I had the wonderful opportunity last summer to take my family along to visit a few Novo ministry locations in Europe and Africa. It was encouraging and inspiring for me, and my wife and kids loved getting the chance to see the places and people that Dad is always talking about.
In London, we celebrated with a Novo missionary family as they arrived in their new ministry location. In Serbia, we prayed together for the city as we walked along the old streets—and enjoyed some tasty Serbian burgers! In South Africa, my son and I joined the Novo team in the Soshanguve township to host a basketball camp and help lead Discovery Bible Study (DBS) groups with the youth who were attending.
Throughout our trip, we felt we had front row seats on the ways that God is moving to bring hope and healing. It was a trip that we’ll remember for years.
In my role with Novo, I spend a lot of time with our financial partners, and I love it when I’m able to invite them into firsthand experiences like these. The truth is—no matter where it happens—participating in the work of God to multiply movements of the gospel and mobilize the church to join in that mission is an inspiring, challenging, and joyful place to be.
If I could take each of you along with me, here are a few of the things from this past year of Novo’s ministry that I would share with you:
In townships in South Africa, tenement estates in London, busy neighborhoods in Guatemala, Honduras, and Cambodia, and urban centers like New York, Los Angeles, and Phoenix, Novo staff are taking spiritual responsibility for their communities through prayer, stepping deeper into prayer-walking and intercession, and laying the foundations for gospel movements.
Across the Middle East, thousands of people who have never heard the truth about Jesus are gathering in small groups to engage scripture together, discovering the love of God in new and transformative ways.
In Vietnam, a network of local pastors is growing in the rural parts of the country, working to plant churches, and thousands are finding hope in the good news of Jesus.
In corners of the world that are not considered open to traditional Christian workers, Novo staff are on the ground seeking to launch movements of the gospel.
In churches across America, our staff are helping to equip and mobilize believers who are hungry to see the transformative power of God at work in their own neighborhoods and cities.
There are so many stories! While there isn’t room enough in this letter to go into detail, you can learn more about our last year of ministry in our 2019 Annual Ministry Report.
What I can tell you is that the work of our staff around the world—in every village, community, and city—is possible because of the support systems and structures that grant them the ability to focus on their ministry. And all of these things are possible because of the faithful financial support of our ministry partners.
This “mission support” comes in a variety of forms—ministry tools and training, spiritual and emotional care, new staff and teams, communications, partner development, and all the other essential support systems that make ministry possible, no matter where in the world our staff are sent. As part of Novo’s strategic planning team, I get to see firsthand how Novo stewards our people and financial resources with care and integrity for the glory of God and furthering of his Kingdom.
We invite you to spend some time considering how you’re stewarding the resources God has granted you. As we come to the end of the year, we know your mailbox will be full. The appeals and the opportunities to give are many. Is God calling you to give? If so, how do you choose where to give? We encourage you to go to the One whose resources you steward. Listen for God’s direction. We believe God speaks when we take the time to listen!
Download our discernment guide:
Sacred Stewardship - A guide to discernment in giving
When you’ve done that, if you are excited by the creative, redemptive work Novo does around the world, and if you sense God’s leading, would you consider joining us in this work?
Your year-end gifts are an important part of how we keep our staff healthy and effective in their ministry around the world. There are two critical ways you can help:
Make a special year-end gift toward the ministry of the Novo staff you support:
Make an additional strategic gift toward Novo’s Mission Support:
Thank you for your faithful partnership. I look forward with great anticipation to all that God will do in and through us together. May God bless you richly in the coming year.
Mark Thrash
Resource Development & Strategic Initiatives