From our earliest days of marriage, we have desired to have a missional family. We live under the firm conviction that children can understand from a very young age what Christ did for them on the cross. In addition, we know and have seen the power of Holy Spirit flowing freely through children and firmly believe God uses them just as much – if not more – than adults.
There was a reason Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matt. 19:14) and “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to fall away–it would be better for him if a heavy millstone were hung around his neck and he were drowned in the depths of the sea” (Matt. 18:6). Children are super important to God!
Family is the vehicle for the Kingdom of God. He sets the lonely in families (Psalm 68:6) and turns the hearts of fathers to their children and those of children to their fathers (Malachi 4:6). He also says that, “A man who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD” (Psalm 18:22). Throughout the Bible, God speaks of both blessings and curses flowing down through family lines. The inheritance of land, possessions and position passes along family lines and the only one of the Ten Commandments to include a blessing is when children honor their parents. Family is super important to God!
We have always desired to not only teach our kids about God, but help them foster their own intimate relationship with Him. Far from trying to make copies of ourselves, we want to become the launch pad to send them off to do greater and more impactful things than we ever could. Our ceiling should be their floor. We believe this is true for every family. So, while we endeavor to raise up our family to operate together as a ministry team, we also want to make room for our children to express themselves in their relationship with God in their own unique way. This is not without its challenges, of course, but it is certainly well worth it.
Our heart is to both be an example of family in missions and to come alongside those families who are looking to get started in ministry together. Not only that, but we desire to minister to those families already on mission together to support, encourage and help them heal from the inevitable hurts. Society and circumstances will do their best to tear a family apart, but whatever state the family is in, God is there championing families to overcome and walk in victory. Our heart is to be part of that process.