October 2016
We Hold the Rope
Reflections from Philippians and the Apostle Paul’s Relationship with a Rope-Holding Church by Dr. Dennis Ahern, Pastoral Counselor, WorldVenture William Carey is considered to be the “Father of Modern Missions.” He departed as a missionary with his family for India in 1793. One of the leaders who became a rope-holder for William Carey and the preaching of the gospel in India recorded the following: “Our undertaking to India really appeared to me, on its commencement, to be somewhat like a few men, who were deliberating about the importance of penetrating into a deep mine, which had never before been explored, we had no one to guide us; and while we were thus deliberating, [William] Carey, as it were, said “Well, I will go down, if you will hold the rope.” But before he went down…he, as it seemed to me, took an oath from each of us, at the mouth of the pit, to this effect—that “while we lived, we should never let go of the rope.” Peter Morden, Offering Christ to the World (Waynesboro: Paternoster, 2003), 136.
November 2014
March 2013
Releasing the Past, Focusing Toward the Future, Embracing Our Calling
Rev. Dennis Ahern provides pastoral care for those serving in distant, difficult, and sometimes dangerous locations. Dennis serves the church by shepherding ministry families during times of need, fostering the spiritual health necessary for the growth of both worker and work. Since 1992, Dennis has focused a portion of his ministry serving those impacted by trauma. His mission statement includes “the development of trusted relationships during times of crisis, speaking words of grace, hope, and truth in submission to God’s redemptive purposes.” Dennis and Denise Ahern’s journey with WorldVenture began in 1979 when they were appointed to serve in Hong Kong. After studying Mandarin in Taiwan and spending a year in Hong Kong, the Aherns eventually settled in Macau to work with new immigrants from China. They then moved to the Philippines in 1992 where they taught for two years on the faculty of Faith Academy, a school established to provide education for missionary children. Dennis taught high school Bible, but eventually became the school’s pastoral counselor. He helped missionary families face the challenges of disorientation due to separation from family and friends, loneliness, and cross-cultural stress. In September 1995, the Aherns returned to the States so Dennis could become WorldVenture’s Southwest area director. As director, he assisted cross-cultural workers and coached local churches to take the gospel from their neighborhoods to the nations. Dennis now serves as pastoral counselor with WorldVenture's Paraclete Centre. Dennis and Denise have been married for 38 years. They are the parents of four children, all raised in Asia. They are also grandparents to seven granddaughters. Dennis enjoys chess, fly fishing, and taking pastors to lunch at Chinese restaurants. He also serves as a volunteer clergy with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
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