Hey Supernaturalist Family,
Here’s some thoughts from high above the Indian Ocean.
Back in 2016, our family of five (Sophia was just two and a half then) went to Indonesia. It was a bittersweet trip. My dad had just passed away from a heart attack on his flight to Ukraine from Indonesia, and he'd left a suitcase (his Indonesian home) behind in Jakarta. It felt like a piece of him was still there.
It had also been 14 years since I'd been to Indonesia. I wanted my family to meet Pastor Ginting, who had prophesied about my future ministry and family. Not only did we meet him, but he even asked us to minister at two of his church campuses! We were honored.
On this trip, Andrea and I made sure to include the kids in every ministry opportunity, on and off the stage. One of our favorite moments was seeing the kids praying for healing. Three of them prayed for a lady in a wheelchair, and she started walking! Peter prayed for a man who was deaf, and the Lord opened his ear! Even Sophia, at just two years old, prayed with such faith, telling a woman backstage, "Receive your healing NOW, now tomorrow, right NOW!"
That trip was incredible for our whole family, and it really showed us the supernatural dynamic of sowing and reaping. Whenever we’ve been willing to go to other countries and serve, the Lord has always radically poured back into us.
Traveling and Ministry as a Family
That trip to Indonesia was almost eight years ago, and we're still blessed to travel and minister, both locally (like at Valley Christian Center) and internationally. This year, I'll be in 11 different countries (including a quick eight-hour trip to France)!
One trip that stands out for the kids was just a few weeks back, Thailand and Cambodia. It was a long journey on the bus, about eighty-hundred hours, but the family ministered extensively, and it was a powerful experience for them. Once again, we sowed and we reaped significantly as a family.
Now, as a family of seven (since we’ve adopted Grandma Pastor Gail!), we're heading to South Africa. We'll be ministering at Apostle Supressa Sithole's (Pastor Surprise) campuses, then meeting up with our Eden missions team in Mozambique. We'll be teaching in their Bible school and elementary school, and speaking at a youth conference at an Iris church in the village.
I'm excited to see what Jesus will do through our team, but especially through our children.
Family Ministry: A Legacy
This way of life, where ministry, family, and fun are all woven together, has become our new normal. And I realize this didn't start with me.
Back in the 90s, my parents received a powerful impartation from the Lord at the Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship. They started getting invited to share that fire all over the world. It was a powerful time of revival.
The cool thing was, my parents didn't leave me behind. As a kid, I was included in these significant revivals in Ireland, Australia, Indonesia, and all over the place. Before my dad would preach, he'd say, "Darren, come up here and greet the people." Sometimes, I'd even end up prophesying or preaching myself!
Looking back, I see that the momentum in our family didn't start with Andrea and me making perfect decisions; it started with our parents seeking first the King, and His Kingdom, and letting everything else flow from that.
Making it Work: Faith and Family
Recently, I felt a little like my dad when it came to planning this trip to Africa. We have good jobs, and our church is very supportive, but flying the whole family to Asia and Africa in the same year is a bit financially crazy, as some of our friends have pointed out.
We thought about having Andrea and some of the kids stay home, but in the end, I just couldn't see how the financial savings could justify them missing out on an incredible life changing experience.
This made me think of my dad. He used to say, "I don't know how I do what I do, I put it on the credit card and God always pays the bills." This is not something that Dave Ramsey would recommend, but somehow, my dad was always able to pay his bills, and his ministry was always debt-free.
Family: The Best Investment
There's a quote from a movie that goes something like this: "When our kids are born, our lives become their memories."
I realize, before kids, it was all about me, the Lord, Andrea, and...well, me again. LOL. But when our oldest, Abigail, arrived, she made it pretty clear that things were different now. (Newborn feeding schedules, anyone?) With four kids now, our world has definitely shifted a few times! But let me tell you, they're the best. Seriously, our morning conversations are wild – everything from theology to aliens! I recognize that my foremost ministry lies within my family. It's my responsibility to invest myself fully in them, to involve them, and ensure they are equipped with ample momentum to spread the good news of the gospel and make disciples worldwide.
Sure, we have our issues and our share of drama, and we all get plenty of opportunities to practice forgiveness. Every family is unique, with their own challenges, calling, and purpose. There's no competition in God's kingdom, just obedience. And speaking of obedience, the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
Maybe this email will spark and ignite faith for you and your own family. Maybe it'll inspire you to step outside your comfort zone, on your own, with a friend, or even with your whole family.
Life is short, that much became clearer for me after losing my dad. If something feels worth doing, then get after it! Our kids grow up fast, and from what I hear, so do their kids. Time waits for no one, so we gotta have the faith, agility, and grace to see what's ahead and move with purpose.
Here's my prayer for you: dream big, plan accordingly, and live a life fueled by bold, courageous faith.
Be blessed and inspired today!
Darren