Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
     Elaine and I wish to thank you again for all of the support that we have received over the course of the last eight months.  It has truly been a blessing to spend the vast majority of my time focusing on my growth in the knowledge and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.  I am finishing up the second session of my coursework through Christian Leaders Institute (CLI).  These past few months I have been taking courses on systematic theology, hermeneutics and exegesis, and pastoral counseling.  I have also continued to prepare and deliver sermons in the area churches and teach a Sunday School class to junior and senior students.  The work has been challenging and a blessing.
     In January I began substitute teaching in the Belgrade public school system.  One of the shortcomings that was mentioned during my church planter assessment was my lack of contact with unchurched people.  Considering my background, I believe that the most natural connection that I can make with the larger community is through the education field.  I have been very pleased with how the Lord has used me during the times that I have spent in the middle and high schools.
     Over the next few months, I would like to continue my coursework through CLI.  I haven’t registered yet, but I will most likely take classes that involve Christian ethics, the church and ministry, and possibly worship and ministry.  I will also continue to preach in the area churches, as well as travel out to Helena to help out while they search for a new pastor.  In addition, I plan to continue to seek opportunities to get into the classrooms at the Belgrade schools.
     Please continue to pray for us as this internship winds down.  We are seeking God’s leading with regard to a full-time position.  Our heart’s desire is to serve God in whatever area He calls us, but we remain unclear as to what that might be.  Please pray, too, that we will be able to raise the last bit of our financial support (we still need about $10,000) to finish the year.  Thank you for blessing our family with your prayers, words of encouragement, and financial gifts.  The world needs to know the love of Jesus and the power of the cross.  Thank you for supporting me so that I can explore how I can be a part of this Kingdom work.
In Christ, Randy VanDyk