November 10, 2007

Friends,

When God closes a door, he opens a window, but the opposite is also is true. When God opens a new chapter in ministry another chapter comes to a fitting end. Our new chapter will begin in June. We will be moving to Oxford, England, and begin work with the Oxford Centre for Mission Studies (OCMS).

As partners in mission we will move to England where Tom will serve as the academic dean of OCMS. Founded 20 years ago by the International Fellowship of Evangelical Mission Theologians, OCMS trains global scholars to help establish and develop theological leadership in the developing world. A hub for scholars, professionals, and church leaders from around the world, OCMS is one of the critical global institutions nurturing academic, ecumenical, and evangelical cooperation in the church globally. Though based in Oxford, it offers Master of Letters and Ph.D. degrees through the University of Wales and Open University. In addition to his work as dean, Tom will edit and oversee the peer-reviewed journal Transformation as well as the publishing arm of OCMS, which publishes the works of scholars on the church in the developing world.

In truth, all this provokes a mixture of awe and anxiety. The leap from professor to dean is wide. Thankfully, Tom has served this semester as acting dean of the School of Postgraduate Studies for Trinity Theological College. Though not up for an Academy Award, the experience and insight gained will serve well in England. Pray for a sharp learning curve for Tom.

Leaving behind ten years of friends, fellowship, and ministry in Singapore isn’t easy. Tom’s ten-year service award at the annual anniversary dinner was a scroll inscribed by with the words of Wang Mingdao: “We Because of Faith.” Tom noted that  “this allows me to tell the story of the man who coined those words and the man who so beautifully inscribed them: men of faith and courage upon whose souls the Lord deeply engraved his Word so that through them his Word would be perceived afresh and so enlighten and transform. Certainly this precious gift reminds us of the grace afforded during our service in Singapore.” Though no longer in Singapore, our ties that bind with the college and the churches of Singapore and Asia will serve them and OCMS, but now in a global frame.

Along with our preparations for the big move, Judy continues her English instruction with students from Japan, Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam. Though not serving as a teaching leader this year, she remains active in CBSI Bible studies.

Emma has made a smooth if busy adjustment into high school. She played soccer for the JV squad and has just begun training for rugby. She continues her clarinet in the concert band and just returned from a weekend trip with Young Life to Indonesia. Trying to keep up with her schedule wears us all out.

Joe and Paul are busy in college. Joe is having another great year at Davidson. He now has “wheels” and a license to get around more. Paul is looking forward to seeing Notre Dame and Duke square off in football at Knute Rockne Stadium. Given the Irish’s difficult year, the Blue Devils might have a shot at this one. We look forward to having the boys home for Christmas. This will be their time to say goodbye to Singapore and enjoy Christmas at 85°. As the song goes: “just like the ones we used to know.”

We appreciate all your prayers for us, and we urge you to pray all the more now that we are beginning the process of moving. There is so much to do to bring this chapter to an end and begin the next one. We will need to find a place to stay that is affordable, which will not be easy, given the falling value of the dollar against the British pound. We need to find good schooling options for Emma. Transitions are tough for those in high school, and so your prayerful intercession is especially appreciated.

In so many ways we appreciate the courage and vision of the PC(USA)’s World Mission program unit. This is an expensive position and much money will need to be raised for it to be sustained over time. Nonetheless, as I’ve shared before, our global partners have consistently put the establishment of theological education as a top priority. The OCMS position helps address that priority. Do support this work financially and in your prayers at this critical time for the church and its great commission. You can do this through our Directed Mission Support account, which we will carry with us to the new position, and also an extra commitment opportunity (ECO) that will be established to support the position at OCMS. So stay tuned.

Tom for Judy, Joe, Paul and Emma

The 2007 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 123