Closing out 2014 and Looking Forward

Hello Everyone,

It’s hard to believe that we are about to close out 2014. It’s been quite a year of transition for us! Looking back on transition seems to always be easier than pushing forward through it. We’re thankful to look back and see the many ways God has worked throughout this year. Most of you have held close with us and experienced the journey with us. We want to give thanks for a few things and also tell you how things are going as we look to 2015.

Our 2014 Our Praise and Thanks to God

Upon entering 2014, our year of transition

We found ourselves serving through the most difficult time of all our 40 years in the ministry. To God’s glory, we only served in two churches during these 40 years and never had we experienced a great divide in fellowship as 2014 brought. We have learned in a deeper way the truth that our God is able to accomplish His will/purposes at all times and through all circumstances. Sometimes we need to experience challenging times in order to renew and experience fresh faith in this wonderful promise. 2014 gave us this opportunity and while it was painful, we are grateful.

““Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed; yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed” says the LORD, who has compassion on you.”

— Isaiah 54:10 NIV

Making the decision for Ray to retire in March from Great Bridge Baptist Church

While our desire was to remain another year, this was not the path we could follow. Through it all, we found even in our sadness, our God is able to meet every need and we have no reason not to trust Him.

““For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.””

— Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

Upon launching Heavenly Helpers in March and seeking a new church home where God would have us serve

These were transitions that called us to lean more heavily upon our Lord and trust in what at that time was unseen. The Lord is good and He knows how to lead. This is why He is called, The Good Shepherd.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

— Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

While making the choice to hold fast in ministry during times of silence and drought

There was a process of grief after leaving GBBC. During this time we experienced a loss of friends once held dear, as well as closed doors of opportunity. Yet, the Lord taught us, strengthened us, and led us to trust that He was not finished with us. Even now, the enemy will at times, seek to convince us that evil wins, but we know the battle finishes victoriously for those who are the Lord’s. The Lord is worthy of praise in seasons of abundance as well as seasons of drought. We are so thankful for the host of friends that held us close.

“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”

— James 1:12 NIV

Rejoicing over new opportunities to minister and serve with new friends

We praise the Lord for fresh new opportunities among loving Christ followers.

“You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.”

— Acts 2:28 NIV

Thanking God for individuals who sustained us and our ministry over this last year

Because there were closed doors for ministry we once had, the year held times of seeking how we might be a blessing in new ways. Prayers, encouraging words and sacrificial gifts given with no expectation of return were God’s arms around us. These examples have enabled us to forgive, to go out to serve, and love others.

“As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

— Colossians 3:12-14 NIV

We praise God for bringing fruit to our work. In October, Pat led in a women’s retreat for our new church, Coastal Community Church in VA Beach and she also preached in their morning services in October. Because of new opportunities with new friends, 150 copies of Faith like Fire have been sold in the final quarter of 2014. Also, 70 copies of the Bible Study LIVE – A New and Living Way, both written by Pat, have been sold. Ray has begun a men’s ministry group at Cedar Manor Assisted Living in Chesapeake. They discuss the Bible and how it relates to their daily life. He also had the opportunity to deliver the Wed. evening message for a church in The Bridge Network of churches. We are praying about upcoming opportunities in 2015. They include possible open doors of ministry with under resourced churches. They also include women’s conferences Pat will be leading at two separate churches in the spring.

We praise God for the harvest that we have been able to sow into Laban Ministries International in the Dominican Republic of Congo in Africa. With the help of many of you, we were able to send jewelry gifts (See attached photo) to the female graduates of the Women’s Literacy Center were women have learned to read and write using the Bible. Many of these women now know, love and serve Jesus Christ. Our donations go also to train men who go out to evangelize in their bush tribes. It also supports Radio Glory with a tower that enables the truth of God’s word to go out all over the bush of Congo. We close out this year, having in our Faith Steps bank account today, $4.14.This is our desire, to have given up all that God has made available so that others will know Him. Praise be to God for his unspeakable gifts!

“Brother, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do; Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

— Philippians 3:13-14 NIV

May God bless each of you and enable you to be strong in the power of His might, believe that He is able to accomplish all that He has planned for you, and to make this coming year a time of your greatest service to He who gave His life for you to know real love, true peace and abundant life. Thank you for traveling the journey with us!

God bless each of you.

Pat and Ray Owens