Spring is in the air and God is bringing life and new growth to every corner of the earth despite current restrictions and opposition. Saving Grace World Missions is privileged and honored to be a part of what God is doing. SGWM continues to come alongside its partners all over the world and stand amazed at what He is accomplishing. 

National Partnerships

Partnering with National Missionaries is one of the most exciting things SGWM does. Coming alongside these brothers and sisters and giving them the love, care and encouragement they need to be successful is an honor and blessing. This last Christmas, SGWM helped provide funding, through partnering churches and supporters like you, for National workers to bring much love, joy and relief to their surrounding areas. During this very difficult time of Covid 19 and all its restrictions, many of those who work in South Asia found creative ways to bring the gospel to their people. Heather Gaona, director of International Relations, shared her thoughts about the outreaches. 

“I was blown away at seeing churches with 50 plus people attending where just a few years ago there was no church and only 1 believer!! Just knowing how far the guys and their wives hike to reach these unreached villages is impressive. I was also encouraged to find out that two of the local churches raised the money needed from their own fellowship to provide for a portion of the outreach (like the beanies or tracks) and that one church went house to house to visit 150 homes. Every single one of the national pastors did not allow Covid to cripple them, but instead they were creative and innovative and even reached new villages and new areas with the Gospel message of Jesus Christ.”

Here are a couple of their stories.

Outreach in South Asia– Funding provided by CCSG / SGWM Covid Christmas funds

“Funding provided for two outreaches, saris and blankets for elderly and windows, and one Jesus film outreach. Thank you for your financial help that made it possible for us to do the Christmas programs. I shared the Word of God about Jesus’ birth and distributed gifts to the children in our church. We were expecting 200 in my home village to attend, but more than 350 people came and heard the Word of God and ate lunch. We cooked Christmas lunches 2 times – once at my home and once in a village 350 kilometers away.  Thanks to the Lord, everything went smoothly and great. I thank God for providing support for blankets and saris (women’s clothing) to give to widows. This made it possible for us to distribute them. Two people’s health conditions were very critical and I am thankful to God that He used me to help them and give them blankets and saris.” -Pastor R

– Outreach in South Asia – Funding provided by CCSG / SGWM Covid Christmas Funds

Pastor Ra and Pastor Andy, located in South Asia, conducted outreach in the poorest and most remote region in their part of the world. The people live primitively in the mountains and are often malnourished and uneducated. There is not currently a church there, but Pastor Ra has been making trips to this region several times a year to minister and share the Gospel. 

“At least 200 people came to our services. They were blessed by the sharing of the Word of God from Pastor Andy. We were able to feed those who came. We also distributed some winter hats/bonnets from my beautiful wife and our online fellowships/social media groups who helped with funds to purchase the hats. It was very hard for us to climb the mountain to this village area. Nothing was around to support us or hold on to while we traveled up and down the small narrow path. The people there were very poor, both spiritually and physically. We encouraged them and shared with them about joining our Bible training center for those with a heart for ministry. Pray for their lives to be rooted in the Word of God so that in the upcoming days we can take them, teach them, guide them, and disciple them.” -Pastor Ra

Missionary Equipping

Calvary School of Missions

Saving Grace is once again gearing up for its annual CSOM and the pastors are in the process of receiving applicants for this 6-week program. It’s always amazing to see how God sovereignly leads each student to the school. Because class size is limited, the SGWM staff prays very fervently that God would hand pick each student for this course and He has been faithful! This interview season has shown, once again, that God is in this. Over the last 20 years of doing cross cultural missions, the pastors and staff of SGWM realize that there are many out there who do not “GO” well and are not “SENT’ well. Missionary care was already in the DNA of Saving Grace World Missions when three years ago, Pastor Trent received clear direction from the Lord to start a school to provide care and direction for young people within the Calvary movement who want to be missionaries and see the lost saved amongst the nations, but don’t know the next steps. Please pray for this next class. After seeing 2 classes successfully complete the program, SGWM is looking forward to what God has for this next group.

