Steven Currey's Mission Field Journal
Pioneers Western Europe
2010 June 22
Sorry for the “radio silence” these past weeks since the Pioneers Western European 2010 Summit. We came down from the summit (literally) right into merger talks and meetings with Arab World Ministries France (AWM) and the UK. In addition, there are some local situations here in Tarbes that have demanded our emotional / spiritual energies. And, we are preparing for our summer in the USA, which we are really looking forward to. In short, thanks for your prayers and continued partnership.
2010 Western European Summit, May 29–June 3
Only two from Pioneers Western Europe couldn't make the event this year. We were 78 in all. It was an amazing time. Great weather, encouraging Bible teaching, solid Christ-centered worship, renewed vision, deepening community, and a marvelous team of 12 from the USA came over to serve us and minister to our children. Thanks for standing with us. Below is a link to photos taken at the 2010 Summit in Arreau, France.
Arab World Ministries (AWM) France
Steve has been to two meetings with AWM France Ministère Évangélique parmi les Nations Arabophones (MENA). Both have gone extremely well, and we are moving closer and closer to blending our organizations. Merging with AWM brings not only 125 years of history into Pioneers, but, also about 40 new personnel to Pioneers Western Europe. AWM France has several workers, not serving on team, but rather, on their own. These workers need to be brought onto teams to see a multiplication of their efforts. But, in order to do that we need more leaders! Please ask the Lord to guide us as we form teams and appoint leaders. Another opportunity / prayer request is regarding the Moroccan government's recent crack down on Christian workers. This exodus of workers from Morocco, if there is a positive side, would be that several could join ministry to Moroccan Muslim populations here in France. Pray that workers would be able to stay and proclaim Christ in Morocco. But, for those that cannot, pray a door would open for them in France.
Jocelyne and Stephie
We are asking you to lift up this mother / daughter to the Lord once again. You'll recall (see April 13 correspondence, below) praying for Jocelyne's husband, Jean Pierre several years ago as he struggled with cancer, which, eventually took his life. His daughter Stephie has turned from the Lord and is headed in a dangerous direction. She needs your prayers as she searches to fill the void left by her dad. She is looking in all the wrong places. As a dad, I grieve for this 16-year-old. Please ask the Lord to bring her back to Him. Ask the Lord to surround Jocelyne (Stephie's mother) with a strong church, loving friends, good health, and opportunities to serve Christ.
Currey Family Summer in the USA Schedule
Lastly, we are so looking forward to some time in the USA this summer We head to Coronado in just eight days! We look forward to seeing many of you!
| Firm Dates | Location |
|---|---|
| Jul 1–27 | Coronado, CA |
| Jul 4 | Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church |
| Jul 27–31 | Portland, OR |
| Aug 1–15 | Faribault, MN |
| Aug 15–28 | Chicago, IL |
| Aug 28–Sep 31 | Faribault, MN |
| Sep 17–26 | Steve in Thailand |
| Oct 1–6 | Orlando, FL |
| Oct 7–17 | Coronado, CA |
| Oct 18 | return to France |
Email Steve and Sara Currey
2010 May 26
We trust this update finds you enjoying the Lord, experiencing his goodness in your lives, jobs, ministries and families. Here are some things to get updated on.
Currey Family Relocation Decision
We’ve made the decision to stay in Tarbes, addressing the problems in our church from the inside and then, if need be, we will continue in a new church-plant here locally. Our decision to stay in Tarbes and not move to Biarritz has been the result of much prayer (your prayers). We made the decision based on the factors that were pushing us to leave. When it boils down to it, it’s just the fact that we don't see eye to eye with the pastor of the church we are attending, that was pushing us to leave.
Our staying in Tarbes doesn't necessarily mean that we will continue to partner with this church. There is a church in Pau (about a 45-minute drive) that is looking to plant a church in the Tarbes area. The leadership from that church has already contacted us about potentially being involved.
