Greetings from Mexico,
In this update I wanted to tell you the story of a special young man that I have had the opportunity to mentor and grown to love. Over 5 years ago I was visiting a local discipleship home (men’s rehab center) when I met for the first time a young man named Eduardo (Lalo) Fernandez. I began to share about church planting, and this young man’s ears perked up as he heard about God’s desire to plant churches throughout Mexico!
I later found out that Lalo had been born and raised in the 2nd largest city in Mexico, Guadalajara. He eventually snuck into the USA in a search to find his fortune, but instead he found heartache and difficulty and returned to Mexico addicted to drugs! After getting saved and then disciple at a local Christian rehab center, Lalo entered Bible college where he met his future wife (Linda) and after graduating, they got married!
Lalo and I had been talking about his desire to church plant, so I invited him to join our church staff so that we could train him up and send him out! For two years, Lalo and his wife Linda served faithfully with us while also working full time at a local orphanage. After completing our church planting program, their small family (now 3) set off on a 6 month journey as missionaries to assist in a new work located in Nicaragua.
Upon his return, I asked Lalo to take our 2nd year advance church planting course which he completed with excellence. Over that time, God gave Lalo and some friends a deep calling to church plant in the city of his birth Guadalajara. (A historic city with few churches and very little Christian witness!)
Meanwhile, in Rosarito Lalo continued to grow in his gifting while serving with us in a variety of different ministries. He became an excellent Bible teacher and a wise and respected leader. A few months ago, I was blessed to be able to travel to Guadalajara (my first time) with Lalo and his family on his church planting vision tour! While there, we evangelized, sought the Lord, and searched for possible locations for this future plant. God spoke clearly to us that the time had arrived for this team to be sent out.
This past weekend, our church had the honor and privilege of sending out Lalo and his ministry team to begin this great work! This is the 15th Church planting team we have had the honor of sending out over the past 8 years! We feel so blessed that God has turned our church that started out as a small home Bible study into a sending hub that plants churches to help reach Mexico and beyond!
Lalo has three goals for his church plant that he has asked for you to pray for. #1- Please pray that they can clearly TEACH the word of God. Secondly, they want to EXALT the name of Jesus in Guadalajara! Third, they want to REACH the many non-believers in their community! Please pray that Capilla Calvario Esperanza Viva (Calvary Chapel Living Hope) can accomplish these worthy goals!
Finally, I want to remind you that this church plant and all of the future souls that are saved and discipled there ARE YOUR SPIRITUAL FRUIT! As the Apostle Paul wrote in 1st Corinthians 3:6, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase!” This verse is a reminder that as you partner with us your missionaries, we get to partner together in all of these church planting adventures.
Biblically, church planting is and always has been a team effort. It takes senders (like you) and also those that are willing to go! (Lalo and his church planting team) The end result is that God does a new work as we get to partner together in the fields of the Lord! Thank you so much for your prayers and partnership and love for our family!
Con mucho amor de Mexico, (with much love from Mexico)
Mike, Sarah, Grace, and Daniel
Prayer Requests:
#1- Pray for that God will do a mighty work through this new church plant in Guadalajara!
#2- Pray for the right apartment for Lalo’s family, and location for the church!
#3- Pray that God will continue to provide for the financial needs of our family personally!