Missionary Care

In February, Pastor Trent, his wife Debbie, Pastor Tim, and one of the missions interns Spencer, were able to visit with one of SGWM’s missionary families in Acapulco, Mexico and visit church planters in Mazatlán and Culiacán, Mexico. It was a very fruitful trip and God’s hand was evident at every turn. Missionary care is absolutely necessary for a successful missions program. Most missionaries never have visitors from their home church, much less from their Pastors. By visiting, Pastor Trent and the team were able to, face to face, tell the missionaries that they are loved and that the church has not forgotten them. Many times, when missionaries go out, they feel quite forgotten and alone. It’s essential to not just express our love but to show it by communication and visits when possible. Sitting with these precious saints, they were able to remind them of God’s call on their lives and the fruit that is abounding to their accounts. Their love for the lost, their passion for the people of God, and their devotion to making Jesus’ name famous amongst the nations is evidence of their commitment to God and His glory. Again, Saving Grace feels so privileged and honored to come alongside these precious saints and cheer them on as they run the race!

*names and locations changed to protect ministries and partners

“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence, and recognize and honor and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

Hi everyone! I want to start off first by thanking you for your prayers for me as I serve the Lord in Tijuana, Mexico and for reading this update.

Wow! What a summer! I don’t even know where to begin! We have all been experiencing a different kind of lifestyle with these very different times that we are living in! It has been quite challenging, but my main focus is to “let my light shine before all.” I love the fact that the gospel is getting out to even more people via social media than ever before. Satan has his plans, but God has even bigger plans and always gets the glory in the end!

We started off our summer with first ever virtual V.B.S. It was a huge success and a blessing for the children in our community. The kids, ages 4-12, did all the projects at home, took pictures and “turned them in” and received prizes for their participation.

We hosted two virtual weddings this summer (only family and a few others in attendance). Both brides are sisters and lived next door to me. I’ve known them since they were toddlers. Sara married Jesus, they both work full time and are very involved in the church and have been most of their lives–worship band and youth ministry. Alex is a missionary here with us and married Sara’s sister, Miriam. They both have a heart for missions. Both couples love the Lord and we are excited to see how He will use them in the future!

We continue to serve the children in our afterschool program by giving out food each month. In August, we also gave them school supplies. They are so thankful for the help they receive, and it is so great to see them, even if for only a few seconds.

We are also continuing to minister to the kids through an application called “Class Dojo.” They see a different video each day of the week, and participate by doing the craft, answering questions about the Bible class, and memorizing the Bible verse of the week… just as if they were attending Sunday School, and then receive prizes for their participation. I also enjoy being with them on Facebook live every Friday at 1:00. Of course I continue reading Bible stories to them Tues. through Sat. on Facebook live. We take very seriously the spiritual growth of the children here at CC Pedregales.

We do not say goodbye, but see you soon to two dear brothers in Christ who went home to Jesus this past month due to complications with COVID. Obed, father of three, husband, and awesome singer/songwriter, and Emanuel, 20 years old. We will miss them, but we know that they are in heaven with Jesus! Emanuel was not able to speak due to his down syndrome, but now for sure must be chatting away with Jesus!

Prayer requests:

• for the families of Obed and Emanuel as they mourn the passing of their loved ones. For comfort and peace from our Lord Jesus.
• salvation for the kids and parents of our afterschool program
• for the kids to be able to attend school soon. (there are many obstacles here with online learning, as many can’t afford a phone or laptop, and wifi; it’s all costly). When the kids go back to school, we will be able to open our afterschool program and soup kitchen.
• for my knees–both are in bad shape. I was approved for a knee replacement for my right knee and will be scheduling it soon.

