Updates and New Formats: LTS and Life Lessons
I’ve realized I’ve been putting off updates for a while, partly because of busyness, but also because I think I need a new format. So I’m trying something different. Lately, I’ve been recording short videos while I’m driving, sharing what’s been going on and what I’m learning. It’s a pocket of time I already have each week, and it feels natural to talk things out. The plan is to take those videos, generate transcripts, and turn them into written updates like this one. It’s a new approach, but I’m hoping it’ll make staying connected a little easier and faster. We’ll see how it goes.
Learning, Listening, and Letting God Change Us
Hey friends,
I wanted to share a little update about what’s been happening since coming back from Kona. It’s been a full and stretching season — one filled with gratitude, reflection, and a lot of growth for both Olivia and me.
Processing After Kona
Coming home has been good but also surprisingly hard. After the mountain-top experience of Leadership Training School (LTS) in Kona, it felt a bit like hitting a wall once we got back to Taiwan. There’s still excitement about all that God is doing, but also the realization that re-entry takes time. I’m deeply thankful for everyone who continues to pray for us, support us, and remind us that we’re not doing this alone.
Reaching Gen Z Missionally
One of the biggest takeaways from LTS for me was thinking about generations as a mission field. Just like a missionary learns a new language and culture to reach another people group, we need to approach Gen Z with the same humility and curiosity. Too often, older generations (ours included) ask young people to “meet us halfway” — to adapt to our ways of communicating, dressing, or worshipping. But Jesus calls us to go to them, to understand their world, and to believe that they are the ones God will use to lead the next wave of missions. I realized how much this cultural moment mirrors the late 60s and 70s — a time of social upheaval that also birthed the Jesus Movement. There’s a similar opportunity right now, globally, for Gen Z to encounter Jesus in a fresh way.
One story that stuck with me came from a college ministry leader in California who invited Gen Zers to help him revamp his wardrobe and even his haircut — not for fashion’s sake, but because he didn’t want anything unnecessary to become a barrier to connection. It’s a simple but powerful picture of humility and intentional listening.
A phrase that keeps echoing in my heart is:
“Who you listen to is who you’ll reach.”
As leaders, that means choosing to listen deeply to the people God’s called us to reach — even when it’s uncomfortable.
And honestly, the more experience you have, the easier it becomes to stop taking risks. I’ve been challenged to stay open, to keep listening, and to let younger voices shape how we reach and disciple their generation.
Parenting and Personal Change
Olivia shared during the video that she discovered her natural leadership and parenting style leans more toward the traditional, top-down approach — the kind that says, “I know what’s best for you.” It works well when kids are small, but as they grow, it can unintentionally limit their ability to think and choose for themselves.
During one of the LTS sessions, as we prayed, we both felt God speak clearly:
“If you don’t change as parents, you’ll lose your children.”
That moment hit hard. It wasn’t condemnation — it was an invitation. God was calling us to love our kids differently in this next season.
We began to see how much of our reactions as parents came from our own childhood experiences — how anger, frustration, or shame can surface when emotions get high. Olivia shared how she’s learning to reconnect emotions to joy, excitement, or hope, instead of defaulting to anger. She even used a simple moment with our daughter Neah as an example: helping her recognize that hunger doesn’t have to lead to anger — it can lead to joy and anticipation. For us, this season has been about learning emotional resilience — pausing before reacting, staying connected when things get tense, and giving space for our kids’ emotions instead of shutting them down.
It’s changing not only how we parent, but how we lead and relate to others. As Olivia said,
“Doing things is not hard. Dealing with people’s emotions is harder.”
And yet, that’s the space where God’s really transforming us.
Ministry Updates
Olivia has been serving with the YWAM Taiwan National Office, helping organize the upcoming National Staff Conference. It’s her first time coordinating this event in about six years, so it’s been both challenging and meaningful — especially as she processes some of the emotions from transitioning away from her previous team. She’s been learning to have empathy for herself and for others as the new team finds its rhythm.
I recently returned from teaching in Malaysia and Singapore, where I led the Joshua–Judges–Ruth–Psalms week in a Discipleship Bible School. It was a joy to teach again and see how God’s word transforms young people. I also visited the YWAM base in Singapore to learn about their sustainable young-adult training model, and came away encouraged to see how much of what they’re doing aligns with what we’re already building here in Taipei.
Life at the Base
Back in Taipei, our base rhythm has shifted a little — from meeting Monday afternoons to Tuesday and Thursday mornings — which has been a real gift. It means Olivia can join more often and feel more connected to community. We’re both thankful for this new season of deeper teamwork and shared life.
Looking Ahead
We’re still processing all that God has done through LTS — not just in what we’ve learned, but in how we’ve been changed. This season feels like God is teaching us to lead from the heart, to listen before speaking, and to trust that transformation often begins quietly, inside the home.
Thank you so much for walking with us — your prayers, encouragement, and love keep us going when things get hard. We’re grateful for every one of you.
