April 1, 2017
Dear Family and Friends,
Recently, TUMI hosted its tenth Satellite Summit. Our theme was Forging Identity: Destroying Strongholds, Forming Christlikeness, and we explored the idea of equipping leaders in their identity in Christ, as well as ways to combat the lies of the enemy as they fulfill God’s call for their lives. More than 250 satellite partners from across the US and world were present—leaders from site locations such as Cuba, Mexico, Romania, Rwanda, and India. God moved greatly through our times of worship, teaching, and fellowship.
The Summit is a time for worship, teaching, and strategizing; it is also a time for fellowship and networking. Throughout the weekend we heard attendees tell stories of their hardships and triumphs; it was a blessing to see them pray for, encourage, and share resources with each other. These men and women have laid down their lives to invest in others, to train and equip for the Great Commission.
Pastor Deah, a bishop from Liberia, West Africa, told this story: “My church at home knew God wanted us to plant a new church in another area. So, we raised the money and built the walls. A storm came and the walls were destroyed. I asked the church again and they raised money—we rebuilt the walls. Again, a storm came and again it was destroyed. For a third time, I asked the church and for a third time we built the walls. It was destroyed. This happened three more times. We had now tried six times to build this church and six times it had been washed away. I thought, ‘Why would the church want to try again? Why would they raise the money and build again after that?’ But they did. God had told us and we must do it. So, the seventh time we built the walls—and they stood. My brother, out of that church 26 other churches were planted.”
Pastor Deah’s story moved us with the tenacious faith of his church. Stories like his were repeated throughout the weekend as men and women shared what God was doing in their country, their prison, their church.
Your partnership with us is key; your prayers and gifts undergird this work of resourcing the Great Commission. God is moving in hearts and minds everywhere, bringing light and hope. What a privilege to serve alongside these men and women!
In Christ,
Dan and Carolyn Hennings
