The Church of the Lutheran Brethren and International Mission have called Jeremy and Sallee Stanton, along with their daughters, Olivia and Abigail, as our newest missionaries to our Chad field. The Stanton family has accepted this call and are now on staff with LBIM as of June 1.
The Stantons lived in Appleton, Wisconsin, and are members of Hope Lutheran Brethren Church. Jeremy and Sallee first sensed a call to this ministry upon reading an article on the back of Daily Prayer Notes regarding a need for a couple to manage our Lutheran Welcome Center in Chad. In function, it is a combination guest house/conference center. Its two primary purposes are to provide a place for our missionaries to find rest and renewal after extended periods of ministry in “the bush,” and to provide conference center facilities and lodging for our CLB missionary teams, LB Chad leaders and missionaries, and sister churches and mission organizations in Chad.
Jeremy and Sallee will serve in management of the daily operations of the center. This will involve taking reservations for lodging and conferences, managing a local staff responsible for the general upkeep and security of the facility, general maintenance of property equipment and utilities, and providing services, care and hospitality to guests staying at the center. A priority will be given to providing a place of rest and renewal to LBIM missionaries. Furthermore, the Stantons will serve as LBIM’s administrative branch on the Chad field. This means that they will manage ministry budgets and finances, process required documentation for our missionaries (vehicle papers, registration of visitors with authorities, travel authorizations, Chad tax payments, etc.) and provide general support to our LBIM Chad field missionary families.
The last few months have been a flurry of activity and preparation for the Stantons. Among other things, they received training in engaging unreached peoples with the gospel, language acquisition and cross-cultural adaptation skills. They also sold their home, packed, stored or shipped personal possessions to Chad, said goodbye to family and friends and spoke at a few CLB congregations.
During this school year, the Stanton family will be in Albertville, France, where they will enter into a year of intensive French language study. French is necessary for them because it is the language they will use in business and government interactions. Upon completion of this study, they will travel to Chad. Once there, they will receive orientation training under the mentorship of Steve and Stella Banks, our current center managers.
Rejoice with us and pray with us for the Stanton family. This step of faith that they are taking is not without its difficulties. They are saying goodbye to family and friends. They are learning a new language. They are making new friends. They are learning to live in a new cultural context. Everything is new. Pray that the Lord will grant the entire family abundant peace, patience and perseverance through this transitional time.
Rev. Matthew Rogness serves the Church of the Lutheran Brethren as Director of International Mission.