Episode 19 - How to stay well-watered when ministry takes you far from home

In today’s episode, Jen and AJ say hello to a very special guest: Keri Franks! 

 

She is a well-traveled mom of 3 from South Africa who has been in the ministry with her husband for almost 20 years. They currently live in the UAE  where her husband is the lead pastor of New Life Christian Church.

 

Tune in today to listen to a woman who navigates ministry life brilliantly.  This episode will give you a real dose of encouragement, offer powerful advice, and remind you of ways to nourish your soul as you cultivate your relationship with the Lord. 

 

Jen, AJ and Keri speak about the hidden, yet very important part of ministry: the support of your family. 

 

For Keri, what worked for her when traveling with her husband and 3 children was transparency. She always took the approach of honesty and transparency so that her family members could deal with change in a very honest way, making them feel part of the decision. 

 

The ladies discussed not only the support of our children and all the challenges that come with it but also the support to your husband in ministry. Wives are a vital part of upholding them and being the voice of encouragement. Most of the time, this is a ministry in the background that nobody ever sees, but it’s just as important as the front-facing part.

 

One of the ways to support husbands in ministry, according to Keri is:

 

-Remembering that they've desired to go into ministry and that is a good thing;

-Giving them that time and space that they need to prepare for the work God's called them to do.

-Be patient with their unpredictable shared goals. 

-Love them through times when they're feeling discouraged, being willing to lift them up. 

-Open up your home to support your ministry by being hospitable.

-Communicate with your husband to understand what he needs from you. 

 

When you feel discouraged, remember that we have been called into a privileged position!. 

 

Finally, one of the challenges-turned-blessings for Keri was that there's no passage in scripture that clearly defines what pastors’ wives are supposed to be doing. She thinks that the Lord showed real kindness in not giving a strict prescribed pattern of what pastor wives are supposed to do. 

 

“Do not find your greatest joy in the relationship with your husband or your ministry. Your greatest joys should come from your relationship with Christ and His Word because that's what will last forever.” - Keri Franks

 

Challenge

 

  • Keri provided some really powerful pieces of advice for when we need to nourish our relationship with God. And we encourage you to do the same!  Find what nourishes your relationship with God and guard those activities intensely!

 

  • Share this episode with someone who needs to hear the Ministry Series, because what she has to say comes from a heart of passion for God.  

RESOURCES

 

  • Spending time with God each day is a key component of cultivating and nurturing our relationship with Him. If you want to make meaningful daily time with God a habit, download (for free) The Quiet Time Planner: A perfect guide to help you jumpstart your time with God. Get it HERE!

 

  • We encourage you to download a wonderful free resource while you listen to the podcast episodes.

    It's a 31-Day Scripture Reading and Writing Plan to help you with your reflections and readings of 2 Timothy. In this book of the Bible with only four short chapters, Paul takes the time to encourage Timothy in the faith.
    Click the link below to download the digital files. Enjoy!
Sojo_May22_readingplan_prev

MEET OUR GUEST

Keri Franks is a well-traveled mom of 3 from South Africa who has been in the ministry with her husband for almost 20 years. They currently live in the UAE  where her husband is the lead pastor of New Life Christian Church.

Pray for Keri, her family and their Church in Abu Dhabi:

 New Life Church

NOTABLE QUOTES

“God has changed me. He's working on me, like a piece of poetry or a piece of beautiful music, and He's making it into something that is treasured and beautiful.” - Keri Franks

 

“Don’t grow weary because God does see. He knows us and he sees everything we are doing, even if nobody else recognizes it or knows what we're doing.: - Keri Franks

 

“Everyone that trusts in the work of Christ on the cross is reflecting the glory of God and living for His glory. Other people will be drawn to him because of that.” - Jen Evangelista

 

“Do not find your greatest joy in the relationship with your husband or your ministry. Your greatest joys should come from your relationship with Christ and His Word because that's what will last forever.” - Keri Franks

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Also, If you have a question for us, it could be super silly, it can be a little bit deeper. It doesn’t matter, email us at hello@sojoacademy.com... you may just hear the answer on an upcoming podcast episode!