As many of you may already know I have been praying for the past year for the country of Jordan. I first heard of a plan to establish a Bible College in Jordan a year ago, where Jordanian nationals as well refugees could be taught the Word of God and raised up as leaders and pastors. I had little interest in going myself at this time, but it was on my heart to see others go and so I began to pray for the country and the potential school. Fast-forward a year and now I find myself praying not only for the country daily but that if it be God’s will that He would send me there as a missionary. For the past few months I have been praying that I could go on a vision tour sometime in the beginning of 2020. I was praying that God would provide the finances necessary but also that we would be able to work out the logistics of the trip. I am overjoyed to announce that God has answered the beginning phases of those prayers. After some prayer I sat down to do a bit of math and figured out that by God’s grace, the generosity of some of you who have partnered with me and my own finances I had enough to purchase my tickets. However I still had concerns, I was sitting there thinking, “I still have so much to raise for the rest of the trip and if I purchased the tickets I will be left with very little money.” So with this in mind I prayed and asked God two things, “Lord I know you have called me to live by faith and to trust you with my finances and that you will provide for all my needs. I feel you have told me to go on this trip so if I am suppose to go please send the money that I need. Then secondly do you want me to put my faith into action and purchase the tickets trusting you will provide for me this next month.” God was so faithful to answer these prayers and so having confidence that God was calling me to purchase my tickets I proceeded in faith and did so. Then after I had already committed to purchasing the tickets knowing I would have very little for the month of November I checked my finances once more. Suddenly I had enough money, a check had come in last minute. Not only was it enough for the flights but also for the next month. God had done exceedingly, abundantly above what I asked. So January 26th I will be leaving on my trip to Jordan and as if that wasn’t enough God blessed me even further. In addition to visiting Jordan God provided for me to visit both Israel and North Africa. I know that there will be a wealth of information, knowledge and wisdom that I will be able to glean from both those I will be traveling with and those I will visit. My prayer is that this trip will greatly prepare me for the work prepared for me. 

Called Through His Grace

My internship has been amazing! I have been learning so much and I am so thankful for the wisdom and experience of those around me and to be able to learn from them. Throughout this past month however there has been one prevalent aspect of God’s character that He has been teaching me about and that is grace. As I began to look at Paul’s letter I realized how often he speaks of God’s grace and that it was by, through, and according to God’s grace that Paul was called to be an apostle.  In 1 Corinthians Paul says that he “labored more abundantly than they all, (speaking of the apostles) yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me” (1 Cor. 15:10, NKJV) therefore Paul attributes his labor, his work not to himself but to God’s grace. In Ephesians 3:7 Paul says that he became a minster of the gospel, “according to the gift of the grace of God…” (Eph. 3:7, NKJV) it wasn’t according to his wisdom, his ability, his education, his status in life or anything that Paul had done but he was called to be a minister solely by God’s grace. Then in Galatians Paul states, “But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles…” (Gal. 1:15-16, NKJV) In this we see that Paul was separated and called from his mothers womb by the grace of God. Before Paul was born, before any of us were born it pleased God to call us by His grace. Despite all that Paul did in persecuting the church, despite all the sin in our lives against God it pleased Him to call us through grace. In my study of these statements of Paul I was extremely encouraged and taught a valuable lesson. While Paul could confidently state, that he was an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God (Ephesians 1:1, NKJV) and separated to the gospel of God (Rom. 1:1, NKJV). Paul would also openly call himself the least of the apostles (1 Cor. 15:9, NKJV), and less than the least of all saints (, NKJV), and chief among sinners. (1 Tim. 1:15, NKJV).  Paul understood that he could stand firm in the grace of God and be confident in his call, but that God’s grace should lead him to complete surrender to the will of God and absolute humility before the Lord. I am not able nor do I desire to boast in any of my achievements or what I am doing for the Lord for I am humbled and amazed that He would allow me to serve Him. God’s grace is so abundant and He is deserving of my full obedience, full commitment and all I have to give. From Paul I see that I should be confident in the calling of God because it is through His grace I am called not by my ability, my status or my gifting. But this also should produce in me a humility and fountain of praise and thanksgiving to God for His grace.  If God blesses me by calling me to serve Him as a pastor then it will only be by His grace, through His grace, and according to His grace. So I stand in the grace of God and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. (Rom. 5:2, NKJV) I have been shown immeasurable grace undeserved so that I may boast in His grace towards me not in anything I achieve. I pray my life and my calling may used for others to see Christ in me as Paul said in Galatians 1:16 “to reveal His Son in me” I pray Christ to be revealed in me more day by day. 

