STORIES
FROM THE VP for
FIELD MINISTRIES
Grace for Today
One of our long-term (over 40 years) Cadence missionaries, Doyle Spader, went home to be with Jesus last month.
His wife Chris recounted to Joyce and me a conversation she and Doyle often had in the weeks before his death. They would say to each other: “We have grace for the day—it is always enough. It’s only not enough if I’m trying to get it for the next day.”
From the Field
Stories of God’s work in and through the military.
Trusting God Since 1954
It was June 1954, Jesse and Nettie Miller had returned to the United States from serving as missionaries in the Philippines. In addition to their ministry with Filipinos, they had hosted meals and Bible studies for military men, and that outreach grew to where the Millers needed to decide if they would focus on local ministry or military ministry. Tom Hash and C.P. Tarkington were two servicemen whom Jesse led to Christ in those years. They and others gathered in Chicago that June for a reunion. Then Tom, Tark, Dick Patty, and Jesse and Nettie stayed on a couple of days to pray and seek the Lord. Tark described this time in a letter from 1955:
Invitation to Israel
“I’m here to feel the scars of Jesus.”
I spoke those words as a young man in 1987 during a devotional on “doubting Thomas” from John 20:24–29. Joyce and I had joined the K-Town and Baumholder hospitality houses on an amazing trip to the Holy Land of Israel.
A Prelude to the Great Commission
“. . . but some doubted.”
Three simple words tucked away in the grand narrative of Jesus’ death, burial, resurrection, and commissioning.
The disciples had likely just experienced a full range of emotions as they journeyed with Jesus through Passion Week. Matthew records their reactions to the resurrection of our Savior in chapter 28 verse 9, “Suddenly Jesus met them and said, ‘Greetings!’ And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshipped him.” Awe and adoration were the only possible responses to the risen Christ!
Life-Changing Community
Fort Polk is located in the Vernon Parish of Louisiana. The fort is under the command of the Joint Readiness Training Center of the 4th Brigade and is the only training center in the Army which both trains and deploys units for combat missions. Approximately 9,000 active-duty military call Fort Polk their home.
Trusting God Since 1954
It was June 1954, Jesse and Nettie Miller had returned to the United States from serving as missionaries in the Philippines. In addition to their ministry with Filipinos, they had hosted meals and Bible studies for military men, and that outreach grew to where the Millers needed to decide if they would focus on local ministry or military ministry. Tom Hash and C.P. Tarkington were two servicemen whom Jesse led to Christ in those years. They and others gathered in Chicago that June for a reunion. Then Tom, Tark, Dick Patty, and Jesse and Nettie stayed on a couple of days to pray and seek the Lord. Tark described this time in a letter from 1955:
Invitation to Israel
“I’m here to feel the scars of Jesus.”
I spoke those words as a young man in 1987 during a devotional on “doubting Thomas” from John 20:24–29. Joyce and I had joined the K-Town and Baumholder hospitality houses on an amazing trip to the Holy Land of Israel.
A Prelude to the Great Commission
“. . . but some doubted.”
Three simple words tucked away in the grand narrative of Jesus’ death, burial, resurrection, and commissioning.
The disciples had likely just experienced a full range of emotions as they journeyed with Jesus through Passion Week. Matthew records their reactions to the resurrection of our Savior in chapter 28 verse 9, “Suddenly Jesus met them and said, ‘Greetings!’ And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshipped him.” Awe and adoration were the only possible responses to the risen Christ!
Life-Changing Community
Fort Polk is located in the Vernon Parish of Louisiana. The fort is under the command of the Joint Readiness Training Center of the 4th Brigade and is the only training center in the Army which both trains and deploys units for combat missions. Approximately 9,000 active-duty military call Fort Polk their home.
Filling Our Rooms
“She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.” Luke 2:7 NLT
The very entry of the Son of God into this world was a moment of unwelcomed displacement because there was “no lodging available for them.” In fact, this little family was on the road in flight to Egypt when Jesus was still very young.
Transformed Lives
Joyce and I really enjoyed our recent trip to visit our Cadence staff in Europe. We participated in their field-wide retreat as well as visited all our ministries and staff in Germany. What joy we experienced as we engaged in their gatherings, heard their stories and challenges, and had wonderful conversations with military people.
Leadership and Influence
Recently, I’ve been reflecting on my favorite leadership passage in Scripture.
Speaking of King David, the psalmist Asaph says, “He chose his servant David, and took him from the sheepfold; from tending the nursing ewes he brought him to be the shepherd of his people Jacob, of Israel, his inheritance. With upright heart he tended them, and guided them with skillful hand.” Psalm 78:71–72 NRSV
40 Years of Student Ministry
Cadence Student Ministries is celebrating 40 years of ministry to the military!
In the summer of 1981, four students from Multnomah School of the Bible (now Multnomah University) formed a quartet called Malachi Singers.
The Gardener’s Legacy
Dick was a pioneer and started many new ministries, conferences, retreats, and other events and resources for the military. He and Margaret excelled in hospitality, eternally impacting many hundreds of people a few at a time in the warmth and love of their home.
The Glory of God
In contrast to Moses who wore a veil to cover the fading glory of God from the disbelieving Israelites, we now “with unveiled faces all reflect” or as the ESV puts it, “behold the glory of the Lord.”
Teamwork
The Apostle Paul knew well that the Gospel of God would not move forward without a team of people all pulling the same direction for the cause of Christ.
Selah
Cadence just finished a four-day mission-wide pause from ministry to “Selah” together.
Endurance
The Apostle Paul’s practical summary and conclusion to the glorious chapter on the resurrection of Jesus Christ in 1 Corinthians 15 calls us to work hard and endure.
