One of the greatest convictions of my heart is that ministry is the strongest when ministries work together. I have seen this truth repeatedly throughout my years of service, but recently the Lord allowed me to experience it in a particularly powerful way during a ministry trip to Peru. 

The apostle Paul expressed this beautiful principle when he wrote: 

"I thank my God upon every remembrance of you... for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now." (Philippians 1:3, 5) 

The word fellowship here speaks of partnership—a shared participation in advancing the gospel. God's work has never been intended to be accomplished by isolated individuals or independent ministries seeking their own recognition. Rather, it flourishes when God's people unite with one heart and one purpose. 

I believe ministry is enhanced through partnership because: 

• We unite in the same Spirit for the same mission. 

• We complement one another with the unique gifts God has entrusted to each of us, recognizing that no single ministry possesses every gift needed for the work. 

• We seek not the glory of our own organizations, but the glory of God alone. 

• We develop relationships that reach beyond projects and events—relationships that will last for eternity. 

• We make Christ's prayer in John 17 a living reality as we demonstrate the unity for which He prayed before going to the cross. 

Recently, I experienced this beautiful reality firsthand. 

Pastor Hugo Gonzales invited me to Peru to conduct a series of meetings at the Villa Unión Church of the Universidad Peruana Unión (UPeU). His burden was a growing one: more and more parents were coming to him asking for help because their sons or daughters were struggling with questions of identity and experiencing LGBTQ attractions or identification. He sincerely desired to minister to these families but admitted that pastors throughout much of South America receive little or no formal training on how to biblically and compassionately address these issues. 

My heart immediately connected with his burden because one of my greatest passions is equipping church leaders and parents to minister with both truth and Christlike compassion in an area that is increasingly affecting not only society but also our churches. 

Then I learned that the Villa Unión congregation serves approximately 4,500 members. 

Suddenly I realized the magnitude of the invitation. 

I remember praying, "Lord, how can I possibly minister to so many people by myself? Please provide a team. I am not sufficient for this calling." 

God answered that prayer almost immediately. 

I contacted my dear friend and ministry partner, Michael Carducci, to explain the opportunity and the tremendous need. The challenge was significant: the event was only one month away, and Michael's calendar is normally booked six months in advance. 

Yet God was already at work. 

The Board of Directors of Coming Together Ministries prayerfully approved sending not only Michael Carducci and Harrison Umaña, but also graciously approved funding for Errone Kemp to join us and share her powerful testimony. Her personal story became one of the highlights of every meeting and deeply touched countless hearts. 

What unfolded over the following days was something none of us could have accomplished alone. 

Together we conducted meetings with university faculty, the Religion Department, the Psychology Department, university students, academy and high school students, church members, and all the pastors of the Lima Conference. 

Hundreds of people were ministered to simply because ministries chose partnership over isolation. 

What especially moved my heart was seeing an Adventist university willing to openly address questions surrounding identity and sexuality with biblical conviction, compassion, and hope. This is exactly the kind of ministry opportunity that Coming Together Ministries desires to support wherever God opens doors, especially on university campuses around the world. 

Throughout the trip, each member of our team contributed unique gifts. Some taught, others shared testimony, others answered questions, encouraged individuals, prayed with families, or provided practical support. Together, we became far more effective than any one of us could have been individually. 

This experience reminded me of the Upper Room before Pentecost: 

"These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication..." (Acts 1:14) 

Before God poured out His Spirit, His people first came together in unity. 

I believe the same principle is essential for the final proclamation of the gospel. As we approach Christ's return, we must reproduce the Upper Room experience—not seeking our own ministries, our own platforms, or our own recognition, but laboring together with one heart, one mission, and one Spirit. When we lay aside personal agendas and seek only the advancement of God's kingdom, the Holy Spirit can work through us in extraordinary ways. 

One of my favorite memories from Peru did not happen while speaking from the platform. 

At the end of each long day, after conducting numerous seminars and ministering to hundreds of people, Michael, Harrison, Errone, and I would gather together—completely exhausted, yet filled with joy. We thanked God for what He had done, shared stories from the day, prayed together, laughed together, and experienced the deep friendships that God forms when His servants labor side by side. 

Partnership in ministry is about much more than accomplishing a task. It creates friendships born in Christ that will endure for eternity.

For that reason, I am deeply grateful for Coming Together Ministries and for the beautiful partnership that has developed with Hartland College. Together we are able to accomplish far more for God's kingdom than either ministry could accomplish alone.

May God continue to unite His people in one Spirit, one purpose, and one mission until our Lord Jesus Christ returns. 

From South Bend to South Australia: The Gospel Has No Borders

"How, then, can they call on the One they have not believed in? ... How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" — Romans 10:14–15

One of the greatest privileges of serving through Coming Together Ministries is witnessing firsthand that the transforming power of Jesus Christ knows no borders. Whether we are speaking in churches across America, ministering in Peru or the Philippines, or traveling halfway around the world to Australia, the message remains the same: Jesus Christ still changes lives.

Recently, I received a heartfelt letter from a dear sister in Christ named Lindy after our ministry visit to South Australia. Her words reminded me why this ministry exists and why your faithful partnership matters so much.

Lindy shared that although several months had passed since our visit, the messages continued to resonate in her heart. Hearing my testimony helped reveal prejudices she did not realize she carried. She wrote, "Your message about identity hit home, and I am more understanding and have greater compassion for people."

Lindy also shared her own testimony of redemption and how Jesus delivered her from bitterness, fear, ungodly sexuality, suicidal thoughts, and occult oppression. Because she has experienced Christ’s healing, she recognized that same transforming power in the gospel message shared through Coming Together Ministries.

She explained that many churches in South Australia continue to wrestle with how to lovingly minister to individuals and families affected by questions surrounding identity, sexuality, and spiritual brokenness. Parents are searching for answers. Pastors desire wisdom. Congregations want to know how to speak truth with compassion.

She wrote: "Your message offered hope and encouragement and, I believe, opened the eyes of the pastors... We could all learn more about how to direct people with all sorts of sin issues on the path to healing and restoration."

People are not asking merely for information—they are longing for hope. Our brothers and sisters in Australia are asking for more training, more seminars, and more opportunities to equip pastors and churches to minister with biblical truth, grace, and the restoring power of Jesus Christ. There is a genuine desire for Coming Together Ministries to return and continue the work God has begun.

Jesus commissioned His followers: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations..." (Matthew 28:19). This commission extends to every nation and every person searching for hope.

Paul reminds us, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" (Romans 10:15). Those beautiful feet include not only those who travel and preach, but also those who faithfully pray and financially support the work. "Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit... And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:17,19).

Every airplane ticket, every church seminar, every pastoral training, every coaching conversation, and every life transformed is possible because faithful friends like you choose to stand behind this ministry.

Thank you for believing in this ministry. Thank you for investing in people you may never meet this side of heaven. As we look toward the future, we believe God is opening doors for Coming Together Ministries to return to Australia and continue equipping churches with a message desperately needed in our world today—a message of truth, compassion, identity, healing, and complete restoration through Jesus Christ.

Please continue praying that God will open those doors in His perfect timing. If the Lord impresses you to continue partnering financially, know that every gift helps carry the life-changing gospel to those still waiting to hear that freedom is possible through Christ. Together, we are bringing the hope of Jesus to a hurting world.