This months letter is going to be a little different. This is about vision, dreams, and opportunity.
DREAMS AND VISIONS
Let’s start with the dreams and visions. Most of you know that LTI has always been about raising up leaders, training, equipping and sending people out to fulfill their calling, their destiny. When LTI started, being a missionary meant you were going into a culture to evangelize. Very few saw the wisdom in going into a culture to train others to evangelize. But that was the mandate, and the wisdom, of Bud and Mary Ann, decades before it became common. The vision I want to share with you is in this tradition.
What is on our hearts is to combine two ministries… (1) training, equipping and releasing revivalists, missionaries, reformers, church planters, and (2) creating a place of rest and respite for church leaders who need to recharge. Picture this if you will. Somewhere in the west there is a lodge, a place where solitude is easy, quiet is the norm. Mountains define the horizon, and the stillness is defined by the whisper of a stream. Lonely paths beckon, and God calls you to see His Glory in the beauty of His creation. You are here for a week or two, to rest, to relax, to just be with your Father. You may use some of this time to pour out of your life into the lives of others, maybe you’ll do some hunting or fishing… or maybe just BE.
Or perhaps you are here for 6 months, a year. This is the place where you will learn to be what you were created to be. A season devoted to discovering the depth of the Father’s love, delving deep into the mysteries of Heaven. Here you will connect with those who have gone before you; their wisdom and treasure becoming yours as they pour out of their lives into yours. And this is what you will take with you, what you will impart to those you touch.
That’s the dream, the vision Julie and I have carried for 20 years. Over the years God has refined it, added layers and depth, but it’s the same heartbeat. And now, finally, we believe we are ready to pursue it and see it born.
PASTORS AND CHURCH LEADERS
I would like to take a moment to speak to the church leaders reading this. We are going to need you. We will need your support, both financial and moral. We will need your input, your wisdom and your guidance. Right now we need to hear what you think about this vision. Does it bear witness? Are there folks in your church you might send to a training center like this? And if so, would you consider letting me bring this dream before your church? Please, contact us and let us know. You can reach me directly by phone (907.957.3070) or by email: markdyar@gmail.com.
OPPORTUNITY
Now we come to the opportunity. Many of you will have heard of Bill Johnson and Bethel Church in Redding, CA. Over the last 2 or 3 years, that ministry has had a tremendous impact on Julie and me. The teaching and worship that flow from that house has provided much of what was missing in our understanding and walk. Last month I (Mark) was extended an invitation to join an outreach into India with some folks connected with Bethel. The guy leading this outreach is Paul Manwaring, one of the leadership team with Bethel. We don’t believe in coincidence, we believe in God’s timing – and this smacks of just that to us. This is an opportunity to meet people and form relationships that can help us make the dream reality. There is no better way to get to know someone’s heart and create lasting bonds of friendship, than ministering together. It also gives us an opportunity to kill two birds with one stone. I am planning to meet with our guys in India (Bhalchandra and Vilas) while I’m there. Again, we see God’s hand, because we have needed to connect for some time and discuss the vision for LTI in India. And get this – early this year I had begun to make plans to do just that in October!INDIA TRIP BUDGET: $5,000.00
Would you prayerfully consider helping with this trip and this vision? The need for the vision is your wisdom, help, prayers… the list would fill a book.
You are all in our hearts and prayers. We cannot thank you enough for all you’ve done over the years.
Yours for the Kingdom,
Mark and Julie
Comments
Post a Comment