Grace Partnership exists for mission, equipping, and care. I believe all three aspects took place many times on our trip. While I am unable to write about all the mission, equipping, and care that took place this week, I will attempt to cover a few of the stories that I hope might encourage you.
Continue reading Grace Partnership Exists For…
By Lea Lockhart
Let’s face it, saying goodbye to a loved is very difficult. The pain is real and I’m learning that it’s ok to be sad. I’m learning that grief is normal and tears are not a sign of weakness. Jesus was anything but weak, and he wept when Lazarus died even knowing that he would be raised from the dead. He wept tears of compassion with Lazarus’ loved ones.
Continue reading Is This Evangelism?
Last week I had the extreme privilege of traveling with my friend Aron Osborne to Alphen aan den Rijn, Netherlands. Here is a brief report from my time away.
No man has a right to be idle. . . . Where is it that in such a world as this, health, and leisure, and affluence may not find some ignorance to instruct, some wrong to redress, some want to supply, some misery to alleviate?
William Wilberforce
Finally, a post dedicated to pastor R.
Pastor R. lives in the slums of India. When he, his wife, and daughter first moved into the slums, they were greeted with harassment. The people didn’t want them there so they dumped their trash outside their front door and cut the locks on their home.
It is hard to believe that I have now been home from India for one week. Sleep has returned to normal which is a welcomed event. I also had the extreme joy of worshiping with Trinity C.C., my home church, on Sunday. I am grateful to God for the weekly worship with my church! Sadly, this can so easily be taken for granted.
As I sit here in my hotel in Paris, it is difficult not to see the drastic 
contrast of where I was a few days ago (India) and where I am today (Paris). Oh, the contrasts! This brings me to the greatest of contrasts this world has ever known!
Why India? Why Right Now?
80.5% Hinduism
13.4% Islam
2.3% Chrisitan
0.8% Buddhism
0.4% Jainism
0.7% Other
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20 ESV)
INDIA NEEDS THE GOSPEL
This post is written by my son, Timothy Merwin.
When I heard that my dad was invited to Ahmedabad, India, to mission with a group of pastors in serving some of the churches in that area, my interest began and a stirring grew in my heart to go with my dad on this trip. It led me to ask him if I could join the team that was headed to India. He said yes! But I needed to answer some questions:
WHY do I want to go? I really want to see what real poverty looks like and be used by God to make an impact.
DESIRES: I desire to help and serve in any way possible as we relate with the churches and serve them.
HOPES…I hope to be able to see other places that need the gospel and be a part of God’s plan there.
The purpose of this trip is two-fold.
First, local pastors in Ahmedabad have asked that theology classes be taught to local pastors.
They are in great need of sound doctrinal teaching so they can lead their churches into truth. They have a heart to pastor but lack understanding in God’s Word. The simple resources that we take for granted, are not as readily available.
Secondly, we will be assessing the possibility of sending future mission teams from our churches. Finding out what kind of teams would serve the area best and bring the greatest benefit: medical, construction, orphanages and other possibilities. Of course the greatest need is the gospel. Without the hope of the gospel, these people will die without ever hearing what Christ has done for them.
Please Pray & Fast:
How Can You Help?
Thank you for reading this far! If you are able, I need your prayers, your encouragement and any financial support you may be able to give. The cost of the trip is $3,000. I will be passing out flyers in my neighborhood and trying to earn a lot of this by working through the summer. If you want your gift to be tax-deductible, please make your check payable to Trinity Community Church and put Timothy Merwin/India in the memo line.
Mail to: Timothy Merwin 3441 Fox Wood Dr. Titusville, FL 32780
The below is a letter from my friend Mallori Luna. This fall she will be traveling to Italy for Missions. Please read the below and consider supporting her. THANKS!
My name is Mallori Luna. I am a 20-year-old college student that recently graduated from Eastern Florida State College with my AA degree. Like many others, I was set to continue towards my bachelors at UCF in the fall.
However, I’ve found God’s plan for us can be much different and bigger than anything you’d think of yourself.
Meet my friends Lee & Jeannette Walti. Missionaries to….Italy! The below is written by Lee. Enjoy!
Okay, so what do you think of when you think of Italy? Rolling hills and beautiful vistas? Historic and ancient buildings and ruins? Or maybe you think of lasagna, delicious pizza, good bread, cheeses and wine? Many Americans would love to visit Italy, many regularly dreaming of going to Rome, Venice, Verona or Sicily if even only once in their lifetime for a vacation.
What most Americans usually do not think of is that Italy is a mission’s destination. They don’t think of reaching Italians for Christ as urgent in any way. In fact, the vast majority of Americans believe that Italy is well reached in terms of gospel penetration. Most assume that since the Roman Catholic Church has been well entrenched for thousands of years, most Catholics are Christians. However, there is nothing more distant from the truth.