I thank my God for every remembrance of you, always in every one of my prayers for all of you, praying with joy for your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1: 3-6 NRSV)
A Merry Christmas and a blessed and joyful New Year to you all. We are grateful for your ministry and your ongoing commitment to the gospel and to the church wherever you are.
This is the last message that we will be writing for the synod website. At the end of December, 2023, we will be retiring from our ministry positions with the synod and transitioning into the next chapter of our lives together. This is the culmination of over 40 years of Tori’s ministry and almost 40 for John-Peter.
As we consider the trajectory of our ministry over the last decades we could never have imagined how far ranging our work would become. Nor could we have comprehended how our lives would be touched by so many people in so many ways. We are grateful for the care and love of friends and colleagues throughout the synod, the denomination and indeed the world. It is a true privilege to be partners in ministry.
As we retire, please be assured of our ongoing prayers for your ministry and situation. Also, please remember that even as the world changes, God is faithful. Paul writes to the Philippians from prison, not to complain but to rejoice and to offer hope. He speaks of his confidence that God’s good work would continue in the hearts and lives of the people of God’s church. And further he prays that their love will continue to overflow as they determine their future. Our prayer for you is the same; that the work of love and discernment will continue in you until the glorious day of Christ.
A Happy New Year and every blessing in your work for the kingdom
And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you to determine what really matters, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God. (Philippians 1: 9-11 NRSV)
In Christ
Tori and John-Peter Smit
Please know that the synod is in the process of making decisions about future staffing and this website will be a place to stay up to date on these decisions. They will be continuing to maintain the website for those who wish to use the resources posted here.