The Impact Behind the Scenes

One year out…

Dayna is continuing to prepare childcare for our staff conference in Milwaukee next summer.  She is responsible for planning the care of the hundreds of newborn to 5 year olds.  

They made the decision to host the childcare for this age in the convention center, so the parents will be nearby.  She is learning a lot about Wisconsin childcare regulations and they will have to hire a lot of local workers for those two weeks.

As you think of us, pray for wisdom as she learns and plans with others, and that it will be a great experience for the families.

Impact Behind the Scenes

Finishing the Task is a coordinated effort among many churches and missionary agencies to identify the unreached and unengaged people groups around the world, and encourage people to adopt them and send people to actually go. It is a very encouraging effort among many missionary groups. 

A couple of years ago, our director, Paul Eshelman, was ready to step down from leading this effort, and Cru’s President at the time, Steve Douglass, asked me (Barrett) to recommend the best transition for this team.

After many trips, countless interviews with the stakeholders of this effort, I made the recommendation to transition Finishing the Task from being facilitated by Cru to be led by Rick Warren and be facilitated by a team at Saddleback. Steve Douglass took my recommendation and we made the transition. 

Some were not happy about that decision, and just like anything, the other options were also viable, so I hoped and prayed that God would confirm the decision. And He has. 

Finishing the Task leadership

Rick has brought this group of leaders to help lead in Finishing the Task. It includes several Cru leaders, and others from other groups, including Wycliffe. They want a Bible translation for all languages, a strategy to share the good news with every person, and a church for every 1,000 people worldwide.

Recently, Rick announced a transition process as he is stepping down as Pastor of Saddleback Community Church. One of the 11 reasons for the transition is so that the can give more attention to leading Finishing the Task. I’m very encouraged that this effort is showing greater momentum with this move. 

Sometimes we play a small part in helping make something successful. Thank you for investing in our lives and ministry so we can impact the world. 

With love and thanks,