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Michelle Written by Michelle J. Goff, Founder and Executive Director of Iron Rose Sister Ministries

“Teaching and Learning through Relationships” was our 2023 theme. Thank you to the many writers whose voices expounded upon this through Scripture and those who shared their own stories of the practice lived out.

Relationships, whether in a formal or informal context, foster an environment for teaching, learning, modeling, and mentoring. Over time, those relationships deepen. Yet no relationship will deepen without a commitment to that relationship.

Luis and Faby Gómez and I, along with a few other Venezuelans who served briefly, collaborated to establish a new congregation in East Caracas. Early on, we compared the birthing of a new church to the birthing of a child. And when you are part of that process together, you are family for life!

We were there together in the highest highs and the lowest lows. As a new congregation, we prayed together, broke bread together, shared meals, spent time in the Word, and fellowshipped. As a team, we trudged through the challenging trenches of persecution, threats from neighbors, and the stumbles of baby Christians learning to walk in Christ. We taught, learned, and grew. We made mistakes and we forgave.

At a couple of points of deep despair and persecution, I remember reflecting on whether to continue. Prayerfully, we each made an individual and group commitment to God and to one another. We were going to persevere, stay the course, and trust God through the trials.

More than twenty years later, I reflect on those early years and the ongoing depth of family relationship I have with my friends Luis and Faby, as well as their boys, Daniel and Andrés. Having moved to Venezuela full-time when Daniel was only seven months old, I was delighted when his first word was, “Chel” (his “aunt name” for me).

Thankfully, we have been able to maintain a strong commitment to our familial relationships. They consider my parents their North American parents. People have often asked if I am Luis’ sister since I know so many of his stories as a boy and his family members. I visited Faby’s family more than once over the holidays and have even stayed with her brother and sister-in-law now living in Uruguay.

This depth of relationship and intimate knowledge of one another does not happen overnight. It requires commitment, sacrifice, and vulnerability.

Up until the pandemic halted my travel, I was able to see and continue Kingdom work alongside the Gómez family face-to-face, for at least a week, 16 years in a row. Lord willing, I will be with them again for a visit in August 2024.

I am eternally grateful to God for Luis and Faby, Daniel and Andrés, and for dozens of deep friendships as co-laborers in the Kingdom (Php. 1:5-6)! A history and pattern of transparency was established and furthered as Christian brothers and sisters. Many have not been easy, but with God at the center, they have been possible… because of our mutual commitment.

Commitment to God and commitment to one another are required for deepening relationships.

As we transition from an emphasis on “Teaching and Learning through Relationships,” I encourage you to keep those lessons in mind. “Commitment to Christ, 24/7 in 2024” cannot happen without relationships.

The greatest depth of relationship illustrated was between Father and Son when Jesus Christ became flesh and dwelt among us (Jn. 1:1, 14).

I challenge you today to renew your commitment to teaching and learning through our most vital relationship as followers of Christ. Through that commitment, depth will follow. Time, communication, and shared experiences will enrich a deep relationship with the Giver of Life. It is in Him that we can “live and move and have our being” (Ac. 17:28 NIV).

 

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