The new year brought in many new experiences, places, and people into our lives. This update has been needed for some time and we want to thank everyone for the prayers and support. We have felt them throughout our last few months. Hang on for a long update!

Turning Japanese…we wish. 

We planned and prayed and planned and finally made it to JAPAN! We spent our first few days in Tokyo and stayed in a great Airbnb in Shibuya. You may have seen it in movies, it’s the place in Tokyo known for millions of people crossing the street daily. Because of our excitement, and all the places we wanted to go to and see, we hit the ground running.

A main goal of ours was to not only see the sights of Japan, but to pray over and meet the people of Japan. We got to go up to key places like high-rise buildings in Tokyo and Osaka in order to view the cities and pray over them, to lift up Japan to the Almighty Creator of the Universe. In Tokyo, we really felt small, the most populated city in the world with current numbers at 37,115,05 people. We serve a God who is BIG and know that He knows each and every person, nothing is too big for Him. He formed them from the start and loves and cares for each individual one.

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. You eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand.”

Psalm 139:13-18 ESV

We got to visit with pastors and missionaries who have labored in Japan for many years and hear from them their thoughts and experiences living in Japan. 13 years and more are an example of how long they have served and lived in Japan. We got to connect with three pastors/churches in the Tokyo area and then we also got to visit/attend Calvary Chapel Abide in Osaka and Calvary Chapel Iwakuni in Hiroshima. These churches and pastors are laboring and plowing and are tenacious for the Gospel and for the people of Japan. The theme we kept hearing from all the missionaries was patience and being tenacious for the Lord.

And let us not grow weary which doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

Galatians 6:9

While the people of Japan tend to be polite but distant, our experience with the christian Japanese was an amazing transformation. They are so open, loving, and accepting. We experienced true koinonia (fellowship) with them in how they included us into their Bible studies and lives.

To wrap up, our time was very eye-opening and wonderful and we left our hearts in Japan, as well as our friends, the Roots, who now serve in Osaka with Calvary Chapel Abide. During the first two weeks we were on our own, and then in the last two weeks of the vision tour we met up with others who are praying about going to serve in Japan. Jeff and Alisha Root, who had been preparing and praying to go to Japan for 6 years moved there on this trip! Another tenacious couple to serve the Lord in Japan.

INDONESIA

We flew from Osaka, Japan to Indonesia to continue on our vision tour. We met up with some new members of the team. We decided to join the vision tour team in Indonesia because we are open to whatever the Lord has for us and the opportunity and connections spurred us to.

We spent the first few days on the island of East Java and visited with pastors and missionaries there. This was a sweet time to see the work being done there. Then we spent the last of our 10 days in Bali.

So while Indonesia is a Muslim country, Bali is Hindu. There is quite a difference in Bali from the rest of Indonesia. In East Java we saw the Muslim mosques and call to prayer, and in Bali we saw the shrines and temples to Hindu gods in almost every home.

The contrast from Japan: a people that is closed spiritually, to Indonesia: a people that is all about spirituality. Sven explains the spiritual climate better below.

Sven was given the opportunity to teach Sunday service at a church in Bali as well as our son-in-law, Bryan Crenshaw, at another church. Pastor Trent Douglass had just taught at a pastor’s conference the day before where he got to share about “The Purpose of the Church.” It was a great turn out all around and so impactful. He shared with the believers in Bali and taught them biblical truths that many had never even heard before.

SVEN’S CORNER

The blessing of seeing for myself and experiencing  the countries and the people of Japan and Indonesia was worth the wait. Japan is such an interesting place. On the surface everything looks put together like nowhere else on earth. The structure, the conformity, the obedience of the people to each other and the system makes Japan run like a well-oiled Shinkansen (bullet train) speeding down the track at over 250 miles per hour. However, under the surface it is evident that the people feel hopeless and are looking for any in which way to get hope. The suicide rate is at epidemic proportions. The oppression of many, especially young people, feels like a vice around their necks of which they see no way out. For centuries Japan has been a closed off country, with no leeway for western influence let alone evangelical missionaries. The traditions, false religious oppression, demonic activity, and mystic practices have such a foundational root in the country, that it looks impossible for these chains to be broken in the lives of the people. Now here is the catch, unlike most parts of the 10/40 window Japan is completely open. That is, you do not have to fear in Japan of sharing your faith, even starting a church, or evangelizing on the street. All these practices are perfectly legal in the country. However, even though the country is open, the mindset of the people is 100 percent closed. So Japan is known to the evangelical missionary world as the place where ‘missionaries go to die.’ That’s uplifting, isn’t it?

We got to see that despite these entrenched thoughts about Japan, we saw evidence of fruit. That those who answered the call to go and lay down their comfortable lives and went to serve the Japanese, were producing.  We saw the perseverance of Calvary Chapel pastors and their families who have been there for years was starting to pay off. In Cross-Cultural missions class I have often heard it said that whatever the norm is for missions in other parts of the world, add another 10 years on that for Japan. And we saw that this is very true. We visited a number of Calvary Chapels and some had been laboring for over 13 years, others well over 25 years. But their diligence, faithfulness, and tenacity to the call God gave them, have started to produce fruit and results in these last recent years. God is deeply at work in Japan and I know He wants to do an amazing work there. I believe the field is being made ripe and the Lord is preparing those who are to labor in that Field.

The Japanese people need hope. They need to know that there is hope for them in Jesus. Millions of Japanese people have never heard of Jesus. And if they have they associate Him with a western religion that they want no part of. I heard one guy say that he thought Jesus was Santa Claus. There is no Biblical understanding of the gospel. What Japan needs is for them to hear and experience the gospel in a way that they can understand it. Not the gospel according to America but the Gospel according to the Bible.

