Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Go Therefore and Make Disciples of All the Nations...

Blessings! Please allow us to introduce ourselves. Lynnette and I (John) are lifelong residents of Ohio. We have been married for over 30 years and have been blessed with two grown married daughters, both of whom are serving the Lord.

One day my life was drastically changed, which totally redirected my walk with the Lord. While being employed as a Deputy Sheriff, I was injured during an altercation with a suicidal subject, who was high on heroin and cocaine. During the altercation, my right knee was badly damaged. After two surgeries and much therapy, it was determined I would no longer be able to continue my career. To many, this would be a devastating blow, but my wife and I have used this opportunity to follow the Great Commission, which is not a choice for us to consider, but a command for us to obey…. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).

Since that injury four years ago, the Lord has been preparing, training, and equipping us to follow His command. We have become heavily involved with “short term” missions, including helping those in “immediate” need after natural disasters. We have served those in need after tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, and fires in the United States. We have made three trips to Haiti to build an orphanage after the earthquake, traveled to Nigeria to work on a desperately needed hospital compound, and ventured to Bolivia to improve a youth camp. We have made three trips to the remote Eskimo villages of Alaska to build churches and had the honor to help build the camp in Port Alsworth, Alaska that participates in “Operation Heal Our Patriots”. We then participated in serving our wounded veterans and their spouses. Locally, we helped develop “Our Daily Bread”, a feeding program in our home town. Both of us serve in a prison ministry called “KAIROS”, and we are both riding members of “Bikers for Christ” motorcycle ministry. We are compelled to love others and long for others to come to the saving knowledge of Christ, and the hope that comes only through Him.   



Therefore, after much prayer and consideration we feel that it is time “to get out of the boat and walk upon the waters wherever God calls”; we believe that the place for us right now is in Bolivia working with LATCOM, which is where I was blessed to be part of a project rewiring many of the buildings at Monte Blanco Christian Camp & Conference Center from February-March 2013. During this time, I was introduced to the many different projects that LATCOM leads as part of its ministry efforts, and the sharing of the hope and love that comes only through Jesus Christ. My wife and I are taking this step of faith into “long term” missions, knowing that there is no greater joy than the joy that comes from helping others and to see them come to accept Jesus as their own Savior!


This step of faith will require both of us to leave our family, friends, church, and jobs. We trust that the Lord will take care of us… through others. We do not enter into this lightly, but with great trust – the trust that comes without borders or limitations to be able to see the mighty hand of God! Will you embark on this call….will you help your brothers and sisters of other nations? Prayerfully consider helping us financially to reach Gods desire. Thank you.

Ordinary people who serve an Extraordinary God,
John & Lynnette Garrison

If you have questions or would like to support John and Lynette, you can contact LATCOM at (724) 924-9070 or email jrgboat@gmail.com.