I just wanted to take a moment and give you a quick update on the last three months here in The Tees Valley. It has been such a busy but incredibly fruitful season of ministry. Our 2013-14 GapYear team have all but gone now and they did an excellent job serving faithfully across the area. We have 7 of the current team that are continuing on for another year. They will link up with our new team of 20 arriving around September 1st to carry on and sustain relationships and projects that have begun to grow and develop. We have just finished leading and hosting 15 different Short-Term Mission Teams with 322 participants serving on mission here in Teesside. It has been incredible! These teams for the most part come in and serve alongside our existing projects and help us fuel new relationships with their energy and enthusiasm! In some instances we use teams to break new ground in areas where we do not currently have a project. During the summer we hosted 8 different Camp of Champions in Hartlepool, Hardwick, Thornaby, Middlesbrough, Coulby Newham, Stockton, Billingham and Eaglescliffe! Over 900 children & young people attended camp and heard about the Ultimate Champion Jesus Christ. Dozens put their faith and trust in Him…it was amazing! Our UK-USA Summer Interns arrived in May just in time to help us facilitate and lead all of these short-term trips and spearhead Camp of Champions! They worked really hard all summer and did an incredible job demonstrating servant leadership! Our first Doulos Team of 13 youth and adult leaders are over in America serving in Inner City Dallas with the 58Foundation, The Heights , and The Village Church. Doulos is a 3-year leadership journey to develop the next generation servant leaders in The Tees Valley. They have spent the last year learning about qualities of a leader and they are being launched in Dallas this week. We will start Year Two with this group in September and launch a new team of Doulos 101 participants at retreat in September! Finally, on July 13 we had a Baptism Service out at Saltburn beach and we baptized three young people and one adult! We are definitely seeing new life spring up all across the Tees Valley. We are growing as a ministry in size but what is really exciting is we are definitely seeing signs of fruitfulness and growth spiritually as well! These are exciting days! Please join us in praying for God to continue to move!
We could not be here without your prayer and financial support and for that we are forever grateful. As often as the Lord reminds you please continue to pray for UK-USA Ministries, the Tees Valley, our family, and please continue to give as He directs and leads.
In HIS JOY,
Mike & Kookie