In contrast, 1 month later we landed in Bali, Indonesia. Some of you are aware that I lived in Indonesia for my high school years. During that time, I visited Bali about five times so I knew what to expect. The first thing that you are greeted by stepping into the airport at Denpasar is the overwhelming large and intimidating looking Hindu idols with all their grotesqueness.  They are meant to strike fear in those who lay eyes on them. The Balinese people of Indonesia have been under the fear and oppression of Hinduism for centuries. The evidence of Balinese  Hinduism is everywhere and when I say everywhere I mean everywhere. Every fourth building on any given street is a small or large Hindu temple. The offerings that the Balinese give to their gods are carefully placed outside  every home and business.

The Balinese people on the other hand are night and day to the Japanese. Where Japanese people are polite but cold and prize their privacy, the Balinese people are warm, hospitable, and want to build relationships. The church in Bali is actually alive. Does Bali need more churches? Of course, absolutely. But the real issue is the lack of Biblical solid teaching. The church for the most part is very pentecostal. Nothing wrong with that, if they are also teaching sound Biblical doctrine. Unfortunately Bible teaching is lacking. So Bali can absolutely use some great Bible Colleges and a generous amount of Calvary Chapel style churches. Which simply means going through the Bible verse-by-verse with room for the Holy Spirit to move. We had many opportunities to teach, preach, pray, and fellowship with the body in Indonesia. They are wonderful brothers and sisters. Indonesia does need more workers sharing Jesus to pierce through the demonic Hinduism and Muslim strongholds in the country.

So having come back and having experienced both places, what is the Lord doing with us now? Well, He is preparing us. How long will this preparatory work last before He says it is time to go? Only the Lord knows that answer. We are in no hurry to go before the Lord says to go. So please continue to pray for us as we wait on the Lord.

PRAISE/PRAYER REQUESTS

• We arrived home safely from our 6-week vision tour.
• We stayed healthy overall.
• We are looking for work in Southern California as we study and prepare to be sent out.
• Financial and prayer partners.
• Tenacity in our studies and serving here at Saving Grace World Missions and Calvary Chapel Saving Grace.

Also, I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send? Who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”

Even though I have done a lot of media ministry over the years, I admit that I am terrible about taking pictures of myself or even our family in action. I usually get so caught up in the moment, that I forget to take pictures and I don’t want to invade anyone’s privacy etc.. So, I am thankful that our Fijian missionary friends shared these pictures with me. We have been partnering with and supporting this missionary family for several years now, but I haven’t been able to visit their projects in person until recently. I hope (Lord willing), to visit and participate in more outreaches and projects with them after we return from Japan.

For this outreach, the team sang worship songs with about 50 children crammed together under a shelter in the late afternoon heat. I was able to briefly explain the basics of Bible and Gospel to the children, and then we distributed backpacks and school supplies. Joe, Ima, and their team/family will continue to follow up with, evangelize, and disciple these children each week going forward. They are starting from the very beginning with these children and their families so they are going slowly making sure that they truly understand and sincerely believe. They are careful not to rush the process.

I also apologize for not sharing pictures of Kayo and Benjamin for a while. I hope we can take some pictures in Japan. Right now, Kayo is very diligently working to wrap things up in her various ministry projects in Cambodia and preparing for our time in Japan visiting churches and family there. Even though we have a desk and chair available, when she is really working hard, she prefers to sit at a low Japanese table on a Japanese floor-chair beside our bed. So, I don’t think she wants me to take her picture…:) Benjamin is very busy finishing up his school year and when he is home he spends a lot of time lifting weights and growing/maturing in every way.

As far as prayer requests, there are two main areas right now. The first one is everything related to our home assignment in Japan (June 6 to August 6). Please pray for our final preparations and deeper relationships with the churches and senders we will meet in Japan. Also, please pray for us to be witnesses before Kayo’s non-Christian family.

The second prayer request is for God to give me wisdom/favor/strength and to open and close all the right doors related to seeking a part-time English teaching job here in Cambodia after my return from Japan. I was a semi-tentmaker/English teacher at a university from 2000-2003 and 2007-2009. Since then, I have mainly used my English (MA TESOL) degree/skills for volunteer ministry, except for a couple of short-term tutoring opportunities to Chinese Christians. Many of my missionary friends in Japan are also semi/full tentmakers and still have effective ministries, but there are pros and cons that need to be prayerfully considered before I/we take any significant steps.

On the positive side, this may give me more opportunities to build relationships and be salt and light before non-believing students and staff though I probably can’t share openly in the classroom/campus. This may also help close/narrow a widening financial gap caused by Benjamin’s increasing educational expenses etc. He has 3 more years of high school and the continuing devaluation of the Japanese Yen against the US Dollar (especially since 2020) has greatly reduced the value of the sacrificial and generous giving from our senders in Japan. This has in turn, put more strain on the generous giving of our senders in the US. We have made as many cuts to our expenses as we can, and we continue to trust in the Lord to provide in whatever way He chooses. I should be able to maintain most of my current ministry activities and Kayo could still serve/volunteer as much as she is able at Precious Women Organization etc. However, there will be schedule conflicts etc. This step might also make it difficult for us to travel to the US and Japan as we have before.

Thank you so much for your faithful prayers, encouragement, and support. Our ministry activities continue pretty much as I shared last month, I just wanted to share my heart and a little behind the scenes this month.

In Christ’s Love,

Darryl, Kayo, and Benjamin

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Most of you may know that I’ve been the Young Adults Pastor at my church for about 8 years now. The Lord has done amazing things in this group over the past year. We are currently going through the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, and one of the recurring themes in those books is God’s good hand being upon the work that these great men of God did (Ezra 7:6, 9, 28; 8:18, 22, 31; Nehemiah 2:8, 18). As I think about our ministry, and in particular about what’s to come this Summer, I see God’s good hands all over it!

REST

This coming week, our family is taking an overdue vacation, a road trip to Colorado, where we will stay for a week and get some much needed rest before a busy Summer. Our family has been doing great! Our two youngest (Jude & Clara) just celebrated their 7th & 5th birthdays, respectively, over the past month. Maggie, our oldest, was baptized last year in a moment that made us so proud as parents, and now Harrison, our second oldest, got baptized this month!

