The Zellers|Ministry Updates from Eric & Heather Zeller

It’s time once again for our annual Family and Ministry Update (see updates for previous years).

First, I’ll let Caroline, Emmett, Randall, and Makaria say hi:

Christmas Greeting from Eric on Vimeo.

The early part of 2011 was consumed by a mad push to complete my written and oral Ph.D. comprehensive exams (see here for more on the exams):

Focused study and the actual taking of the exams consumed much of our lives for the first quarter of the year; so we were very thankful when we heard I had passed! After taking some time to focus on other ministry commitments (see below), in the fall work picked up on my dissertation. For the dissertation, I am researching the use of the Old Testament and the teaching of Jesus in 1 Peter 2, and how Peter uses those sources to articulate the mission of the church. It has been a rewarding study; the first part of it has been turned in and hopefully I’ll have the chance to defend a finished version in the late Spring of 2012.

In April, Heather and I were able to go together to the Gospel Coalition Conference in Chicago:

It was our first time getting to go to a conference like that together. The messages we heard focused on seeing Christ in all of scripture and were an encouragement that we were both able to apply throughout the year in ministries at Grace Bible Church. We are so thankful for the opportunity to teach, preach, disciple, counsel, shepherd, and lead in the context of this faithful body of believers and continue striving to call people to believe the gospel in all that they do.

On June 9th, Heather and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary:

Wow! It seems like a decade has passed so quickly. The milestone has been a wonderful opportunity to reflect how thankful we are for each other and how God has shown his grace to us in many ways. To commemorate the occasion, we put together a photo book covering many of the places, activities, and people of the last 10 years. If you want you can take a look here.

In July, I led a short-term team from Grace Bible Church to Delhi, India:

We worked in Delhi with GBC’s missionaries there… who happen to be my brother & his wife! S&A moved to India in early June to serve with the church there and start building toward the theological education ministry Heather and I will be working with when we get over there. It was good to see family as well as to speak at a retreat and be involved in many different kinds of ministry with the team from GBC (here’s a a longer update from the trip). It was a great group of people to go to India with and I was so thankful for the opportunity.

In September, Randall had surgery on his foot:

Our little guy had a clubfoot when he was born that we’ve been treating in different ways since then, primarily through casts, braces, and physical therapy. But most cases eventually need surgery, and for Randall this year was his time. The doctors at Texas Scottish Rite hospital operated on his Achilles tendon to stretch it out and adjust the position of his foot. After that, Randall spent a couple nights in the hospital and wore a cast for a month. He is still getting back to full speed, but the surgery seems to have been a success. We are thankful for the quality of treatment he received and for all of the people who showed so much love to Randall during that time.

We spend a lot of our time these days with this bunch:

That is, our GBC Small Group, “Masala!” (at least most of the members). Heather and I are so thankful to live life with this group. This has been a full year for our group as we’ve finished one big study (Romans), and gotten half-way through another big one (1 Corinthians), sent members out as missionaries (S&A), added a few new people, and gone on a retreat together.

Carrie and Emmett graduated from baseball fans to baseball (& softball) players!

Emmett played t-ball with the “Yankees” in the spring, and moved up to coach pitch with the “Rangers” in the fall [he would want me to tell you that he didn’t choose to be on the “Yankees”]. Caroline played coach pitch softball with the “Hot Shots” in the fall. Both enjoyed their teammates and learning how to throw, field, and hit. Hopefully those skills convert to cricket when we get to India!

We took a big road trip in November, which included a stop at noted Texas landmark the Big Texan Restaurant in Amarillo:

One of the main reasons for the trip was to begin raising support for our ministry in India - along the way we had opportunities to talk to some churches and other groups of people about a vision for training pastors for the church in India (more description of the trip here: http://www.ewz.com/?p=736). We are excited for the opportunity to continue to involve God’s people in the work God is doing in India, and we’ll be writing more about that in this space soon.

As the year ends, we find ourselves in a time of transition. We are excited to transition to India and the beginnings of our ministry there by next summer, but realize that also means the next few months hold transitions away from much that has been important to us, including ministry at GBC, our (physical) home, and the children’s school and friends. As you think of us, please pray that we would wisely manage the logistics of this transition, would be a blessing to others throughout it, and would keep our eyes focused on Jesus and living for his glory.

We are thankful for your friendship, and wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas.

“My eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the nations, and for glory to your people Israel” - Luke 2:30-32

As we continue with the goal of moving to India in the summer of 2012, we know the work that awaits is not about us but rather is about God’s desire to be known and the task he has given his people to make him known.  Because of this, an important part of our ministry right now is telling God’s people about the strategic opportunity for equipping church leaders in India and showing them ways to be partners in what God is doing.

As a part of that, we’re looking forward to spending two weeks in California, starting this week.  We’re packing the whole family - all six of us - into the car and heading first to Southern California, then up to Central CA and the Bay Area, and finally all the way up to Heather’s hometown of Redding in the far north.

A highlight will be spending time next weekend with our second home church, Church of the Canyons in Santa Clarita.  COC’s pastors have been walking this journey with us and helping shape our missions plans for the last decade, so we’re excited to meet with them and strategize about the coming months.  We’re also looking forward to worshipping with COC on Sunday, seeing many old friends, and meeting some new ones.

Another highlight, at least for me (Eric), will be spending a few days in San Francisco at the annual meetings of the Evangelical Theological Society (ETS) and Society of Biblical Literature (SBL); engaging my academic side, buying books, and attending several sessions related to my dissertation research on 1 Peter.

Otherwise, we’ll be meeting with other churches and groups of people, meeting with other missions people about India, and also just hanging out with old friends and family.  At the end, we’ll get to hang out with Heather’s family, especially our new nephew H.N.A. Gunter.

Please pray for us!  We’re looking at 4,000 miles in the car together - pray for grace, selflessness, and patience with each other.  Pray our meetings would be fruitful, that we would get out of the way and help people find a vision for what God is doing, and that he would provide for his work in his way.

And if over the next couple weeks you’re going to be in LA, Sacramento, San Francisco, Redding, or anywhere in between, drop me a note (ewz@ewz.com) and let’s get together!

Eric