Soaking it all in
Hey everyone! This last week was church planting week. Various pastors shared how the most effective form to evangelize and make disciples is through planting churches that teach faithfully chapter by chapter and verse by verse. Planting churches is through out the whole New Testament of the Bible, especially looking at the book of Acts. I am fired up to return back to Peru and eventually be sent out with a church planting team to the jungle. God has made this calling clear. I was blessed to hear from several Mexican pastors whom shared their struggles as well as the blessings from planting churches to further prepare me. There have been over 45 church plants sent out from Calvary Chapel Rosarito in the last 20 years. We want the Holy Spirit to do likewise in Peru, and it is close to time!
My Pastor from Greeley Colorado, Jeff Figgs, was one of the main speakers at the conference. He shared about 5 keys that have helped him as a pastor, which are “watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love” from 1 Corinthians 16:13-14. Many pastors have said that planting a church can be intimidating, opposed, and difficult. Even though there are many unexpecting circumstances and people who are out of our control and against the work, that is when we be brave and persevere. His message really ministered to my heart and encouraged me.
Workshop: The biggest take away has been a reoccurring theme this last week: discipleship. Planting a church is not just about the pastor’s impactful sermons, or the worship team leading everyone to a sweet praise to God. It’s also about investing in the people among you and getting them involved in the ministry. This requires hours upon hours, which is bigger than the idea of a couple hours a month that I had. In fact, our prime example Jesus spent over 3 years with His disciples, whom were going to be used by God in the book of Acts to bring spiritual revivals and turn the world upside down. Through discipleship, God can grow and call more people to be church planters and reach more people with Christ.
I then travelled south with the school of missions to Mazatlan and Culiacan. There are several church plants in these two mexican cities that we fellowshipped with. Our team has been helping in whatever way we can, including kids ministry, worship, and cleaning. It was neat to see their church planting schools, which were very similar to the church planting school I am a part of in Peru.
With 2 more weeks left in Mexico, I am STOKED to come back to Peru! I will continue to help at the bible institute and live on campus with over 30 staff and students. There will be a church planting conference in November that Pastor Cory started and that we are hosting. It’s time to reach all of South America with the gospel through church plants, and I want to be part of one.
Thank you everyone for taking out the time to read my letter and for your prayers. I love you all. In December I will be in Colorado, and would love to connect!
Prayer requests
1. Prayer for a church planting team for the jungle.
2. Prayer for growing in leadership
3. Prayer for confirmation on planting a church in Moyobamba.
4. Prayer for financial support
Andrew Weakland
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