CONVERGENCE

One reason Summer is so busy for me as the Director of Missionary Care at SGWM is that so many missionaries come home on furlough. This is such a blessing for us! Last week I got to meet with one national worker who is visiting from South Asia. This week, we will have a couple we recently sent out to Japan here. With more missionaries coming in, that means that this week we will have one couple in from Japan, two couples in from the Middle East, one family in from North Africa, and one South Asian national here all at the same time (hence my sub-heading convergence above)! Another gal will be in from the Middle East for some of the Summer as well. This kind of stuff blesses my heart so much!

CHANGE

One thing that was both a blessing and a disappointment is that the trip to Uganda we had scheduled for June has been canceled. This is disappointing because I’ve been trying to make it to Uganda to visit our three missionary families there for a few years now. But, it is also a blessing because the reason we had to cancel the trip is that both families will be in the States during June receiving US citizenship, one for their children, and one for the father/husband who is an African national! I am so excited for this step for them!

WORK

Summer, as usual, is busy for other reasons as well. Much of our staff, including our senior pastor, spend 6 weeks in Mexico for our annual Calvary School of Missions, where we give people with a heart for missions a crash-course in all things missions, from theology to practice. To help support that, I will spend much of the summer leading the staff and home base here in Southern California, including teaching a summer Wednesday night series through the book of Proverbs for our church. On top of that, the cancelation of our Uganda trip will allow me to spend a little more time traveling to Mexico occasionally this Summer to visit and teach at our school there, and also to teach a workshop on building a worship team at the Church-Planting Conference at our own church plant, Calvary Chapel Rosarito.

I’m looking forward to an amazing Summer full of great things and covered by God’s good hand. We ask you to keep us in your prayers and in your hearts, and please let us know how we can be praying for you as well!

We would love to keep you updated on our ministry via our newsletter email updates if you are interested. You can sign up for those by clicking the link below:

Email Updates

You can also become a one-time or ongoing financial partner with us by clicking the button below, or by mailing a check made out to SGWM with “Joel Garcia” in the memo line to 17451 Bastanchury Rd, Ste 203, Yorba Linda, CA, 92886. 

Love in Christ,
Joel, Amy, Maggie, Harrison, Jude, and Clara Garcia

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”

James‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬-‭5‬ ‭

Hello, Barek here! We are both so excited to welcome you to our conjoined newsletter. It is wild when we look back to over a year ago; we were communicating through email about CSOM, Araceli as an office admin and myself as a student, looking to set-up this very newsletter account! The same now as He did then, God has plans for us, and we can’t wait to share with you what has taken place the last few months. Thank you again for your prayers, support, and messages of encouragement!

One constant lesson among many that has been on my mind is how unworthy I am of all that God is doing in my life; what He has called me to, the woman that He has called me to love. The closer I draw to Him, the more grateful I am. Araceli and I are daily realizing more and more that He is sanctifying both of us through this relationship, through ministry, through study, through service, through failures and successes. But it is one of the greatest freedoms in Christ; knowing that we are inadequate for any good work in our own strength. This truth frees us up to get out of the way and watch Him use us, not in spite of, but rather through our weaknesses. Pray for us to remember this as we grow in Christ together!

I, Araceli, had the opportunity a week ago to pray over Jane. I loved her customer service and I decided to let her know about it because I wanted to encourage her. I then asked her how I can pray for her. This led her to open up and tell me she’s been backsliding and she is having a difficult time because she’s moving out of her parents’ home. I was able to pray over her and invite her to young adults at my church. I am an awe of God because He knew that Jane needed this and I love being used by Him.

I was able to serve at a Voice of the Refugees event. The Lord reminded me of the heart He has given me for refugees. After Israel and having been there during the war, the Lord began to do a work in my heart towards Muslims. I was always shut down to the idea of ministering to Muslims or going to the Middle East, because if you have read my previous newsletters, you’d know I have had a desire to go to an unreached, tribal country where no one has ever heard the name of Jesus; but the Lord is working on my heart, and I am open to whatever He wants! Barek and I are praying about going to the Middle East in October, and Lord willing, He will make a way.

New Opportunity

I am excited that I will be taking over Saving Grace World Missions instagram! This was something the Lord gave me a desire for; He has been giving me ideas to expose what our church is doing in fulfilling the Great Commission. I can’t wait for what the Lord will bring from this!

Barek here again! Among a few incredible opportunities that the Lord has led us into, one was being able to teach at the Young Adults camping retreat in San Clemente. It was a great weekend of beautiful weather, great teaching through Ephesians, and nights of worship. I was asked to teach a morning devotion on Colossians 3:1-3, setting our minds where Christ is seated! I am excited for opportunities like these, as they come. It is so easy for me to get in my head worrying about if I know enough to teach, or if I am in the right place, etc.; the bottom line is, walk in the Lord’s will, be available, and He will put things in your path, good works that He wants you to do; they have nothing to do with me or you or how adequate we are, just with how faithful we are.

Another cool answer to prayer that I’ve seen is how the Lord has been moving in our life group. This past week we had 19 people! Life groups have provided fellowship within the body in such an awesome way; it is held at my parents’ home. It’s been special to see how the Lord has given them both such hearts to host and welcome everyone who comes, to show them the love of Christ. I had the privileged opportunity to lead the small group discussions at these life groups for a couple of weeks. It was a special time of discussing the Word, as Pastor Trent teaches through 1 Samuel on Sundays; it is also a really cool opportunity to see how leading a small group Bible study may very well look someday on the mission field! I have no doubt that the Lord is preparing Araceli and I for this in more ways than we even notice. We are so grateful.

