Fujairah Orientation Trip

It has been a year since I was last in the UAE, since that time between COVID-19 and my absence and another elder leaving Immanuel Church of Fujairah the church has faced its share of hardships and uncertainty, but the church has continued much to my joy and thankfulness. This is such a wonderful testimony to the grace of the Lord and the love of the saints there. And now the church meeting regularly and is ready to receive Jesse Brannen in late January as my replacement as Senior Pastor. 

I have long desired to be able to return to the UAE to encourage the saints at Immanuel and the arrival of the Brannen family affords that opportunity as I desire to go as part of the transition and orientation process, in particular introducing Jesse to the government officials that I long labored to establish a relationship with. Promises were made by the government to see to the establishment of a gathering place for Evangelical churches with Immanuel as the stewards of that church building. This is a precious and valuable asset for the church that I would love to see come to fruition under Jesse’s leadership but being there to facilitate the hand-off of this work is essential. 

I continue to have a deep love and longing for the Fujairah and for Immanuel Church in particular. Thistrip would, admittedly, serve a desire I have to see the people there face to face again, but it is also, I believe, essential to the thorough transition process to the new pastor in this vital work. 

The cost of this trip and the time lost from work requires that I seek the help of past partners to make the trip possible and any help is greatly appreciated. 

The Trip: 

The plan is to make the trip in mid-February, stopping for a couple of days in Beirut on the way to see friends ministering there before continuing to Fujairah where I will spend a week.