HELLO FRIENDS OF INTERSECT!

The African Iris is a thing of beauty.  But when there is a grouping of them, they absolutely are striking!

Connecting this to John 15 where Jesus talks about the Vine and the Branches — the implication is that there is no bloom - no fruit from the stem or branch, unless it remains connected to the Vine.

Interestingly, the Iris bloom doesn’t have to do anything.   The life in the main stalk produces the flower.  It just has to stay connected to the main stalk.

And that’s a good focus for us who follow Jesus — stay connected to Jesus in such a way that his life flows through you bearing fruit and a fragrance that is beautiful and striking to others. The Fruit of the Spirit is most definitely the life of Jesus poured out through each of us.  Our part?  Remain in him - rest in him - bear much fruit!

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

I took a group of 20 year olds with me on this Leadership trip in May and worked with Missionary Ventures.  It gave us opportunity to experience ministry and serving in a cross cultural setting.   And we also included leadership training with Lifeworkx.

While we were there I had privilege of teaching Lifeworkx to about 25 Dominican Bible School Students that were preparing for ministry.  Preaching in one of the churches in Sosua, Dominican, was a special honor for us to share the Word together.

In June, we finished the 8 week Lifeworkx course customized for this group of leaders in Richmond, VA.

Looking ahead, Steve Aldrich and I will be returning to Nairobi, Kenya in February of 2025.  Already pastors - leaders - and college students are committing to attend these events.  One event is already planning for 400 attendees.  We ask the LORD to go before us in power and wisdom to know how to best encourage life transformation through the Holy Spirit in the Name of Jesus.

My team of 20 year olds were serving in a community that had been recently flooded.  The humanitarian need was great.  As we were going house to house to encourage families with food items, Trianna asked us why we were there.  It opened the door for spiritual conversation that led to a gospel conversation that resulted in faith in Christ.  Praise the Living God!  We used a tool called the Evangecube, that creates a visual presentation of the gospel.  It is really helpful in cross cultural settings and different languages.  But seeing Jesus on the cross who died for our sins, is always a powerful moment.

We also had ministry with the many children in that same community, which we were able to share the love of Jesus with them.

Other spiritual conversations included:  working through true salvation - finding perspective in the homeless ministry - and learning how to talk about Jesus using the Evangecube.

Coaching is all about finding new perspective and believing change can happen.  It is finding hope in the power and wisdom of God to do what we cannot do on our own.  A few of those coaching conversations revolved around:

• Wearing too my hats not in one’s own strength.

• How to restart after a drug relapse.  The power of the resurrection. 

• Discovering strengths for what is next in life.

• Workplace comparison issues.

• Navigating through an employees critical weakness while maximizing strengths.

• Family communication and engagement.

• Working through abuse and wounding that led to wrong choices.

• How to lead from the middle.

So as we close this letter, keep looking up as the boys are trying to see the eclipse.  Beware of what is going on around you … sometimes it is squirrel monkeys everywhere.  And keep rejoicing in God’s blessings … Thankful for Evett and Courtney’s wedding in Sundance, Utah.

If we can serve you through any aspect of our Intersect Ministry, I hope you will reach out to us  with any interest you may have.

We so value your prayers for the ministry of Intersect and would be honored to pray with you as you are led to share your life with us.  Thank you for your financial support and loving us in Christ!

And should you be led to partner with us financially, there is a place on the website to donate.  You can also support through a direct mail to Intersect. On the website, there is also a place you can connect with us with your prayer concerns. We would be honored to pray with you. 

Mega Blessings!

BRENT + MELODIE

740.637.2432

discoverintersect.com

Romans 5.8

Soli Deo Gloria

Special thank you to Novus Creative for being our creative partner.

Intersect is a 501(c)(3) and all donations are tax deductable.