Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Answers to Some Questions

Dear Friends,

Thank you to all who have written and called us...for your many kind words, encouragements, and expressions of love. Thanks also for your prayers especially! We pray for and support the current Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) Regional Leadership Team and Interim RL Mark Edworthy, the missionaries of CEE and entire IMB, Senior Leadership and IMB Trustees, and all concerned.

We are in Kansas City this week as my wife's grandfather passed away Sunday. So, we are here to help, be with family, and participate in the funeral and celebration of Debbie's grandfather's faith and life in Christ this coming Monday.

You are probably visiting this blog because you either know us, or you read or heard about my appeal to change two new missionary candidate policies. I would like to clarify some erroneous information. It was my intent to write the missionaries of CEE and the Trustees privately, and then to share publicly if needed. However, some well intentioned folks evidently shared my letter to the missionaries of CEE explaining our resignation and position. It was then published on a blog. I need to clarify that I was not asked to resign nor fired by trustees, but rather it was necessary to resign my role if I was going to appeal further. I was the one who informed our regional trustee committee that I was resigning for that reason.

While I believe change in policy is needed, we still love and support the IMB, and urge all missionaries of IMB to carry on and give even greater service to Christ in eradicating lostness in CEE and the world. We urge Southern Baptists to consider the appeal to change the new missionary candidate guidelines (policies) and contact your state's IMB trustees...while we also urge even greater financial and prayer support of IMB missionaries and ministry. To cut funding would not address the policies or trustees, but would only hurt the missionaries, their outreach and deployment, and the unreached.

We've been incredibly blessed and privileged to serve as Southern Baptists through the IMB. We are currently on stateside assignment with the IMB seeking what God would have us to do next. Thank you again for your prayers.

Gratefully,

Rodney, Debbie and Luke

3 comments:

Deborah S. Reece said...

I'm so sorry to hear of Debbie's grandfather's death. I will be praying for all of you and the family.

May the Lord continue to comfort you all during the days ahead.

Blessings,
Deb

Joe R said...

Welcome to the blogging world... Ever dreamed to be a part of a ROK group?
We have some great opps in Kstan...come join us!:)
Joe

Rodney Hammer said...

Deborah and Joe,

Thanks for your notes and encouragement and prayers.

Joe, the ROK team in Kstan definitely is awesome! We'll see how the Lord leads in our lives. thanks for the invite.

Pray for you and your families and CEE'ers much grace, continued faithful pursuit of God's calling in your lives and much fruit to come!

Rodney