Our hearts are full of joy and satisfaction as we see what God did through our ministry during our recent two-year term in Bolivia. The University Residence in the city of Sucre has been built; and Pastor Sergio and his wife, Fanny, have moved in, along with 10 university students. Rachel used her creativity to teach elementary art at Santa Cruz Christian Learning Center. David learned a lot while preparing to teach classes each semester at Berea Bible Seminary. He also gave brief seminars in rural area churches in the departments of Santa Cruz and Chuquisaca. We served in administrative capacities as well as guesthouse supervision and housing maintenance on the Bolivia Field. It is rewarding to know that our service in Bolivia had an impact in the lives of people in that country.
We left Bolivia in June 2015 thinking we would return to Bolivia, yet believing that God was guiding us to a change in ministry. Once we arrived in the USA, the opportunity opened for us to join Refuge Ministries in Copperas Cove, Texas. This is a church ministry of Refuge, Renewal and Release, directed by Pastor Russ Cochran (David’s brother). It is one church with six locations. Each location has a pastor and David was offered the opportunity to be the pastor of one location. God has led David and me to accept this invitation and be a part of this team. We will also be the director of international missions for the Refuge Ministries.
We have changed our status with WGM from career missionaries to AVN (Advanced Volunteer Network), effective October 31, 2015. This will allow us to continue to be connected with WGM, but it will be at a different level. We will still be involved in missions by promoting missions in the Refuge Ministries churches, making trips, taking teams, and supporting projects.
Since our status with WGM is changing, we will no longer receive our monthly salary or benefits through WGM. We will continue to have an account at WGM for approved missions trips and projects.
If you feel God leading you to continue with us through giving, your gifts will be used to fund approved ministry activities through WGM. If you feel God leading your missions giving in another direction, we certainly understand. Either way, we are grateful for the partnership we have had in missions and thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Changes bring mixed emotions, so in the excitement of the opportunities ahead of us and in the sadness of what we leave, we anchor our hope in God’s Word. “He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure” (Isaiah 33:6 NIV).
Serving Jesus with you,
David and Rachel Kerney
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