It was a bittersweet moment as the Heese family stood on stage to be prayed over by the elders in Denver, and Jim gave us the "one container" challenge. An amazing story of faith and courage...
These one-time missionaries have been part of the Denver family since 2003 when they transitioned out of the full-time ministry and into the secular world. By faith, Jim and Marlene launched Pactimo, a bicycle apparel company. The company has been extremely successful, and was honored recently as "A top 50 Colorado Company to Watch." Despite the success of his company, Jim was searching his heart and struggling to discern God's will for his life. As he was praying, he committed to God to go anywhere for Him, but this time not as a single man but as a married man with two young daughters. God loves this kind of prayer and soon the doors began to open and God made it clear to Jim and Marlene that He was calling them to China, the birthplace of their adopted daughters. Jim sold his company. In Shanghai, a great business opportunity presented itself and the Heese family spent the month of June in Shanghai meeting with the small ex-pat church, looking at schools and praying for God's guidance.
Both girls were given veto power over the decision to move, but both determined that God wanted them to return to China. For Alexis, an incoming freshman high school student, the sacrifice was real as she counted the emotional cost of giving up a comfortable home, close friends and a strong teen ministry to launch into the unknown. On August 7th, 
2011, the Denver church was inspired as we watched the elders lay their hands on this amazing family who have decided to move in order to help the church in China. We were inspired as Jim called on each of us to answer any call that God gives us and to not allow our sacrifices to all be in the past, but to continue to answer God's call. At the end of the elder's blessing, Jim and Marlene experienced the joy of baptizing Alexis into Christ. Their impact on China has already begun.