Clay Pots ~ Ashamed?

In the past months, I have been greatly challenged and encouraged by Paul’s second letter to Timothy. As I endeavor to apply these truths in my own life I also greatly desire to impart these truths to the Tobo disciples and see them embody it. In 2 Timothy 1:8-2:7 Paul is encouraging Timothy not to be ashamed of the gospel, but to stand strong in it, to guard it, protect it, and to proclaim it. He didn’t want Timothy to be like Phygelus and Hermogenes who were ashamed of Paul and the gospel that he preached and thus deserted him in one of his greatest times of need (while he was in prison). Paul told Timothy to be like Onesiphorus, who shared in Paul’s suffering for the sake of the gospel. Paul was encouraging Timothy to stay the course, to continue to participate in spreading the gospel and making disciples, even if times got tough or if he was threatened with prison or even if he didn’t have some of the nicer comforts of life.

My very loose paraphrase of what he was saying would go something like this, “Don’t give up! And don’t be ashamed of what you believe! What we believe is the only truth, and if we who believe turn tail and run because of a little discomfort, then there is no hope for the world. We are soldiers of Jesus Christ, ambassadors for his kingdom, and witnesses of God’s grace displayed through Jesus Christ. Be strengthened in this grace and share in suffering as a good soldier of Jesus Christ!” This timeless plea applies to us even today. We who believe in Jesus Christ are Christians. Our life is Jesus Christ, our Father is God Almighty, our hope is heaven, and our ministry is reconciliation. May we, like Paul, not be ashamed of what we believe before our unbelieving acquaintances; may we be convinced and proclaim to all an unashamed belief in the gospel of Jesus!

Thank you for your continued partnership in spreading the gospel,
His Clay Pots,
Jason, Kellie, Micah, Sophia, and Malachi Knapp

Clay Pots ~ Spring Break

Wow, we had an eventful spring break! Here is the synopsis: Sophia sang in her first quartet, lost two teeth, and announced that a boy likes her (gasp!). We got to see our adorable new niece, Lani. During Easter, we came to the conclusion that the Easter bunny must be wealthier in America, that Grandma Steck makes the best ham in the world, and that the free zoo in Madison is awesome. During all of this, we had my Chicago college dwelling sister and then the Deering family spend the night at our house for a couple days. After which we spent a couple nights at Wisconsin Dells as a family and then went on a road trip to Chicago to visit some dear friends. Then we got to visit our church in Baraboo. Thank you Walnut Hill Bible Church for those special hugs and words of encouragement!!! And, the kids were gone for a couple days and got to fish and canoe with Grandpa and Grandma while mom and dad had a few nice days alone. Oh yeah, and Jason made me a baker’s rack. Not bad for a week and a half, hey? The conclusion to this wonderful break is that we got to hold our adorable nephew today! Samuel Pederson was born this morning via c-section weighing in at 9.6 lbs! Mom and baby are doing perfect!

We are cherishing our time here which is going by quickly, and yet preparing and waiting for the day when we will be reunited with our co-workers and the Tobo church in Papua New Guinea…

His Clay Pots,
Jason, Kellie, Micah, Sophia, and Malachi Knapp

Baby Lani

Easter Morning

Baby Sammy

Clay Pots ~ Murdocks and Lani

As you all know, this ministry of taking the gospel to all corners of the world takes cooperation and partnership. We are blessed with an incredible support team here in the U.S. who labor and work in order for us to be able to spread the gospel. Thank you for your sacrifice on our behalf. In the same way that we are dependent upon all of you on, we as tribal church planters, while overseas could not continue in the tribe for extended periods of time without people assisting us. We could not fulfill our ministries without a support staff of co-workers back in town doing the often thankless tasks of paperwork, supply buying, finances, flights, medical, and encouragement. We appreciate every one of these supporters who from a heart of love, serve faithfully in order to make the tribal ministries possible. Since arriving in Wisconsin, we have had the privilege of living next door to one such couple, their names are Chase and Kaycee Murdock. They have a real heart to serve missionaries who are planting tribal churches and so are in the process of preparing to head over to the Madang Region to function as supply buyers. We are very excited to have these guys join us overseas. Could you please be in prayer for them? They desire to arrive in PNG by the end of the year. You can view their website at www.themurdocks.weebly.com

Thank you all for your continued prayers on our behalf and also on the behalf of the Tobo church.

His clay pots,
Jason, Kellie, Micah, Sophia, and Malachi Knapp

P.S. Congratulations to my brother, Jeremy, and his wife, Jen, on the arrival of their cute little baby girl, Lani. We are excited for them! Mom and baby are doing very well. I am particularly excited to be an uncle again because it means that now I have a niece to spoil.