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We want to thank you for partnership in prayer with us. We have had some mountaintop and valley experiences for sure, but you are always there, supporting us. Please know that we never take your commitment to us lightly and are very thankful for your support to our family and ministry through prayer.
One principle of ministry that we are constantly reminded of is that of preparing the next generation through mentoring. As one of our good Russian friends often says, you should never do ministry alone when you have the opportunity to work together. A week ago, while visiting three different churches, I took along a team-mate and two national partners. Don Plummer,
our team-mate and faithful friend, is joining me in using Natural Church Development (NCD) to help churches identify their strengths & weaknesses. Together, we are training Sasha to assist in the ministry. In time, we are confident that he will surpass us as a coach in his own native Russian context.
On Saturday, February 6, Wendy, along with a team of native English speakers, was able begin an English Club ministry at Dom Evangeliya, the church we attend. Though the weather was prohibitive, there was an amazing turnout of 36 people for the launch of this new ministry.
Wendy is, shall we say, delighted for this God-given opportunity to use the training which she has worked so hard to receive over the last several years. In her words, "I marvel at God's grace to me in allowing me to fulfill both my dreams and His desires in one."
Partnering with us in prayer
• We are thankful that our January visa trip went well.
• We are also thankful that the Lord is opening the door for us to remain in Krasnodar using Wendy's qualifications in teaching English. Please be praying with us as our leadership weighs this option and we consider the Lord's guidance in this matter.
• The pastors' wives meeting in January went very well. One of the ladies whom Wendy brought along enjoyed the fellowship so much that she began dreaming about encouraging such a gathering amongst the wives of leaders in a different part of the state. Wendy and this friend are currently working on ideas of how to make that happen.
• Steve's travels in January went smoothly. He was encouraged by the reception of the churches and by the openness of one national church friend to be trained up in coaching.
• Pray that the Lord would open the door for us to be witnesses on a daily basis to strangers we meet, on a regular basis in the relationships we have, as well as through the English club and other ministries we are performing among those who do not know or follow Christ.
• Pray for Steve and Don Plummer as they travel and consult with churches in ours and in the neighboring states. Pray that the Lord would work through their ministry in these churches, and that the same churches will move towards fruitful ministry and the planting of other churches.
• Finally, pray for our relationships, especially with each other and our Lord. Pray that we would know our Lord better every day. Pray that our love for each other would increase and that there would be unity in our family.
Serving in partnership with you to push back the darkness,
Steve & Wendy Lovell
Partnering with us financially:
Thank you for your investment in us and our ministry. The primary investment vehicle to support our work is the Great Commission Fund. Contributions can be made through a local Alliance church, online at http://www.cmalliance.org/give/ or by sending a check to the C&MA, PO Box 35000, Colorado Springs, CO 80935-3500. You may designate your gift to support us by writing "for the support of Lovells" on the memo line. This personalizes your gift and helps us be here and carry out our ministry. Other funds which you may contribute to include "Lovell work of," "Lovell vehicle," or "Lovell outfit." Above your normal giving to the Great
Commission Fund, you may also want to consider a gift this month to "Lovell work of," in order to help us with some needs in our English Club ministry, South Ossetia ministry, women's ministry and NCD.
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