Adam Fulmizi April 2022 Update

“What happens in Vegas…Stays in Vegas”? Not this time!!! I’m taking this update to tell you all about our mission trip to sin city! I pray the stories of what God did through the team inspires you to keep being a light to this dark world!

Evangelizing on the LV Strip

The Sunday to Thursday trip in March included going to the Las Vegas strip multiple times to share the gospel. Some nights we would just go, other times we partnered with a local Calvary, and on our last night we did a worship night! The Vegas team included a wide variety of people and ages; we had young adults, old(er) adults, kids, parents, high schoolers, and two babies! This lead to such a wonderful experience as we got to see all members of the church active in preaching the gospel together in unity!

A memorable story is when I got to share with a man named Alex (different from the guy pictured above) who was standing around in front of the Bellagio with his dog. I learned that Alex is from Turkey and has lived in many different places. I shared how christianity is different from Islam (which is the main religion in Turkey). He himself is not Islamic (he was very secular minded) but he was delighted in the things I was telling him about Jesus. He was interested in staying in touch and at one point he even asked me for my phone number! He has shown interest in going to a local church; please pray that he would!

Partnering with CC Las Vegas

The Lord gave us an awesome connection with Calvary Chapel Las Vegas and their evangelism Pastor, Brandon. We were blessed to do a community outreach one night and then gospel sharing together the next morning. The funny thing is, we hadn’t been in touch with Brandon at all until the morning we did our outreach together! It is awesome how the Lord brings his people together to advance His gospel.

Campus Outreach

While in Vegas we also went to a local college campus, UNLV. The first time we just did evangelism, then we went back to do a full on outreach: free food, prayer, worship, gospel sharing, all of the above! This outreach went better than I could have ever planned and we were able to share with hundreds of students who were walking by. We fed them physically with hot dogs and tacos as well as spiritually with the gospel!

Angelo

Often times you will see people come back from a short term mission trip with one interaction that they look at and say, “that person was the reason I went on this trip.” Although I had many amazing interactions, I can say with confidence my discussion with Angelo was a main reason I was in Vegas that week. It was on the UNLV campus and he “happened” to be there waiting to speak as a guest for a history class. Angelo is a war veteran who has seen a lot of brutal stuff. I was able to talk with Him about the justice and vengeance of God as well as share the gospel.

When I got to the grace of God through Christ he was listening intently and said, “Man, that’s beautiful.” While we were talking he said, “Would you do me a favor?” “What is it?” I asked. “My name is Angelo. When you are in your place of meditation and prayer, will you remember to pray for me?” I promised him I would do that and also tell others to pray for him. Would you please take a second right now to pray that Angelo would follow Christ?

See many more Vegas Photos and Videos here!

Equipping to Be a light

I was blessed to not only be on this trip, but a large part of planning and leading it. I learned so much. Victories were had, mistakes were made, lessons were learned. I am better learning how to use the gifts God has given me to help “equip the saints for the work of ministry.” What is more effective…me sharing with hundreds of people in Vegas? Or me helping and encouraging 25 other believers to share with thousands of people in Vegas? Whatever gifts you are exercising within the church, I can promise you this, God wants to equip YOU to be a light in a world filled with sin. Let’s keep shining together.

For His Eternal Kingdom,

Adam Fulmizi

Praise Reports/ Prayer Requests

• Praise Reports
  • Awesome team dynamic and fruit from Vegas!
  • The Lord continually opening doors to travel and spread his gospel
• Prayer Requests
  • Angelo, Alex, and all others who heard the gospel in Vegas
  • For the Lord to send out laborers to plant churches in all the world
  • Vision and wisdom in life and ministry decisions

Become a financial partner

Do you ever stop and think about all the people you know? The people God has sovereignty brought into your life? I was recently studying the final chapter of 2 Timothy where Paul lists many companions in the gospel (15 to be exact!) and it made me think about all the people God has and is currently bringing into my life. There are so many wonderful friendships God has started while serving him. These are friends I would never know if we were not serving the Lord together. I wanted to take this update to share about some specific friends the Lord has brought into my life the past few months at Calvary Chapel WestGrove as I have been serving there.

High School Ministry

I’ve had the blessing of being involved with multiple different ministries at church, one of which is our High School ministry (AKA “Established Youth”). Two of the many high schoolers I’ve met are John and Hannah. John and Hannah are cousins and I have had the opportunity to serve and travel with them on multiple occasions.

John is preparing to graduate and giving his all during his final year in high school. One of my favorite moments with John was being able to serve with him during our Mexico missions trip back in December. John preached the gospel on outreaches and was even able to lead a short Bible study for a youth service we did with a local church. Please pray for John as he thinks through what to do after graduation.

As John prepares to graduate his cousin is about to finish her first year of high school. Hannah joined us on our disaster relief trip to Louisiana as well as our trip to Mexico and on each of those trips I was able to witness the amazing gifts the Lord as given her. During our disaster relief trip she spent time talking with and encouraging the ladies who owned the homes we were working on. One lady was so encouraged by her that she gave Hannah a cross necklace that she literally clinched unto through a hurricane. The Lord has gifted Hannah with exhortation and a spirit that is willing to say “yes” even when it is difficult. Please pray for Hannah to continue to grow in strength and wisdom in the Lord.

Discipleship

When I first returned from the school of missions after summer there was a friend who welcomed me back with a bright smile on his face, excited to hear about what God had done in Mexico. At first I was a little confused because I could have sworn this was a guy I knew before I left, but he seemed much different than the last time I saw him.

Andrew has basically gone to Calvary WestGrove his whole life, but he was never super active in the Church. As Andrew was stuck at home during the pandemic he started to reflect more about what is important in life and God stirred up his heart to be more involved once he was able to come back. He started coming again to church sometime while I was at school of missions and by the time I got back he was on fire for the Lord, eager to evangelize and serve wherever he could.