Praise Reports

• Araceli’s mom began reading the bible! This has been one of Araceli’s prayer request for months
• For the opportunities we have had and the Lord opening doors
• For life groups and the fellowship

Prayer Request

• We are launching a business, stay tuned for the next newsletter where we will talk more about it
• That we would grow in humility
• For provision for going on a vision tour to the Middle East

Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter! We appreciate your support through prayers and ask that you continue to seek the Lord with us in regards to this calling on our lives. If you feel led to partner with us financially, with a one-time or a recurring gift, it would be such a great blessing. There is a giving link below! God bless you, and please reach out with any questions or encouragements.

Til’ Kingdom come,

Barek & Araceli

For the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; Until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming.

EPHESIANS 4:12-14

Last year, I (Matt) was heartbroken to hear about the state of some churches from one of my students. He told me that he had recently moved to a village called Acet to open a drug store and plug into a local church. Acet had five evangelical churches, but they were all in disarray. In three out of the five churches, the pastors had recently been caught in adultery, their reputations were ruined, and their churches were in shambles. The fourth church had undergone a recent church split because the youth pastor refused to relinquish control back to the senior pastor when he returned from a long trip away. Finally, the fifth was overseen by an emotionally charged, unstable woman who changed her theology and direction weekly. Unfortunately, although I was heartbroken to hear about the state of the churches, I was not surprised. Because the zeal to further God’s Kingdom was not accompanied by knowledge of His Word, many churches have imploded, and many faiths have been shipwrecked.

However, this week, I was encouraged to catch up with a good friend named Bismark Okwera, who graduated from our pastoral school in 2019. Bismark had witnessed many well-meaning pastors open churches and fail to maintain them. In most cases, when they fell into hard times financially, they turned to the more popular message of the prosperity cults to try and increase the offerings of their congregations. Desiring to avoid the temptation of following in their footsteps, Bismark and his wife worked hard for five years and saved their money by buying cattle. At the close of 2023, they sold five of their cows, used the money to make a down payment on two acres of land, and built a temporary church structure for a fellowship of people they had evangelized to and were actively discipling. Bismark and his wife Concy, one of my wife’s best friends, cleared the land and constructed the church building with their own four hands. By doing this, Bismark is protecting himself from future allegations of hidden motives and is providing the refugees with an example of a Godly work ethic.

Calvary Chapel Ogili was planted adjacent to a large refugee camp in northern Uganda. They hold multilingual services to witness to those fleeing for their lives from war-torn areas in East Africa. Bismark and Concy also opened a nursery school that meets in their church building to minister to the refugees and help sustain the church financially.

• Please pray for Calvary Chapel Ogili. Pray that God would continue to add to their number daily those who are being saved as Bismark and Concy faithfully teach God’s Word.

May God bless you and continue to strengthen you in your faith.

Matt & Noelle & Family

A poem about His sovereignty 

It’s your power, it’s your plan.
Above all my thoughts, above all of man.
There I will rest, because your hand is great
There I will be blessed, because you carry the weight.
It’s not up to me, when I’m lost at sea.
But you have the power to redirect me.
Though life goes up and life goes down.
I’m focused on ONE imperishable crown.
So when I wonder, when I worry.
Bring me back to that assurance of eternity.
Thank you for how you lead, and how you guide.
I am so in love with being your bride. 

Guys. God is so good! Have you ever been in a season where all you are is in AWE of what God is doing? That has been me recently. Even within hard times, when I feel the pruning… I get to choose to be focused on the flowers and fruit that bloom after the pruning, and when I do.. I can’t help but sing! I have watched God reveal Himself in crazy ways recently, and I’m excited to share all this fruit with you! 

Dependency. That has been what I have been learning. What does true dependency on the Lord look like? Well,  honestly I didn’t realize how much I depended on others until they weren’t there anymore. And I praise God that I was put in a season where it felt like nobody was there, because then all I could do was run to Him. Ever been in a season like that? The more I ran to the Lord and depended on Him FIRST, the more I learned about Him. The poem in the beginning really is the lesson I have been learning in this season of dependency. His plan is better than my thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9). In Him I find rest because I know He takes care of everything (Matthew 11:28-30). Even if I take a wrong turn He is faithful to redirect (Jonah). Trials don’t compare to the glory which is eternity!(Romans 8:18) And I have learned to find that peace which surpasses understanding (Philippians 4:6-7). That is what you gain from dependency. Peace. Because when I was reminded of the realization, I can’t do it, I NEED God,  I got filled with the PEACE of God which truly passes understanding. There is no other place I can find peace. I can confidently say that when I have Christ I am complete, because I know that those who seek him shall not lack any good thing.(Psalm 34:10)

As I learn more about who God is, I get the privilege to become more like Him! That’s what happens when we seek him. With that, I have had some awesome opportunities to display that love of Christ. The first one being at our Women’s Voice of the Refugee’s event. Where we gave refugee women the love of Christ through a spa day! There I volunteered to do henna which is similar to a temporary tattoo where you use this paste in a tube to draw a design on someone’s skin and as it dries it dyes the skin to be a hopefully, beautiful pattern. This was an awesome open door to love on refugee women around me. I had a good conversation with a young girl from Syria which ended with me giving her my number so that we can share our different cultures with each other through food! She mentioned that she loves tacos! So I jumped at the opportunity to make her tacos sometime and she agreed and said she would make one of her favorite dishes from her home as well. It was a sweet interaction and I’m looking forward to growing that relationship.

Speaking of tacos…Spanish ministry! I have had the privilege to spend time with our Spanish ministry more and more. And it has been a huge blessing! I have been able to be a part of a few gatherings within the ministry and have helped with worship both in English and Spanish. I definitely have a heart for Spanish speaking areas, and so what better way to begin equipping myself/learn Spanish than jumping at any opportunities I can to join our Spanish Ministry. Within the ministry I have been able to grow closer with people in it, but especially my new friend Katia. I met her through some other students and we were able to invite her to church and she kept coming because all she wanted to do was study the Bible! That is literally what she would tell us! She has now given her life to Christ and has been growing like crazy! God is so good! Watching her grow in Christ and be transformed has been such a huge highlight this past month! And has encouraged me to reflect on the faithful hand of God in my life personally. And I hope that encourages you to do the same!

