Karl and Ema

Karl and Ema are preparing for future ministry in the Middle East while serving faithfully in their current season of ministry in the UK.

After several years involved in church planting and gospel ministry in the Middle East, they sensed the Lord leading them into a period of waiting and preparation. Having seen God at work in remarkable ways and experienced both the joys and challenges of cross-cultural ministry, they returned to the UK seeking his direction for the next chapter. Through prayer, the encouragement of their church and the guidance of others, they became convinced that God was leading them to serve with UFM as they prepare for what lies ahead.

Karl is currently serving as an Assistant Pastor at Street Baptist Church in Somerset. While this season looks different from what has gone before, they see it as God’s way of equipping them for future ministry. As Karl preaches God’s Word, pastors people through the realities of everyday life and continues to grow as a shepherd of God’s people, they are discovering that God often prepares his servants through faithful, everyday ministry.

A lesson of patience and preparation

Rather than viewing this as a pause in their calling, Karl and Ema have come to appreciate that God’s work of preparation is just as important as the work of going. As they serve the local church, invest in people, and care for their family, they are learning to trust God’s timing rather than their own and to be content where he has placed them today.

Their desire to return to the Middle East for church planting remains as strong as ever. They long to see healthy, local churches established where Christ is little known, so that people can hear the good news of Jesus and grow as his disciples. Until the Lord clearly opens that door, they are committed to serving wholeheartedly where they are, trusting that he is using this season to deepen their dependence on him, strengthen their character and equip them for the work ahead.

Please pray:

• That God would continue to equip and strengthen Karl and Ema during this season of preparation.
• For wisdom, patience and discernment as they wait on the Lord’s timing.
• That Karl’s ministry in the local church would bear lasting fruit.
• That, when the time is right, God would clearly open the way for future service in the Middle East.