December 1, 2025
Dear Friends,
Happy December! It is hard to believe that 2025 is nearly over. In some ways, personally, this year seems like it has flown by … but looking back so much has happened. Many good things (Josh’s graduation and beginning college, the Deep + Wide project breaking ground at Wildwood, and more), but also some hard things (Kimberly’s lung cancer diagnosis, ministry challenges, etc.)
Though the year has had a few ups and downs, God has not changed! As Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Jesus is the King of Kings and worthy of our adoration and faith on graduation day AND on day #14 of cancer treatment. As James 1:17 says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” He has given good gifts in each of these seasons. Thank you for praying that we would see His goodness in this current season we are facing. I can assure you that God has answered our prayers. God has been good, sustaining and encouraging us throughout this journey.
I am not saying that this time has been easy (or fun) … it has had hard moments (side effects, uncertainty, and changes in schedules), but God has been good all along the way. And so we want to glorify Him.
Kimberly is through two weeks of the first cycle of chemo. She has been tolerating the treatment pretty well so far. She begins the second cycle of chemo next Monday, December 8. We will not know how well the treatment is working until she has another scan, sometime around the first of the year.
In the mean time, continue to pray for her doctors who are monitoring her treatment plan, that they would have wisdom to make any adjustments necessary. Pray also that God would bring healing to her body.
As we talked about in yesterday’s sermon, for the believer in Jesus Christ, asking God in prayer for physical healing is guaranteed to be answered in one of two ways: either “Yes” or “Not yet.” “No” is not an answer we will receive related to physical healing. God has promised us that the trials of this life are “light” and “momentary” (2 Corinthians 4:17). Even “heavy” things like cancer are “light” compared to the glory that is to come. And even “enduring” struggles like cycles of chemo are “momentary” compared to eternity. And make no mistake about it, one day God will upgrade our bodies that are prone to decay to a new body that He describes as “imperishable” (1 Corinthians 15:50-58). Therefore, we pray with full confidence that Kimberly’s cancer is temporary. We pray that God will remove the cancer soon and give her a return to full health now. But even if the cancer lingers, one day, in eternity, the cancer will be gone FOREVER. So, let’s pray with confidence for its removal, and ask God to help it feel “light” in the meantime. We are yoked to Jesus after all and He is doing the heavy lifting … and He has used your prayers to “grab a corner” and lighten the load as well. THANK YOU dear friends!
As always pray for God to be glorified in this, and for us to continue to see His goodness along the way.
In Christ,
Mark, Kimberly, and Josh
Dear Lord. We ask for you to bring comfort, and healing to our precious Kimberly as she fights the cancer in her body. Please keep the discomfort, pain and side effects under control, and give her body the strength to conquer the disease. We ask that you guide her doctors as they determine the needed actions and treatments while keeping her comfortable. Please be with her family during this difficult time, and let them feel your loving arms around all of them. Thank you God for hearing our prayers. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.
Good afternoon, Mark,
I will continue to pray for all of you! I know how hard it can be, and I have seen firsthand how draining it can be as well. All I know is God has his purpose and a path he wants us to take, and I know that we all will follow his direction regardless of the cost. 2025 has been hard and fast, I personally will be glad when 2026 arrives.
I noticed something you said in the letter “ministry challenges”, I can only imagine. We all forget that you and other preachers are human too. You face hard times, doubts and struggles. It is just thought that you (preachers) have all the answers, and nothing goes wrong. As I get older (unfortunately) and I guess a little wiser I know that you are human too and difficulties and struggles hit you as well.
As I have said I am here if you need someone to talk to or just have someone to be a listening board. You have done so much for me and my family that I will never forget. You have brought me closer to God, with love, knowledge, and peace. My eternity is written in the book of life because you have steered me in the right direction. I just hope that I have and will continue to steer others as you have me.
Sam B
Adding my prayers to yours for Kimberly quick recovery.
Love you all, Arie