11/15/2016
Dear JungleMaster Ministries friends and supporters,
The JungleMaster board is currently hard
at work determining the logistics of continuing the mission’s work in the
jungle following the passing of our director, Tom Clark. We have some big shoes
to fill! The following is a current update.
First of all, we feel God leading us to
continue the vision. This was not Tom’s solo ministry. Quoting from a letter Tom
had written only days before his passing, “JungleMaster still has a lot of work
to do in the Amazon.”
Just what is the vision Tom spoke of?
And what is still left to do? We, at JungleMaster, believe that it is the job
of the local pastors and their local churches to carry out the Great Commission
among their own people. To this end, JungleMasters’ role in the Amazon is to train and equip the indigenous leaders
within our sphere of influence to send their own missionaries into the deepest
parts of the jungle.
In order to accomplish this, our efforts
have been, and will continue to be, focused in two areas:
1) Assisting pastors to receive seminary training in Nauta, Peru.
2) Mentoring the cofraternity of 22 pastors that has been established deep in the jungle. Tom felt that this cofraternity was key to reaching our goal. The group has begun to learn, for the first time, how to collaborate with each other in order to do projects of their own choosing. Members are currently working together to build churches in other villages. But, collaborating is a new skill for them. Suitable transportation that will allow them to travel between villages will be needed. Training in basic financial skills will be required. We are also working to help them come up with a plan for doing discipleship in their local areas. These pastors will need our continuing encouragement to become confident and competent in all of these areas.
Joel McGee has
graciously agreed to serve as the Interim Director of JungleMaster Ministries.
Joel has been a long time partner of the ministry and serves with his wife,
Amy, and daughter, Carmen, for us in Nauta, Peru. The three are currently on a
short term leave in Whatcom County, but plan to return to Nauta in early
January. (To learn more about Joel, please read a short bio, which follows at
the end of this letter.)
Huge steps
have been taken thus far to educate pastors and to equip the cofraternity, but
our job is not yet done! We will need your continuing prayers for wisdom and
for God’s clear direction as we move forward. And we will need your financial
help in order to complete the vision. So, we ask that you prayerfully stay
joined with us as we transition through this difficut time. To quote Tom once
more, “Will you join us on this journey?”
If you have questions or
comments, you can send an email to JungleMasterMinistries@gmail.com or contact Joel McGee at 360-510-5792. More details about the status of specific current
projects will be the subject of future newsletters or blog posts. You can
access our blog at: www.junglemaster.org.
For God’s glory,
The Board of JungleMaster
Ministries:
Joel & Amy McGee
Janet Clark
Greg Gosda
Simon Petree
Dave Shupe
Joe & Robin Wilson
We understand that some of you many
have recently received requests for money from individuals in the jungle.
JungleMaster has learned over time that attempting to help individuals in this
way can sometimes end up harming them in the long term. Responding to their
requests for money can create an unhealthy dependence upon us. Although each of
us must do as God leads, please be aware that JungleMaster does not endorse the
practice of giving monetary gifts to these individuals, regardless of how deep
our connection is with them. If you wish to make a lasting difference in the
jungle, we encourage you to please continue to route your funds through
JungleMaster Ministries’ official channels. Thank you!
More about
Joel:
Joel McGee
is well-qualified to be JungleMaster’s interim director. He has been involved
with the mission for eight years, taking many short term trips to the jungle. Two
years ago, he moved into a full-time position with JungleMaster as our field
missionary in Nauta, Peru. He and his wife, Amy, and daughter, Carmen, have
served us very well there. Joel and Tom worked closely together, communicating
their ideas with each other daily. Joel both knows Tom’s vision intimately, and
shares Tom’s vision whole-heartedly. Like Tom, he is passionate about training
the nationals to carry out their role in the Great Commission!
