[5 minute read]

In our previous post, we shared the pivotal moment when God unveiled His unique vision for Eternal King Ministries—a church with a dedicated ministry branch to serve and send missionaries who fall outside conventional structures. This vision emerged from our many years on the mission field, a journey that, despite its unique challenges and the perplexing discovery that we didn't fit traditional organizational molds, ultimately prepared us for a distinct purpose. Today, we want to invite you deeper into the 'how' of it all: the journey of formation, the steps of faith, and the divine confirmations that shaped EKM from a burden into a tangible reality.

Personal Growth: Forged in Independence

God prepared us for this unique work by ensuring our path remained independent from the start. In his early missionary days, Martin sought to be sent out, visiting numerous churches. While many had valuable programs, none aligned with the specific international field, Guatemala, where he felt the Lord was calling him at the time. Similarly, Cassie encountered organizational structures that, while beneficial for many, didn't fit her direct call to the mission field without first undergoing specific membership or training requirements she wasn't led to pursue. At that time, Cassie wasn't even aware that missionaries were typically 'sent' by churches or organizations, let alone how to find groups that might support her immediate call. While such groups certainly existed, God had a purposeful journey in mind for her.

This independent road, though difficult at times, became our spiritual training ground. We took on the full responsibility of managing every detail of overseas living and ministry. This drew us into an absolute dependence on God, teaching us to seek His specific guidance in every aspect of our lives. Through this process, we learned to discern His voice, to know the Holy Spirit intimately, and to develop the deep discipline required to follow Him at any cost.

Challenges & Doubts: Tested by Fire, Sustained by Faith

From the very beginning, our independent path was met with significant challenges and moments of doubt. Each new season brought its own set of uncertainties.

The Constant Threat of Departure

Our work entails the risk of being discovered as missionaries and facing sudden, forced departure; a reality we’ve witnessed firsthand as families were given mere 24 hours to leave the country. This creates a constant awareness that God can strategically ask us to leave or move at any moment, and so can the authorities. Consequently, every visa renewal requires us to earnestly rely on God's leading.

Provision in Secrecy

Without an official church or organizational backing, we are completely dependent on God’s faithfulness to provide for our finances. Previously, we couldn’t send regular or detailed updates due to the underground nature of our work in this spiritually-closed nation. Every time we did send an update, it was only after serious, prayerful consideration. Miraculously, God always provided—and 14 years later, He still does! To our supporters who stood with us throughout this season of hiddenness, please know of our deep gratitude for your unwavering trust and faithfulness in continuing to sow into our ministry.

Navigating Shifting Relationships

The true test came when everything around us was shaken. Following significant shifts, we were forced to face difficult questions: What if war broke out? What if we faced more intense persecution? Would we still stay, even if times became incredibly hard, or would we go home to wait for an easier season? For us, the answer was clear: we felt God wanted us to stay. At that time, we watched many of the local churches we were involved with suffer and close down, and the community we were involved with left our region, locals and foreigners alike. After xenophobic propaganda was spread, portraying foreigners as dangerous, we experienced a heartbreaking shift in the local people's demeanor towards us; seemingly overnight they became distant, wary, hostile, and afraid.

Wilderness and Refinement

On top of all of that, we both faced sickness, needed to move multiple times, and eventually ended up burnt out in a wilderness season. Yet, throughout this entire time, God was so kind and merciful: He spoke clearly, assuring us of His presence and leading us through it all. We learned not to despise His correction, coming to understand it as an expression of His love and for our ultimate good. It was intense, but in that crucible, God sustained us, protected us, and even though we faced significant trials, our faith was deepened and we were refined.

Divine Confirmations: The Puzzle Pieces Connect

Then, in a clear leading, God told us it was time to take a trip to America. While there, a divine opportunity to legally establish Eternal King Ministries began to unfold. We received incredibly generous help from a dedicated lawyer and family members who rallied as a unified team, providing invaluable support to get us organized, registered, and approved as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Just a couple of months later, the same miraculous provision unfolded in South Africa, where family and friends again pulled their skills and resources together, enabling EKM to be legally registered as a non-profit there as well. At this point, we began seeking God for how He wanted to grow the ministry.

Then came another powerful confirmation: without knowing anything about our developing vision for EKM, a missionary couple and friends of ours contacted us. They expressed their own need for organizational support—in ways that we, by God's prior leading, were already being prepared to be able to help with. This was undeniable confirmation from God, a beautiful testament to His miraculous work through both the faithful generosity of His communal Body—our friends, family, and wonderful partners—and through His perfect timing and divine orchestration of circumstances.

Refining the Vision: A Broader Calling

After getting started with helping this first couple, we began hearing more stories from other missionary families, each with their own unique circumstances and reasons for needing the kind of support EKM is being uniquely positioned to offer. These stories further refined our understanding, showing us the vast need for a ministry that could navigate complex situations and provide tailored support. Read Part 4 to learn about the specific ways Eternal King Ministries will minister, and how you can be a vital part of our global impact, including through our dedicated branch serving missionaries. Do you have a personal story of God's faithfulness? We would be honored to hear it. Send us an email at hello@eternalking.org