Fruit, Faithfulness and Future
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It’s been a while now that I’ve been back in the states, and I wanted to report to you on what God has done since my last update.
As you know, I was in the 10/40 window for the two months of March and April. It is my great pleasure to report that God met me and our team of pastors in the most wonderful way imaginable.
To start, God spoke to my heart that what He wanted for this trip was for me to focus on the “Roles and Responsibilities of the Pastor.” So that was the focus of the teaching and discipleship of the entire trip. I was accompanied by 3 other pastors and brothers that joined me during various parts of the trip. In 5 of the 6 areas we went, we spent 5-8 hours, nearly every day, teaching and going deep into the Pastoral Epistle that Paul wrote to Timothy and Titus.
I also spent a lot of time just ministering to, encouraging, and fellowshipping with our guys on the ground. One of the guys, who lives in a state that is highly persecuted, said to me, “You coming here to visit the work, is a dream come true for me.” Each one of our guys are doing such amazing work, sharing Christ’s love and the truth of the Gospel in areas of severe persecution and where darkness prevails. Yet in great darkness, a small flame shines even brighter.
God also allowed us to teach 2 conferences and take part in the graduation ceremony at one of our schools. I love it how God shows up in unexpected ways. Passing out the diplomas and praying over the graduates was an honor afforded me that was completely unforeseen.
The fruit from this trip was greater than I ever expected. It may have been the most fruitful trip I’ve ever been on. During our studies and conferences, we talked about deep theological topics, but looked at them in the light of practicality, while holding fast the truth of God’s Word without any compromise. The most common remark I was hearing was during our studies was, “I’ve never heard that before” or “I’ve never seen that before.” It’s always a great joy to open God’s Word, teach it and share it with others, in a way that excites them and encourages them to take it where it’s never gone before, and then to share it with passion.
Our ministry is to equip these men and women for the work of the ministry, in areas that we as Westerners could never ever dream of going. My encouragement to our workers was to do the work of the ministry and to stay true to the word of God, in spite of threats of persecution. Fear is a tactic of the enemy to keep us silent.
In doing all that I do, one of my greatest joys is to connect with kids and to show them that God, and the Word of God, is not boring, it’s not unrelatable or only for adults. So I spend a lot of time reaching out to the kids, interacting with them, playing games, just being one of them, all the while teaching the truth of God’s Word to them. It’s blessing to just be with them.
While we were in country, there was a national holiday. The entire country takes off work and participates in this demonic celebration. We were aware of it, but didn’t think much of it. But on that day, the other brother and I wanted to meet some of our workers for lunch. To our surprise, when we went down stairs to exit the building, the front door was chained and locked; and there were no employee of the hotel in the building. It was just the two of us.
After a few hours we did find a way to exit the building. We were so thankful to the Lord that there was no fire or other emergency. Can you imagine that happening in the states? It’s a different world out there past our boarders.
God wildly blessed the trip, He was incredibly faithful to all of us on the trip, in that none of us experienced any sickness, which has not been the case in the past. He even protected us from harm. But what about the future?
Well, this June, I will be one of the leaders taking a group of young people, who are feeling a call to missions, to Mexico for our Calvary School of Missions. It’s the 6 week introduction to our Missions Training School held at Calvary Chapel Saving Grace in Yorba Linda, CA. During these 6 weeks, we have workers come in, or Zoom in, from all over the world. We do a lot of class room instruction, with 2-3 outreaches or “church take overs” ever week. The highlight of the trip is the Church Planting Conference at Calvary Chapel Rosarito, as well as going into the mountains and spending time with an unreached tribe in Mexico. I’m very excited to be part of it again this year.
I’m sure that there are other groups preparing young people for the mission field, but our program is unique in that it is the only one, that I know of at least, that is preparing young people to dedicate their lives to Christ and carry the Gospel to the 3.5 billion people who are the unreached of the world. It’s very special. It’s one of a kind.
There is also a new work that is about to takeoff. I can’t share any of the details with you now, but please be praying. But know this, when I’m able to let you know what is about to happen, it’ll blow your way. All glory to God!
By the grace of God, God is opening a great and mighty door for us to do what I never imagined would be possible, it’s BIG! I’m so overwhelmed that God would allow me to be part of it. Please keep it in prayer and I will share with you what it is as soon as I can.
Finally, if you’re not part of my field updates, please email me and I’ll send you a link to download Signal and join. Signal is a much more secure platform, which allows me to share, in greater detail, pictures, places and things I can’t share in these regular updates. It’s all in an effort to protect our workers in these hostile countries, as well as protecting the ministry. So please, drop me an email and let me know if you want to join “Gary’s Field Updates” and we’ll get you connected.
As always, I am only able to do what I do, in large part, because of your prayers and support. Please keep praying, and let us know how I can be praying from you.
Thank you again, for you friendship, prayers, love and support. Together we are making a difference in the World for Jesus Christ our King.
God bless,
Gary and Tina
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