I have been discipling Andrew one on one every week for the past couple months. It has been an awesome time of growing together in the word and our faith. I am greatly encouraged by Andrew’s joy in the service to the Lord and I am so excited to see what the Lord will do with him.

Jr. High

I have been blessed to also be serving as a leader in our Jr High Ministry (AKA “Planted”). We recently went on our winter retreat where I was privileged to be the opening speaker. The theme was “Secured” and it was based off of Psalm 40 verse 2. I was able to share that before Christ, we are all stuck in a pit of destruction that leads to everlasting death in hell, but that God saved us from destruction by sending Jesus.

One of my favorite moments of the trip happened during small groups. One kid wasn’t following along in the Bible and I perceived it was because he didn’t know how to find the book we were in. I encouraged him by showing him how to use the table of contents and he started to follow along and join in the discussion. The next time our small group met someone else in the group was having trouble finding the book and that same kid guided him to the table of contents! Something like finding the right book has become second nature to us, but someone showed us originally how right? It was a sweet moment of seeing the influence we can have on those around us.

Missions Conference

Giant praise report…our missions conference was a great success! We had multiple people from our church and others for a wonderful time of worship, the word, food, and fellowship. At the conference I was once again hit with the fact that there are over 3.2 billion people who have no access to the gospel. There is no one around them sharing eternal life through Christ. I have been reminded to never forget the Unreached no matter where I am serving, please join me in praying for the billions who wait to hear of Jesus.

Up Next: Vegas

My next trip is fast approaching. On March 27th-31st WestGrove will be sending a team to Vegas! We will be partnering with some Calvary’s our there and spending a lot of time sharing the gospel. I have the privilege of planning the majority of this trip, so I would greatly appreciate your prayers in the planning process.

I was able to here share just a few of the wonderful friendships God has brought recently into my life. I am reminded of the Psalms 133:1, “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!” I am so thankful to know each and every one of you and have your love and support in the Lord. Please take a moment and thank God for the people he has brought in your life.

For His Eternal Kingdom,

Adam Fulmizi

Praise Reports/ Prayer Requests

• Praise Reports
  • A successful and powerful time at the missions conference
  • God bringing people in my life to pour into and fellowship with
  • The Lord continually opening doors to travel and spread his gospel
• Prayer Requests
  • John, Hannah, and all of our youth to stay strong and grow in the Lord
  • Discipleship with Andrew
  • Safe travels, team unity, and open hearts for the trip to Vegas
  • For the Lord to send out laborers to plant churches in all the world
  • Vision and wisdom in life and ministry decisions

Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.

Zechariah 4:6b

February, 2022 Update

Dear prayer partners,

So many praises to God for all that He leads and equips the children and I to complete for His glory.

 Josiah is just finishing diving/swim season where he learned so much and made awesome memories with so many new experiences.  Now, he is looking forward to soccer season and has already started conditioning with the team.  He also recently obtained his drivers license giving him the ability to be more independent and help Mom more when her schedule is too busy for all that everyone is involved in.  Veronica shows great talent at the flute and really enjoys her choir involvement and volunteering as a nursery worker at church. Benjamin continues to learn basketball, trumpet, and shows interest in tackling piano.  All three have great report cards and their teachers have so many positive things to say about each of them. I couldn’t be more blessed to see God’s providence and help in so many transitions.

I continue to work full time as a night shift Registered nurse with much demand in my job.  I’m also staying involved with the Brazilian team.  Helping in planning, budgeting, and financially facilitating the team’s trips; I see growth and ownership growing.  More on our vision for the future in this regard coming soon. 

UPCOMING OPPORTUNITY:  I am planning a physical return boat trip with a team leaving Manaus June 30 through July 7^th.  We will travel to the village in a privately rented boat to house the team.  40 hours up river, 4 days in the village for ministry and then return downstream to Manaus.  This team is still forming.  Please contact me if God is calling you as spaces are almost full. 

Please join me in prayer for the Brazilian team that is currently ministering in the jungle.

 They arrived last week with plans of a three week ministry trip, teaching disciples in all three villages around Lake Itaboca.  Here is the update written by Nei after their last trip in December.

Good day beloved brothers and supporters of the Ministry among the Apurinãs!

Every trip is a new experience for us.  This time the boat was delayed leaving only on Wednesday at noon.  With that, our arrival at the mouth of the lake of Itaboca was also changed.  We arrived around 3:00 in the morning and the passenger boat dropped us off a little way from the lake entrance.  It was a big challenge for us because we were left in the middle of the big river without knowing the right direction and with two flashlights that didn’t illuminate enough. We went by faith and praised God for leading us by His Spirit until we found the floating Indigenous house where or brothers stay guarding the reserve.

There we tied our hammocks and waited until the day dawned to continue our journey.  It’s winter here and that means it’s raining a lot and it was under the rain that we went on to the village where the house where we live is located.

We organized our house, and went looking for our brothers to say that we wanted to see them, and desired communion with them.

It was a very valuable time that we all had, where we were able to share about God with them and see the word of truth at work. They must hear the truth!

Our plan for the next trip is to stay longer and work with them in a  discipleship study.  Using  very clear and simple material.

Needs for the development of the Ministry:

A computer.
A long-range flashlight.
6 soccer balls.
Building material for a new meeting place in the village of Macawuã as a wind storm destroyed the old structure with a straw roof.

PRAYER REQUESTS:

Health of all workers.
God’s empowerment to develop the work.
God’s protection from all dangers.

