Missions Update: Scott Thomas

 “We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and over you in the Lord and admonish you and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with the weak.” (1 Thessalonian 5:12-14)

What does it mean to walk beside someone in faith? To give them strength when theirs is waning. To hand over encouragement in the middle of dark times. Scott Thomas is exploring, through Church Planting Partners, what it looks like to walk beside pastors and church planters in a Christ-like fashion. Often, we overlook the needs of our spiritual caretakers, but Scott has made it his mission to meet these needs spiritually and emotionally. In light of the alarming statistics on the health status of pastors, Church Planting Partners offers compassionate coaching to pastors who are overwhelmed or overburdened — at whatever fee the pastors can afford to pay. Church Planting Partners also offers a church planting residency to aid church planters in building and establishing gospel-centered churches, as well as Gospel Shaped Leader Training which aids all church leadership in their walk.

There is much to give thanks for, as the Lord continues to enrich and provide for this ministry. Scott had the opportunity to preach to 2,000 Pakistanis over Zoom; he recently completed certification as a biblical counselor; and he’s now coaching eight pastors, counseling six pastors and two couples, and walking alongside five church planters in the residency program. Praise God!

Keep praying for Scott and Jeannie. May the Lord bless the work of their hands, bless their marriage and health, and strengthen many pastors and congregations through their work!