We have finished our assignment in Scotland! It was an honor to serve the international church and coffee shop ministry in Edinburgh. Thank you to everyone who gave extra so we could help the church while the missionaries were away on itineration. God not only used us to help the church, but also used it as a time of transition.

About two years ago, God began to speak to us about a transition. We felt that God was calling us back to America and family. I (Scott) have lived most of my adult life overseas and have felt a huge burden for my family in the last two years. God has clearly shown us it is time to move back to America to strengthen these family relationships.

There is too much to write in a newsletter, but God has grown us through a deep work and is preparing us for what is next. Leah and I have returned to America and settled in Northwest Arkansas. We are blessed to be able to stay in missionary housing through December of this year.

It has been a challenge to write this newsletter, but June will be the last month we serve with AGWM. These last seventeen years with AGWM Asia Pacific and AGWM Europe have been amazing! It is difficult to name all those who have helped us, but Regional Directors Russ and Patsy Turney, Jeff and Liz Hartensveld, and Larry and Melinda Henderson blessed us beyond words. We are also so thankful to the many area directors who have allowed us to serve. We have been very impressed by AGWM, and it is hard to leave!

We are still transitioning and will try to answer many of your questions below. I will also be calling each of our supporters over the next two weeks.

Why can't you stay with AGWM?

Although we have loved our time with AGWM, the organization has very few positions in America since its main focus is sending missionaries. We believe in AGWM and its mission, and we will continue to support missionaries monthly ourselves.

What will you be doing now?

As soon as we began to feel a transition, I (Scott) began to talk with leadership both in Europe and our NJ Network. Again, there is too much to share about what God has been speaking to us, but we are looking at other ministry positions in Arkansas and with missions organizations that have a hybrid model of traveling to the mission field quarterly. I will follow up with a newsletter after final decisions have been made - this should be in the next 30 days.

Will you keep your credentials?

Yes, Scott will keep his Ordination and Leah her Licensing with the NJ Network. The leadership in NJ has meant so much to us that it would be very difficult to no longer be a part of an incredible team.

What do we do with our giving?

Please stop your giving with AGWM. You can do that online or call contributor services at (417) 862-2781. Scott will be calling each supporter individually over the next two weeks to talk with you about this, but also to say thank you. We have the phone numbers of all our supporting churches, but if you are an individual, please feel free to reply to this email to make sure we have your number.

What will happen with the funds that we have already given to AGWM?

Our Regional Director has encouraged us to convert these into an STMA (Short Term Ministers Abroad) account that we can use for future mission trips. I believe this will honor the original intent of the funds you have given. Again, I will update you on this in our next newsletter after we have worked out the details.

Will you be living near family?

Yes! Two of our daughters live in NW Arkansas, and our third daughter is possibly moving here soon. We also have two different family members who are considering making NW Arkansas their home.

How can we help or be praying for you?

Transition is always challenging. Moving away from overseas full-time missions after twenty years has been something we have fasted/prayed about for over two years. We would appreciate your prayers for our transition back to America, looking at ministry positions, and permanent housing near the end of this year.

How do we contact you now?

Email: scottschesser@gmail.com

Phone/Text/WhatsApp: 417-365-3655

FB: https://www.facebook.com/potwic/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/scottschesser/