-Nei, Raquel, and Pr. Anibal

Thank you for your continued faithful support and please share with me your personal prayer requests as we walk in the will of our Lord and Savior together; passing through trials and tribulations as promised in this life, where sin and pain exist.  Looking forward to His promises and doing the impossible through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Amen and God bless.  Keep your eyes on God. 

In Christ,

Melissa

Our Family

Since our last blog update, there was a little addition to our family! Meet our granddaughter, Kimberly Grace! She’s almost 3 1/2 months old already and starting to show her own little personality. It is a joy to have our grandbabies so close! Joshua will turn two next month and his energy level shows it! This little guy is always moving and keeps his parents on their toes. Brian and Brittany are continuing with the church planting class at Calvary Rosarito. Brittany took the second semester off last year when she had the baby, and this is Brian’s second year in the class. They are continuing to seek the Lord’s guidance as to where He would have them plant a church. Please pray for them as they serve and raise up new leaders at Calvary Chapel Playas. William recently arrived on a surprise visit home! It is so great to see him and spend some time together! He was finally able to meet his new niece. Will is living and working up in Fond du Lac, WI, although he is not enjoying the cold or driving in the snow very much.

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Kristy’s parents were finally able to meet their only two great-grandchildren! They came down to visit in November, along with Kristy’s sister, Shannon, and most of her family. Since Joshua was born in Mexico and still doesn’t have all his paperwork, he has not been able to go to the states yet. So this is the only family that our grandchildren have met so far, except for one of Ron’s brothers and his wife. (Philip & MeLinda were able to visit at the end of 2020 and meet Joshua.)

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Ministry in 2021

Last year’s ministry looked different, but it was amazing! When the pandemic hit in March of 2020, we watched as all of our spring and summer teams cancelled, except for the 5 week Calvary School of Missions (CSOM) in the summer. Thankfully, through generous donations by you and teams that postponed their trips, we kept super busy! Besides CSOM, we only hosted 8 teams in 2020. That’s a little less than one fourth of the number of teams we normally have in a year. However, we had numerous outreaches and events. We also spent the greater portion of the first six months of that year working on the Upper Room (dining area) and kitchen on the third floor here at Connections House.

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Well, 2021 may have only brought us 14 teams, but we had a spectacular year of ministry! We also hosted a youth retreat and 12 events for local churches and ministries this past year. At the end of the year we enclosed the second floor patio and turned it into a meeting & game room. This past year we also added three dorm rooms and about 10 beds, as well as a new living room to our two bedroom apartment. We had about 13 teams postpone their trips until this year, and 10 teams are already booked for the first part of the year. Please pray that they will be able to come and serve with us this year!

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Along with the expansion at Connections House, comes the need for more bunk beds, mattresses, sheets & towels. If you would like to help with any of these items, please click here. It would be a tremendous blessing! The goal is to have bed spaces for up to 55 people. Therefore, our next big project at Connections will be an expensive one. It is to remodel the first floor dorm bathroom into two shower rooms, and then add two separate stall rooms with toilets and sinks. This means tearing out a lot of flooring in order to redo and add plumbing. The dorms also need to have the electricity redone, floors reinforced, and more. Little by little, the Lord has provided, and we are certain that He will continue to do so!

Church Planting & Mission Trips

In 2021, we were able to travel a little and help some of our church plants. This was something we had prayed about and longed to do more of for almost five years. It has been amazing to watch so many churches get planted here within about an hour of our church, Calvary Rosarito. Unfortunately, due to COVID, we had to cancel our third annual staff mission trip. We had planned to serve in Monterrey with Pastor Pedro. Please pray that we will be able to reschedule that trip soon so that we can encourage our brothers and sisters over there at CC Monterrey.

As we shared previously, in January of last year we helped some church planters move to the southern part of Baja to plant the church, Calvary Loreto. We didn’t think we could be much help at such an early stage for this church plant, but God had another plan. After looking at some possible buildings for the church right away, the Lord began to reveal what he had in store. We stayed an extra week to help with renovations for the church building, but there was still so much work to be done. We returned home to find out that Ron’s back surgery was postponed, so we took that as a sign that we had more work to do in Loreto. We returned for another couple of weeks to work on the church and help with their grand opening.

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The church just celebrated their one year anniversary last week. It’s been amazing to watch how much it has grown! Kristy had the opportunity to take a trip there in May with Brian, Brittany, Joshua, and some friends. They served at a couple of events the church was having, one for women and one for men. They also helped with painting another sign at the church and helping to get the pastor’s office ready by doing some drywalling and painting.

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We were super blessed to take trips to three different church plants in November and December. For the first time, the backpacks that are donated reached Baja California Sur & Sonora! However, we will save those trips for our next update. All of this is your fruit and we appreciate your prayer and financial support!! We will leave you with some before and after photos of the church plant in Loreto. God bless!

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The two photos on the left show before and after photos of the front of the church. The next set of photos is the sanctuary. It has been expanded three times, and they are already looking at a possible fourth expansion. In the third set of photos you can see the storage shed that was turned into a classroom for the children. Finally, the renovation of the courtyard between the church and storage shed. It looks fantastic, and gets used before and after church for fellowship, as a Sunday School classroom for the older children, and more.

Ron & Christy Struska

I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the LORD.

Psalm 27:13-14 NASB

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Six months ago I was thrown into God’s new direction towards rectifying the 10/40 Imbalance as an Intern with Saving Grace World Missions. Now, I am officially a volunteer Administrative Assistant to the Director of Missionary Equipping, Pastor Tim Pappas! A large leap of faith, but I have never known our God to fail us in any aspect of our lives. He may work differently than we wished, but He has always proved Himself to be faithful.

