It is written
“For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!”
-Ephesians 5:8
The Gospel of Jesus Christ changes lives. It takes what the world says is hopeless, lost and beyond repair ; and makes something beautiful. This week at School of Missions I met a pastor named Pedro, who was once an active member of the cartel, and is now a church planting pastor.
Pedro was born in California, and lived a life enjoying crime. After being sentenced to prison, he rejoiced in it and seen his incarceration as a victory. Pedro’s spiritual life at this point was very dark, he claimed to follow satan and even believed him to be his friend. He believed that the more evil he committed the more favor he would receive from satan, and even believed that it would be satan who would receive him at his death. Until a Christian inmate confronted him, and brought truth to him. The inmate told him about satan’s identity and said “ satan is not going to defend you when you die, but will be the first one to accuse you before God.” The inmate also revealed the identity of Jesus and how He is our defender, the source of our salvation and the One who is truly for us. Pedro didn’t accept Christ at this point and rejected what the brother said…but a seed was planted. Eventually Pedro was released from Prison and moved to Mexico and got involved with The Cartel. He also began attending a Catholic Church and began living a double life. His cartel life caught up to him, and he went back to prison but this time he came across a female missionary whose husband and son were murdered within two days of each other. She was in the prison preaching about the mercy and forgiveness of God. Moved by her willingness to forgive, and the forgiveness of God, Pedro began the journey of finding forgiveness for himself; He eventually left the cartel, and gave his life to The Light of the world, Jesus The Christ. Pedro is now a redeemed pastor, preaching the kingdom of God and planting churches.
This is the power of the gospel, no matter who you are, what you’ve done or how great you think your own darkness is; there is mercy, forgiveness, eternal life and light for all at the cross of The Lord Jesus Christ
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.”
John 1:5
Prayer Request
Thailand and Southern Asia Vision Tour!
I’ve been invited to a conference in Thailand and to do a missionary vision tour in Southern Asia! I’m very excited and also in need of prayer and provision for this trip. The trip will be around $4,000 dollars and is at the end of September, So please be in prayer that God will provide and perform a miracle!
• That I would draw near to God and He would near to me
• That our team would be unified and protected, against physical and spiritual harm
• That provisions for the ministry of reaching the unreached would be provided
• That souls would be saved
If you have prayer requests please press respond at the end of my newsletter and it will be sent to my email. Haggstromdeprii@gmail.com
I want to thank everyone who has partnered in making this mission happen. I am so excited to share this journey with you all as we fulfill the Great Commission. Stay tuned for all that the Lord is doing while I’m here in Mexico.
If you would like to partner with me as I serve with Saving Grace World Missions, I would love if you would pray for me and the team as we seek to serve in Mexico.
And if The Lord Leads you to financially give there will be a giving link posted below.
All gifts will go towards the Thailand and Southern Asia Vision tour and funding the mission of Saving Grace World Mission; which is to preach Jesus, where He has not been preached.
and May we all continue to faithfully follow, love, obey and walk,
with The Lion and The Lamb.
God Bless,
Giving Link:https://www.shelbygiving.com/App/Form/11d1320d-b68e-4cfe-a719-1e35c951f5ea