We are drawn to stay because of the many relationships that are developing. Locally, here in Azereix, through moms and dads, we are meeting at the kids’ school, our neighbors’, and also those we are becoming friends with through Sara's English-study class. In each of these relationships, doors are opening wider for the Gospel. Thanks for your prayers!
We are also tied into and very comfortable with the local hospital and Julia's doctors. Moving to Biarritz would mean essentially starting over in building such a support network.
There are also several opportunities to serve within the church, should we continue with this church. Sara has been working with two other ladies to develop children's worship. They are already getting invitations from other churches to help them. Steve leads a small group to several down-and-outers that he finds fulfilling and necessary.
In short, it’s been a tough decision to stay, but we are learning lots, and our vision for what a church should be like in France is taking shape. Isn't it just like God to teach us tons from negative and challenging circumstances?
Continue to pray for wisdom as we work with our present church leadership. In two weeks, Steve will be presenting some new ideas for developing people in their giftings and God-given desires to serve. Pray that church leadership would be open to change.
Currey Family Update
Both Annie (8) and Julia (6) and their parents, Steve (44) and Sara (40), celebrated birthdays since we last wrote. Oh, yeah. Did we tell you that Julia is now riding her bike without training wheels?
Thanks for praying and standing with us. Please pray especially for Steve's back. He has been in pain for eight weeks and sees a specialist today.
VIew new family photos: 1» 2» 3» 4» 5» 6» 7» 8»
2010 Western European Summit, May 29–June 3
Our 2010 Summit starts this Friday! We've been busy planning and preparing for the 2010 Summit, where we will have 80 in attendance from Pioneers France, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and Wales, Spain, Portugal and France. Please pray for the following topics.
- that travel plans would not be hindered by Iceland's volcanic cloud
- that all 80 participants would arrive safely
- that people would arrive with generous and gracious hearts ready to give and receive
- that the 12 team members from the USA would fit in and be able to serve our children, stomachs, and souls
- that the Lord would speak through our keynote speakers
Learn more about the 2010 Summit»
Pioneers and Arab World Ministries Merger
The merger between Pioneers and Arab World Ministries (AWM) and is official. This merger will add approximately 30–40 more individuals to Pioneers International Western Europe. All of these folks are currently focused on reaching Europe's growing Muslim populations. This is an answer to prayer, as we've had this on our hearts since our arrival.
We will add two AWM leaders to the Pioneers Western Europe area team—currently Kim and I—to facilitate the transition of their people into Pioneers. Philippe will oversee these transitions in France, and Keith will do likewise in the UK. Pray the Lord would give us healthy team dynamics and clear communication.
There are still some structural issues to be worked out in the UK. AWM has more than 100 years’ experience, and many are finding it hard to let go of the structures that have developed over time. Please pray for the following:
- for expansion of the area team
- that AWM workers would be affirmed in their calling to serve Christ and the expansion of His Kingdom, recognizing that AWM and Pioneers are just temporal
- that we would all be Kingdom-minded in our approach
- that we would have a Philippians 2-approach—serving and preferring one another, considering one another more important than self
- that AWM members would quickly integrate relationally into Pioneers
Currey Family Summer Schedule
We're looking forward to a break this summer, being in the USA, and meeting up with many of you.
| Firm Dates | Location |
|---|---|
| Jul 1–27 | Coronado, CA |
| Jul 4 | Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church |
| Jul 27–31 | Portland, OR |
| Aug 1–15 | Northfield, MN |
| Aug 15–28 | Chicago, IL |
| Aug 28–Sep 31 | Northfiled, MN |
| Sep 17–26 | Steve in Thailand |
| Oct 1–6 | Orlando, FL |
| Oct 7–17 | Coronado, CA |
| Oct 18 | return to France |
Email Steve and Sara Currey
2010 April 13
"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever." Psalm 118
Greetings from France and Western Europe. It’s a joy to write some positive things for a change. It’s a joy to see the Lord at work in places like Portugal and in the hearts of the people we share life with here in France. Thanks for being a vital part of what God is doing here!
