June 28, 2022

            What would it mean to you to “get your life right”? If you woke up one morning and said “Finally, I’ve gotten my life right, now I can follow God.” What would it take for you to be able to say that? 

          This is part of a conversation I had this week when I was selling off one of our used vehicles. I listed the vehicle for sale online and 3 hours later I was riding in the passenger seat with a man who wanted to buy it. He asked me what I did for a living and I told him, and he said “Man I just can’t get away from you church people.” I asked him what he meant and he started tearing up, telling me about problems at work and home. I offered to pray for him and he said “I know what I need to do, I just need to get my life right, I’ve got a lot of problems.”

          I asked my new friend what he meant and he said “I just have to stop doing some stuff.” When I asked him what he had to stop doing he just got kind of uncomfortable. I said “Can I help you with that?” He said sure, and I explained the gospel to him. The gospel is not “get my life right and God will accept me.” If someone preaches that to you, that person is preaching a false gospel. Jesus condescended himself to humanity so that he could fully and completely bear the sin, sorrow and shame of mankind. Those who hear the gospel and turn from their sin to follow Christ and faith are consequently hidden in Christ with God. That means that all of the righteousness and obedience that belonged to Jesus when God looked down from heaven and said “This is my son in whom I am well pleased” belongs to you if you belong to Christ.

          Those sins that you need to “make right” are wrong and harmful and worth getting rid of, but trying to do it by your own strength in order to “get your life right” is like a snake eating his own tail. Jesus makes you righteous, Jesus gives you the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit gives you the conviction and power (through those sufferings and trials of life, work, church, family, and so on) to have victory over sin and shame as you rely more and more on Him to redeem your utter wickedness. That’s the gospel. That’s why we do what we do. That’s why we get up every morning. That’s why all of this is worth it.

Thanks!

Justin, Amy, Ezekiel and Caleb Culp

May 30, 2022

 

         It was fifty degrees outside and Amy, Ezekiel and I were standing in Smithville Lake with a couple of hundred people watching. We didn’t get very many pictures because we were all in the water, so I don’t have any to share here, but it’s probably the coolest thing that happened since I wrote to you last. I asked Ezekiel why he wanted to be baptized and he said, “I am repenting and believing in Jesus and I want everyone to know about it.” 

          The last couple of months have flown by. I’ve been learning a new program for my new role with Pioneers, taking a course on Islam, proofreading another one, helping with field trips, speaking in churches, making hundreds of phone calls to potential supporters and churches, speaking in some churches both familiar and new, working on our house and cars, and more! The kids and Amy are done with school for the summer, we don’t have any big plans to travel. Amy is working on come continuing education/certification that she needs and we’re looking into other needs that we are working on as a family but are harder to do during the school year. 

          The past few weeks I’ve been taking the online Encountering the World of Islam course. We are currently in lesson 4 out of 12. I’ve been meditating this week on the shame and disgrace of the cross and the humility to which Christ calls us when He says “If anyone wishes to come after me he must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me.” The cross is a hard concept for Muslims to grasp because honor and shame are so important. Who could believe that God would shame his prophet like that? 

           Even further, just thinking about honor and shame when witnessing to Muslim friends, it’s a hard thing to do effectively. We frequently listen to someone talk about what we believe as if it’s ridiculous and silly, and we are ridiculous and silly for believing it… I don’t like being talked to that way and I want to answer in kind, but can I communicate the gospel without attacking back? Can I accept the shame without shaming in return? I’m not very good at being insulted without defending myself, but that’s exactly what Jesus did. He bore our sin without ever coming to His own defense and thereby took our sorrows, shame, grief and sin on Himself so that we could have eternal life. I have a long way to go, how about you? 

          Thanks for keeping up with us and praying. Feel free to reply to this email if you want to communicate with us! 

Justin, Amy, Ezekiel and Caleb

March 28, 2022

 

    If you know, you know

A few weeks ago we were getting ready to have our nightly family Bible time. Amy and Ezekiel were still getting ready, so it was just Caleb and me in the living room. I asked Caleb, “If Jesus came back to Earth right now, do you think you would go to heaven?” He said yes. I asked him why and he said “Because Jesus died for our sins.” I said “For everybody’s sins?” He said yes. I said “So everybody gets to go to heaven?” He said “No, only people who repent and believe in Jesus.” I said “Have you repented?” He said “Well, yes I did…” and I said “So when you stand in front of God, are you going to have sin?” He said no. I asked him why and he said “I repented.” Then I said “Have you sinned since you repented?” He said “Well obviously.” I said “So what about that sin?” 

He paused for a while and then said “I don’t know.” I got my Bible out to start Bible time because Ezekiel had joined us, but Ezekiel stopped me and said “Daddy can I try?” I said sure, and Ezekiel said something like this: When Jesus died and rose from the dead, He had victory over sin and death. When I repent and believe in Jesus, He isn’t just forgiving my old sins, it’s like when God looks at me instead of seeing my sin, He sees Jesus’ perfectness.” When I finished crying, we had family Bible time. 

