The Influence of our Global Partners
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT
Benjamin Kreps:
Hi everyone and welcome to the Mark Prater podcast, where our aim is to connect our global family of churches with our Executive Director. Those who are watching the podcast right now will take note of a couple things that are different. One of them is you can see the amount of effort and money that goes into the production quality of this podcast. As you can tell by the bleeding edge cinematography that's happening on our end on Kyle's old computer. But also that we're here with Kyle Huber who's the lead pastor of Greentree Church in Egg Harbor Township near Ocean City, New Jersey. He was on the podcast last year to talk about some things and he's back because I'm here with him in New Jersey, on vacation with my family. What guys can't see is that right now I'm wearing some fire, Hawaiian shorts. They're hot fire. If only this terrible camera could pick them up, but we must we move on. So we're here to talk about the benefits of the influence we enjoy from global pastors in our partnerships in Sovereign Grace. Before we get into that, Mark, you have an encouraging update for us.
Mark Prater:
I do. I just got a picture on WhatsApp from Jeffrey Jo. It was a picture of about eight or nine pastors in the Philippines, in the Mindanao region of the Philippines, taking the Bible knowledge exam as the first formal step of pursuing ordination. And it's a wonderful picture to see because these men are obviously very intent upon joining Sovereign Grace and want to walk through the ordination process as the first step in formalizing a partnership beyond being a candidate church. It's also just a reminder that we have brothers throughout the world who are leading churches throughout the world who are going to be a part of Sovereign Grace. And as we interact with them and enjoy partnership with them, I believe that for our brothers here in the states in particular, but I think throughout the world as well, we are gonna benefit from one another and be shaped by men who are doing ministry in different cultures and in different parts of the world. That's what it was a reminder of, which is why I'm so glad that you are in New Jersey this week and that Kyle could join us, because Kyle, you've been serving outside the United States, serving pastors and churches for almost a quarter of a century. I believe you said 23 years. So let me ask you, what have you learned from interacting with brothers and churches throughout the world?
Kyle Huber:
Mark, there are numbers of just wonderful illustrations that fill my mind, even as you asked the question. I think most central to what I've learned, what I've shared often, is that as we go to another country, often we've been invited and we're spending time with pastors who are very humble and eager to learn, and so we can start falling into (if we're not careful) this mindset that we're bringing all of this helpful information and have better biblical education and have broader church experience because of what we're able to do in the states. But as you spend time with these men in their churches and in their homes, what quickly comes across is the depth of their faithfulness and the faithfulness of their congregations. It is deeply impactful knowing what people have to go through in many parts of the world just to gather for a service and the discomforts that are often a part of where they meet, places without heat, and how difficult it can be to get to a site. So there really is no greater impact that people could have on us than to illustrate and press us into the value of faithfulness to our savior. So that stands out above all.
Mark Prater:
That's wonderful. Many brothers throughout the world are a great example of that. And as I hear the stories that you've told me and from other brothers from the states that have traveled throughout the world and all report similar stories. It really does challenge my faith and strengthens my faith. And I believe that's one of the ways we're going to benefit and be influenced by our brothers throughout the world. What else have you learned Kyle, besides their good example of faithfulness?
Kyle Huber:
I would say the value of true partnership; meaning we're not just involved with activities together during a visit, but there is the commitment of knowing each other and being known, of growing together personally in our love for the Lord and how we're equipped, and then how we're carrying out ministry for the sake of the gospel. And that takes time. It takes standing with people and seeing how meaningful it is to those Christian communities that are very isolated, where the percentage of Christians are very small, where the culture can be more negative to them then what we're starting to experience here.
So that value of churches and pastors here really coming alongside and building long-term friendships, what we do in Sovereign Grace, what we've experienced and known, to see that happen in other parts of the world and where you have these moments where the light turns on for a pastor you've started to spend time with when he realizes this is true partnership with each other and that we're committed. Because Americans tend to talk big and be excited, and then move on to the next exciting thing. And international Christians have experienced that from American Christians in short-term mission trips and other experiences. And they begin to take what we say with a grain of salt. So our commitment to taking what we've had as a family of churches and seeing that integrated in other parts of the world, that's gonna build our faith. That's going to deepen our love for the Lord, and we're gonna see it'll have an impact that is lasting and meaningful.
Mark Prater:
That's excellent, Kyle, just hearing that. We experience partnership within the context we experience it, but when we consider partnership beyond that context and hear how meaningful it is, especially from those that feel more isolated, has a number of affects upon us. If nothing else, to be more grateful for the partnership we share. And can I just say, thank you for being faithful. You have been faithful for almost a quarter of a century and I think faithfulness marks your extra-local ministry. You have built partnerships meaningfully and deeply and relationally with brothers throughout the world. And so I thank God for you, Kyle, for your example to us as well.
Kyle Huber:
It's a privilege. One quick example that people can apply now is to think of how meaningful it is for Michael in Ukraine to know we're praying for him with what he's facing, which we can't comprehend, to know real partnership. We are praying for him. That has to be a great strength in a horrible situation.
Mark Prater:
Yes, that's a great example.
Benjamin Kreps:
Absolutely. I got the opportunity to spend some time with some of the Mexican brothers earlier this year and came away deeply humbled and inspired by their example. So I'd encourage others to serve; there are growing opportunities for pastors in Sovereign Grace to get outside of normal routine, out of the country, to go serve in some way, get to know pastors outside of the country. You will serve them, but you will also be served in ways that are deeply meaningful.
Don't we have over a hundred international people coming to the conference?
Mark Prater:
Yeah. At least, and maybe more.
Benjamin Kreps:
So, I'm sure you'd agree with me. We'd encourage all who come from Sovereign Grace to make a point of greeting the brothers and sisters that will be gathering from around the globe. Can't wait for that. So, Kyle, thank you. Thank you everyone for watching. We will see you here next week, Lord willing. Bye for now.