THE CALL
We’re Gered and Brandi Lambert from Geismar. In 2017, we answered the Lord’s call to serve in the jungle mountains of La Ceiba, Honduras, where we established the nonprofit organization 6:33 Global. The name comes from Matthew 6:33, which says,
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you.” Matthew 6:33 (CSB)
We are called to solve two problems in our community: spiritual poverty and material poverty. Our Kingdom Academy is how we fight spiritual poverty by sharing the gospel and making disciples. Our Trade Academy is where we fight material poverty by teaching trades, like welding and carpentry, to our community, which helps them provide income for their families.
THE STORM
On the journey of developing our ministry, we hit major roadblocks and weathered many storms. Assimilating into a new country and culture was more difficult than we imagined. Also, we were hit with an unexpected family illness, lost the opportunity to fulfill our dream to adopt out of the foster care system, and worked through the revelation of a close family member’s past trauma.
THE RESCUE
Through those storms, we experienced the Lord’s protection, provision, promises, and purpose in powerful ways. That season inspired us to take a fresh look at the foundation of our ministry, leading us to refine and clarify our Mission, Vision, and Values.
After three months of prayer, discussion, and careful work, we emerged with a renewed sense of direction. Our mission: “6:33 Global exists to love and build people, so that they could experience themselves from God’s perspective.” Our vision simply carries this mission into the future: “Every person actively and effectively building the Kingdom of God, knowing who they are and whose they are.”
We also identified six core values—The Kingdom, The Church, People, Engage, Equip, and Empower—which serve as guiding principles. Our Mission and Vision define our “why,” acting as the compass for our family and ministry. Our values help us choose paths that align with that calling, shaping the strategies and goals we pursue in order to fulfill our mission.
THE LESSON
As parents, do you feel like you are on a boat, in the ocean, with no sails, rudder, or oars? Do you feel stuck and tossed by the rain, waves, and the wind? A Mission, Vision, and Values statement is the sail that propels you forward and the oars and rudder that guide you through and out of the storms.
We still have storms, but now, we have the tools to propel us forward and to navigate us through them. We have tools to keep us focused and keep us on the course that the Lord has for our family and ministry. We can encourage you to “seek first His Kingdom” because we have seen the fruits of making His Kingdom a priority in our lives and ministry.