Recently I have also grown a desire to help teach those around me and around my age everything the Lord has taught me through His Word. This started when I went to the nearby college campus with some of the students with Pastor Nick who runs our Evangelism opportunities and was blessed to have a ton of conversations with believers who were needing encouragement. My heart started to ache realizing that not everyone gets fed as much as I do in the Word, and may not know these same truths. And the Lord really put it on my heart to be the one to step up, rather than praying for someone else to meet the clear need. And as I was praying what to do I had it on my heart to start a Bible study for young adult girls. After 2 weeks of praying for that, I started to get cold feet and doubts, worry, and the anxiety was overwhelming. But during one of our Tuesday School of Discipleship and School of Ministry class, the Lord confirmed it. The topic was stepping out in faith. And the example of stepping out in faith to maybe start a bible study was said as well as other things that confirmed all I was praying about. That night I knew I heard correctly, as I was so excited….as well as absolutely terrified but that’s beside the point. I then spoke with our other Young Adult girl leaders about what they thought and they mentioned they had been wanting to do something like that for awhile and just didn’t have the time. That was another way I saw it confirmed, so I stepped out and now it goes every other Saturday morning starting May 4th. I was further reminded while praying for the study of the verses 2 Corinthians 12:9-11, alongside Galatians 2:20. And I remembered it had nothing to do with my ability, but my AVAILABILITY.  So, when the doubts and worry came, it didn’t matter because it’s Christ through me. All I have to do is be a willing vessel.

Wow, God has taught me a ton this past month. And honestly, I haven’t even scratched the surface on who He is, so I’m excited to keep learning and sharing with you all! Above anything else you think I may need, always begin and stay praying. I know these next steps are only possible with God and so I will be praying continually for His wisdom in every step I take. And I want to invite you to come alongside me in this work. We have an enemy. He is real. But, our God is greater. And life gets busy, but just as you have taken the time to read this newsletter, I ask you take time to pray for:

• The finances needed to attend the Calvary School of Missions.
• The Lord to continue to break my heart for His people around the world.
• The salvation of my family and that I may be a bold ambassador for Jesus.
• Guidance as I teach the YA Girls Bible Study.
• Boldness for all my past/future evangelism opportunities.

Like I mentioned in my prayer requests, there are the financial needs too. If you feel led to financially support my CSOM tuition, the cost of the program is $2,700 and so any kind of contribution would be a huge blessing! You can find the financial support button at the bottom of this page. If you’d like to hear more about what God’s been speaking or see more poems like the one at the beginning of the newsletter, please check out my blog page where I share a ton on all the awesome things God is doing every day!

Thank you so much!

With all joy, 

Serena Keeler

(Español abajo)

We are so grateful to God for everything that we have been able to do so far this year! Big shoutout and thank you to my (Brittany’s) Uncle Phil & Aunt Melinda for the backpacks that we got for our kids. The kids were very excited and grateful for their Christmas presents! (click here for more information about their backpack ministry)

Praise God we were able to have another baptism Sunday! There were 5 people who got baptized. It was also very special for us because 2 were young men from our youth group! We thank God for the people who have made this decision, and we pray for those who are in our church who have yet to make this decision to take that step of faith to do so. (Click here to see more photos)

It has been such a blessing being able to have our own church building. We had a wonderful Easter week here in Calpulalpan. The church was able to have Easter week devotionals Monday through Friday, and an Easter concert on Friday as well! Our resurrection Sunday service was very full praise God! After service we were able to take family photos and of course share a meal together as the body of Christ to celebrate. (Click here to see more photos)

In February of this year we started up the Church planting class. It has been such a blessing to see how each of the students have grown over these few months. God is definitely moving in their hearts and we are excited to see the church plants that will come out of this class and the people and cities that will be bless by it!

It’s hard to believe that our church plant has just celebrated it 1 year anniversary! We are so grateful and amazed at what God has done here in Calpulalpan throughout this past year. After the Sunday service, we had a time of food and fellowship. There was also a time when we had an open mic time for people to share their testimonies. This was a very special time and it was very encouraging for us. It feels like every day God is confirming that this is where He wants us. One thing that we hear very often from people when they share their testimonies, is how they were abused in the churches that they had previously attended. Abused financially, hurt by selfish pastors and their wives, hurt by condescending congregants, etc. The two biggest things we hear about how Calvary Conexion Mexico is different is that they really feel the love of God, and that they have learned so much more in the one year that they have been with us studying verse by verse, than the many years at the other churches. (Click here for more photos) (Click here to watch the service)

Our youth group was able to go on a little retreat in Cocoyoc, Morelos with Pastor Sergio Rojas and other youth groups from Acapulco, Mexico City and Texcoco. We had 15 of our people go, 2 adult leaders, 4 young adult leaders, and 9 youth kids. It was a great time for the youth to be able to fellowship with each other. They had time for games, teachings (one of which was taught by Brian on Christian dating and identity), worship (led by Brian, Kevin, and Aldrin), and pool time! This is something that is new here in southern Mexico, and we hope to be able to do more events like this in the future!

Unfortunately, 6 days after we were loaned a small trailer to use as a little store to sell food and snacks to raise money for the church, someone broke in and stole. We had just finished our youth group study and worship practice. We had spent that day buying stuff to sell and cleaning up the trailer to use it the following day (Sunday). The lock we were going to use for the trailer didn’t fit. In the 20ish minutes we left to get a new lock, people came, cut open the fence, and stole most of the stuff out of the trailer. They took most of the stuff we had bought to sell, our 40-cup coffee maker, tea kettle, coffee grounds, sugar, creamer, and other miscellaneous items. Please pray for resources to be provided to be able to purchase these items again so we can continue our ministry and bless the city of Calpulalpan.

