Summer Update 2025

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“Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.” 
Psalm 96:3

Dear Friends and Partners,

Thank you for standing with us through your prayers and support. We continue to see God at work in amazing ways—through students, short-term mission teams, and opportunities to share Christ. Here are some highlights and ways you can keep praying!

 

Praise Reports

  • Josiah is in Kenya!
    Huge praise—Josiah raised all his support for his Royal Servants trip! He is now serving in Kenya, sharing Christ with local communities. Before leaving, he spent an extra month in the U.S., enjoying time with family and bonding with his new niece. Please keep praying for Josiah and his team as they minister. (Video here)
     

  • Gilmer & Luke in Palawan
    For the next two weeks, Gilmer and Luke are helping a Royal Servants team in northern Palawan. Remember Tom (the director of Royal Servants) from last year who come to help our teams. This year Gilmer and Luke are helping his team. They’re teaching values lessons in public schools and traveling to remote islands to support local ministries. Pray for safe travels and fruitful ministry as they share the Gospel in these hard-to-reach places.
     

  • Great School Year
    The school year ended well! Both Josiah and Luke had a great year at Faith International Academy. Julie will continue serving on the FIA Board and anticipates a busy year ahead as the school navigates important governance issues.
     

 

TEAM 4:5 Impact Story

One of the greatest joys of this ministry is seeing lasting fruit from short-term discipleship programs like TEAM 4:5.

Remember Rishell: We mentioned her last newsletter. She joined TEAM 4:5 last summer and felt a strong call to missions during our outreach. Today, she is following that call and in Bible school in Singapore, preparing for future ministry. Praise God for how He is using these experiences to shape the next generation of kingdom workers!

Please continue to pray for Rishell and other young people impacted through TEAM 4:5—that they would stay strong in their faith and keep pursuing God’s call on their lives.

 

Prayer Requests

  • For Josiah and his team in Kenya—that God would use them powerfully and keep them safe.
     

  • For Gilmer and Luke in Palawan—as they travel by boat to remote areas and teach in schools.
     

  • For wisdom for Julie and the FIA Board—as they make strategic legal and governance decisions.
     

  • For our family—as we navigate transitions and ministry responsibilities.
     

 

Family Highlights

  • Adeline is almost 9 months old! Jake and Nhaya are thriving as new parents, and we love watching our granddaughter grow.
     

  • Caleb is moving to Wyoming in August! Please pray for a smooth transition and clear direction as he steps into this new chapter.
     

  • Next summer we will be traveling home to the US for a 1 year Home Service. Please pray for all the details and arrangements it takes to make a move like that for a whole year. We will need housing, a couple vehicles, a family to sublet our house here, a school for Luke, and many more.
     

 

Thank You

Your prayers and generosity make all of this possible. Thank you for partnering with us to make Christ known—from Davao to Palawan to Kenya. We couldn’t do it without you!

Palawan Trip

As you can see, Luke blends right in! I bet many of you would have a hard time spotting him in these photos.

The people in this remote part of the Philippines have rarely, if ever, experienced foreigners teaching in their schools. That’s why it’s such a unique opportunity for Luke—he looks like them, but speaks English and brings an American perspective. This connection opens doors for meaningful conversations and a powerful witness for Christ.


 
Looks like fun in Kenya!

Just a few photos I stole from the Royal Servants page. Josiah will update us more when he gets back on the 30th. He will then jump right into a busy last year of High School. Thanks for keeping him in your prayers. 
Support Online
"Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."
I Cor. 15:58


Serving Him,
Gilmer and Julie Paden
(Josiah and Luke)

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