March Mission Update

This update was sent to our email list on 3/2/2026

I can’t believe I am saying this, but it is March 2nd! As far back as January of last year, we had identified “March 2026” as the time we would be packing up a U-Haul and moving to El Paso, so it is almost surreal that we are finally in the month of our move. March also marks nearly three years since we really began this process in earnest, when Patricia and I both began to feel that there was something God wanted us to do, so we began praying intentionally, seeking guidance for what he had planned for us.

Of course we asked others to join us in praying specifically about what it was God wanted for us to do, and on Palm Sunday (March 24, 2024) two years ago, I had a conversation with Pastor Justin after Sunday School where I told him that Patricia and I had determined that would not be “forever” members at Westlake. By that time, we had spent a year searching scripture; praying together, separately, and with others; and seeking Godly counsel from others, and we were both convinced that God wanted us to move “out West somewhere” to serve God as church planters. Just a few short months later, I began my “elder internship” or “pastoral residency” with Justin intentionally

spending time training me to be a pastor in preparation for serving as a North American Missionary. Then, just last year on March 16, I was invited to preach for the first time at our former church—Hebron Baptist—in Appomattox.

It’s safe to say that “March” is a landmark month on the calendar for our family, but before we move into March, we also have to recap February.

For February to be the shortest month of the year, this one has likely been the most eventful of the last year. For those of you who follow us on Facebook (just click the link below!), then you likely know that the most notable thing this last month has been our #72DaysOfPrayer. Each day, we have been praying for different specific things in the city, from those flying in and out of the El Paso Airport to the soldiers of Fort Bliss, from the CBP agents and immigrants at the border to a praise for my wife—Patricia. Each day, there is a new post with our specific prayer request for that day, and we post it in the Facebook group.

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Of course, we also have been wrapping up our partnership development process in Virginia, and on the second Sunday of the month (2/8/26), Nathaniel and I were blessed to attend both services at Eastlake Community Church, just across the lake from Westlake where we are members. It was a great morning of worship with our brothers and sisters over at Eastlake, and to meet and chat with Dan Dean (of Phillips, Craig, and Dean), who led the congregation in worship.

Of course, since we are moving in such a short period of time, I’ve been wrapping up my time teaching the Connections (Mixed Adults) Bible Study on Sunday mornings at Westlake, and we have been slow-walking through James, studying about the proper response to facing trials and tribulations. Yesterday was actually my last time teaching as a member of Westlake, and I have to admit: it’s kind of bittersweet. Yesterday was actually several “lasts,” because it was also my last time preaching at Westlake. I was honored to bring the sermon on the passover as a part of our “Last Words, Lasting Impact” series on the book of Deuteronomy. If you want to watch that sermon, you can see it on both mine and Westlake’s YouTube channels (I will also post it in our Facebook group in a few days).

On top of that, it was our last time having the monthly fellowship meal after service on the first Sunday of the Month. During that meal, Patricia hosted a Q&A in which our church family were able to ask and have their questions about our mission answered.

Finally, we spent the first few weeks of February attempting to “house hunt” with help from my brother, Denzsel. However, we realized that it would be difficult to get a home set up, so we changed tack and reserved a month long AirB&B for our first month in El Paso. That will allow us to get established and get jobs lined up in El Paso before house hunting, so we can actually have pay stubs to provide to land-lords.

Looking ahead, I want to say thank you for how you all have prayed for us and with us. It’s so crazy to believe that we are moving in just over two weeks, and while our 72 days of prayer will end then, we must also remember that March 18 isn’t the end of the journey...it’s actually the starting line. Everything to this point has been preparation for that day, but with a prayer team like you all, I can’t wait to see what God has planned!

Of course, if you feel led to support our mission, please follow the link below to our Zeffy account and setting up a once per month recurring donation. I can not tell you just how big of an impact just $20 per month can actually have!

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Thank you all, and God bless! The next email will be sent from El Paso!