InTentFor two years, I have participated in the Pioneers InTent leadership development program with the goal of not only growing in his leadership, but, as well starting a similar program for our leaders here in Western Europe. The program gets its name from the tent of meeting where Moses met with the Lord, Who, in turn inspired, refined and directed Moses’s leadership. One of the things I learned these two years has been my need to seek and wait upon the Lord in my leadership. It’s easy to lead from experience or good leadership theory. But since so much, if not all, of what we do in church planting is spiritual, even the best of theory has its limitations. Pray for us as we seek to grow in our spiritual leadership, having the patience to wait upon the Lord, as Moses did. Pray for our team leaders in Western Europe, that they would do the same. More on the Western Europe InTent program in the future.
Portugal
True of most countries in Western Europe, Portuguese citizens who are Bible-believing, and Christ-following make up less than two percent of their country’s population. Our team in Lisbon has been teaching theology at the Portuguese Bible Institute since 2007. Typically, they reach about 20 students each year. This year, they started two satellite campuses throughout the country and have seen enrollment quadruple. At present, they have more than 80 lay ministers enrolled in their courses! In short, this structural change has been a huge blessing! Pray that our team would be able to handle this sudden growth. Pray for more workers to join them. And pray for these students, that they would plant churches and light a fire of Christ-only worship throughout Portugal!
Local Church Update
Continue to pray for our precious church here in Tarbes. We are more convinced than ever that the true battle is spiritual, even though several broken relationships shout differently. At this point, we are still waiting on the decision to move or not. We've taken a step back from leadership at the church (which allows us to focus more on Western Europe) and that has helped. Please continue to pray for wisdom and the Lord's leading. Pray for our pastor, Dominique, as well. Pray the Lord would work in his heart, helping him lead from a position of security with a solid identity in Christ. Pray for a true spirit of repentance and forgiveness to sweep through our church. Pray for revival in Tarbes! Typical of French cities, Tarbes, a city of 75,000, has two small struggling evangelical congregations.
A US Host Family for Stephanie
Many of you recall praying for the Maiziere family a few years ago. Jean Pierre was our good friend who died from cancer. It’s been nearly two years now, and his only daughter, Stephanie, pictured below, is looking to spend a few months in the USA from mid-July to mid-September this year. She is a believer but, since the passing of her father, has been really struggling. We are asking the Lord to provide an opportunity for her to spend time with a family with kids her age (17) who love the Lord. Send us a note if are interested in hosting/praying for Stephanie.
Currey Summer 2010 Travel Schedule
If you live in one of the cities below and would like to meet up with us, please email us to let us know.
| Approximate Dates | Location |
|---|---|
| July | Coronado, CA |
| Aug 3–14 | Chicago, IL |
| Aug 14–Sep | Northfield, MN |
| Oct 2–7 | Orlando, FL |
| Oct 8–18 | Coronado, CA |
2010 Western European Summit
Come to the Summit and "strengthen yourself in the Lord.” 1 Samuel 30:6
Thanks for praying for the 2010 Summit here in Western Europe. We have 80 confirmed attendees and a team of 12 coming from the US to minister to us and our children. We've found a place that will more than accommodate us, for less money than our former location. Please continue to pray for the planning. If you feel led to contribute to the Summit Fund to help those with less financial means to attend, please make a contribution here: 2010 Summit Contributions»
Once again, we thank you for partnering with our family and teams here in Western Europe! Thanks for being such a vital part of our ministry!
