It has been awhile since I have spoken with many of you. First and foremost I want to thank you all so much for the amazing ways that you have supported me and the mission that the Lord has set before me. Because of the love and generosity that God has placed in your hearts, I have been able to go and do the things He has called me to do. Each and every one of you have become partners with me in this incredible ministry of discipleship, and I can not express with words how much this has meant to me!
Secondly I would love to share with you what God has been doing in my life lately. Over the last year I have had the privilege of working with an organization called Adventures in Missions. AIM is committed to "raising up a generation of radically committed disciples." (which just happen to be whatI am most passionate about) While with AIM I have led three different groups of college age students on overseas mission trips, two to Swaziland, and one to Peru. I believe in this ministry with all of my heart. I have witnessed first hand how God has used these trips to change the lives of these students forever! As the students are removed from all distractions, they are able to fully focus on God and on the ministry He has called them to. They are continually pushed out of their comfort zones and forced to rely more and more on God's provision. The resulting environment is set up perfectly to speak truth into their lives and challenge them in ways like never before. This is the example that Jesus left for us! Many of them have been set free from lies they had been believing about themselves and others. I have seen many come to a new understanding of God's grace and therefore become free from years of guilt and condemnation. As they love and minister to "the least of these" Matt. 25:34-40, they begin to become broken in them- selves but alive in Jesus. Throughout all of this, the love of Jesus forever changes their lives and the lives of those they are ministering to. This is why I am so desperately passionate about discipleship. I want people to know Him, to know the depth of His love, and the power of His magnificent grace!
Now, God has opened the door for me to devote all of my time to what I am passionate about. AIM has offered me a position as a full time mission trip leader. I will be leading groups of 18-24 year olds all over the world for one to three months at a time. This is a two year commitment in which I will go on three to four trips a year.
So again, I find myself in need of your support. I will need
to raise $1,500 a month in order to accept this position. The support I raise
will go towards air travel and living expenses while I am home. This is a big
step of faith for me but I know that if this is God's will then He will provide
all that is needed. I know that I will not be able to continue in this ministry
without you. What I would ask of you, is that you would prayerfully consider
being a part of this mission. I am looking forward to the opportunity to speak
with you face to face, or at least over the phone about this ministry and the
part you might play in it. I would be happy to provide any information about
AIM that you might want to look at. The AIM website is www.adventures.org and my
blog site will be www.jessenewton.myadventures.org. Both can provide you with
additional information and testimonies of past trip participants.
I will be talking with you soon! May the grace of our
Lord Jesus Christ be with you always!
Jesse Newton