Spotlights – Spring 2020
By Kimberly Rae Thigpen
Dare Spotlight
Bruce and Danielle Dare with Emily and Natalie
We’re excited to introduce new missionary families to the Source of Light family!
The Dares are new Appointees just beginning their journey of raising support. Let’s find out more as I visit with Bruce.
Please tell us a little of your personal story.
Bruce: Danielle and I grew up in South Jersey. Our families were friendly through our younger years, though we did not become friends so much until I went on the pastoral staff of a church we both attended. We’ve both felt called of God into ministry, and missions specifically. I was on staff at a church for seven years, at my current employment for four years. Danielle and I have two girls—Emily (6), Natalie (4), and baby on the way!
Were there barriers, or special things God did to open your way to SLM?
Bruce: Part of our story is the sudden breakdown of other missionary opportunities, both on the brink of support raising. The second instance led us to step away from ministry and maintain secular employment for a time. This became an especially difficult season, one which left us wondering regularly if we had made a mistake. However, God used this work in logistics and warehousing to better prepare me in areas of specific and immediate need at SLM headquarters.
What made you choose SLM?
Bruce: In short, the breadth of ministry God has been doing through SLM, and the different aspects that resonated with the specific mission God has called us to. In fact, I had considered beginning a ministry to help missionaries translate and produce resources, then realized that this is basically the work that SLM does. They already have the framework and network to do so and have done so for years!
What would you say to people considering SLM?
Bruce: We need more of you to step out and join us! God can use you to be a part of changing the world.
Weidman Spotlight
Jonathan and Anna Weidman
Jonathan and Anna Weidman have been raising support for some time. The SLM team are praying God will provide so they can move here soon! Following is an interview with Jonathan and Anna:
Were there any barriers to joining SLM?
Jonathan: We would have gone to SLM back in the early 1990s, but I was not saved. Though I had grown up in church and prayed a prayer when I was young, I truly did not accept Christ as my Savior until 1996.
In 2012, on a mission’s trip to SLM, we truly experienced the tugging of the Holy Spirit on our hearts that God wanted us to serve Him with SLM.
Fear of support raising was probably one of the biggest hurdles. Fear of what to say, stumbling over words when making phone calls, and fear of failure ran through our minds, but God has instilled a confidence in Him that helps us overcome those fears.
To open the way, God removed the comfort of employment I had enjoyed with the same employer for over 33 years. This began a process of really trusting God for the provisions of life.
Anna: God opened the door to SLM a long time ago but said not just yet, you are not where I need you to be, so after working on us, molding and shaping, He said now you are ready to start the journey. There is still a lot to learn.
What do you enjoy doing most at SLM?
Jonathan: I enjoy construction/maintenance work and doing a variety of hands-on tasks that need to be done.
Anna: I am learning the ins and outs of the Madison Discipleship School. I love the people at SLM and how everyone gets along and gets the job done. Another fact that is so neat is that everything that is touched reaches thousands of lives.
What would you say to people at your same stage of life about considering a future at SLM?
Jonathan: It is never too late to follow God’s calling in your life.
