About Me
Hi, welcome to my blog. Private reflection has long been part of my daily routine, but in the past I hadn’t taken enough time to articulate those reflections. I have decide to blog in hope that the process of reflection and articulation will benefit my own growth whether or not anyone reads what I write … but knowing that someone might read what I write helps my motivation. Let me briefly introduce myself.
The last 25 years of my life has been happily defined by raising my family with my wife Katarina in Istanbul, Turkey where our four children were raised. In July 2009 we moved to Örebro, Sweden after I was appointed the new international director of Operation Mercy, a Swedish humanitarian organization with about 300 staff in ten countries in Central Asia, Middle East, and North Africa. See www.mercy.se I also ‘moonlight’ as a trainer/facilitator in leadership skills development 24-32 days a year for corporate clients and various NGOs in Europe. In my spare time I enjoy fishing, playing football/soccer, and re-telling good jokes. I suppose my spare time activities are consistent with the Irish proverb: “You don’t have to be good at something to enjoy it.”
I’m currently working on a doctorate dissertation at the University of Edinburgh’s college of Eduation. I’m doing a collective case study that investigates the professional development of a dozen sucessful expatriate project leaders in multinational humanitarian organizations. I have a Master’s of Divinity from Trinity Theological Seminary, and a Master’s of Education and Bachelor’s of Business Education from James Madison University. I was raised mostly in Northern Virginia, but have now lived most of my adult life in Europe and Asia.
I’m on a life-time journey in pursuit of knowing and obeying Jesus better. I have adopted the latin phrase praesis ut prosis ne ut imperes or lead in order to serve not in order to rule as a personal motto. It is very close to what Jesus taught about leadership. I like the Latin because it makes an elegant expression out of what in real-life is a rather sobering and difficult ambition.
Scott,
My son, Tom, came across your website. It’s been a long time. We lost track of you while you were in Turkey, but have continued to pray for you and Katerina. Harrisonburg seems like a century ago or more!
I have served as a minister with the Christian and Missionary Alliance as a campus pastor in State College, Pennsylvania, at Penn State for 7 years after leaving Harrisonburg, then for 9 years in Bennington, Vermont, as a senior pastor, and now for the last 10 years as senior pastor at an Alliance Church in Mifflinburg, PA. I also host a Christian radio program, ‘The Lions’ Den University Report’ which features dedicated Christians on the secular universities. It is a weekly 15 minute interview show and can be heard in 7 states now.
We had our fourth son in Harrisonburg while you were there possibly. We now have 3 daughters-in-law and 6 grandchildren. The Lord has been good to us. If you let me know your mailing address, I can drop you our latest family and ministry newsletters and a CD or 2 of the radio program. We still have contact with a few people who were in the church in Harrisonburg. Ron and Roz Wismer are back in Africa where they spent many years then spent several years at the MAF headquarters in Idaho. Billy Moates was a JMU professor in the church. He married my wife Jennifer’s sister, Shirley. His last job until retirement earlier this year was teaching business at Indiana State University. They have retired to Pensacola, Florida. We look forward to numerous visits there!
Yours in Christ,
Glen and Jennifer Bayly
Hi Glen and Jennifer,
Warm greetings to you and your family! Peace and grace to you. Great to hear that from you. I’m looking forward to catch up with you.
Blessings,
Scott
Scott, Greetings from Izmir
We and our kiddies (one in India and the rest in the US) are well…
A few folks here would like to put up content for a Focus on the Family-style website in Turkish.
Nothing official yet, but a few folks here are trying to find people to be on a steering committee.
The calendar written by Katarina is wonderful. Does she already have a web version in Turkish?
Coud you please ask her to contact me about her calendar? Thanks!
Keep up the great faith! John tel: +90-532-3455586 Skype: dr_john_fowler
hi John,
I’m in Tajikistan this week. Please email Katarina at katarina.breslin@mercy.se or skbreslin@pmbx.net You would be most welcome to make a website version of the calendar.