A Time to Build and Grow
2023 has been a big and eventful year for Aspects Ministries. This Communique is written to provide our friends and co-workers an overview of where we have been, what’s being done now, and what is being planned for the future.
I. WHAT’S BEEN ACCOMPLISHED
Foundation Laid (1991-2021): A lot was accomplished during the first generation of the Aspects Ministry. A core theology of Biblical sexuality was articulated, printed, and taught. A remnant from the Boomer generation received our message. So a lot was done to lay a foundation, but work fades with time and badly needs to be renewed.
Baton passed (2022-2023): The Mousers worked purposefully to hand the administrative baton to Bryan and Kristine Vermillion during 2022 and to move the ministry headquarters from the Mouser home in Waxahachie to the Vermillions’ home in Houston. God dramatically punctuated this passing of the torch by taking Bill home in May of this year. Bill’s departure left Bryan not only as the administrative head, but as the heir apparent to be Aspects second president. Over the summer, the Waxahachie office was closed, and the Houston office was opened. All of this has taken a great deal of effort, attention to administrative detail, and not a little emotional and spiritual labor.
II. DEFINING OUR GOAL–What Next?
The logical question is, where do we go from here? Not only has the battle for Biblical sexuality not been won—the state of sex and gender seems worse than ever. We seem to be surrounded by a world gone mad. But as a famous general once said, “Men, we are surrounded by the enemy. We have the greatest opportunity ever presented an army. We can attack in any direction.” This is a good attitude and one we hope to emulate. It is not time to wind down or rest on past accomplishments. It is time to build and grow. But, we do need to be intentional about how we plan our attacks.
“EQUIPPING THE REMNANT FOR A TIME SUCH AS THIS”
This is our new tagline and well summarizes our goals. Consider this phrase word by word.
1. “EQUIPPING”—
We strive to provide tools which will enable believers to “stand in this wicked day” and “to give answers for the hope that is within them.”
Tools include a sure knowledge of the masculine God who is Father and Son and of man and woman as equal, but not interchangeable, creatures designed by God.
2. “THE REMNANT”—
The remnant is walking in God’s ways against the swift current of a “re-paganizing world.”
The remnant is made of good soil that receives the Word of God and bears fruit to it.
We are especially looking for this generation’s remnant leaders. Leaders ask questions, listen to answers, and understand the times. Leaders are teachers, writers, and artists.
By seeking to train these kinds of leaders, we hope to penetrate and permeate the body of Christ with words and ideas that will enable individuals, families, and churches to stand firm in Christ.
3. “FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS”—As in Esther’s day, we live in a time of great danger. Many are losing their faith, their lives, and their very identity as men and women. It is a time to pray and speak God’s truth to this generation. God’s whole counsel must include what the Bible says about sexuality and gender.
III. PRAISES FOR GOD’S GOODNESS TO THE ASPECTS MINISTRY AND TEAM
1. Vermillions Take the Torch: The Mousers’ retirement and cancer years took the Aspects Ministry to low ebb. The Vermillions’ are taking Aspects out of “ministry ICU” and are nurturing it back to new strength, life, and productivity. We are grateful to be a part of this new phase of ministry.
2. Barbara is deeply grateful to God for His comfort and guidance in the last months as she is adjusting to the new and sometimes daunting world of widowhood. She is grateful for the constant love, fellowship, and help of family and friends.
3. The Houston office has accomplished backflips to get up and running. We are especially rejoicing for streamlined, faster shipping! Thank you, Bryan for the big framework administrative work you are accomplishing. Thank you, Emily, for being our “boots on the ground” office manager, for filling orders, and for keeping it all straight.
4. Good news from California! In the spirit of generational transition (which seems to be our theme this year), a mother/daughter team (Janet Niblack and Vicky Lopez) have started a new Five Aspects of Woman class in San Jose. Janet describes the group: “two French ladies, one Swiss German, one Korean, one Iranian (Assyrian)… plus our daughter-in-law in Geneva is going through the course with the Austrian wife of the other director of the Institut Biblique de Genève. Plus, our daughter Laura in Ethiopia. (If you don’t know them, the Niblack/Lopez team has always been something of a one-family world mission agency!)
IV. PETITIONS FOR CURRENT PROJECTS AND FUTURE PLANS
1. Five Aspects of Man (second edition): Kristine is working diligently to edit and re-format our Five Aspects of Man course. Four of our most experienced men are contributing counsel. Hopefully this foundational study and its leaders guide will be available in early 2024.
2. A Face-to-Face Board Meeting is scheduled at Lake Haven in January. For the first time in many years, this Five Aspects Ministries Board Meeting will be a live affair. Pray for wise decisions and a rousting time of fellowship.
3. Lots of ideas: Necessarily, this year has been driven by administrative transition. However, we are making specific plans about “how to attack in every direction.” Here are some projects and ideas that are currently on the drawing board. Please pray that God will guide us to the people and the paths that will be most fruitful.
Continuing to update and revise our current works to keep them in print and relevant.
Developing Spanish translations of more of our core materials.
Outreaches targeting homeschoolers, private schools, and churches.
Different forms for our message such as short courses, sound bites, whole audio books, and interviews.
Training events for men in the use of Five Aspects of Man Study Course.
Producing more materials on Thematic Bible Study method. The new release of the second edition of Seasons of God-Spirals of Life is the first book released in our Thematic Bible Study series.
More books for men, boys, and children are on the drawing board.
We need your prayers, and we need your money!
Please help us to “Equip the Remnant for Such a Time as This.”
The Five Aspects Ministry Team,
Bryan, Kristine, Barbara, and Emily