$3,000 were allocated to Brother John who is working in Central Vietnam and Laos. He seeks out tribal groups to introduce them to the Gospel, and also supports the wellbeing of believing groups of people. Whether he is helping dig freshwater wells or casting out demons, he is willing and able to go and do God’s work in that region, despite the high risk. It is a great honor that we get to support his work.

$9,600 were allocated to a program run by Brother Barnabas in Vietnam, which offers teaching and training to help new believers become pastors and leaders in their communities. The school currently has 26 students enrolled.

$6,000 were allocated to support Brother Barnabas and his wife personally in their ministry.

$1,000 were allocated to the development of the mission base at SouSan Church in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. This money went into renovations and supplies to make the space suitable and beautiful for the teams that come through.

$12,000 were allocated to the printing of New Testaments in a tribal language of the Central Highlands. It is a rare thing to be allowed to print these within the country; this was a unique opportunity to bring to Gospel to new groups.

As written above, Jonathan Graham and I helped host two YWAM teams in February and May. During that time, we helped give these teams many ministry opportunities: passing out Bibles and gospel tracts, Times of worship and interceding for the country, and prayer walks proclaiming the name of Jesus against the idolatry in that nation. We were also able to be an encouragement for a lot of young missionaries who are seeking God’s will.

In November, I put together a team to go to Taiwan and Vietnam. In Taiwan we did prayer walks, passed out gospel materials, and attended the Taiwan Vietnamese Church. We were able to encourage many people there.

In Vietnam we carried about 200 Bibles into the country, a job that is easy for us foreigners, but very dangerous for Vietnamese. We also connected with several pastors from tribal villages of believers, encouraging them in their faith.

Hosted by my friends Noah and Emmeline Doty, this is a weekly gathering of young people to eat food, play tabletop games and enjoy fellowship. Their goal is to start ministering to those in need of Jesus in the gaming world. Seeing their vision, I chose to come alongside, offering a space to host people. We are praying for God’s direction as this vision continues to take shape.

   I have been making a concerted effort to focus on relationships with local people in regard to Art & Discipleship. God has put people in my path who have helped me connect with others working for the Kingdom. I pray that, just as I am doing with missionaries in Taiwan, I would be able to build a coalition of likeminded disciples in this region to help minister to young, creative people.

   I have also started seeking out those I need to reach. I am reestablishing connections with some of my old friends in the theatre scene, looking for ways that God might have me touch their lives. I believe this will be one outlet of many through which we will touch the hearts of creatives.

$600 were allocated to Evan Zuercher, a local conceptual artist and man of God. In January, Evan Zuercher put on a gallery to display his artwork. Each piece covertly speaks of his spiritual transformation as he has walked with God.

$600 were allocated to my brother David, a local musician and man of God. In April, David hosted a showcase to demonstrate an innovative vision he has for music. His vision is to touch the hearts of the people in his generation.

In the near future, David and I will start performing live music again.

$8,000 were allocated to the development of an environment to host and influence creative people. This cost includes the physical building of rooms, supplies for projects (i.e. cameras, props, music equipment, etc.), and snacks and water for volunteers. Our current focus is the development of The Brothers Baer, but these investments are multipurpose and will carry into many projects in the future.

I hope that you have watched the show! This YouTube variety show, as I have written about in many previous newsletters, is the first of many creative environments. As we continue to develop it, more people will participate, and we intend to touch their hearts with the beauty of Christ in that space.

   Valley of Dry Bones is a large-scale project to develop online community. Jonathan Graham, a board member of GFM and a man of God, is at the head of this project, bringing a high level of expertise to the table (including computer programming, gaming, online forums, web and app development, and more). Jonathan has a unique ability to maintain relationships over online platforms, and that ability opens the door for us to reach people and speak life over them.

   This project has a 5-year timeline. We are in very early stages of development, but we are trusting God with its timing and completion.

   One of my dreams is to develop these creative spaces into a full “creative hub.” We want to establish a space where young artists with all kinds of talents can come learn, express and mature, with the goal of making disciples.

   The means for this dream are not present. Thus far, what we have done is invite a few young, Godly creatives to plant seeds in prayer.

   We want to be enabled to reach and disciple a broken generation. We are spending time to pray for them and invite God’s direction into our visions and hopes. We encourage you to join us in that prayer.