I am continuing to serving as an intern, but now I am able to devote more time towards the mission field on the admin side, surrounding myself with the “background” work of Missions overseas. This has been extremely valuable experience and one that will be a long term investment for when I get the chance to be on The Field in the coming future.

At the time of sending this update, I am now living month-to-month on missions support and I am going on two cross-border trips in February and April! Praise be to Abba

As life gets more busy with an increased workload, the above verse has been my spiritual manna. I have been struggling with spiritual, emotional swings of great excitement and growth then plunges into overwhelming loneliness and discouragement. But He has proven to draw me closer to Himself. Every day we have to submit our thoughts to Abba and He is our stability in the midst of the temptation to succumb to “youthful lusts” (2 Timothy 2:22) and get sidetracked from what the Lord would have us be apart of right in this season.
“Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the LORD!”
How important has this been! His timing and ways are perfect and true. I have been disciplining myself to wait on Him in every decision of life. He has given abundantly in this internship and He is merciful to provide for every need as we pursue His righteousness, faith, love, and peace with all those who call upon the Lord out of a pure heart.

One of the most exciting parts of the training we get as Interns is the chance to GO out into the mission field at home and overseas!

I have had the amazing privilage to be the Administrative Assistant for SGWM’s Central Mexico Missions Trip this February 28 – March 14! I’m saving finances and praying to become a Learner on how to organize future Missionary Equipping trips in the future. Furthermore, I am also actively saving and praying to be apart of a vision trip to the Middle East THIS April!

I truly covet your prayers! Let me know if you have been praying or if there are any ways I can partner with you in prayer. God has joined us together through His blood and we are family in Him to encourage and bear one another’s burdens; I would love to actively be an active part of interceeding for your behalf.

Central Asia Update: Tajikistan

Tajikistan is a gorgeous landlocked, mountainous country with Afghanistan in the south, China in the east, Kyrgyzstan in the north, and Uzbekistan in the north. The main languages of Tajikistan are, Tajik (a varient of Persian) and Russian. 97% of Tajiks are Muslim with only less than 0.5% protestant Christian.

Rated 45 on Open Doors USA World Watch List and 17 on Radical’s Stratus index. It is a highly persecuted country in Central Asia. The Muslim majority and a strict authoritarian government hold strong ties to the social and political climate. Christians are restricted in their religious activities and are seen as suspects under close scrutiny as radical and opposition to government ideals. To convert to Christianity after being registered as a Muslim is a very real and dangerous stance MBB (muslim background believers) face. God is working among these people, but we pray for more national labors to be sent into this land of strong government oppression. Pray that our brothers and sisters would be unhindered to grow in maturity, prayer, worship, and sharing His love. We pray that God will use even us to help equip and train nationals to know the Scriptures.

Prayer Points

• Praise – God has opened the door to be a part of the office at SGWM!
• Praise – He has taken care of each event in January
• Praise – We have a New Roomie! Acacia has joined us in the Blair household
• Petition – That all logistical and financial needs would be taken care of and blessed for Mexico and the Middle East
• Petition – That the Lord would work His ministry in the office at Saving Grace World Missions and protect our work from the wiles of the Enemy
• Petition – Vision Trip to the Middle East: financial provision and Nancy would be blessed in preparation for the trip. That the people we connect with would be blessed by our presence and helped; there would be no hinderance to the Gospel in the country we are visiting!

• Petition – For Central Asia: A team and wisdom is needed to proceed with making moves to reaching the Unreached. Please be praying for support and partners in the Gospel.

If you wish to partner in the Gospel as we run towards His name being made known among the Unreached of Central Asia and the World, you can do so by Praying and giving towards one of the upcoming trips or a monthly donation. The blue button is available for you or you can make a check out to Aleah Vanrenterghem at 17451 Bastanchury Rd Suite 203, Yorba Linda, CA 92886. May He lead and bless!

I love and appreciate each one of you! You’re my family in Christ and I couldn’t ask for better partners. How great is our LORD!

Many blessings and love from Him who is worthy of All Praise

Aliyah Vanrenterghem

It was probably the most awkward moment of my life. Throughout the week in Utah our goal was to make genuine connections with Mormons and try to meet up with them later in the week. We had decided to host a dinner at the house we were staying at and three LDS people came to it! Dinner was great, but after we had all finished we were sitting in a circle and conversations shifted towards discussion about Mormonism. We had been doing this all week, what was the problem? We were 11 Christians all asking these three new friends questions, who wants to be in a situation like that, you feel surrounded! We could all feel the discomfort rising. I walked out of the room for just a minute, and began to pray. All I did was pray for about 10 seconds something like, “Lord, this is strange, what do we do, we want these people to feel loved and have good discussions with us, Lord help us.” Right after I walked into the once intense room and-BAM-practically everyone in the room was in a conversation. Each of our 3 LDS friends were having a one on one conversation with someone from our team and others were having other side conversations. The atmosphere was alive and fruitful. This was-so far in my life- the most instant and powerful moment of answered prayer.

But the story doesn’t end there. As the conversation kept going a few people from our team decided to sneak out of the room, down to the basement to pray for those who were in conversation with the guests. Here we were not fighting any physical battle but an intensely spiritual one: our brothers and sisters upstairs were contending for the faith with those who have been held captive by the lies of the enemy their whole life. It reminded me of the story of Moses and Joshua. Joshua is down in the valley fighting the Amalakites and Moses, Aaron, and Hur are on the mountain holding the staff. When the staff is raised, Joshua has victory and when it is lowered he has defeat. Later those who were in conversation said they felt such a peace during their conversation because we were praying. It became such a powerful illustration and reminder for me of the the prayers of the church. When we come alongside our brothers and sisters in prayer it is not a light thing, we are actually partaking in the spiritual battle with them: whether they are upstairs, across the country, or around the world-our prayers are not in vain.

“Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed.”

EXODUS 17:11

There were multiple other follow-up appointments we had throughout the week in Utah. By the end of the week it was probably around 10 people and that itself is a huge answer to prayer! Sometimes when teams go to Utah they don’t get to follow up with anyone, let alone 10! One appointment that our contact had set up for us was lunch with four Mormon Missionaries. We split up between them (two people each) and were able to share with them. After this lunch appointment it was awesome to learn that in each conversation we had brought up the thief on the cross and at least one person shared their personal testimony. How amazing to see the Spirit work in unity while we are sharing separately.

“Can you take a moment and answer one of these questions?” That’s how simple it was to start a gospel conversation during our outreach at Weber State University. We had set up signs that had various spiritual questions on it which allowed us to share the gospel with many students! “What would you do if you I told you Joseph Smith had made prophecies that did not come true?” I asked a mormon during the outreach. “I would want to go and research it myself.” I was grateful to hear this answer because for so many ex-mormons, it all started with someone telling them one thing that sent them on a journey to the truth.

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The last thing we did on the way to the airport in Utah was pray outside of a planned parenthood. We got to lift up a brother who is faithfully preaching there every week. If I’m reading the website correctly, this specific planned parenthood specializes in providing nothing but abortions. “But there’s so many mormons in Utah, aren’t they all pro-life?” you might say. Yes, the mormons themselves are mainly pro-family and pro-life, but what about the 30-ish percent who are not mormon? They are mostly ex-mormons who became atheists. I can’t prove any of this with numbers, but it makes sense if you have an atheist worldview to approve the murder of children in the womb. Please continue to pray for abortion to be abolished in our country.

“For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.”

2 CORINTHIANS 10:4

Our weapons are spiritual. Whether its praying for our neighbors stuck in mormonism or in the womb of their mothers-we must fight this battle on our knees. Never ever forget the importance of your prayer life. Lift up to our Lord worship and supplication. Prayer is your greatest resource and weapon. Don’t look around at the circumstances of the world and become distressed, look up to the God who created all and pray.

For His Eternal Kingdom,

Adam Fulmizi

Praise Reports/ Prayer Requests

• Praise Reports
  • Fruitful conversations and follow ups in Utah
  • The Lord’s provision and guidance
  • The Lord continually opening doors to travel and spread his gospel
• Prayer Requests
  • For “Conner” and others who heard the Gospel in Utah
  • For the current full time gospel workers in Utah
  • For the Lord to send out laborers to plant churches in all the world
  • Vision and wisdom in life and ministry decisions

P.S. for those interested, we are hosting a missions conference at WestGrove on Feb. 25/26 (and special Sunday service the 27th). Please consider joining us for some or all of it, I would love to see you there!

“So…what is truth?” the young LDS man asked the room. Here I was in a classroom filled with 20 or so other young men who have all been raised in the mormon church. It was the first full day of our week long Utah trip and I had made my way into one of the LDS Sunday school classes. Seeing the opportunity during the discussion that followed, I simply raised my hand and asked a couple questions. “Where do we find truth?…If two people claim something is true and they contradict, where do we go to know what is right?” The answers that followed were very diverse, but eventually the men got to the answer most mormons give you about truth, “I prayed and asked god and he told me the book of mormon is true.”

“But what if someone else prays about something else that contradicts the book of mormon and they also say god said it is true?” while I asked these questions I heard someone from the back exclaim, “Man, I love your questions!” I made note of who said it. I’ll call him “Conner” for privacy. Conner shared his thoughts and the class wrapped up, afterward I made an effort to connect with him. I was able to share some contradictions between the book of mormon and the Bible, share my testimony, and show him some things from Ephesians chapter 2. We connected and later he texted me saying, “I enjoyed our conversation! I appreciate your advise to better study Ephesians 2, it’s such a beautiful chapter.”

“The Blue House” where we stayed all week

Group meeting with brothers Russ and Joseph who run the Blue House

This class I sat in was the second part of an LDS Sunday service. The first part is closer to a church service, there are singing of hymns, the LDS version of communion, and a message or testimony given. It is impossible to describe with words how strange it was to sit in on this service. LDS people use similar language as christians, “the gospel”, “grace”, “the spirit”, etc. But when they say these terms they mean completely different things than what you and I believe according to the Bible. For instance, the gospel according to the LDS church is a works-based gospel. When they hear the word “gospel” they do not think of the “good news” of Jesus dying on the cross for our sins and raising from the dead. They think of the “ordinances” and acts that Jesus provided as a means for us to work for our salvation. As we were told by multiple ex-mormons (now Christians) the gospel to LDS is “everything” it’s all the stuff they have to do in order to be saved.

“We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.”

-LDS ARTICLE OF FAITH #3

Perhaps the strangest moment of the service was when the congregation sang the LDS hymn, “Praise to the man.” When you read the lyrics it becomes clear that this song is idolatrous, it is worship to Joseph Smith. “Hail to the prophet, ascended to heaven” the group sang. Then the next moment, they were on the next page singing a classic hymn we might sing in a christian church about the wonderful grace of Jesus Christ. It was, in a word, jarring.

The Temple

The next day in the afternoon, we visited the main LDS temple in Salt Lake City. The temple itself is the building in the back left of the picture above, it is currently going through construction. While at the temple, we split up into teams, took some tours and had conversations with the LDS people who work there. Below you can see the main conference center and Julie and Christine from our team sharing with two mormon missionaries.