Praise Reports:

• That we have given out over 30 Bibles to new believers, meaning that we have had about 30 professions of faith!
• That there has been a total of 15 people baptized in this past year
• That we have about 18 people currently serving in the church
• We are grateful that we have been able to continue with our mid-week Bible studies for men, women, and youth
• That we were loaned a small trailer, which we will use to sell food and snacks to raise funds for the church

Prayer Requests:

• For resources to finish fencing in the whole property before August
• For the youth event that we are planning for August
• For the church planting class students to stay faithful to finish this semester
• For resources to finish the bathrooms and the classroom
• For our family’s health, and these past months have been rough for us health wise
• For protection for the church, pray for no more break-ins!

Un Año Marcado por Su Fidelidad

¡Estamos muy agradecidos con Dios por todo lo que hemos podido hacer en este año! Un gran saludo y gracias a mi tío Phil y mi tía Melinda (de Brittany) por las mochilas que recibimos para nuestros niños. ¡Los niños estaban muy emocionados y agradecidos por sus regalos de Navidad! (haga clic aquí para obtener más información sobre su ministerio de mochilas)

¡Gloria a Dios pudimos tener otro Domingo de bautismo! Fueron 5 personas las que se bautizaron. ¡También fue muy especial para nosotros porque 2 de ellos son dos chavos de nuestro grupo de jovenes! Damos gracias a Dios por las personas que han tomado esta decisión y oramos por aquellos que están en nuestra iglesia y que aún no han tomado la decisión de dar ese paso de fe para hacerlo. (Haga clic aquí para ver más fotos)

Ha sido una gran bendición poder tener nuestro propio edificio de iglesia. Tuvimos una maravillosa Semana Santa aquí en Calpulalpan. ¡La iglesia pudo tener devocionales de Semana Santa de lunes a viernes y también un concierto de Pascua el viernes! Estuvo lleno nuestro servicio del Domingo de Resurrección ¡alabado sea Dios! Después del servicio pudimos tomar fotos familiares y por supuesto compartir una comida juntos como cuerpo de Cristo para celebrar. (Haga clic aquí para ver más fotos)

En Febrero de este año iniciamos la clase de plantación de iglesias. Ha sido una gran bendición ver cómo cada uno de los estudiantes ha crecido durante estos meses. ¡Dios definitivamente se está moviendo en sus corazones y estamos emocionados de ver las iglesias plantadas que surgirán de esta clase y las personas y ciudades que serán bendecidas por ella!

¡Es difícil creer que nuestra iglesia acaba de celebrar su primer aniversario! Estamos muy agradecidos y asombrados por lo que Dios ha hecho aquí en Calpulalpan durante este último año. Después del servicio dominical, tuvimos un tiempo de comida y compañerismo. También hubo un momento en el que tuvimos un tiempo de micrófono abierto para que la gente compartiera sus testimonios. Este fue un momento muy especial y fue muy animante para nosotros. Se siente como si cada día Dios estuviera confirmando que aquí es donde Él nos quiere. Una cosa que escuchamos muy a menudo de las personas cuando comparten sus testimonios es cómo sufrieron abusos en las iglesias a las que habían asistido anteriormente. Abusados ​​financieramente, heridos por pastores egoístas y sus esposas, heridos por congregantes condescendientes, etc. Las dos cosas más grandes que escuchamos acerca de cómo Calvary Conexión México es diferente es que realmente sienten el amor de Dios y que han aprendido mucho más en el año que han estado con nosotros estudiando versículo por versículo, que los muchos años en las otras iglesias. (Haga clic aquí para ver más fotos) (Haga clic aquí para ver el servicio)

Nuestro grupo de jóvenes pudo asistir a un pequeño retiro en Cocoyoc, Morelos con el Pastor Sergio Rojas y otros grupos de jóvenes de Acapulco, Ciudad de México y Texcoco. Asistieron 15 de nuestra iglesia, 2 líderes adultos, 4 líderes adultos jóvenes y 9 jóvenes. Fue un gran tiempo para que los jóvenes pudieran tener compañerismo. Tuvieron tiempo para juegos, enseñanzas (una de las cuales fue dada por Brian sobre el noviasgo e identidad cristianas), alabanza (dirigida por Brian, Kevin y Aldrin) y tiempo en la alberca. ¡Esto es algo nuevo aquí en el sur de México y esperamos poder realizar más eventos como este en el futuro!

Desafortunadamente, 6 días después de que nos prestaron un pequeño remolque para usarlo como una pequeña tienda para vender comida y botanas para recaudar dinero para la iglesia, alguien entró por la fuerza y ​​robó. Acabábamos de terminar nuestro estudio del grupo de jóvenes y la práctica de adoración. Habíamos pasado ese día comprando cosas para vender y limpiando el remolque para usarlo al día siguiente (domingo). El candado que íbamos a utilizar para el remolque no encajaba. En los 20 minutos que salimos para conseguir un nuevo candado, vino gente, abrió la cerca y robó la mayoría de las cosas del remolque. Se llevaron la mayoría de las cosas que habíamos comprado para vender, nuestra cafetera de 40 tazas, la tetera, el café, el azúcar, la crema y otros artículos varios. Por favor oren para que se proporcionen recursos para poder comprar estos artículos nuevamente para que podamos continuar nuestro ministerio y bendecir la ciudad de Calpulalpan.

