Merry Christmas!

This past year of traveling with Barnabas Enrichment Ministries (BEM) has reminded us once again of the beautiful unity within the body of Christ. Whether in India, Thailand (not this year), Escalante, Utah, Staten Island, or as close as Britton, Michigan, we have seen firsthand the shared love for the Lord and His Word. Despite differences in culture, background, education, or life experience, the Holy Spirit binds us together through our common faith in Jesus Christ.  That is truly amazing to observe and experience!

Our Ministry Travels

In January, we spent three weeks serving at First Baptist Church in Escalante, Utah – a community of 786 people within a predominantly Mormon area. While the pastor and his wife were away, we were blessed to minister to and fellowship with a small, joyful congregation. We even had the fun task of caring for their two energetic 50‑pound “puppies”!  YIKES!!

Throughout spring and summer, we served once a month at a nearby church currently without a pastor. Their kindness and warm welcome were immediate. Interestingly, serving so close to home proved more challenging than traveling far away – our regular responsibilities at our home church during that time kept our schedule quite full!

In September, we returned for a third time to Resurrection Baptist Church (RBC) on Staten Island while their pastor and his wife were away. RBC is a predominantly Liberian congregation, made up of families who came to the U.S. three generations ago as refugees from civil war. We cherish the fellowship there and always leave feeling loved and spiritually refreshed.

Family Updates

Our family continues to do well.  Among our 15 grandchildren, we are thrilled to see their growing love for the Lord and their desire to serve Him.  With two graduating college and three graduating high school this year, only six remain under age 18. We also enjoyed our 19^th year of Cousin Camp!  Our goal is to continue until the youngest ages out: five more years if the Lord allows. Watching the cousins maintain such strong bonds despite living far apart has been a tremendous blessing.

A highlight of our year was welcoming our son Tim and his family back to the U.S. after 14 years of ministry in South Asia. We were excited to celebrate our first Thanksgiving with them in all that time! Now living in Springfield, Ohio, just three hours away, we are grateful for every new opportunity to attend their family events. We loved watching Levi in his high school play, something we could never do when they lived 8,000 miles away.

Life at Home

Life in Ypsilanti, Michigan, continues to be wonderful. Living near our daughter and her family has given us countless special moments to share. Even with a three-hour distance to our other children, God has allowed many trips and precious times together – soccer games, cross‑country meets, baptisms, birthdays, graduations, Bible Quiz competitions, plays, and more. While I still dream (and pray!) for a large family compound with five houses within walking distance, I realize that may never happen. Thankfully, God has given us a strong love for road trips! 😊

As 2026 approaches, we are in the midst of planning for two Small Church Enrichment Conferences we have scheduled for mid-April in Nephi, Utah and early November in Kokomo, Indiana.   Please pray for God to give us wisdom and energy in the planning and doing of these bi-annual events.

As 2025 ends, we want to thank you for your continued prayers, generous financial support, friendship and interest in our lives and ministry.  We truly appreciate you all and wish you a Merry Christmas and blessed New Year!!!