[1]

We take every group of missionary students into the bush during their training. The elevation is a bit higher where we go, and the trees are full of Kookaburras. They sound like monkey’s in the mornings, and we have had lots of them around our house of late. It has become my favorite bird because it reminds me of all that God has done as I have gone out into the wilderness to meet him.

SPAINHOUR NEWSMay 2012

CHANGING LOCATION... NOT VOCATION!What a privilege to have been able to complete the 4th BCC here in YWAM Townsville. It is very humbling to have had the opportunity to pioneer a ministry here, and now to pass it on to new leaders!

When getting the news that the Australian Department of Immigration was going to deny my second visa back in 2006, the timing couldn’t have been better. In my prayer times God had really been deepening my desire to be more involved in Biblical Study. As I began to share this desire with the leadership here in YWAM Townsville, they had a similar desire for our base. They asked me to go and get trained to bring a Biblical Studies course here in Aus. So I prayed and said yes, I would get the necessary training and come back to pioneer the Bible Core Course here!

Well it is 5 1/2 years later, and I have done what I set out to do. In a few weeks we will graduate our 4th BCC here in Townsville! Over the years it has been my absolute privilege to lead this course. But also to have been able to input into the lives of so many young missionaries, as well as pastors and other church leaders, from many nations has been incredibly humbling. From each course a team has gone out from the 3 months of study to teach their newly learned skills in areas where this education just isn’t avialble.

Since beginning the course here, I have had a desire to further develop people with the capacity to lead in my place. I was always very aware that I did not want to create a ministry that was dependent on my personal leadership. With that in mind I have invited students who had a heart for Bible ministry to come and work with me on the course. And it is one of these former students who will be taking over for me as I move on to another location. I am so pleased that as I have felt led to move on away from Townsville, God had been speaking to her to lead the school.

So I have spent a lot of this course helping Chrissie, a long term YWAM’er from Germany, get ready to take over for me. I am sure that she will be an incredible asset to the course, and that her strengths will take this course to new levels of effectiveness. But at the end of the day, there will always be a little piece of me that is very proud to have pioneered this ministry here. The way that this missions community has embraced the Bible training is great evidence that this course will continue to develop and thrive here in TSV!

9 Students, 4 Staff, from 7 Nations!

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Since the beginning of my time in missions I have had a heart for strategic effectiveness. I enjoy being able to speak and teach in a variety of locations to different demographics. There are a lot of scriptures that have influenced my life and direction over the years, but one of them really stands out. In Acts, the apostle Paul spends two years teaching in Ephesus. Luke, writing Acts, says that it is because of this that all of Asia had heard the Word of the Lord. (Acts 19:9,10)

This has been one of the more inspiring scriptures, because I see it as a great model for missions. Paul reached many more people by teaching and sending others, than simply going by himself. So I have tried to teach people here in Townsville and go about sending them out as well. Not only have I spent time teaching on the BIble course, but have been a part of teaching and sending many basic Discipleship teams. Again, very humbling! So now that I have someone to take my place, and know that the ministry will continue I am feeling led to even broader reaching influence... Hopefully. There has been one problem that I have seen as I have continued to minister in Australia, PNG and the South Pacific: The ministry of Bible teaching is still dependent on the presence of a missionary or someone who has had some Bible education. For transformation to truly come, all indigenous must be able have access to learning! To this end I am now beginning to commit my time.

So Here Is The Plan, Please Pray!! After spending half of June and all of July serving in PNG on the YWAM Medical Ship, I will be moving to the USA. I have two goals which are as follows: 1, create a downloadable version of the Bible course; and 2 scout locations for a new missions center in North Carolina (right now, Durham & Asheville.) The idea is to build on the strategic impact around the world by creating a place where people can minister and be trained to minister, but also be sent out that all of the World may here the Word of the Lord.

I am quite nervous about my new venture, but do believe that this is the direction that God would have for me. By creating this “downloadable interactive digital textbook” I believe that we can train people in its use, and then send them to train others. That way when we leave a location we can leave them with the tools to continue to grow and develop at their own pace. In April next year I have made a commitment to run another Bible Course for the new YWAM Ships base in California, so I hope to have a prototype up and running by then. I really do covet your prayers and support in this transition.

SO WHAT’S ALL THIS TALK ABOUT CHANGING LOCATION?

Prayer Requests:•Finding the help I need for the Book•Finding a car•Finding a place for the new YWAM center•God to speak often in this foundational time

•Continued Support as I change location•Develop strong networks in North America

SPAINHOUR NEWSJonathan SpainhourSkype # 1 336 793 1853Cell Phone # coming soon!Address: Coming soon!

A glimpse into the BCC

MISSIONS LIFE

Never a dull moment Here! Top: We spent a lot of time working on the medical ship while it was in port. It is a lot of work to get it ready to go meet the needs in PNG! But I like getting out there and getting dirty and sweating in the heat...Bottom: On Saturdays we have youth from all over the city come to our center for “Youth Street.” I speak for them regularly and have really enjoyed the opportunity to communicate to a new generation of churched and unchurched youth in our region!

jonathan.spainhour@gmail.com