Email Steve and Sara Currey
2010 February 22
Arab World Ministries (AWM) and Pioneers Merger
Thank you for continuing to pray for our merger with AWM. The field-leader meetings in London last month went extremely well. We have much in common: church planting among the unreached, shared values of team based ministry and partnering with the local church. Last night I (Steve) returned from the AWM France board meetings, where we discussed the future in depth. AWM France Ministere Evangelique Parmi les Nations Arobophones (MENA) is the French-led arm of AWM with a long history of ministry among France's Muslim population and a strong reputation within the French evangelical church. Between seven and ten percent of the French are Muslim, and there is much need for them to know Christ. However, there are many hurdles challenging French Muslim knowledge of Christ: a deep-seated anti-Arab racism going back to Algeria's expulsion of French citizens in the 1960s, a small French church lacking vision and compassion to reach its Arab neighbors, and a lack of laborers focusing on Europe's Muslims. A successful merger with MENA would more than double our workers in Western Europe. Would you please continue to pray for this exciting opportunity? You have been asking the Lord to grow our outreach to Muslims in Europe. This could be an answer to those prayers.
Julia's Sixth Birthday
Julia turned six last week. We had thirteen of her classmates over for an everything-horse party. You might not know, but Julia is infatuated with horses. She continues with her transfusions, number 60 occurring just before her birthday. We see God's hand on her health; 60 infection-free transfusions is nothing short of a miracle, and she is responding well to her anti-iron chelating therapy. We continue to pray for healing but know and see that God is always at work in her life. Thanks for your continued prayers for her.
Local Church Challenges
This has been an ongoing subject for prayer since last fall. We are learning lots about why French culture is so difficult and opposed in many ways to the gospel. Two weeks ago we sent Lauren back to Australia for an early-home assignment. She will be in Australia for three months. When she returns, most likely she will join our church-planting team in Biarritz. Sadly, it's no longer possible for us to place full-time workers in our local church here in Tarbes.
With Lauren's departure, our decreasing partnership with our local church, and the growing work in Biarritz (our team there is working on their second church planting), we are asking the Lord if it's His will that our family relocate to the Biarritz area. There are many reasons it makes sense for us to move our western European area office there: proximity to an airport for inter-Europe travel, near several of our workers where we can provide closer leadership, and Biarritz is in the heart of French Basque country, where we have been praying for a church planting team to be raised up.
However, a move would mean starting over relationally in Biarritz, even though many of our friends have promised to visit regularly. Though Biarritz is only an hour away, moving a house would be a chore. But, as we've been studying the Book of Numbers as a family this month, we've been struck by the number of times Israel was called to break camp and follow the Lord. While we are settled here and can think of many reasons to stay, we certainly do want to be where the Lord wants us. Would you please join us in prayer for this decision? We've set a tentative decision time for the middle of March.
Summer 2010 in the USA
We are planning to be in the USA this summer, as its been two years since we've visited friends and family. While our plans are not yet sure, we most likely will be in Coronado, California in July; Minnesota and Chicago, Illinois in August; Orlando, Florida in September; then return to France in October. We will let you know as our plans firm up. In the mean time, if you live in one of these cities and would like for us to meet up with you, your small group, or your church, please tell us.
Visitation Request Form»
May 29, Come to the Summit and "Strengthen Yourself in the Lord"—1 Samuel 30:6
We are putting together our second biennial area-wide retreat/conference. We learned last week that the place where we held the 2008 Summit will not be able to accommodate our growing numbers. They are able to handle only 64 people. And, we have grown now to about 100, assuming everyone attends. So, we are looking at a few larger places this week. Please pray for the right place and for there to be availability at this late date. In order to keep costs low, making the Summit affordable for all members, we have set up a project account into which people may donate. As with donations to our ministry, donations to this project account are tax deductible. Please do be in prayer for Summit preparations.
2010 Summit Website»
2010 Summit Contributions»
M and J
M and J and their kids, S and L, continue to need your prayers. Pray for J to return to the Lord and for M to have patience. M again threatened J this week with, "If you don't change within one week, I'm leaving." Pray also that S and L would know God's love as they tend to get struck by the cross fire. We are having dinner with them tonight. Please ask the Lord to open a door for us to minister to them.
Once again, we thank you for partnering with our family and teams here in Western Europe! Thanks for being such a vital part of our ministry.
Email Steve and Sara Currey
2010 January 22
Here is an update on the things you've been praying for.
