Greetings
Hello again! Samantha and I recently posted an update sharing some big news for our family, you can read the original post here. If you’d like the short and sweet, read on!
Recap
Back in January, we felt that the Lord was inviting our family into a new season. At the time, we discerned that this May (current) would be our last month with Emmaus as I transitioned into full-time Seminary. Since then, we found out that we’re not only expecting a new family member, but twins! Because of this new development, we made some changes to our original plan. We have now committed to finish out the calendar year with Emmaus (through December) in order for us to have the twins where we are, and to give ourselves some time to acclimate to all the new challenges and rhythms of life that will accompany their arrival. But our newest piece of information is that I’ve officially been accepted to Asbury Theological Seminary! Rather than the original plan of attending full-time and on campus, I will begin part-time and online this Fall. I’m nervously-excited to begin this new journey, and I’m hopeful for whatever God has in store for our family in this season and beyond.
What’s New at Emmaus?
This month we celebrated the graduation of our School of the New Testament students. For the majority of these students, this is their second year of journeying through the Bible with Emmaus, with their first year focused on the Old Testament. We’re so proud of them and their willingness to commit two years of their lives to studying the Bible.
As a ministry, we’ve been encouraged by the fact that Bible engagement as a whole has taken a positive turn in our country recently, statistically speaking. And because engagement with the Bible has historically remained the most consistent predictor of ongoing spirtual growth and discipleship–the apparent hunger of our students and the desire for what Emmaus Ministries provides in Bible training has been incredibly encouraging lately. You can check out the most recent State of the Bible Report from the American Bible Society for a more in-depth analysis of the current trends in Bible engagement. Things are looking up!
As our 2024-25 school year came to a close and we celebrated our students’ journey through Emmaus, we also celebrated 3 of our dear friends and fellow staff members moving into new seasons of life and ministry. And while our team lineup has changed, our passion remains constant. Emmaus Ministries exists to teach people how to engage the Bible and grow as disciples, and we’re incredibly excited about the future of Emmaus as we continue our mission of helping others know God through His Word. Stay tuned for more details on the future of Emmaus, there are new and exciting things ahead!
Prayers And How You Can Help
With all the changes ahead, we desire your prayers more than ever. And aside from our constant prayers for safety and health for Samantha and the twins, here are our most pressing requests:
- Family Van – Needing a new car feels like a running gag for our family. But with the imminent arrival of two new infants, our current obstacle is now having a car that can fit all our kids. Please pray for the McRae’s to find a van (and as our son Benaiah prayed this morning–preferably the kind that never breaks).
- Seminary – While I’ve been able to recieve some scholarships for Asbury (praise God!), there’s still a lot of tuition costs that we’re honestly not sure how we’re going to pay. Please pray for the provision of finances. You can also give directly to our family by joining our support team or giving a one-time gift on our ministry’s website. Link here!
Lastly, for those of you who have asked how you can help us prepare for the arrival of the twins, you can access our Baby Registry here.
As always, thank you so much for your support, encouragments, and prayers!
– The McRae Family
Here are some recent memories from Mother’s Day, Eleanor’s Birthday, and a trip to the zoo:
The McRae Family 