Today is the somber anniversary of 9/11. Many remembrances are occurring around the country and around the world. I don’t remember what I was doing on that fateful day in 2001, but I do know I was in Nairobi. When news broke of who was behind it, I was reminded of the embassy bombings in East Africa in 1998, by the same person. I remember that more because it was closer to my home. Downtown Nairobi was closed for a couple of days, and when appeals went out for food and supplies for the workers helping victims, our whole family drove down at night with home baked cookies to drop off. We were allowed through security to make the delivery and experienced a ghost town for a few blocks.
On those same days in 1998 and 2001, Jan and Eunice Messersmith were serving as missionaries in Papua New Guinea.
On those same days in 1998 and 2001, Dawn Springer was serving as a missionary to the Navajo at Red Sands Christian School in Arizona.
Every day since 1966, as life has been lived in the USA, our church has had missionaries living their lives in another part of the world. These missionaries sent out by our church have had a variety of responsibilities; in broad terms as administrators, teachers and church planters. Here are their names, all members of Brownsburg Christian/Connection Pointe:
1966-1982 Tom/Wanda Kirkpatrick Ethiopia, Kenya
1981-2010 Jan/Eunice Messersmith Papua New Guinea
1988-2014 Dan/Connie Crum Kenya
1992-2019 Dawn Springer Navajo/AZ
2014-2017 Giles/Alison Emery Kenya
These are the ones sent out from among us that have completed their time as missionaries in another country and culture. Many of their days were ordinary days to them, yet lived out faithfully for so many years that each saw lasting results. This has been part of our church history and it is my hope that you see we exist as a congregation for more than ourselves. We also have a unique part to play in God’s global work.
A couple of things found in our archives…
NOTE: Thomas Lockhart was our founding pastor.
Besides those listed above, we have four other Connection Pointe people currently serving as missionaries, with others preparing to go. I will share who they are and where they are going next time, as we continue to explore Greater Things Global.
Til next week,
Thanks for the reflections
I love that you are sharing the history of our church. There is a long legacy that exists throughout the years! Even families that have been deep roots! Thank you Dan for you and your continued service and for your family roots that have meant so much to our church.
Dan, thanks for the memories, and reminders of God’s call upon our lives wherever we live. This is a rich legacy.