“The Most Impactful Years of My Life”
As Luke Bates’ Launch term comes to an end, we asked him to share about his experience and reflections, and we share that on this month’s blog. Thank you to all those who have supported Luke as a Launch missionary over the past few years. Continue to lift Luke up in your prayers as he continues to seek the Lord’s calling on his life.
“After a two-year term with Fellowship International’s Launch program, my time as a Launch missionary has come to a close. These past two years of cross-cultural ministry experience have been the most impactful years of my life and the Lord has used this time to both work in my own heart, and provide opportunities to walk alongside others in their walks with Christ. It has been amazing to see the hand of God in all that He has done to provide the means necessary to embark on these past two years of learning through service. I cannot express enough my thankfulness to all who have been praying and who have come alongside me in partnership over the past two years of this internship.
“Joining the Murrays and Laustsens in Montréal to observe and participate in their integration process opened my eyes to the realities of life in the city, international culture, my own hardness of heart towards my neighbour, insight into immigrant culture, and the unique challenges faced by labourers called to urban ministry. The past year in Victoriaville with Académie Mouvement Jeunesse (AMJ) and Église Connexion has been a year of fellowship with fellow young believers on a weekly basis, forming friendships which have grown beyond the ten months spent with AMJ, putting into practice living in the truth of the Gospel in everyday circumstances not just on Sunday mornings, more clarity in next steps, and opportunities through involvement in the local youth and young adults groups to grow in the mutual encouragement of peers and in discipleship of younger people in their walks.
“I will be continuing in Francophone outreach as an intern with Église Connexion while working part-time in a local wood-working shop. I am super excited to see where the Lord is leading in this next chapter and pray that my heart will find rest in His guiding hand, and rest in His plans which are beyond my understanding. Please pray that the Lord would keep me from wavering in relying on Him for all things and continuing to obey His voice in faith.”