This is the infamous question we get all the time, and understandably so. In the past, our family set the date to return to Thailand and that's when we went. Going with AGWM, though, we have a few more requirements set for us.
Attending our Journey Training was one of those requirements that must be completed before we can head to the field. ✔️ Done! We actually checked a few of our requirements off at Journey Training or before.
AGWM sets a budget for us. This budget is decided upon by the staff in Springfield, MO as well as our leaders in Thailand who worked with us to figure out our needs and what that would cost living in Thailand. This means all missionaries have an individualized budget. We have both a one-time cash budget and a monthly budget. The one-time cash budget covers ticket costs, down payment for our house rental, furniture, vehicles, etc. The monthly budget obviously covers our monthly needs.
We are required to reach 100% of our monthly budget before we can leave the USA. We were given 2 years to reach this goal, and that started for us in July of 2025 which means we have until July 2027 to reach our goal. As of right now, we have only reached 20% of our goal.
Trusting & Believing in God's Faithfulness
We truly believe God has called us to Thailand. God has given Pope a gift in evangelism and he has a powerful testimony to share. Shortly after Pope was fully set free of his drug & alcohol addiction, he started going to every village he could get to by bike. If he could borrow a motorbike from someone, he would take that opportunity to go a little further.
After that, God led Pope to Matthew 28 in which he felt the Lord saying he was to go and make disciples. He felt like he was supposed to literally go, which was hard for him to do, but his parents said he must be obedient to the Lord, and they released him. From there he went to Chiang Mai City, Chiang Rai, and the US sharing his message of deliverance all along the way.
I believe AGWM provides the kind of accountability we need as a family to be able to continue to walk in obedience to the calling God placed on Pope's and my life. Because of that, it's worth the work it takes to meet our budget and we are trusting God will be faithful to provide all that we need.
It Takes Partnership
As we always say, it is absolutely impossible for us to get to the field without partners like you! We are so incredibly grateful for those of you who have already joined our team. If you have been following us and considering partnering with us, we would love to have you join us! There is no amount that is too small.
Another way you can help us in reaching our budget is connecting us with churches or small groups you are a part of. Reach out to your pastor, missions director, or small group leader and share our website with them. We find personal recommendations from people church leaders already know has a much greater impact.
Even if a church does not have it in their budget to support us, if they would be willing to let us come share for 5-10 minutes, this will help us expand our network of people to connect with.
Let Us Serve!
We will be happy to serve a church or small group as well.
Have us share at your small group and we'll bring some Thai food! 😋
We can share with your children or youth! We just did a Saturday morning Kids Missions Camp for one church. Working alongside their mission's team, we got to share about several countries and what God is doing in those places.
Our youth group had us do a Thai cooking class with the teens from our church. That was so much fun!
We love any opportunity to plant seeds for missions in the hearts of the younger generation. It's not just about cross-cultural missions, we talk about living for Jesus right where they are and being a light amidst their peers.
I am going to lead worship for a church where we are sharing in September.
While this is a season of raising our budget to be able to go, it's also a season of serving the churches in our area, and we are happy to do just that!
If you have any questions or would like to reach us, email us at popeandsteph@gmail.com.
We are so grateful to those of you who have already connected us with churches and small groups. Each of those moments have been a huge encouragement to us! Thank you! We look forward to the day we can send out an email saying we reached our budget and celebrate with all of you!
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