We walked across the street from the main temple to the LDS run family ancestry center. (The reason they care so much about ancestry is so that they can do baptisms for the dead, but I won’t go much into that now). We were talking with a man about the center and eventually asked him this question, “What is your favorite verse in the book of mormon?” he told us and soon we were having a spiritual discussion. I asked him the question, “How do you know the book of mormon is true?” He turned to Moroni 10:4 which is the driving force behind that common response, “I prayed and asked God and he revealed to me that it is true.” I asked him, “What if someone else prayed about a different book that contradicts the book of mormon and they claim god also said it is true?” I forget if it was that question or the next but soon after he threw up his hand, pointed to the temple, and said, “Hey I just work here, if you want answers you can go across the street!” then he walked away.

“And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.”

MORONI 10:4 IN THE BOOK OF MORMON

Throughout the day I was texting back and forth with my new friend Conner, who invited me to a Bible study happening at his ward that night. “A Bible study?” Joseph, our brother who lives in Utah and helped set up our outreaches said, “I’ve never heard of them doing a Bible study.” Apparently, this is something kind of new for the LDS church, but after a few minutes of being there it was clear this was a Bible study like none other. They were studying Genesis 3, but doing so with a guidebook from the LDS church while looking at other mormon scriptures. (The LDS church has 4 scriptures: The KJV Bible, the book of mormon, doctrine and covenants, and the pearl of great price.) The study was on the very doctrine I found the most appalling while studying mormonism before our trip- the LDS view of the fall.

The LDS view of the fall states that Adam and Eve were glad they sinned against God. Moses 5:11 (in the pearl of great price) states plainly that Eve was “glad” (about the fall). Jared and I were the ones from the team sitting in this study, and we mostly just listened, but as graciously as possible pointed out towards the end that this is not what the Bible teaches.

“Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men.”

ROMANS 5:18

“For the wages of sin is death.”

ROMANS 6:23A

After the study Conner and I started talking about the fruit of the Spirit together. “I just want to do anything that helps me do these things no matter where it is from.” “Okay” I replied, “Does that mean you want to avoid the things that make you do the list before it?” (Remember in Galatians 5 before the fruit of the spirit Paul lists the rotten works of the flesh, one of which is idolatry). He agreed yes and I didn’t think much more of that, but as we were wrapping up our conversation I made the connection. “Hey Conner, you guys sang a hymn during the service yesterday that stood out to me…it said ‘hail to the prophet’.” “Oh yeah…” Conner chuckled, “I’m not particularly found of that hymn.” Here was a dedicated member of the LDS church, while versed in his scriptures, having been on his mission and inferring that he disapproved of his own doctrine. I was able to point out, “If you’re hailing someone who isn’t God…that is idolatry.”

I have often been told that a lot of times you end up going on a short term missions trip for “that one person” or “that one encounter” and it makes it all worth it. Utah was abundantly fruitful, but if I had just made that one connection I did with Conner it would have been worth it all. The wonderful thing for you reading this is that you were there with me. These connections and conversations we had in Utah are the spiritual fruit of your prayers and support, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for sending me. Please take a moment right now and pray for Conner.

Praise Reports/ Prayer Requests

• Praise Reports
  • Amazing fruit in and divine appointments in Utah
  • The Lord’s provision and guidance
  • The Lord continually opening doors to travel and spread his gospel
• Prayer Requests
  • For “Conner” and others who heard the Gospel in Utah
  • For the current full time gospel workers in Utah
  • For the Lord to send out laborers to plant churches in all the world
  • Vision and wisdom in life and ministry decisions

In Christ,

Adam Fulmizi

We arrived in Loreto, BCS Mexico with Pastor Elmer and his wife Crystal along with the team from Calvary Rosarito on January 8th to help support the 26th church plant out of Calvary Rosarito, Mexico. We felt the Holy Spirit guiding us to an abandoned building in the center of town. The only issue was it was nothing more than a shell of a building that hadn’t been used for many years. There was no electricity of any sort, no wires, no outlets… nothing. But, the Lord had plans and we all went to work preparing for his church.

Over the next few weeks, the Lord worked through us in amazing ways. The Holy Spirit brought us, people, to help open his church in a mighty way. We patched walls, ran electricity, and painted while the entire town was shut down due to Covid. But, through faith, the team worked day and night to prepare for the opening of Calvary Loreto, chapter by chapter verse by verse teaching.

Within a month, Calvary Loreto had their first Sunday service, February 7th, 2021. We had one outlet and used a ladder as a pulpit, but Pastor Elmer taught his first Bilingual service, verse by verse in Ephesians.

In this small rural fishing town of Loreto, the thirst for truth verse by verse bilingual Bible teaching was exactly what was needed for a community seeking hope and love. Many local churches and businesses closed when the Covid numbers surged but Calvary Loreto remained faithfully open. Walls have come down to expand 4 x’s times throughout this year and we’re currently at capacity and praying on the next steps for expansion.

I am currently leading the children’s ministry with some amazing servant-hearted women. The children’s ministry has grown from just a small table to an entire building. We are teaching age-appropriate classes so the children can learn the word of God at their level. Week after week, the Lord has continued to grow HIS ministry and the children of Loreto are experiencing the love of Jesus. We currently have over 35 children attending every Sunday in our children’s ministry.

We have been blessed to have two women’s conferences this year. At these events, we have an opportunity to invite women throughout the town, to hear and feel the love of Jesus from other woman that otherwise might not have stepped into a Christian church. Many of these women have started attending Calvary Loreto and bringing their families. We began a weekly “Women of Faith” bible study lead by Pastor Elmer’s wife, Crystal.

David was ordained as assistant pastor at Calvary Loreto in May. He immediately began teaching chapter by chapter, verse by verse, the full council of God in the book of “Genesis” at our Wednesday night service. We have seen many lives accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior through the Holy Spirit at our midweek service.

