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In October and November I took my first group of young leaders on what I hope will become an annual event. I envisioned The Journey two years ago as a six week experience for college-aged young people that would challenge them in leadership, teach them about Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam, and help mold their mission and ministry vision. This first group could not have been a more enjoyable team. They came prepared and eager to learn, but most of all I felt that our time was invested wisely. The trip was everything I hoped it would be. We began in Delhi, India where we visited Pastor Victor Nazareth as well as the church Bev and I helped plant over five years ago. That congregation is not large, but it is influential. The strategy Victor has chosen for launching other churches in the region is working well in that area. He now has seventeen churches and about 1,000 members total. From Delhi, we traveled overland to Nepalgunj, Nepal, where we ministered in leadership gatherings which included four strategic regions of west Nepal. We now have 125 churches in west Nepal and these meetings gave me an opportunity to teach the leaders of all our churches. From our last leaders’ meeting, we hiked up to Jumla where our blind children’s hostel is located. It took us three days walking to make the trip. A new road, which is due for completion next year, will cut that trip to one day. From Jumla, we hiked up to Ra Ra Lake, a beautiful and isolated national park nestled in the lower ranges of the Himalayan Mountains. We spent four days there seeking the Lord for vision, and I was encouraged that each one of the team members received strong direction for their futures. Our next stop was Katmandu where we visited our children’s home. I had hoped to take the group overland into Pakistan from Katmandu to visit our church in Islamabad. But tensions between India and Pakistan prevented us from making that portion of the trip. We could have crossed into Pakistan but we could not get a re-entry visa to go back into India due to new anti-terrorist rules India has implemented. Next year I plan to return to the U.S. from Islamabad to avoid that little inconvenience. If you would like to learn more about The Journey or would like to refer a promising young leader to the experience, take a look at my website. There you’ll find a link to Iter Itinerus – The Journey. God is truly moving in South Asia and it was amazing to see and be a part of it all – Andrew Planchard A once in a lifetime experience that brought growth and maturity along with a hands on experience that I could not have gotten anywhere else! – Becky Brill Many put missions in a box but on The Journey my eyes were opened to the model of the Apostle Paul. It was truly life altering – Jana Holtzclaw The Journey challenged me mentally, physically, spiritually and socially. It instilled in me a new outlook on ministry and leadership. – Brice Quibodeaux The Journey enabled me to set aside all distractions in order to seek and hear the heart of the Father. – Michelle Quibodeaux Many Thanks – Rick rick@rickzachary.com - bev.zachary@gmail.com - shane.zachary@gmail.comChurchAsia - P.O. Box 82080 - Baton Rouge, LA 70884changing the world...one congregation at a time |
