What It’s All About

Dear friends,

And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. – 2 Tim 2:2

One of the ‘secrets’ to Paul’s ministry was his strategic investment in younger men who became pastors at the churches he planted. By pouring his life into other godly men, Paul reached the known world in his day, even claiming that the gospel “has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven” (Col. 1:23). What a vision for ministry!

During this last year, God has given me the opportunity to make a similar investment in our intern, Brian Pugh. At the beginning of his internship, Brian had just graduated from seminary, and was eager to test his gifts and gain practical ministry experience. His wife’s commitment to a career in medicine made serving medical students with MCO an especially appropriate match.

Brian did an outstanding job throughout his internship. He led bible studies, preached the Word, mentored younger men, and provided guidance for one of our campus fellowships, the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM). I was especially excited to see him discipling several younger men in the fellowship, and noticed the difference in their lives as a result. He also expertly-administrated our annual Winter Conference – no small undertaking considering 250 were in attendance!

Throughout the year, Brian and I met together for friendship, encouragement, and discipleship. This gave us time to process what God was doing in his life during the internship. Here are some things that the Lord taught and confirmed for him:

• that he likes to do a variety of things, rather than having a ‘niche’,
• that he works best on a team, rather than alone,
• that he has a heart for God’s Word and sharing it with others,
• that he is passionate about mentoring other men, and
• that he is good at administration and delegation.

These were invaluable lessons that have prepared him for the next step, and I feel privileged to have been part of his journey this year. My prayer has been that the Lord would take His investment in me and share that with Brian. By God’s grace, I believe that God has answered that prayer.

As for the “next step”, Brian will be heading down to Nashville, Tennessee to work with InterVarsity’s Graduate Fellowship. He anticipates splitting his time between graduate and medical students there over the next three-four years. Undoubtedly, the Lord will use him to reach other students who will then, in turn, reach others. In this way, the small investment I made in Brian this year will lead to significant fruit for many years to come. This is what ministry is all about!

Thank you for your own investment in me, and our family, through your prayers and gifts. Through men like Brian, your faith and love are reaping great rewards.

In His Love,
Bryan & Sharon

For prayer & praise:

• Praise God for His good work in and through Brian and his internship. Praise God also for bringing us together for this past year. Pray for Brian as he transitions to Nashville in late May and begins raising support for his ministry with InterVarsity.
• Pray for us as we enter the ‘home stretch’ with MCO. Pray that we would finish well and do all we can to prepare it for this next season after our departure.
• Continue to pray for us as we seek God’s leading for a new ministry position. We have a strong option, but want to make sure it is His will for us!
• Please pray for our son Matthew, as he has been exhibiting both destructive and (some) obsessive-compulsive behaviors at home and school. Pray also that we love him, and show him Christ’s patience.