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HEART TO HEART
By Dave Gentry
June
2007
Dear
Friends,
Thanks for taking the
time to read this letter. I realize that every family is inundated with
mail (snail mail and email) from Christian organizations. Your taking the
time to read this update honors us, as your partners, in this kingdom
enterprise. I never take for granted your prayers and concern for God’s
ministry through Westwood and for each of us as the staff. Thanks for
investing in us and for your faithfulness to God.
The past couple of
months have brought many good things in the life of this ministry and some
very challenging spiritual warfare; however, God has continued to be
faithful in every step we take. Living and ministering under God’s
protective covering is a blessing beyond comprehension. I know that with
every challenge God offers opportunity for me to be molded more clearly
into His image. I so desire to reflect His image and to persevere in this
kingdom life. Romans 5:1-5 speaks powerful instruction to me of how to
walk through challenging seasons:
“Therefore having been
justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus
Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into
this grace in which we stand; and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
And not only this, but
we also rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering brings about
perseverance; and perseverance, character, and character, hope; and hope
does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within
our hearts through the Holy spirit who was given us.”
What a
promise from God explaining how He desires to shape us in the midst of
suffering while on this planet. Writing this note caused me to recall a
previous guest at Westwood Retreat Center. He was referred to us during a
time that he was on the mission field and was going through a divorce.
Sadly, the relationship was not restorable, but over time God healed his
heart. He returned to the mission field and has been faithfully serving
God for several years. Eventually, God sent into his life a special leady
who has now become his wife. It has been a joy to see God walk with this
man through suffering and to watch him persevere in the midst of that
suffering. As he persevered, godly character was shaped and that
character has brought about hope. What a witness to the power of God in
the life of an individual. God indeed can bring beauty and power out of
the rubble of a life that has been attacked by the enemy. Our joy, as a
Westwood Team, is the privilege of getting to be a part of His healing and
renewing hope in the life of one of His servant leaders.
Your partnership helps provide this healing
for hurting Christian leaders. Thanks!
I look forward to our
Crucible Retreat this June 22-24. The teaching this year is,
“The Slander of God.” I
am enclosing a flyer that will let you know all the details and I am
praying that you can be a part of this weekend with us. It will be a
special time for our families to celebrate together. Call me if you have
any questions about the ministry of Westwood or our Crucible weekend. Also
enclosed is a flyer about “MK Mission Mexico,” a mission trip Jenny and
Mark will be taking the minister’s kids on in June. Please pray for the
trip and about how God may want you to help.
In
His Grace,
Dave
Gentry, Founding Director
Westwood Ministries
daveg@westwoodministries.org
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