Reportes de Alabanza:

• ¡Que hemos repartido más de 30 Biblias a nuevos creyentes, lo que significa que hemos tenido alrededor de 30 profesiones de fe!
• Que ha habido un total de 15 personas bautizadas en este último año
• Que actualmente tenemos alrededor de 18 personas sirviendo en la iglesia.
• Estamos agradecidos de haber podido continuar con nuestros estudios Bíblicos entre la semana para hombres, mujeres y jóvenes.
• Que nos prestaron un pequeño remolque (caseta), que usaremos para vender comida y botanas para recaudar fondos para la iglesia

Peticiones de Oracion:

• Por recursos para terminar el cercado de toda la propiedad antes del mes de Agosto
• Para el evento juvenil que estamos planeando para Agosto
• Para que los estudiantes de la clase de plantación de iglesias se mantengan fieles para terminar este semestre
• Por recursos para terminar los baños y el salón de niños en la iglesia
• Por la salud de nuestra familia, y estos últimos meses han sido duros para nosotros en cuanto a salud
• Por protección para la iglesia, oremos para que no haya más robos

“En esto conocerán todos que sois mis discípulos, si tuviereis amor los unos con los otros.”

Juan 13:35

There always seems to be much to do, and sometimes it can be hard to balance all that’s before us. It can be so easy to get caught up and distracted in all of the little things that pop up in life that we can lose sight of what’s important. It can be far too easy to say yes and not have a plan to fulfill that word. There is a work– a task that He has called us to. If we allow Him, He will give us a grace that is sufficient for that task. It’s certainly not easy, but it’s worth it. He assures us that He will enable us by His grace to be all that He has called us to be. To give us the strength, and to empower our will by His Spirit for the glory of His name. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it. There is nothing more worthy of our time and attention than the Lord, our relationship with Him, and what He has called us to. 

These last several weeks have been a whirlwind. Just before April, I began my process for obtaining a religious workers residency to live and serve here in Peru. Shortly after, I was able to get a permission from immigration (as you’re not typically allowed to leave until you obtain the residency) to then go with our Pastor here to a conference in Mendoza, Argentina. That was all at the beginning of this month. The Lord provided. He opened doors, and He’s putting things in front of me to walk and serve in. There’s much to do, and as I’ve gotten older I like to be still–it’s stretching for me. Since we returned from Argentina, I’m excited to be back and to be serving as I’m taking on more responsibilities here with CBI Peru. Construction, on several fronts, is still under way, and my schedule is well balanced between responsibilities in construction and administration with the school. Much is happening here and God is doing a great work! I got to sit in on our Nehemiah class that Pastor Cory taught–it was a blessing! Seeing Nehemiah’s heart of service and devotion in the face of some overwhelming opposition. Seeing his faithfulness despite the opposition because he knew the thing that God had called him to… and that was to help rebuild the wall of the city of his ancestors. The Lord provided him all he needed, and He does the same for us today. For you and me. He’s been doing so with the church, and ministry of Calvary Trujillo. We’ve moved to two services a Sunday and we’re already very full, and more are giving their lives to the Lord. He is raising up people to serve and be a blessing where there are needs, and the CBI students are closely involved with what’s happening in the church. Growth is happening, and I’m excited to see all that the Lord is doing!

We just returned from our week of missions, and I was a part of the team that went to Moyobamba, a city in the jungle. It was a really sweet time, but I’ll share more about that in my May update–God is doing an incredible work there too!

How to Get Involved

Prayer! I need your prayers. For myself, for my walk with the Lord, that I would represent Him well in the work He has called me to, and that I would continue to be busy about the business He has called me to. We are helping train up the next generation of church planters, pastors, and missionaries here in Peru and God is doing a great work! And further expansion in the time to come. Would you please continue to pray for us? For this ministry? For my role in it and that God would make and keep me faithful in what He has called me to, and that I would help relieve burdens in ministry wherever He allows me. That I would point everyone here to a risen King and Savior, and that I would exemplify His heart, His love, and His forgiveness in all things. What He has called me to is worthy of my all because He first gave Himself for me. He is the goal, He is the prize, and He is absolutely worthy.

• Empowering by the Spirit
• Using my time well
• For immigration process to finish well and smoothly
• To have eyes to see what He’s doing
• To be led of the Spirit
• For strength and endurance
• Summer internship
• Next semester

What’s Coming Up

If you could please be praying for this summer, we have graduation in 3 weeks (2 more classes), and I am gaining more responsibility for the coming semester. Please pray for students to finish well. We also have our upcoming “Summer of Missions” program, pray all those who will come and intern over the summer to learn and that the Lord would cultivate a heart of surrender and to live on mission. Please pray for this upcoming semester that all who attend and serve would draw closer to the Lord and be better equipped for the life the Lord has called them to. Please pray for wisdom for the church and our pastors as we are needing to keep up with the growth that is taking place. 

Service Opportunity!!

If any of you would be interested in interning over the summer we will have a 6-week missions training program (for those ages 18-29) where we will go through the book of acts and spend three 2-week periods in three different locations (here in Trujillo and in the jungle) serving and coming alongside church plants. If that sounds like something you would be interested in, please let me know!! I’ll put the link below so you can come check it out. Please let me know if you have any questions.

I love you all and am so glad to have your prayers and support. What I am doing here would not be possible without you–thank you!

Bendiciones,

-Jordon

‘’ I (Jesus) will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.’’

Matthew 16:18.

We have been experiencing the activities of forces of darkness to stop the growth of the church, but it is the promise of our Lord that they shall not prevail. Every Sunday, churches are attacked by the Hindu fanatics who are assisted by the local police and government officials. A few churches in our town have been closed down.

In such a situation, we planned a graduation service for our CBI graduating students on April 7th. We booked a venue owned by a mainline church, but they canceled the booking on Saturday the 6th at 9 pm. After having our booked avenue for our graduation program cancel, we immediately informed all the people who were invited about the cancellation of our program. On Sunday, April 7, we instead had a graduation ceremony with our local church members and students’ families at the same place were meet for Sunday worship after our church service.