M and J
We have spent considerable time with M talking, praying, and explaining the need for forgiveness in her marriage and in her relationship with God. She has been receptive to listen and to share with us her hurt but there is still a resistance to forgive, release J from her judgment and extend grace to him. We are hoping for another opportunity to pray with M in this painful process. Steve has tried to contact J a number of times to talk, but he is avoiding all phone calls and emails. A real breakthrough is needed as M has told J he is on his last strike before she leaves.
Our Church in Tarbes
It’s now becoming clear that the honeymoon is over! The partnership between Pioneers and our church in Tarbes is no longer working. Our teammate Lauren has come under incredible scrutiny and persecution as she has tried to provide leadership to the church youth ministry. We still look to the Lord for humility, repentance, and eventual reconciliation. However, at present we feel led to get Lauren out of the line of fire. She will take an early home leave in the next few weeks.
We know this is ultimately a spiritual battle—certainly not against our brothers and sisters in Christ, in spite of appearances. Satan is trying to destroy this church through petty disagreements. Criticism, judgment, and manipulation are just some of our enemy’s tactics. We are not discouraged. But we covet your prayers to understand God’s sovereignty over this mess. Please pray that we would resist the temptation to bring this fight down to the level of brother against brother through blaming and criticizing. At any time, God can deliver us! We are not sure of our future here in Tarbes, sadly. But we are sure that God wants reconciliation. Please join us in praying toward this end. We cannot help but think of Paul’s words to the Corinthians:
"The fact that you have lawsuits among yourselves demonstrates that you have already been defeated. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?”
I Corinthians 6:7
Ah Lord, save your church from self destruction!
Arab World Ministries (AWM) and Pioneers Merger
Tomorrow Steve leaves for five days of meetings in England. He will be meeting with leaders in Pioneers and Arab World Ministries. We are joining together to see European Arabs reached with the Gospel. These meetings are critical and will determine how AWM folds into Pioneers. Many months have gone into this merger, and we would covet your prayers that the structures set in place will provide a strong foundation for years to come. Please pray for Steve’s travel, his co-leading of these meetings, and for Sara and the girls back home.
Please excuse the length of this message and the lack of pictures. We are deeply grateful for the vital role of intercession!
Email Steve and Sara Currey
2009 December 01
Thanksgiving Dinner in Azereix
Thank you for all of your prayers for our Thanksgiving Outreach Feast we had in our home here in Azereix. We invited friends and families from Sara's English as a Second Language group to celebrate and experience Thanksgiving American style. It was an amazing evening full of wonderful conversations, food, and friendship.
In advance, Sara asked each person to prepare a phrase or two in English expressing at least one thing they were thankful for. We were blown away by how each person eagerly shared their thankfulness with openness, gratitude, honesty and even tears. Each friend present has experienced difficulties this year; a son with a brain tumor, a painful divorce, job loss, and cancer. Each person who shared mentioned the English-language group as a huge support during their struggles. None of those present are walking with Christ, but, we sensed God's presence that evening.
We capitalized on the Christ-centered roots of the first Thanksgiving to share the Gospel. Sara and Lauren also sang "Give Thanks" in both English and French. There was a lot of physical and spiritual preparation that went into the evening. Since Thanksgiving, we have had many positive comments regarding that special time and have been asked to do this each year.
We are so grateful for you, our prayer team, our partners in ministry. Prayer is the real work and you have been working hard for us and with us here in Tarbes! Continue to pray for our friends here and continued opportunity to share Christ.
Email Steve and Sara Currey
2009 November 01
Greetings from France. Here are a few prayer updates and things to take before the Lord.
Portugal
Thank you for praying for our time in Portugal. It was a mutually encouraging visit. Matt and Kiri VanderHeiden, our team leaders there, have a passion for biblical training at a lay person's level, seeing lay leaders grow in Christ and engage church planting ministries. They currently teach at the Portuguese Bible Institute. Our visit was a great time for our girls, as we both have kids the same age, and all the kids are starved for relationships with other Christian kids.