I love that my nine-year-old already understands imputed righteousness better than a whole bunch of people five times his age. Because Jesus’ perfect record is mine, I have the authority (and responsibility) to preach the gospel regardless of what kind of morning I’ve had, or how ministry is going, or how capable or dumb or strong or worthless I am feeling at the time. That’s been my meditation for quite some time now.

I got back from Uganda and South Sudan at the beginning of March and then the kids had spring break. I’ve started learning the new things I need to know for my role on the Encountering the World of Islam team, and have been trying to get in touch with churches and others to find opportunities to share and raise more support. Thank you all for praying for us and keeping in touch. It means the world!

Would you vote for president Caleb?

February 28, 2022

Caleb made an “Exploding Potion” for his school science fair this year.

By now most of you know about the transition that we are going through as a family.  After extending our home assignment for a while to handle some educational and health issues, and then adding “Maybe another few months” for a while, we were told that we need to plan on spending a couple of years in the USA while we work some of these things out. 
 

              You can probably imagine some of the range of emotions we’ve experienced during this process, other experiences surrounding “re-entry” as it applies to relationships and everyday life are a bit harder to relate to.  We do appreciate all of the encouraging conversations we’ve had with our supporters, and the time you spend keeping up with us and praying.
 

              I am writing this newsletter from Uganda, I have been in Africa for the last few weeks.  I had to come back and close down our home.  Anything we leave behind will get destroyed by rats and termites, so most of my time was spent deciding what to throw away, give away, sell away and pack away.  I was able to spend a few evenings having supper with other missionary friends which was nice.  After twelve years, these Germans, Kiwis and South Africans are people I can easily enjoy and relate to, while at “home” it feels way more difficult.  I had a few tearful goodbyes with Paul and Michael and Teresa.  Now I’m trying to sell one last vehicle and getting ready for my flight back to Kansas City.  When I get back I will settle into a new role within Pioneers on a team called Encountering the World of Islam.  I will also be reaching out to more churches for chances to share and hopefully replace some of the donors that we’ve lost in the transition.  The kids are enjoying their teachers and classes at a Christian school that the Lord provided for us.  It really is hard to see what’s next and know what to write about in a newsletter!

For Ezekiel’s science fair project his class did “Habitats.”  He chose savannah because that’s what we have in Lohutok.  He was pretty proud of it.

 

              This morning I was reading the Bible and I came to Psalm 13.  I was reading Psalms out loud and this one I just couldn’t get through!  I started over again and again and was just fascinated at the way that King David was saying the same thing that I’ve been praying for months.  Sometimes it’s hard to go from verse 4 to verse 5 (look it up J ) but we know that in Christ we must!  As I am grieving the reality of leaving my friends and family behind for such a long time, I’m trying to force myself to meditate on the truth of the Gospel.  No snakes, no stones…only good gifts from a perfect and loving Father who is in Heaven.

               Please pray for us as we make this transition, talk about it with our kids, try to budget while recovering from support loss, learn how to have meaningful Christian relationships with people in the USA again, and work towards healing for future ministry.

November 27, 2021

 

               Last time I wrote with some big news.  After months of praying about how the Lord would have us staying engaged in the Great Commission during this season of rest and counseling, we were given a position on a new Pioneers team, Encountering the World of Islam.  I didn’t write last month because, to be honest, it would have been boring!  Transitioning to a long-term stay in the USA and to a new team comes with a whole range of excitement and other emotions, but for a while it is just…transitioning.  We’ve found a place to live that won’t require moving every few months between missionary housing, a place we can keep as long as we need it.  This house required a LOT of work, but we are here now.  I (Justin) have also been contacting all of our supporters and churches to make sure everyone is up to speed on what we are doing now.  So the transitional period has literally been one of building, moving and calling people.

               As I write this the kids are playing in their new rooms, Amy is on her way back from a trip to St. Louis, and I am working on a sermon to preach tomorrow.  For the next few months I will be speaking in various churches around Kansas City and St. Louis as we try to reconnect with our partners and find new ones!  Living in the USA means a new budget, so we have some extra support to raise.  Since we’re updating all of our partners and churches about the season of life God has given us there have been a few partners who felt like their support should be sent elsewhere, so we don’t really know how much more support we need until I’ve finished reaching everyone.

If you haven’t heard from me yet, please feel free to reach out to me, my phone number is at the bottom of this letter.  I am still working through our list of supporters and trying to call all of you.  We really love and appreciate all of our partners and have been humbled by how supportive most of you have been! 

If you’re interested in having me come and visit your church, reply to this email.  On the prayer calendar I will list where I am speaking on each Sunday.  I look forward to possibly seeing you!

I’m writing this on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.  I rarely use newsletters for fundraising, but with Giving Tuesday coming up, would you consider a monthly partnership or a one-time gift to help our family in this new missions role?  If you’re getting this as a letter, you can use the enclosed envelope.  If you’re getting the email or facebook ad, just look for the giving link provided.

September 20, 2021

 

               Last month I read a book called The Imperfect Disciple by Jared C. Wilson.  It was kind of a last-minute, “I need something to read on this road trip” book, but like so many other things that have happened with us in this line of work, it was exactly what the Lord knew that I needed for the time and for what was coming. 