I am so excited for all that God has prepared for this trip to Jordan and also as I continue my internship. I pray that my life may be surrendered to the Lord and used to magnify His name. Thank you for your prayers, your encouragement and your financial support. I would not be allowed these amazing opportunities to serve the Lord if not for God’s grace and the continued partnership in the gospel from some of you. If you have partnered with me and supported me through prayer, through words of encouragement, in finances, or by simply reading my updates I thank you and pray God blesses you greatly. You are all such an example to me of Christ love and am grateful for you all.  

Praise Reports

• I’ve bought my tickets to go to Jordan!!! 
• By God’s grace I have not only been able to be apart of a discipleship/accountability group but actually lead one. Discipleship is one of my passions so I am humbled that God would allow me to lead one of these groups. Especially with such a great group of guys.

Prayer Requests

• For the rest of the finances for my trip to Jordan, Israel and North Africa

• For all my friends, and family in Northern California that have been affected by the Kincade fire. For those of you reading that live in those areas, please know that I am praying for you and love you all. 

May the grace of God be with you all,

Your Brother In Christ Jesus,

Jorden Skiles

Hello Friends and Family,

We wanted to give you an update of what has been going on here in Banos Del Inca in May. We will send a new one in the next few weeks showing the month of June and July.

• Belen Ministry: Along with our every other week visits we also did a few events with the Belen Orphanage.In May with the help of our church members and a good friend of ours from Lima we were able to throw a children’s festival for the girls.

• Women’s Ministry:

For Mother’s Day we had our first annual ladies tea party. It was a very blessed time for the women of our church and some friends from other local churches. All the women had never experienced a tea party before, so it was fun to see the big smiles on their faces. Natalia taught the story of Mary and Martha.  How to put our priorities in order. Before anything, serving Jesus comes first. Natalia did a great job teaching to over 50 women.

Awana:

We are thrilled to announce that we have officially started Awanas in Cajamarca. This is the first Awanas program here in this northern part of Peru. Natalia and I are now official Awanas international members as both missionaries and as a church. This will allow for us to start other Awanas Programs here in Peru. At our inauguration of Awanas we had 25 kids. It was a lot of fun! The staff loves Awanas just as much as the kids do. Most importantly it is so awesome to see the kids growing in Faith.

• Church news: Because of difficult circumstances among the leadership of the church, for the past month we have been placed in charge of the Refugio Community Church here in Banos del Inca. I am now preaching every Sunday.  Natalia continues to be in charge of the women’s ministry and helping in the worship.

• Mission teams:

We had a youth group visit us from Baltimore. They came in May and we had the opportunity to go inside the public school to do evangelism.  We shared the gospel to over 500 children and many of the school teachers. Praise the Lord, many of the children and a few of the teachers made a decision to follow Jesus!

• Other Announcements: We have hosted many missionaries and friends of missionaries in our home over the past couple Months. I don’t even know when was the last time we were only the 4 of us, lol.  We had a baptism and a baby dedication! This was our first!
• Family news: Natalia continues dealing with her medical problems, but she is doing a good job of eating healthy, in fact all of us at the house are eating super healthy now! Emily continues growing into a beautiful little girl! She is so sweet and well mannered! Alejandro loves having people coming over to the house all the time! He is so friendly! John is being challenged to study more and more the word of God and keeps taking care of our different ministries along with the preaching on Sundays.

• Prayer Requests: