Good (to be) Together!
UK TRIP
It’s nearly impossible to believe that it’s been almost 3 years since I’ve traveled internationally and over 5 years since we’ve been able to join with our #LinksFamily in the UK. It was both emotional and powerful to join together to say goodbye to our matriarch, Grace, to meet Johnny from Ghana who helped inspire the work of Links, to plan for the future, and to strengthen vital relationships.
Please do take the time to read through these updates as they are deeply significant.
NORMAN UPDATE
We’ve said many times lately that it is nearly impossible to think of Norman without Grace, but our founder Norman Barnes, is courageously stepping into his next season of life and ministry as he is passing batons of leadership to the Links Family and beyond. At 80 years old, Norman is living as much by faith and fervor as ever before, and he is good news to so many. We saw the fruit of this as people traveled from around the world to be a part of Grace’s Thanksgiving Services. The power of God was on full display as we celebrated Grace’s life, gave thanks for her years of mission and ministry, and proclaimed God’s faithfulness to her and the future generations. It was a time we’ll never forget. At Norman’s request we have posted both Thanksgiving Services.
WHO'S JOHNNY?
One of the highlights of our trip was getting to spend time with Johnny Baduh of Ghana in West Africa. Links was born after Norman’s first trip to Ghana in 1979, and Johnny was one of the first people Norman met. Johnny was a young man sitting around a table being discipled and mentored by a faithful missionary. Johnny, in part due to Norman’s influence, has gone on to lead the Church of Pentecost which has over 15,000 churches and a reach of over 3 million people (and believe it or not, those numbers are conservative). If you have heard Norman and Grace talk about their children in Ghana, Johnny is the father of Grace Barnes, Jr. and Norman Barnes, Jr. is the son of another young man that was around that same table. Sadly, neither were able to obtain visas in time to attend the service personally. We are hopeful to be able to host Johnny in the States next year, but it was amazing spending time with him.
LINKS TEAM
Due the realities of the pandemic, mission opportunity is at an all-time high while resources seem to be declining. It was refreshing to sit with our colleagues and friends to talk, pray, review, plan and strategize about the days ahead. With travel opening up, we are confident that the next steps for both Links USA and Links UK will be incredibly fruitful.
Please be in prayer for our Links organizations as we work to do the most good possible in sustainable ways. We need the favor of God, the peace of God, the wisdom of God, and the provision of God as we press on together.
YOUR GENEROSITY IS GIVING GOOD NEWS IN HARD PLACES,
SAVING LIVES & CHANGING THE WORLD.
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