Through Calvary Loreto’s faithfulness and obedience to giving the Gospel message of Salvation every week over 70 New Believers have accepted and given their life to Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Week after week, the message of Salvation is given and the Lord keeps multiplying his Kingdom. We have also been blessed to have 20 members of Calvary Loreto take the next steps of faith and be Baptized.

In the Fall, we had our first annual Calvary Loreto Family Campout. We camped at CoCo Beach about a 1 1/2 hour drive outside of Loreto. There were over 70 people that were able to attend and stay overnight. We had devotionals, Live Worship, lots of games, and tons of great food and fellowship. The body of Christ in Loreto continues to grow even while camping. A faithful family invited their parents along to be part of this amazing weekend. On Saturday, they woke up and said, “We want what you have.” At that moment we were able to give them the message of Salvation and they accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

We had our first marriage conference Led by Jeff and Bonnie Johnson. This was such a powerful night for everyone, we focused on God’s design for our marriages and how to create intentional moments of appreciation for one another. There were over 20 couples in attendance for this amazing night.

David and I are currently offering marriage counseling at Calvary Loreto and the Holy Spirit is not only restoring marriages, but we had our first marriage ceremony in July at the church. Additionally, we had 2 couples get engaged on Christmas Eve and were planning our next marriage ceremony for February 2022.

The Christmas Season was incredible, Ron and Kristy were able to come down from The Connection House and bring along backpacks full of toys and warm blankets for the children of Calvary Loreto. We were also able to bring a carload of toys from Las Vegas that our daughter Madison coordinated through her work and blessed over 50 children on our first Christmas service sharing the love of Jesus.

On our mid-week Christmas service, David was able to teach on the Birth of Jesus. When the message of Salvation was offered, 8 people (3 of our youth) gave their lives to Christ. Afterward, we had a potluck dinner with over 140 people staying throughout the evening for fellowship and to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

As we close out 2021, we were once again reminded why we are here in Loreto, Mexico, and why God called us here. We are so thankful for Pastor Elmer’s obedience to following his calling and allowing David and me to take this journey of faith with him. We are thankful for everything the Lord is doing here in Loreto and grateful we can be part of His mighty plan.

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourself.”

James 1:22 (NKJV)

I am thankful at Calvary Loreto we are doers of the word and not just hearers. Thank you Lord Jesus for all that you are doing here in Calvary Loreto and in our lives.

PRAYER REQUEST:

• Please pray for all our weekly teachings that take place in the church. Pray that the Holy Spirit would continue to speak through Pastor Elmer and David when they’re teaching the word of God.

• Please pray for all of our ministries within the church. We need English/Spanish translators and servant leaders to assist in children’s ministries, clean the church, and volunteer throughout the week. I ask for endurance to live each day joyfully as I struggle daily with chronic pain.

• Please keep our marriage along with Pastor Elmer and his wife, Crystal’s, in your prayers. Our prayer is to be “Used by God” sharing the LOVE of Jesus and Glorifying HIM in everything we do,

• Provisions

Please click the blue “Become A Financial Partner” tab if you feel led to donate

And now abide faith, hope, love these three; but the greatest of these is LOVE

1 Corinthians 13:13 (NKJV)

In Christ,

The Mullins Family

“Entreat me not to leave you, or to turn back from following after you; for wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people…”

Ruth 1:16-17a

First off, I wish to thank everyone who has partnered with me in prayer by recieving my newsletters. I am incredibly thankful for how the Lord has used each one of you these previous years and this year was no exception.

These past couple of months have been times of reconnecting with family and friends and continuing the work God has provided through the SGWM internship. After the CCA Pastors and Leadership Conference, I went home to Oregon for about a month (Nov. – Dec) to support my family there. This proved to be such an incredible blessing. If prayers of encouragement and healing could be lifted up for my family that would bring much comfort.

I thank God for the humbling opportunity to be apart of and intern with Calvary Chapel Saving Grace. The church body has been unbelievable in their support and love throughout this last half of the year. And I couldn’t thank each person and leadership personnel enough!

With my heart growing towards Central Asia, lots of research and preparation has been under way in my own life. One of the classes we attended this Fall was Security/Situational Awareness Training. This was a sobering but extremely valuable course. Most of the countries in Central Asia and the Unreached are volatile and can be dangerous places to work in; So, I appreciate experience in classes such as this and will be continuing training in the future.

A couple of Interns and I had the chance to be a part of a Christmas Muslim Outreach this last year. A highlight from the event, my friend and I talked with a Filipina dancer getting ready to perform an Egyptian style dance. My friend is Egyptian so she was excited to hear the dance she was doing. We talked both Filipino and Egyptian culture and then segued into a gospel conversation. We then invited her to the Muslim event we were helping out at. She was polite and took our invite, but we weren’t able to see her at the event. Prayer for her and for the Lord would continue to offer her divine moments to hear and accept His gospel.

Central Asia

As many of you may know, my heart has been stirred for the people of Central Asia. I wish to use this platform to educate and raise awareness for these beautiful people and their spiritual state. This NEXT YEAR I will be implementing in each monthly newsletter, individual updates for each country within Central Asia to better equip us to prayer. I am excited to see what the Lord will do for these people through our prayers and love!

Prayer Points

• Praise – My family’s health is doing better, but continued prayer is needed
• Praise – He provides! Each financial hurdle this year has been abundantly provided
• Praise – Each one of YOU. Your support and prayer is amazing and this last year was such a testament! May God give more and more blessings and faith to each one as we labor in the Gospel together.
• Petition – A Vision Trip to the Middle East is coming up in Spring; financial and logistical provision is needed. I am about 50% of the way to my goal! – This would be a time of seeking the Lord and His vision for my involvement in the Middle East. Perhaps it is a stop along the way? A training ground for the Muslim-Majority of Central Asia?
• Petition – For Central Asia: A team and wisdom is needed to proceed with making moves to reaching the Unreached. Please be praying for support and partners in the Gospel.

