Author Archives: Brian

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About Brian

I am a follower of Jesus, blessed with a wife, two children, and a call to serve God wherever He leads. For 12 years, we were missionaries, with me serving as a missionary journalist sharing stories of His work in South Africa and around the world. When we moved back to the USA, Tracy and the kids returned to normal work, and I continued serving remotely in missions. I am now returning to working outside missions, but ministry will always be part of our family's lives in Christ.

Praying, speaking, & acting against xenophobia and gender violence

Posted on September 5, 2019 by Brian

This is a piece I wrote for our mission’s South Africa office following some high-profile crimes there against women and immigrants. You can read it below or at their web site, www.sim.org.za.

 

The first sin committed was putting selfish ambition before loving God. The second was putting selfish anger before loving another human being. They have plagued us ever since.

Continue reading →

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The National Day of Prayer 2019

Posted on May 2, 2019 by Brian

https://mailchi.mp/42f1b2c94158/x2vipm43zx-1493865

 
Friends and family praying over us at our commissioning service at Crosswinds Wesleyan Church in 2016.

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know how we ought to pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words.“

— Romans 8:26 (Berean Study Bible)

National Day of Prayer

Dear friends, family, and partners,

The verse above has always been one of great comfort for me: that even when we don’t know what to say or ask in prayer, it is enough for us to reach out to Him, and He will do the rest.

“…the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7b).

The Lord looks at our hearts, and He calls us to immerse ourselves in His. Yes, He is a god of holiness and of commandments, but those are because He is a god of love. “Love one another, just as I have loved you,” Jesus instructed us in John 13:34.

When we approach Him in prayer, whether broken as sinners or grateful as saved or joyful as children, He delights in our hearts, in our love. Prayer is spending time with Him, sitting in our Father’s lap, so to speak. Enjoying the blessing of His love, and offering ours in return.

Today was the National Day of Prayer, an event held annually since 1952 but harkening back to our nation’s founding moments and through its times of great trial and triumph. Its theme this year was “Love One Another,” drawn from that verse in John 13:34.

I was glad to be able to attend an observance at a local high school, where dozens believers of different denominations prayed together for the good of our country and all the people within it. We prayed for all those in America to love one another, for the church in America to be united in love even when we disagree on doctrine, for the families and workplaces and communities in America to love one another, for all ethnicities and people to love one another, and for all of us to pray for and participate in a great spiritual awakening in America. The full list of prayer points can be read at https://nationaldayofprayer.org/prayer-guide.

Whether you were able to attend an event today, whether you knew it was the official day of prayer, and whether you prayed those things or others, I hope you were able to spend some time talking with God and feeling the warmth of His love for you. Today and every day.

Thank you all for your support, prayers, and encouragement, and may God bless each of you and all you hold dear.

In Christ’s love,
Brian and the family

In case you missed it…

Last fall, I (Brian) was appointed to a new position: media coordinator for a ten-country region in Southern Africa. Working primarily from home, I continue to help gather and share stories of what God is doing through and in the people and ministries of SIM.This position change moved me from SIM South Africa’s office in Cape Town to SIM’s Southern Africa Service Center (SASC) in Johannesburg. SASC provides various administrative services for SIM teams in Angola 🇦🇴, Botswana 🇧🇼, Madagascar 🇲🇬, Malawi 🇲🇼, Mauritius 🇲🇺, Mozambique 🇲🇿, Namibia 🇳🇦, Réunion 🇷🇪, Zambia 🇿🇲, and Zimbabwe 🇿🇼.

Praises and Prayer Requests
We give praise:
•    for the privileges and opportunities that come with being Americans.
•    for the ways He has blessed this nation and its people, including making a nation out of people from many lands and cultures.

We ask prayers:
•    for those petitions listed by the organizers of the National Day of Prayer, especially for love to heal the divisions rife within our land and people.
•    for God to guide and protect people around the world, including leaders at every level and in every endeavor.
•    for the Lord’s love to be shown brightly through His followers.
•    for people to be touched by today’s event and drawn closer to Him.

How can we pray for you?

PARTNER WITH US
You can help us continue to show God’s love to others by continuous prayer and through monthly or one-time financial donations.

We appreciate each contribution – we could not do this without you!
Make a one-time or monthly donation

LET’S STAY CONNECTED!
F O L L O W on F A C E B O O K
F O L L O W on I N S T A G R A M
The Heffron Family
Brian’s email
Tracy’s email
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Listening with the love of Christ

Posted on October 5, 2018 by Brian
This was one of many Facebook posts I made from South Africa during my first trip back. Originally posted March 18, 2018; time references date from then.

“All meaningful relationships start with a conversation and not a presentation,” (source unspecified, quoted this morning by the preacher at our old church in Cape Town).

I want to tell you about Sandile Dlomo, the young man whose picture I shared last Wednesday, and how God put him onto my heart. Continue reading →

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Sharing the gospel at our digital doorstep

Posted on September 28, 2018 by Brian

“No offense, Chuck, but I’m not sure you’re you. Remind me where we met.”

“Lol
“What do you mean by that ?
“This real me.”

The Lord is good, and faithful to meet our every need. He demonstrated that again last week by bringing me a cross-cultural ministry opportunity.

Continue reading →

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