               Most of you know that, although we were planning to return to South Sudan and Uganda last year, our home assignment was extended by many factors including Covid, travel restrictions, counseling requirements, and educational needs for our kids.  For the last year we have been focused on our family’s mental health and healing, and I (Justin) have been working on the pastor-training courses and making a few trips back to keep those things moving.

               As we have progressed through the counseling process and helping our children with their needs, it has become clear to us and our leadership that there is still more time to be spent making sure that we do this well, and that our family is able to heal and grow in necessary ways before we return to Africa.  On one hand it is a tough pill for me to swallow, thinking about the relationships and ongoing work in Lohutok and the urgency of the Great Commission, we are eager to continue with evangelism and discipleship among the Lopit and see Christ’s church grow and flourish in that place where there are so many hindrances.  On the other hand, we all understand that the Lord often calls people to seasons of rest and healing, that this season is an investment in our family that will bear fruit for the rest of our lifetime in ministry, it is important, and that there is no sense in “kicking against the goads.”  Don’t stop reading yet!

None of us have ever been good at gardening, but we did get some turnips this year!  The boys didn’t actually like them, but Peter Rabbit got them interested.

               The past month has been one of upheaval, prayer, phone calls, zoom meetings and decisions.  After lots of guidance from our organization and our amazing home church, we finally have a path forward that isn’t just “sit and wait” which most of you know I’m not good at!  Amy and I both feel like God has called us to the unreached, a conviction that you’ve heard us talk about and seen us chase tirelessly.  We’ve come to a point where we can’t just keep saying “maybe six more months” and have decided to find where God would have us engaged with His heart for the nations while we also seek to be obedient during this season of necessary family investment. 

               Last week I had meetings with the leader of Pioneers’ Encountering the World of Islam team.  There is an overwhelming need in the USA and in the rest of the world for engaging with Muslims, and also for engaging with the local church about the need for the Gospel among Islamic people groups here and around the world.  I have accepted a role on the EWI team that feels like a perfect fit for this season of our family’s journey, and we are excited to hear the Lord say “I’m not finished with you yet.” 

               Those of you who support us have been incredibly understanding and encouraging to us throughout this process of counseling and transition.  We’ve struggled with the shame that brings humility that brings trust in the Lord as we think about the fact that so many people are praying for and partnering with us to reach the Lopit, and now we are taking such a long break from ministry in Lohutok.  So many of you know our kids’ names and the names of our Lopit coworkers and disciples.  I don’t think that calling and mission have gone away, but we’re accepting the Lord’s leading to do it in His timing.

               Thank you for sticking with us through all of this, and we pray that you would continue to partner with us financially and in prayer as we start with a new team, continuing to work towards Christ-Centered Churches among every tribe, tongue and nation.

               Most of you will be hearing from me by phone in the next few weeks.  Be patient with me, there are about 160 of you with whom I need to connect!  I want to answer your questions and let you hear how excited we are to be on the Encountering the World of Islam team.  Please continue to pray for our family as we transition to kids in school, new team roles, new family routines that will eventually be more restorative and restful, new support goals (America is more expensive than Lohutok!) and new living arrangements.  If you want to reach out before I get to your phone call, as always, you’re always welcome and my contact information is below!

Philippians 1:3-4,

Justin, Amy, Ezekiel and Caleb Culp

July 28, 2021

     The last couple of months have been a whirlwind of travel and other things. We spent most of July in Georgia. Some people from a great organization in Atlanta helped us with some speech and language evaluations for the kids and the rest of the month we spent visiting Amy’s parents and some supporters and churches in Columbus. We had a nice break visiting the family, and even got to do the Ark Encounter and Creation Museum on the way home. 

    We’ve had a lot of news and updated plans for the future in the last couple of months. We are waiting for some answers from Pioneers and a few other people before making final decisions, so more will come about that later. If you are one of our regular financial partners, I will be reaching out to you personally over the next few weeks (unless you are one that I’ve talked to recently already!), please keep praying for us as we trust in the goodness of the Lord and this season of family development in which he currently has us. 

    I (Justin) am trying to plan a trip back to Africa in the next couple of months. Right now Uganda is on another lockdown and there are some restrictions in South Sudan that would make a trip back impossible. I could get there, but then wouldn’t be able to move between places to meet Teresa and teach the pastortraining courses we have in the queue. Thank you for your prayers for our family and for the Lopit people, keep praying that God will open doors for me to continue traveling, that pastors and churches would grow and that the gospel would go out among the Lopit tribe and the rest of the world’s newest nation! 

    Since I wrote last, we have helped Teresa get into a program for new mothers. She will be able to go to school while also learning some vocational skills and basic parenting things, and is much better taken care of than she was in the old arrangement where she was staying at our place and having visiting teachers. I also talked to Paul last week and he is continuing with his course work and with discipling Michael. He said that they have had a terrible drought again this year and that lots of people haven’t even planted crops…another thing for you to be praying about! 

    Feel free to reply to this email and reach out if you want to connect. I’ve been making lots of phone calls lately and I can add yours to the list! As always, thank you so much for your prayer and support! Justin, Amy, Ezekiel and Caleb Culp