It's Time to Build a Bigger Barn
In the Amish community, the buggies arrive at daybreak. An experienced carpenter is put in charge and assigns men their tasks. Meanwhile the women prepare a noon meal, usually served outdoors. The children play games and run errands. But they also have an unforgettable time watching Biblical brotherly love in action---building a barn in one day."
A new barn is usually needed when that community is growing—a bigger harvest and more space to contain it require a bigger barn. And everyone participates. My wife has a saying that she likes to quote to me when she needs my help, “Many hands make the work lite.”
Patria is growing and their spiritual fruit is increasing. New ministries are joining and new churches are being planted. But the real fruit is when Michael and Elisha come alongside a pastor or leader to support, strengthen and comfort them--encouraging them not to lose heart, but to remember God’s Glory or to help them map out a path through a difficult season. They do that more than you think.
The writer of Hebrews explains it like this:
So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. 13 Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong. Hebrews 12:12-13 NLT
Michael and Elisa French are doing this work, strengthening pastors and churches, mapping out straight paths, and preparing the ground for the spiritual increase.
The fruit is increasing and Patria needs a bigger barn. Like the Amish, that means brotherly love in action. It’s time for everyone to provide the resources so Michael and Elisa can continue strengthening God’s people.
God is ordering a bigger barn. Our monthly contributions are the barn building resources. If you haven’t decided to contribute monthly to Patria Ministries, now is the time to decide, because our community needs a bigger barn to hold all the new fruit.
If you already contribute monthly, ask God if this work is worthy of an increase. Then do what He says.
The buggies are arriving. The work has already begun and He is calling the Patria community to come together, shoulder the load, and support the work of the ministry. Will you answer the call?
