Missionary Update from South America

 Good morning to all...

It is always a privilege to share missionary updates with our Readers. There are usually things to pray about for them and things to praise God about. These are missionaries supported by our church, Heritage Baptist Church in Smithville, Ohio. This particular husband and wife team are ministering in South America. As usually, I redact names and places in order to protect them in their work because sometimes governments can be very hostile missionaries. 

I hope you find their letter a blessing and that you will pray for their specific needs.

In Christ's love,

Bob

Stir Up the Gift of God

This past month, the church here in A. celebrated another milestone as we ordained Pastor A. We officially took that step last April, when we sent a letter to the pastoral body of the association of churches requesting their official doctrinal examination. In that letter, we stated that we had observed his life over the past three years and believed him to meet the qualifications of 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. Additionally, we had administered our own doctrinal examination as a church, in three parts and with the whole church invited to be present and ask questions. The letter was signed by all the members at their individual request. Last November, A completed his doctrinal examination, being questioned by several C  pastors for several hours on a Zoom call.

We had high hopes for the “official” ordination ceremony, but the government condemned our city to yet another total lockdown. So, in order to be together for the Lord’s Day (and physically lay a couple of hands), A and C. and their boys spent the entire weekend at the Fs’ house, and we scurried up on Sunday morning (we only live a block away). Several other pastors from the whole country joined us on the Zoom call, delivering the charges to pastor and church. M and two men from the church gave testimonies praising God for his sanctifying work in Pastor As’ life that we have observed over the past three years. Who knows, it might be the first-ever ordination completed completely on Zoom. We trust it was an encouraging day for a young pastor.

Our COVID situation is constantly changing. Almost all the country is locked down again, and this month the government officials and “experts” closed the borders again. I don’t envy their position, since everything they’ve tried has been ineffective, but they have to keep trying things. We’re thankful for good health. This past month we have continued with Bible studies online with our church people, and I had the opportunity to teach an online session for Bible Institute in T on “Praying the Psalms.”

Please continue praying as well for the resolution of our permanent residency documents. It’s been so long since we applied (almost two years) and so long since there’s been any movement (8 months in B’s case and 17 months in M’s), and sometimes we’re tempted to worry about it. However, God is in control and since there’s nothing we can really do about it anyway, we’ll leave it to him in his time. But it would be nice if that time were soon. Please pray for us.

Thank God with us:

•  For his grace in the health and strength he gives.

•  For his grace in the maturing of the church here in A.

Pray to God with us:

•  For his grace to make disciples here in A.

•  For his grace in the life and family of Pastor A.

•  For his grace in the ongoing waiting process for our permanent residency documents.