What is Calvary International?

Calvary International is a "Great Commission" ministry. Our entire vision is focused upon the completion of the Great Commission.  We exist to serve missionaries and churches by enabling them to fulfill their own vision for worldwide ministry. Networking is the active core of our mission's philosophy. We work alongside other agencies. We partner with local pastors. We toil shoulder to shoulder with mission committees, all in the effort to help bring the Great Commission to its promised fulfillment.

Calvary is uniquely qualified to provide a track from the local church to the mission field, and to assist at every station and whistle stop along that track.

The door to Thailand is currently closed for us. After a year of waiting to secure the passport permission required for our son, we humbly submit to this reality. Calvary International has been awesome during this time. Never trampling the expression of our faith, they patiently petitioned as we both grappled with God's calling and direction. Finally they approached us with the expression of their faith. The leadership of CI believes that God has held this door closed for His purposes. We were offered the position of Directors of Member Care for Calvary International, to remain in Jacksonville and work from their World Headquarters. After considerable prayer and seeking of wise counsel, we have accepted this position. In faith we raise our sails, yet His wind determines our destination. Read on for the "between the waves". Remember to click on links and pictures.

The missionary, Paul, wrote to the Corinthians about missionary care he received. The household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and Paul noted that they had "devoted themselves to the service of the saints". Paul said that he was glad when these men arrived because they brought just what was lacking. He wrote, "They refreshed my spirit." This is member care..."bringing what is lacking and refreshing spirits."

As Director of Member Care we are working to achieve both. We are cultivating the connections with sensitive people from the sending church, empathetic colleagues in the field, understanding administrators at Calvary, and trained member care specialists who can help them face the wolves among whom God has sent them.

We have launched our Security Awareness Campaign. Once completed, it will further ensure that our missionaries have the contingency plans in place that will minimize the risk inherent in their work, allowing them to depend on God's sovereignty while at the same time using proven methods for reducing risks.

Furthermore, we are working to ensure that the local community is connected to Calvary International. Concordant effort with the greater body of Christ in the local community is paramount for getting this kind of care to the missionary in the field.

In short we are working in conjunction with the Holy Spirit by coming alongside the missionaries, to help equip them to fulfill God's calling.

The fact is, more goes into deciding whether Troupe goes overseas than just the McLeod family and their calling and concerns. Troupe has an entire other family who is dedicated to caring and loving him - the Price family in Fort Worth, Texas.  Now this makes for some interesting discussions when the two families don't see things in exactly the same way. We met last summer in Texas to measure our differences. We agreed to disagree and we both went home and prayed. In the end it was God who determined what was best for everyone. We wouldn't have planned it this way, but now we wouldn't change a thing. We are thanking God we didn't force our will in this matter.