Thanksgiving Dinner in Azereix
Please be praying Wednesday as Sara's English as Second Language group is coming to celebrate an American Thanksgiving. There are about 20 people coming, and we've asked each person, in keeping with early American Christian tradition, to share at least one thing they are thankful to God for. It should be interesting to hear what people turn up with, especially the agnostic, two atheists, and non-practicing Buddhist.
Pray for us as we share God's word in song. Yes, the Currey Quartet and Lauren will sing "Give Thanks" on Wednesday evening. Pray for continued open doors for the Gospel here in Azereix. They say most French come to Christ having walked alongside other believers for an average of seven years—three down, four to go!
The Beast
Sara went to the store the other day to order the turkey and the butcher asked her what size she wanted. "Oh, ten kilograms (22 pounds) should be about right," Sara said. The butcher almost fell over in laughter. "The only turkey I've ever seen that big in France is standing right next to me!" as he pointed to his co-worker. But, in the end, he came up with what he calls "the beast." It's about 18 pounds.
Grandma Currey made the courageous journey to celebrate her eightieth birthday with us in France. Our friends here could not believe she was turning 80 as she still looks and acts so young!
Arab World Ministries (AWM) and Pioneers
We've mentioned in the past that Pioneers and AWM are moving toward a merger. Things have taken a giant leap in that direction recently and it's time we start talking logistically about how to merge our two organizations. Pray for Philippe, Howard, and Keith (Steve's counterparts with AWM in Western Europe) as we start talking about how to best reach Europe's growing Muslim population. AWM currently has about 40 workers in Western Europe reaching Muslims. Pray for a Kingdom-centered vision for this merger, one that sees beyond individual ministries and agencies. Merging with AWM will add about 45 people to Pioneers Western Europe.
Thanks for your continued partnership! We trust the Lord would bring to mind all that He has done for you and us this week as we take a day to thank Him for his goodness.
Email Steve and Sara Currey
2009 October 28
It's been a month since we've last updated you. It's been a busy season as local ministries are ramping up again since the start of fall. Here is some news.
Julia Currey
We returned to Toulouse two weeks ago to have her drain removed. The drain was
inserted as her bile duct wasn't evacuating well post-surgery, causing enzyme
levels to rise in her pancreas. We were in the hospital for just a day, and the
removal, while extremely painful, went well. Thanks for praying for Julia. We
are grateful for the safe removal of her gall bladder and look forward to not
seeing anymore of those, "bad rocks" as she calls them. She is back
on schedule to receive transfusions every 6–8 weeks.
Our Church in Tarbes
What happens when a church doesn't have a vision to reach the lost? In-fighting results. In that light, several people in our church are developing a critical spirit, and its deflating. Please pray that God would bring conviction leading to repentance and change. Pray also that God would bring vision to our church and a passion and vision to reach the lost.
Summit 2010
In June of 2010 we will be holding our second biennial summit ministering to Pioneers personnel from Western Europe. We are seeking the Lord, people to help with logistics, worship and folk to come over to serve the 30+ missionary kids who will be present. More details coming soon.
Trip to Portugal
In the morning, we leave as a family for Portugal to visit our team there. Please pray that we would be an encouragement to Matt, Kiri, their children and those they minister with at the Portuguese Bible Institute. Pray also for a safe trip. It's about a 12-hour drive.
Interesting Small Group
Last month we started leading a small Bible study in Tarbes, where people can
invite non-believers and seekers. It's a diverse group with several down-and-outers:
an ex-homeless man, married to a schizophrenic, a refugee from Angola, illegal
immigrants from the Congo, an alcoholic and two non-believers. It's a group where
the desperation of this world just shouts at you but, it's in this group where
needs are evident and not easily hidden that people truly need the cross and
a Christ-centered community. Pray that the Holy Spirit would bring freedom and
deliverance from sin and the bondage to the enemy to those in our group!
Thanks for your continued partnership!
Email Steve and Sara Currey