“You did not choose me, but I chose you" -A Long-term Commitment to Mission

Year Out Program Coming to an End  A Long-term Opportunity Just Ahead!! The past few months here in Mexico have truly been a whirlwind of emotions, experiences, and a realization that may forever change my life in ministry.  With that said, I would love for you to continue reading this letter as I am very pleased to announce that I have decided to stay here in Mexico City as part of Staff with the Avance program for the next three years.  Through much prayer, time spent with the Lord, and countless numbers of conversation with my ministry and mission, the Lord has given me peace about what He has written before me in full-time ministry.

The summer program has been a great opportunity to serve the young adults that have come down to learn what it means to serve cross-culturally.  I’ve used the last two months to apply everything that I have learned in my MA program this past year to equip these summer participants with the tools to identify with the local people and effectively minister to a culture different from their own. This role as a Facilitator to the participants wears many caps where I am coaching these participants through their experiences, whether its visioning goals, fighting back against culture shock or cross-cultural confusion, and walking hand in hand to help defeat sin together.  Also amongst these “caps” of a facilitator I have been visiting families, churches, youth, etc. to build relationships and create a bridge between the local people and those who have come to serve.  This is a small glimpse of what our directors do for us as Year Out participants during the year and I had finally came to the realization that the Lord has been carefully and divinely preparing me for this opportunity over past five years. Christ says in the scriptures that, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit- fruit that will last- and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you”(John 15:16).   Reflecting on my year here in Mexico, I’ve seen how divine the Lord’s work is and how he has specifically called me to this ministry, not to just come and experience it, but to come and become part of it.  HE has chosen me to come here, to a world very different from my own, so that I can share the gifts He has given me with my team and the local people here.  Just writing these words becomes a very surreal experience for myself and I am thankful to share this moment with you all.  I am humbled by the Lord’s invitation to continue serving in this place that I genuinely call home. As it is a full-time commitment, I need to make a longer visit home to raise the remainder of the resources and monthly support needed to be ministering at this capacity.  I praise God because with the partners in ministry that I have walking with me today, 35% of my funds are raised.  I pray that you too, would accept the Lord’s invitation to walk with me through my journey with full time ministry as well.  I have about three weeks left of my Year Out program where I will return for 4-6 months raising the support needed to come back as a full time missionary.  My first intentions are meeting up with supporters like you to discuss our partnership and what that may look like coming into a longer scope of ministry. I will soon be in contact with all of you individually, to prepare time for us to sit down in the month of August to catch up and explore the opportunities that the Lord has before this ministry. The support goal for full-time ministry almost doubles where I now need to maintain $3,140 in monthly gifts.  Although the number may seem a bit overwhelming for us, yet it so small in comparison to the Lord and He has this ministry in His hands where He will indeed provide.  I am praying for more supporters to join the ministry in prayer and financial support at $500, $200, and $100 a month. If you feel led to give an additional financial gift or join me in monthly support, please visit the following link to give:     http://www.uwm.org/give/ To give by check, please make your check payable to United World Mission and be sure to include a separate note indicating that you are giving to the missionary, Erik Cole.  You then can send the check to the following address: United World Mission PO Box 602002 Charlotte, NC 28260-2002 Lastly, you also can give by phone by calling the following number: 704-357-3355 I praise God for the beautiful team of ministry partners that He has called together to support this ministry.  I praise Him for you kindness, prayer, support, and the encouragement that you have all showed me through this year of growth.  Although this experience hasn’t always been full of sunshine and roses, God has shown me His goodness through learning obedience, perseverance, and understanding that He has called us and has come so that we may have life, and have it to the full(John 10:10). Thank you for your time and prayerful commitment to this ministry. Many Blessings, Erik Cole