We are at 70% of our monthly budget need and will be 100% of the outgoing costs by the end of April.  July 1 is still our target date, but God is in control and we will be ready to go when He says go.

My goal is to share a lot more on this blog, but I won't promise since I have not been good with those promises before.  But to bring you up to date, we have completed all of our training which included 5 weeks of cross-cultural training in Portland in July-August and out pre-field orientation in November.  All that is left is the support and we are on our way!

Thank you for your prayers and feel free to contact me about out ministry and move to Ireland.

A New Beginning

Since my last post, I have finished my time with my former employer after 19+ years of work.  Life was good, but it is now time to move on.  God has been good and will always be good!  My family is now on the road to Portland, OR to attend cross-cultural training at the World View Center.  It is training sponsored by CrossWorld, our mission agency.  We are on track to move to Ireland in early 2011 to start working with small evangelical churches in Co. Kerry and Co. Cork.  We will specifically work with Grace Fellowship in Killarney, Co. Kerry.

God is in Control

OK, 3 months later and it is time for a new post.  God has changed the direction of my life completely in the last few months.  Namely, I was told 2 months ago that June 30 would be my last day of work after 19+ years on the job.  This year would have been my last year anyway due to our move to Ireland, but God had other plans.  We will be working with CrossWorld in the near future, helping with small churches in County Kerry, Ireland.  We will be doing 5 weeks of training in Portland July 4 - August 6, then back to Colorado.  We hope to sell our house before July and we will be moving into the basement of my in-laws house.  I think that is enough change for one person!  But, as I said, God is in control.  We are in the midst of support development and hope to be at 100% by the end of the year.  I know this is rambling, but a lot has happened and I am still working through all of it.  I shall post more frequently (since I will have more time!) and keep all of you (two or three?) posted.

Ministry Update 9 Feb 2010

It has been awhile, so I thought I would add an update of our ministry.  We were appointed to serve as missionaries with CrossWorld last June and are working towards a move to Ireland in early 2011.  This year will be devoted to raising support, preparing to sell the house and preparing our hearts for the ministry.  There have been many praises and affirmations of this move and we give God all the glory.  One praise is that our next door neighbors are planning on buying our house.  Another is my in-laws are remodeling their basement so that we can live with them until we move.  Also, I am still in seminary, taking the second half of two courses: Church History and an Intro to the Old Testament.  God has also allowed me to be scheduled to preach one Sunday evening a month at church which I am grateful.  This allows me to preach through Philippians.

We have been in contact with the mission team that is in place in Ireland and we look forward to joining them next year.  Please pray for us as prepare our hearts and minds for this move.  Thanks!

Hit a Lick for Jesus

A dear friend and spiritual mentor went to be with the Lord very early Saturday morning.  Rev. Chuck Conner was the founder and director of Christian Missions Unlimited (CMU), and through which nearly 300 churches have been constructed over the last 30 plus years.  Countless lives have been changed and affected by this ministry.  If Chuck was here now, he would say that all the glory belongs to God.  It was not by man, but by the strength and power of God that any and all things were accomplished by CMU teams.

I can attest to that because I have had the privilege of being part of 14 teams since 1993.  On every trip, God's power was evident.  Where we would have failed by relying on our own strength in EVERY situation, God was there to pick us up and make sure the building was finished and the dedication service was completed.  I witnessed over 2000 people give their hearts to Jesus.  It was not by our might nor our preaching but by God using willing vessels to serve Him and His word that cut through demonic activity to change the lives of a lost and dying world.

Chuck's funeral is Thursday, January 28, 2010.  It will be a celebration of a life given to the Lord as a servant, to do His will.  That servant is now with his Savior, his Redeemer, his Friend.  Chuck wanted to build churches so the Gospel will be preached and lives will be changed until Jesus comes.  He wanted to "hit a lick" for Jesus.

Mark Webb and Rev. Chuck Conner

A Great Hymn

I posted this a couple of years ago, but in recent months it has been tagged as a place for unwanted comments with links to nefarious sites.  Cautions have been put in place and the original post is re-posted.  Enjoy the lyrics to this great hymn.

This is my favorite church choir song. The words are based on Psalm 8 by King David and set to Tom Fettke's music by Linda Lee Johnson.

When I gaze into the night skies
And see the work of Your fingers;
The moon and stars suspended in space.
Oh what is man that You are mindful of him?

You have given man a crown of glory and honor,
And have made him a little lower than the angels.
You have put him in charge of all creation:
The beasts of the field,
The birds of the air,
The fish of the sea.
But what is man, oh, what is man that You are mindful of him?

O Lord, our God, the majesty and glory of Your name
Transcends the earth and fills the heavens.
O Lord, our God, little children praise You perfectly,
And so would we and so would we.

Alleluia, Alleluia, the majesty and glory of Your name.
Alleluia, Alleluia, the majesty and glory of Your name.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia,
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

New Year and New Focus

It has been months since I last posted. Mainly due to no impetus to do so. The trip to Brasil that was mentioned in the previous post went well. We built the church in 4 days and held a dedication service. I had the privilege to preach for that service. The team was humbled by the experience and worn out by the climate. Humidity along the Amazon River in the jungle is something to be experienced. Words cannot describe. But God is good none the less.

In other news, my family has been appointed as missionaries to Ireland and we will be raising our support throughout this year in hopes of moving in the first half of 2011. We would appreciate your prayers and, if God is calling you to do so, financial support. You can contact me directly at mark.webb@crossworld.org for more information.

I will try, but not promise, to post ministry updates as they happen.