Our Most Recent Newsletter

March 2008

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Philippians 4:4

Well it has been a while since Megan and I have reported to you the happenings of our little family, and there are certainly many reasons for us to Rejoice! In reading our last newsletter it dawned on me just how much has happened since the last time that we wrote to you.

To begin with, shortly after I wrote our last newsletter I had the opportunity to do quite a bit of traveling to several places where Steppin-Out was prayerfully considering doing some projects. I, along with my dad and another man, went to Longview, Texas and the headquarters of Missionary Tech Team. It was a blessing to see the Lord at work at Missionary Tech and also to see the like-mindedness of our
two ministries. I would encourage all of you to read more about Missionary Tech: (http://www.techteam.org/). We felt that the Lord was leading us to partner with them on an upcoming project that they had at their headquarters, as well as partner with them on some upcoming projects that they are involved with all around the world. Steppin-Out was able to complete phase 1 of their project in Texas this past January. In addition to that they decided to partner with Steppin-Out and assist us in some much needed graphics and display projects. They helped us get a new look (SOM Logo) for the ministry as well as create a much needed brochure. We are so grateful to the Lord for allowing us to have this new friendship and partnership with Tech and we are looking forward to phase 2 of the project there in Texas.

Without coming home the three of us left Tech headquarters in Texas and made our way to New Orleans where we were scheduled to go to San Pedro Sula, Honduras. Many of you recall that Steppin-Out had the privilege to partner with Amor Viviente in New Orleans this past year and help them in the rebuilding of their homes and church. In addition to that partnership we were asked to consider some projects that were located in Honduras where most of the congregation at Amor was from. We had the opportunity to meet some wonderful brothers and sisters in Christ while in Honduras. We met with Pastor Luis and Pastor Omar and had the chance to survey the projects that they had for their local congregations. We were asked by both of these men to prayerfully consider partnering with them in completing some much needed building projects at their respective locations. Please pray for Steppin-Out as we seek the Lord’s will for our involvement and partnership with these two men and their ministries.

After returning to Ohio from Honduras and Texas I knew that I needed to stay close to home because Megan’s due date was getting closer and closer and as you can imagine she was finding it more and more difficult to chase after the boys all day, day after day. However, there was another ministry opportunity that Steppin-Out was asked to consider, Grace Farm in Danielsville, GA. Freddie Coile is the director of Focus Evangelistic Ministries (http://www.freddiecoile.org/) and one of the ministries under that umbrella name is Camp Grace. Camp Grace is a youth camp that Freddie has been running for years “on the road”. Never having a camp ground of their own, F.E.M. has had to rent other facilities for years as they conducted their camp ministry. However, a couple of years ago they acquired 48 acres in rural northeast Georgia and it has begun to take shape as Grace Farm, the home of Camp Grace. I had the privilege of meeting Freddie and his family and walking the property of Grace Farm. While I walked and heard the heart of this man and others that were there working I found myself going back in my mind to all of the times I was a camper, and the important decisions that I made while on weekend retreats, or summer camp. I found myself drawn to being a part of this ministry and the opportunity to reach so many youth at Camp. Steppin-Out has felt that the Lord would have us partner with F.E.M. and assist them in completing the many projects that are there at Grace Farm. We look forward to seeing Camp Grace being used in the lives of young people for years to come.

As 2007 came to a close we turned our attention to the arrival of our new baby. Megan and I were anxious as to how this would affect our family and the routine that we had barely gotten adjusted to with our two boys. “What are we going to do?” was often both the first and last question on our minds each day. On the morning of January 14 we received another miracle into our lives. Faith Elaine Corley was born to us healthy and strong. There were no complications and we simply marvel at the miracle of life and God’s creation. In addition to welcoming Faith we also made the very difficult decision to stay here in Ohio. You might read that and think to yourself well that doesn’t sound right. Isn’t that where Steppin-Out is located and aren’t John and Shirley there? Yes and Yes. However, Meg’s mom and dad are still 500 miles away and it is difficult to only see them a few times a year. Especially when my parents and I are both away on different projects, it can seem at times that Meg is all alone. However, we are confident that the Lord has something in store for us here. We are now looking for a home that we can afford and fit into. Those two things don’t seem to be compatible at the moment for a family of 5. The Lord knows our needs though and we are very blessed to have this wonderful 2 bedroom apartment in Baltic. It’s cozy but we know that years from now we will look back on this time and wish that we still had our “little ones” in our “little home”.

We have a lot of things on the horizon and we are excited to see what the Lord has in store for us. Please continue to uphold us before the throne of Grace. We are absolutely dependant on your prayers. Without fellow soldiers on their knees we cannot continue in this battle the Lord has called us to. We could never adequately convey our gratefulness to you all for your support these past few years. We have continued to grow in our faith and understanding of what the Lord has called us to do with Steppin-Out Missions. We are humbled that He has even seen fit to call us to the ministry and to use us at all. Thank you all for your partnership with us. Please know that we consider you a vital part of Steppin-Out Missions.

People often ask us, “Who is Steppin-Out Missions?”
Our response … YOU ARE!

By His Grace,
Joel & Meg Corley

Prayer Requests
-Project planning for spring and summer trips
-Finding and purchasing our first house
-Making that house a Godly home for our family
-Godly growth and advancement of Steppin-Out Missions

Steppin-Out.....on the world wide web

I can't believe that I am doing this........ I have put up such a fight for so long against "blogs". However, recently I have seen that they are a real asset to getting information out to people. You can tell just by that statement that I have not been into blogging. I hope to use this in the future to post stories and testimonies of some of our projects and missions trips. For the time being, until I can get aquainted with this thing I would encourage you all to check out our website: http://www.steppinoutmissions.org/

By His Grace

Joel