The same day, Sunday, April 7th, the Hindu fanatical groups had planned to attack three more house churches. On the 6th, one police officer gave this information to the President of a district Christian group. Knowing this, one house church canceled their Sunday service. The Hindu fanatics went there to attack, but they found no one. They then went to the next church that was their target. There the worship service was going on. The fanatics started disrupting and shouting, but they could not enter the church because the police and other government officials had already come. But when the believers were sent home by the police, they were beaten up as they came out of the church. Vehicles, CCTV camera etc. were also damaged.

The news came to me through one of the local pastors that anytime the Hindu fanatics could reach to our church as well. Their third target was a church according to the police in our area. We finished our graduation program quickly, distributed snacks and dispersed. Instead of having lunch we had a graduation dinner secretly in one of our church member’s house.

The next day, two of our co-workers and I went to the head officer of the district along with district Christian leaders (from a united Christian group) to give a petition about the above matter. We also submitted the trust registration copy. By God’s grace, the collector permitted us and eighteen other house churches to continue our church services. He assured us that whoever is creating the problem will have action taken against them.

People are scared because of the persecution and church attendance in many churches has decreased. But praise the Lord! He added one more soul to our fellowship. This sister had been attending our fellowship. She has now decided to fully follow the Lord by being baptized (above). She is from a Hindu family. We praise God for He is on the throne. He is drawing people to himself and the devil can’t stop him.

Thank you for your prayers and financial support! We pray for you and your family.

God bless,

Co-workers in Christ,

Pastor 15* Family

*Names and Faces have been changed or omitted for security reasons.

Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.

Acts 14:23

Dear Friends and Family,

Recently I shared about the church growing and maturing. It has been such a blessing to see the members grow and desire to serve the Lord according to the gifts they have been given.

Some of the people who have been serving have served with Arise Christian Fellowship since before the church even began and we were still meeting in our home. One of these is the Assistant Pastor, Deo Mukasa. Deo, went to Calvary Chapel Bible College with Brian and they graduated together. When Calvary Chapel Entebbe was first beginning he was a part of the church plant there. When Brian first felt called to begin the market ministry here in Kampala and we were have a Bible study at our house, he felt led to ask Deo to come and help out and assist him. For 10 years now the 2 men have served side by side.

As the Lord has been raising up more and more volunteers to serve at our church Deo has felt the Lord stirring his heart to plant a church in his village, a suburb to the west of Kampala, where he grew up. He said that about one year ago he was visiting and someone in the village asked what he was doing these days and he shared that he was a pastor at a church in Kampala. He was then asked why didn’t he come and share Jesus with the people of that village? Deo says that those words stayed in his mind like they were being said over and over. Then one day when he was reading his Bible he was reading about God punishing the Israelites for doing evil in His sight and how then after sometime they cried out to Him and He heard them and sent an army to deliver them. Deo says that the story pierced his heart and he felt that the man asking him to come was like the Israelites finally asking for God’s help and that the constant replaying of that request was the Lord calling Him to share Jesus with this village. Since January, Deo has been going every Wednesday and evangelizing and sharing a Bible study with anyone that would listen. Like the beginning of Arise Christian Fellowship, they have just been meeting outside. A couple of people from our church have joined Deo in his mission to reach the people of Bujuuko. As they have been faithful to share Jesus, a lady from the community has been moved to offer them a room to meet in. With this blessing the team will hold their first Sunday church service this month.

I have said that Deo is not alone on the church plant team for Bujuuko.  As He has been praying and going there to minister, a team has formed around him to help out.  They began going with him just to pray but now they have all found a place where God wants them to serve. 

First there is Wilson.  Wilson is a young man in his twenties. Deo has been discipling him. When Deo started going out to Bujuuko on Wednesdays, Wilson would go with him. On the church plant team he is helping with evangelism and logistics.  He is like the Timothy of Paul in the Bible.

Next we have Hope.  Hope is very active in our church.  She loves to sing and dance.  She serves in the Sunday school. She also translates for my Women’s Bible study.  Deo says that he is “vocally challenged” when it comes to singing. As the prayer and evangelism times turned into a study he began to pray for someone to lead worship.  When Hope heard this request she felt the Lord nudge her to step up and volunteer to help.

The final member of the team is Peace.  Peace is better known by most as Nalongo.  Nalongo means mother of twins.  She is not just a mother of one set, but of two sets of twins.  Peace has been a part of our fellowship for many years.  We have known her pretty much since she got saved from her Muslim family over 14 years ago.  Peace has been helping in our Sunday school and is part of Women’s Ministry. Peace is amazing with children.  She is serving alongside Deo teaching the children.

Recently we had a sending service for the whole team as they prepare to launch Sunday Services at Arise Bujuuko.  Deo gave his testimony of how God called him and what the response has been there in Bujuuko.  He introduced the members of the  church planting team. Brian and the elders laid hands on them and prayed for them.  The church also had some gifts to present to them to help them get started: chairs, and amplified speaker and a keyboard. After the service we celebrated with the cutting of a cake.  Brian and I, the team and the whole of Arise Christian Fellowship are excited to see what God is going to do.

Thank you for praying for our family and for the ministry in Uganda.

In Him,

Brian, Jill, Luke, Laylee, and Liana

PRAYER REQUESTS

• We are so thankful  for the many ways the Lord has blessed us and for everyone who supports us and the ministry in Uganda.
• Please pray for all the volunteers at Arise Christian Fellowship, both old and new.  Pray for them to be filled with the Spirit and gifted for the ministries they are doing.
• Pray for the new church plant, Arise Bujuuko.  Pray for the team to be filled and encouraged, pray for many people to come to know Jesus.
  • Pray also for Pastor Deo as he takes on the role of Senior pastor. Pray for him to be filled with the Spirit, led, and guided in the new ministry.
• Pray for the Kanyike children as it seems likely they will be called very soon for their citizenship interview.
• Pray for Brian as he pastors and leads the ministry team at Arise Christian Fellowship.
• Please prayerfully consider becoming part of the Kanyike Family support team.