I love and appreciate each one of you! Your my family in Christ and I couldn’t ask for better partners. How great is our LORD!

Many blessings and love from Him who is worthy of All Praise

Adam Fulmizi, December 2021 Update

Some of you may recall what I shared about Pastor Eddie in Mexico. Years ago Eddie walked into Calvary Chapel Rosarito, gun in his pocket, ready to murder someone in the church. Instead, the Lord radically saved him and today he is a pastor at a church plant named Calvary Chapel HomeX. As part of his preparation to plant HomeX, Eddie went through Calvary Rosarito’s church planting class, which includes Bible class as well as practicing teaching verse by verse through the Word of God.

In the very last week of November we took a short trip down to Mexico. With a small team of seven we packed in a church van, loaded with 7 bags full of stuffed animals that a lady had donated to the church. A silly, but awesome, story of God’s grace: we almost got these confiscated from us at the border! After talking to security and a quick prayer, they made it through. Praise the Lord we got to hand these out along with food and other Christmas gifts to many women and children. Most importantly we were able to share the gospel with them and connect them with Pastor Eddie and HomeX. (Okay so we weren’t really smuggling anything, but come on that’s hilarious). December 27th-31st I plan to join a team of our Jr. High and High-Schoolers once again in Mexico, please be praying for that trip.

Class In Session

“It’s so important to take the people through the Word, line upon line, precept by precept. When we do, we are delivering to them the whole counsel of God.”

CHUCK SMITH

As part of my internship, I have been attending a couple different Bible and teaching classes. One of these has been once a week at Calvary Chapel Saving Grace (the church that the School of Missions is under). Just like Eddie did before planting HomeX, myself and the interns at Saving Grace are practicing preaching through the word of God, currently with the book of 2 Timothy.

One of Paul’s main themes in 2 Timothy is endurance through difficult times. Paul is in a cold prison cell and yet continues steadfastly in his faith by praying for and writing to Timothy. It is a sobering, convicting, and amazing thing to look at this season of Paul’s life, being on death row, yet enduring to the very end of his race. May we be able to endure with that kind of tenacity in our walks with the Lord.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.”

2 TIMOTHY 4:7-8

Around The World

This year along with graduating college, going to Mexico multiple times, various deeds at Church, and Bible classes, I got to Visit South Asia (which many of you read about in my last update). One powerful memory for me from graduation with Bible College students in South Asia was a video that showed short 30 second snippets of what the students learned during their time in school. Again and again, student after student emphasized the power and importance of learning to teach the Word of God verse-by-verse.

Recently, I was able to talk to my friend J (pictured above) I met in the country who is currently teaching verse by verse through the word of God. Part of our phone call went something like this: “What book are you currently teaching through, brother?” I asked, “Hebrews” he responded, “the book of Hebrews is very important to us, because in hinduism we have priests, but not like Jesus, Priests in Hindu are only for men, but Jesus connects us to God.” God’s word is active in this brother’s home village!

“For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

HEBREWS 4:12

Preparing for Utah

When you learn the Word of God verse-by-verse you continually grow your knowledge of the one who is truth, therefore it becomes easier and easier to spot lies. I am reminded of an implication of the classic illustration in C.S. Lewis’ Mere Christianity that if you know a straight line, you will be able to spot a crooked one. In preparation for the Campus Revive trip to Utah on January 8-15th we have been reading a book called Witness to Mormons in Love. I’ve known for quite some time that Mormonism is a deceptive lie, but to see it doctrine after doctrine compared to the word of God is both eye-opening and heart breaking.

‘”As soon as men depart, even in the smallest degree from God’s Word, they cannot preach anything but falsehoods, vanities, impostures, errors, and deceits.”

JOHN CALVIN

Once such doctrine that shocked me is the mormon concept of the fall. To the LDS church they do not see Adam’s original action of disobedience as sin, it simply furthered “the purposes of God.” A statement from the LDS church says, “Latter-day scriptures help us understand that their (Adam and Eve’s) fall was a necessary step in the plan of life and a great blessing for all mankind.” You read that right, the original sin of the first man, which cursed the ground we walk on was a blessing! Looking at this or any of the LDS views on Jesus Christ (which when you compare- is NOT the Jesus of the gospels) you start to break for the 16.5 Million Mormons in the world, and the 2 million in Utah alone. Please pray for myself and the other members of the team, that we would be a light in this very spiritually dark state. (If you would like to partner financially with what the Lord will do on this Utah trip, giving with the link below helps support costs for the trip).

Every Country’s Need

Every country has a need for the preaching of the word of God. Whether it is to mothers and their children in Mexico, Hindus in Nepal, or Mormons in America, them-and every one else- can only be saved and sanctified by the preaching of the word. Thank you for your prayers and support during this year, before it started I had never been out of the country and now I have been across the globe! Not everything has been easy or simple but your partnership in the gospel inspires me to continue steadfastly. I pray you rejoice in all the Lord did this year through us, by the power of His Spirit and according to His word. May He bless your new year and remind you always the limitless value of His word.

For His Eternal Kingdom,
Adam Fulmizi

Praise Reports/ Prayer Requests

• Praise Reports
  • An amazing year of God leading and sanctifying!
  • The awesome work God is doing in South Asia
  • The Lord continually opening doors to travel and spread his gospel
• Prayer Requests
  • Graduates from the Bible college in South Asia to be strong in the word
  • Safe travels, team unity, and open hearts for the trips to Mexico and Utah
  • For the Lord to send out laborers to plant churches in all the world
  • Vision and wisdom in life and ministry decisions

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