larsen log: June 2011

Friday, June 3, 2011

Larsen Log - June 2011 - On the Road Again

On the road (and in the air) with the Larsens this Summer!

Dear praying friends and partners in mission,

We rejoice in all that God is doing through the work of GYFM! There is a lot going on over the next 2 months and we need your prayers. In our experience, spiritual warfare seems to increase around these key opportunities for kingdom impact. We love the ministry we get to do, but know the stress and strain takes it's toll. Please pray that God protects, strengthens, and sanctifies us through the intensity of the next two months. Pray that many lives will be touched and God's world mission advanced. Thank you for partnering with us to reach the nations and the next generation with the gospel!

June 7-9 in VA. Eric speaks, serves on a panel addressing the issue of next generation ministry, and meets with leaders at the PCA's General Assembly in VA. Pray for effective opportunities to encourage denominational leaders in reaching the nations and the next generation.

June 6-10 in IL. Abby participates in the Zone Summer Camp. Pray for her spiritual growth and ministry with peers.

June 12-17 in GA. The Larsens travel to Reformed Theological Seminary where Eric will offer a week of intensive GYFI training on next generation ministry. Pray for the Korean pastors and missionaries we'll have the privilege of encouraging and equipping.

June 20-25 in Mexico. Eric travels with John Chung to launch a new GYFI site in partnership with San Pablo Seminary. Pray for the men and women from all over Latin America who will be attending this week of intensive training in youth ministry.

June 20-24 in MO. Pray for Abby, Meghan, Natalie and Emma as they serve and participate in our church's VBS and Tween summer programs that week.

June 29-July 3 in IL. The Larsens participate in Cornerstone Festival. Pray for our time with MKs there--for sweet fellowship and relational ministry that bears kingdom fruit.

July 7-17 in NC. The Larsens lead a team and provide a program for MKs during MTW's Re-entry weekend, followed by Summer Conference . Pray for the mission kids and families to experience spiritual refreshment and renewal and practical help through this ministry.

July 9-16 in TN. Pray for Abby as she goes to Chattanooga on an urban ministry team serving kids and families through work projects and backyard bible clubs.

July 22-29 in NYC. Eric will be in New York with MTW's Cross Cultural Mission Internship: a pre-field training experience for new mission families preparing to go to the field. Pray for an effective time equipping these families to successfully navigate living and serving across cultures.

August 1-5 in St. Louis. Collapse and recover as a family! :)

Your prayers and financial support are deeply appreciated! We are trusting with you that God will bear fruit through our partnership together!

In His Grip,

Eric

Global Youth & Family Ministry and Institute
Mission to the World
(support account #29256)

cell: 314.397.1197
web: gyfm.org
blog: larsenlog.blogspot.com
facebook: facebook.com/thegyfm
twitter: twitter.com/gyfm

"Reaching the Nations and the Next Generation"

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Larsen Log - May 2011

written last week, May 2011

I am writing you from Eger, Hungary where I have the privilege of gathering
with over 600 national leaders coming from 50 countries across Europe. GYFM
is partnering with the European Leadership Forum to provide a training track
for those ministering to adolescents and emerging adults. It is a busy time
teaching, training, leading small groups, networking, and one-on-one
consulting. But what a joy it is to build Kingdom friendships across
cultures around a shared heart for Christ and kids! Already, new strategic
partnerships are forming with nationals in countries like Romania, Serbia,
Norway, Scotland and even Nigeria (though Africa is a long way from
Europe)... Of course, the demands are greater than we have the capacity and
resources to meet and we need wisdom from God to know where to invest and
focus our energies. Please pray for wisdom and discernment in this. And
pray that the fruit of this time will have a multiplying impact in the lives
of the emerging generation across Europe and beyond. Thank you for
partnering with us to reach the nations and the next generation!

In His Grip,
Eric

Our Mission

The Larsen’s serve internationally with MTW’s Global Youth and Family Ministry: establishing youth ministry movements around the world. This involves training national leaders and indigenous churches to reach the next generation in their context, as well as recruiting, training, sending and sustaining cross-cultural youth ministers. In addition, Eric and Rebecca minister to Third Culture Kids and missionary families amidst the opportunities and challenges of adolescence and the TCK experience.

Please pray for...

The GYFM Team: (Current Status: John & Saras Chung and Drew & Lindsey Wilkins have been approved to come on board. They cannot join us until they reach 100% of their monthly support. We desperately need our team in place!!)
Ruthanne Burch has been deployed! God has provided a special gift, fully funding her for one year. We are so excited! Her organizational and relational gifts will make a huge impact in GYFM. Please pray God raises up ongoing support for Ruthanne to continue in this much needed role.
SLYnet: Pray for the work we are doing locally in St. Louis though our leadership of the Saint Louis Youth Network (SLYnet). It is a joy to do locally what we are endeavoring to do globally: grassroots equipping of leaders (currently around 30) to mutually encourage and spark youth movements
Covenant Seminary: Please pray for our expanding partnership with CTS. Eric and John Chung are leading a weekly group of 15 seminary students called to youth ministry. Pray God uses this group to equip and encourage growing leaders.
Publishing Project: Everywhere we go around the world, people ask us for a resource containing the youth ministry training material we share. Please pray for Eric as he tries to find time to work on writing a book that we can put into the hands of local leaders around the world.
Travel Mercies and Safety: (for those going AND those staying)
Website: We're working on developing a website to communicate the work, connect those who want to be involved and provide resources to the people we serve around the world. Check out our progress at www.gyfm.org
Ministry Juggle: dealing with the tension of fundraising, missionary kid need, and training leaders
Balance of Family and Ministry
Upcoming trips: Eric will be on the East Coast vision casting and raising support from September 13-22. Then the Larsen's lead a team of 27 youth ministers to Mexico for the MTW Latin America Area Retreat--Ministering to missionaries and their kids from Sept 30-Oct 12.

larsen log

Friday, June 3, 2011