[TEAMspinella] parakeet, pair of cleats, Paraclete Mission Group

July was incredibly busy with travel and meetings for TEAM and extended family here in Colorado. In addition, it appears we have waited out the subterranean flood of 2015. By that we mean that Laura's parents crawl space and septic field have been flooded since May 12. Water has come up through the sand, flowing down the normally semi-arid hills, perhaps from the black forest burn scar, but certainly beyond our best interventions. The level is slowly dropping, but it has been an additional challenge for us and for Laura's parents. A few people have pointed out that our street is after all "Springcrest," but theirs is Otero, which means "hill"! Who knew the hill would drain through their backyard and crawl space?! I also have been back on my bike, riding more this month than in many. This is not enough to reverse the gradual weight accumulation of many years, but it has had a "trickle down" effect at least. 

But back to the title line--as of August 1, our sponsoring organization is the Paraclete Mission Group. Paraclete has a wonderful meaning. Unfortunately it is in Greek (παράκλητος). Further, the website is neither .com nor .org, but rather Paraclete.net. The root meaning of paraclete is one who is called alongside in order to help. It is used most famously of the Holy Spirit in John 17. We don't think we are the Holy Spirit, but we do want to come alongside people in Jesus' name, in dependence on the Spirit.

The Paraclete Mission Group is a reasonably small group of servants committed to coming alongside people in international ministry. We are happy that our ministry is now sponsored by this US nonprofit going forward. We are also happy that we can continue to serve TEAM and its people (as well as others) from this new platform.

Here are the details:

Organizational name and contact info: Paraclete Mission Group, PO Box 63450, Colorado Springs, CO 80962, 1-719-302-2500, info@paraclete.net

Tax ID number for non-profit: 36-3559944 (The link goes to the 2014 990 information return for the organization.)

Address for mailing donations: Paraclete Mission Group, PO Box 912576, Denver, CO 80291-2576 (add a note indicating it is "preferenced for the Spinella ministry 7675D")

Website link for donations: Spinella ministry donations link

Are you still reading? Paraclete Mission Group began at the US Center for World Mission, now called Frontier Ventures, as many new organizations started up to reach unreached people groups. Some of those organizations are now quite large. I actually first encountered Paraclete in 1993. It has gone through substantial changes over the years, but eventually has become a hub for veteran contributors with specialized skills and passions of value to international ministries. As partnership and networks become common models for global impact, Paraclete associates now also include some location specific partnerships, including work with the Center for Counseling and Growth in Taiwan, where I used to work.

Here's to a happy August, including my upcoming 59th! Steve and Laura

PS Laura said I had to put this part in the PS because it is silly and annoying! In sharing our move, I have discovered Paraclete sounds like parakeet (the word, not parakeets chirping singing etc). It is also harder to spell than a pair of cleats (shoes with protruding bumps or ridges on the bottom). Yes, I think she's right...and all my kids will groan. Anyway now you know why the subject line--a cheap way to help you remember Paraclete.

Steve and Laura Spinella

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US: 1930 Springcrest Rd, CO Springs 80920

mail: 9685 Otero Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80920

Steve cell 719.355.4809, Laura cell 832.755.4261
<spinella@alumni.rice.edu> <lauraspinella@alumni.rice.edu>

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