by Greg Mundis

 Coming Full Circle

Summer is always a very busy time for Assemblies of God World Missions. It starts in June when our candidate (new) missionaries come to Springfield, Missouri, for several weeks of Missionary Training. Those of us in leadership are heavily involved in this training process.

We are also involved in working with our team leaders—area directors from each of our regions (in my case, Europe)—in special meetings to encourage one another, equip one another, and position ourselves to better serve our missionary family and the lost of our particular region.

We also meet as leaders from around the world with our executive director, John Bueno. We then transcend into Missionary Renewal (MR). This is a week-long event where a large portion of our itinerating missionary body comes to Springfield for the renewal of their spirits, emotions, and minds. The goal of MR is to send missionaries out better equipped to do the work of the ministry.

Thirty-one years ago, in 1978, my wife and I first came to our candidate training (now called Missionary Training) as new missionaries called to Austria. We had passion, idealism, and excitement that knew no boundaries. Now, 31 years later, that same passion, idealism, and excitement has come full circle. Our daughter, her husband, and three children are attending their first Missionary Training as God has called them to go into missions. We are amazed at God’s goodness and His grace from one generation to the next.

We also look at the other candidates that are here and recognize the large number of parents, family members, and friends that believe in them and trust God for them. We are experiencing emotions that tip the scale one way or the other—we are so glad that God has called them; yet, in some ways, we are also experiencing some angst or fears about what the future holds for them. It is great to know, as we remember and reflect on our own personal journey with God, that He has kept us and remained ever so faithful to us throughout our 31 years of missionary service. In fact, the Scripture says, “He who called you is faithful, and He who began a good work in you will complete it.”

As we look at the candidates that will go into all parts of the world, including our own children, we have great confidence in the God that has called them to their particular areas of the world. We also have great confidence in our Fellowship as they go out to preach the gospel and share the good news as the Lord has commanded.

Be encouraged; the Lord is at work, and His Church is being built around the world.

God bless.

Greg Mundis
AGWM Europe Regional Director

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