Over the past four years, Tara and I have been privileged to serve alongside the saints here at Grace Church of the Valley and these have been some of the sweetest years of our lives. Yet with our church being a training center for men pursuing pastoral ministry, the bittersweet reality is that some will leave to continue the mission of the church in other areas of the world where the Gospel has yet to mature.

It is because of this that Tara and I have decided, and been affirmed by the Elders, to move to Albania in the summer of 2026 to serve alongside our missionaries, Cory and Kristine Cramer. 

Our goal in partnering with the Cramers would be to see the mission of the Church go forth in teaching the whole counsel of God so that many would be saved and equipped to glorify the Lord as they walk with him. Some of the work I will be engaged in will be:

• Coming alongside Cory to see men in this church mature in Christ and pursue leadership within their homes, jobs, and in the Church.
• Provide support to the Mission of Thrive to see the church in Albania nationally established and strengthened.
• Bring stability and leadership to the fruitful youth ministry of Kisha e Krishtit Pogradec.
• Be an example in faith and conduct of what it looks like to daily live for Christ.

Ultimately, we all have been saved and sanctified in order that we may walk in good works that the Lord has prepared for us so that we may see God’s name magnified in all we do!

We praise the Lord for his kindness, grace, and for you whom we have labored alongside in the Gospel these past few years. As Paul says in Philippians 1:8, Tara and I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. Please pray that God’s name may be hallowed in all the earth through our continued efforts of seeing men equipped and sent out through GCV.

Please continue to support us through your prayers; the Lord will use them!

To support us financially, please go to: thrivemissions.org/give

In Christ,

Spencer and Tara Long