Thursday, 11 December 2008

  • Monasticism in Action

    Vision in Action

    Last week I attempted to articulate the vision that God has given us for ministry in Los Angeles.  This week I want to share a bit about how God has taken that vision and put it into action.  Living upward, we have committed ourselves to pray.  It’s been a struggle but we are committed to upholding this value.  Living inward, we have sought to meet together with other believers for weekly prayer.  We emotionally, spiritually, and financially support one another.  We have had wonderful experiences over the last year of broken hearts being healed in our living room.  Living outward has involved each member of our community going out into the world.  I have had the privilege of traveling to Uganda, Russia, and Georgia.  Kristy has ventured into the entertainment industry and builds God’s Kingdom in the hearts of young men and women who are trying to become actors.  If you look closely in the background of your favorite TV show you just might catch a glimpse of her.  Another team member is working on her Master’s degree and is studying how to use education to bring emotional and spiritual healing to children of war

    Our community is growing. We have a number of guests in our home on a weekly basis.  We are now seeking to take a new step by moving into a bigger house to increase our capacity for hospitality and prayer and to welcome in new team members. 

    Mission

    As we planned to return to the West Coast I had anticipated working with Care Corps International on a mentoring program here in Los Angeles.  Soon after arriving I realized that this program was in a far different place than I had expected.  After some initial discouragement I found that the ministry that God had for me with Care Corps was far better than I could have imagined.  We are still trying to develop some partnerships here but my ministry has expanded to a global level.  I was invited by Jim Witty, the Founder and Executive Director of Care Corps, to travel with him to Uganda, Russia, and The Republic of Georgia.  Rather than just focusing on Los Angeles, I am Care  Corps’ Director of Children’s Trauma Care Programs. 

    Care Corps mission is to equip God’s people as they establish His Kingdom by bringing hope and healing to victims of war, violence and disaster.  Over the course of the last three months, in particular we have worked to define Care Corps values and our vision for where we are headed in the next five years.  As of today, we have active partnerships in Uganda, Georgia, and Sri Lanka and are committed to these regions for the next three years.  We will equip local leaders in these areas to bring emotional and spiritual healing to people who have gone through crisis. 

    Care Corps is a growing organization.  We have invitations from all over the world to equip leaders and develop programs.  In response we are hoping to bring on a couple of new individuals to the Care Corps team to improve the quality of our existing partnerships and to expand our partnerships to other areas in crisis. 

    Partnership

    We are so thankful to be involved in these monastic and missional ministries.  It is such an honor to serve our God.  We firmly believe that we do not do this work alone.  We have a team of people who are constantly praying for us, encouraging us, and financially supporting us.  We rely on this support to sustain this work.  We would not see hearts healed or have food on our table if it were not for your partnership with us. 

    If you would like to financially support our ministry in Los Angeles and our work with Care Corps please contact me at jon.coughlin@gmail.com.  You can also contact me if you are interested in joining us in 2009 in Uganda, Georgia, Sri Lanka, or Los Angeles.  Thanks again for your prayers and support.  God has provided beautifully and supernaturally for us over the last year, largely because of the faithfulness of our families and friends.  Your labor has born much fruit. 

     

    Prayer Requests

    ·         Pray for us as we begin searching for a new home that can accommodate our growing team.

    ·         Pray that our monastic team is able to make an impact in the communities we live and work in.

    ·         Pray for Care Corps trip schedule for 2009.

    ·         Pray that God would continue to bring together a Care Corps team.

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