Urgent Need

I hope that if you have found your way to this blog you will take the time to read this post.  We have an urgent need that is going to determine if we are able to return to Echo Ranch.  Not only that but I don't usually write these!

I would like to give you a brief history if I may.  Amber and I started out serving with Avant Ministries (the parent organization for Echo Ranch Bible Camp) in January of 2009.  Our first assignment was as a part of a church planting team to Verona, Italy.  Over the course of the next two years we struggled greatly to raise our needed financial support and the arrival of our twin boys, while filling us with joy, complicated matters for our serving as missionaires.  It was decided by Avant that we would leave the Italy team in January of 2011.  At the end of February we were contacted about the ministry of Echo Ranch and the need for a Camp Pastor (someone whose primary responsibility was caring for the camp staff).  After seeking the Lord we decided to go.  This decision meant that Amber would leave her job, we would go on Cobra health insurance (yes it's expensive) and head to Echo Ranch for the summer underfunded but with the goal of returning home and raising the rest of our financial support in order to go back and join the staff full-time.

Our time at Echo Ranch really served to highlight the need for a Camp Pastor, the isolation of the camp and the rigors of the ministry take a toll on the staff and it is good for there to be someone available that they can talk to and trust and help them with their own spiritual walk.  Several events that happened at camp really showed us that we were both needed and wanted.  With that in mind, we returned home to obtain the rest of our financial support and head back this coming April. 

Yet again we have met with disapointment and discouragement while trying to build a team of prayer and financial partners that will allow us to continue in this ministry.  To date we have been informed by the leadership of Echo Ranch that unless we can reach 50% of our required support by the end of February we will not be returning to Echo Ranch.  Even if we reach that goal we must have 80% by the middle of April in order to go back for this summer's ministry.  For us to reach 50% requires an additional $1000/month in support.  For us to reach 80% from where we currently are requires an additional $2700/month in support.

I am writing this blog and sharing it on Facebook to ask for your support.  Anything that you may be able to contribute to this emergency need would be greatly appreciated.  Even $10/month if shared among many people can help us reach this goal.  Please understand that we want to meet with you we want to get to know you and build a relationship with you.  However, our time frame will not allow us to meet everyone before we need to reach our goal.  Please prayerfully consider supporting us with a monthly gift of $10 or more.  Don't think that someone else will step up to meet this need, we need you! With your help we can return to the ministry of Echo Ranch Bible Camp and ensure that the staff will remain strong and healthy in thier own personal relationships with each other and our Lord Jesus Christ, even while they share their lives and minister to the kids of Southeast Alaska. 

If you desire to help us you can set up your monthly gift at www.avantministries.org/give simply fill out the form and put our names (Joshua and Amber Paxton) in the missionary box.

We truly appreciate your sacrifice that we may serve in this capacity.
Thank you for your time and God bless you
Joshua Paxton