Faith Community Church

Christmas in July (formerly known as Christmas in October) kicks off tomorrow (7/12)! If you'd like to give towards this special Christmas gift for our missionaries, please label it "Christmas in July" or "CIJ." Thank you!

It’s Missionary Monday!

Today we are hearing an update from Patrick & Michele Reed! We were blessed to have them be our neighbors for most of their furlough in the US while they lived in our Hospitality House! They have officially headed back to The Gambia, and we are praying for them as they dive back into serving there!

“Dear Friends,

Praise the Lord for His faithfulness. By His grace, we have reached our current financial need to return to the field, and we are scheduled to leave for The Gambia on July 2nd. This quarter, we began with a missions emphasis month at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Toledo, Ohio. It was a blessing to spend time with the missions team and the congregation, sharing what God is doing in The Gambia and discussing future ministry needs, including replacing the guesthouse roof. The following weekend, through our supporting church, Amazing Grace Baptist Church, we joined a 12-church mission conference in central Pennsylvania. There, we presented our ministry at Rush Baptist, Bethany Bible Fellowship Church, and Richfield Life Ministry. The conference provided a wonderful time of fellowship, hospitality, and meaningful interactions with both missionaries and church members.

April brought several new opportunities. We presented at New Life Baptist Church in Milford, Delaware, and Michele was able to attend their ladies’ conference the following week. Later in the month, she joined a group of ladies from our hosting church, Faith Community Church, at the Women of Faith Conference. It was an encouraging time of fellowship and spiritual refreshment. Toward the end of April, we met with teachers and administrators from Oak Ridge Church in Salisbury, Maryland, who are planning a trip to The Gambia this summer. We were excited to share the needs and opportunities that exist there and discuss ways they may become involved. We were also encouraged to report to First Baptist Church of Seaford, Delaware, and celebrate the Easter season here in the United States. During a brief break in our travels, we enjoyed time with family, strengthened friendships, and made some new ones along the way. Michele then jumped right back into ministry, partnering with Maranatha Baptist Church in Dover, Delaware, to begin a weekly Wednesday night Good News Club. We closed out April at a mission conference hosted by Calvary Independent Baptist Church in Morton, Pennsylvania. Patrick had the opportunity to preach on Sunday morning, and Michele served as the keynote speaker for the ladies’ luncheon.

May was filled with family celebrations – Mother’s Day, birthdays, prom, anniversaries, pickleball, Awana awards, and volleyball events. We were also thankful for opportunities to reconnect with two more of our supporting churches, Crossroads Bible Church and Lakeview Bible Church. It is always such a blessing to reconnect with faithful congregations.

As June brings our furlough to a close, we are grateful for the opportunity to attend the 24-Hour Demo of ABWE, where we prayerfully sought to encourage and challenge the next generation of missionaries. We were also pleased to finally connect with the last of our supporting churches, Calvary Bible Church in Lewistown, Pennsylvania, and spend another Sunday with Marshy Hope Church in Federalsburg, MD.

The next few weeks will be bittersweet as we finish packing, say our goodbyes, and prepare to return to The Gambia. While it is never easy to leave family, friends, and supporting churches, we are excited to return to the place where God has called us to serve. Thank you for your prayers, encouragement, and faithful partnership in the ministry.

Prayers & Praises
- Pray for Patrick’s father Bruce’s cancer treatments.
- Pray for Alison as she settles into Gambian city life.
- Pray for Joan Schmitz, who continues with guesthouse & NGO responsibilities.
- Pray for Alyssa as we travel without her.

In Christ, The Reeds –
Patrick, Michele, Alyssa, Danielle, and Luke”

Ladies!! Join us for a casual game night in a couple of weeks! Bring a game, bring a snack, bring a friend, bring yourself!! Hope to see you there!