We've had a lot of folks in transition in HCJB Global over the past
several years.
In an effort to be more effective in ministry, we've had to change. Circumstances in Ecuador have shifted and it’s forced us to change.
With the largest grouping of our staff in that area, it’s made for some uncomfortable years.
The largest nongovernmental radio station in the world was downsized to a local broadcaster and the hospital we have owned and operated for years is being sold.
It would take too long to go into all of the reasons, here but I would be happy to fill you in, if you ask for them.
The transitions needed to happen. The decision to make them was a good decision. But even if the decisions are good and even if I agree with them, it can be hard.
We have missionaries who have invested the best part of their lives there. Thirty years of ministry filled with love, pain, joy and sacrifice.
At a time when some would be in their prime “earning potential” years, they are instead being asked to start over.
A couple of years ago HCJB Global celebrated 80 years of ministry. People came from all over the world for the celebration and much of this transition was discussed.
I remember seeing one of our old former missionary ladies from Europe. She was probably 150 years old and arrived in Ecuador, right after the conquistadors.
She was staring off in space and seemed to be reminiscing. I was worried that she might be upset about all of the radical changes. Much of what she had helped build, was now being dismantled.
I approached her and said something like, “Lots of changes, huh?”
She looked at me a bit bewildered and said, “Everything changes. Change is a part of life. You can’t stop change.”
Then her eyes glistened as she said, “But God’s Word is eternal! And his Word is being proclaimed around the world. It’s wonderful!”
I’ll never forget that conversation. In a world full of change it grounds me to a constant. The Word is alive and active in our every changing world. It’s beautiful.
In an effort to be more effective in ministry, we've had to change. Circumstances in Ecuador have shifted and it’s forced us to change.
With the largest grouping of our staff in that area, it’s made for some uncomfortable years.
The largest nongovernmental radio station in the world was downsized to a local broadcaster and the hospital we have owned and operated for years is being sold.
It would take too long to go into all of the reasons, here but I would be happy to fill you in, if you ask for them.
The transitions needed to happen. The decision to make them was a good decision. But even if the decisions are good and even if I agree with them, it can be hard.
We have missionaries who have invested the best part of their lives there. Thirty years of ministry filled with love, pain, joy and sacrifice.
At a time when some would be in their prime “earning potential” years, they are instead being asked to start over.
A couple of years ago HCJB Global celebrated 80 years of ministry. People came from all over the world for the celebration and much of this transition was discussed.
I remember seeing one of our old former missionary ladies from Europe. She was probably 150 years old and arrived in Ecuador, right after the conquistadors.
She was staring off in space and seemed to be reminiscing. I was worried that she might be upset about all of the radical changes. Much of what she had helped build, was now being dismantled.
I approached her and said something like, “Lots of changes, huh?”
She looked at me a bit bewildered and said, “Everything changes. Change is a part of life. You can’t stop change.”
Then her eyes glistened as she said, “But God’s Word is eternal! And his Word is being proclaimed around the world. It’s wonderful!”
I’ll never forget that conversation. In a world full of change it grounds me to a constant. The Word is alive and active in our every changing world. It’s beautiful.
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