“We’re Feeling Young Again!”
How great are His signs, and how mighty His wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And His dominion is from generation to generation.
Daniel 4:3
Last month we mentioned that we wanted to “Be Still” and wait upon the Lord. Well, we did that and heard Him saying to continue being faithful to what is in front of us. Jenn is itching to “GO,” however, we are to STAY for now. There are many opportunities and privileges God has put in front of us. The sheep need us, MTS (Missions Training School) & CSOM (Calvary School of Missions) need us, the missionaries overseas need us…and of course we couldn’t do any of this without each and every one of you and most importantly our Father! We need Him! Amen?!
We are in our Father’s Business!!
Here’s what we have been up to since our last newsletter, hold on to your seats:
We had an awesome time at the Church Planter’s Conference in Mazatlan. We took one of the MTS students with us, Marcelo. Let us tell you about him. He is a Mexican national, who has graduated from CSOM and is now at our church training to go over seas to the Middle East to join 7 other missionaries that have been sent already in the last year. Marcelo has a huge serving heart and has a passion for the lost. His uncle is the senior pastor at Calvary Culiacan. We are so delighted to have him with us for the time being, he helped us in Mazatlan with promoting the school and helping us with translation. He is an excellent interpreter.
We heard from some GREAT bible teachers & pastors. Hugo Limon from Culiacan spoke on, “Creating a Sending Hub” to reach big cities. Wes Bentley founder of “Far Reaching Ministries” taught on “Planting Churches to reach the World.” Bruce Zachary, pastor and author of 17 books, taught on “Raising up Leaders.” Pastor Mike Vincent from CCR who has planted 39 churches and 20 church planting schools taught, “The Sending Hub,” an overview of Acts 1:8. “But you will receive the power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” And finally, Pastor Tony Carranza from Calvary Maranatha, a bilingual church that sent out 6 new church plants. Tony taught on, “Creating a Sending Hub through a Church Planting School.” Tim also taught a workshop on serving as an assistant pastor and closed out the conference with communion. Jenn helped out in the children’s ministry, her wheel house.
So many other workshops were taught by missionaries serving on the field, Pastors & Pastors wives Q & A. Sooo encouraging and stirring for the Nations. We are in awe that WE get to be a part of the Great Commission!!
Romans 10:14 – how then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?
Here are some quotes that stayed with us when leaving the conference:
**Engage, equip, encourage, empower.
**The gospel is of the world, the world needs more gospel centered churches.
**Be relational.
**Learn the culture.
**Identify future disciples and church planters.
**Prepare yourself for the opposition.
**Continue to be faithful and count the cost.
**Make prayer a priority.
We were blessed by some divine appointments in getting to know some new sisters and brothers with a possibility to partner with them and helping them use their ministry for the Great Commission AND catching fireflies for CSOM. One of the things we love the most is meeting new people in Christ.
Tim and I continue to love on the students by training, debriefing, discipling, fellowshipping, and walking side-by-side with them on the road the Lord has for them to reach the unreached and fulfill the great commission.
Jenn was able to attend the Calvary Curriculum Children’s Ministry Conference this past month along with one of our missionaries who is here on furlough. Thus was Jenn’s first time attending this conference, in prior years she was not able to attend because of work. Jenn was able to take away so many important ways to teach the kiddos about Jesus. As she leads up the Nursery/ Toddlers Ministry, her main focus is to teach the kids how to pray, read the Bible, & worship. Kids are smarter than we think at this age. Jenn truly enjoys ministering to the kiddos at Saving Grace and hopes to take this to the unreached God willing this year!
Tim also had the opportunity to take/drive the high schoolers up to Big Bear for their annual retreat. The theme of the retreat was God pursuing you. He was asked to teach so he shared on Psalm 139 bringing out the truths of how intimately God already knows you, how much He loves you, and how it doesn’t make sense to run from somebody you can’t get away from anyhow.
Jenn also had the opportunity to teach an encouraging devotional to the group of wives in S. Asia over FaceTime. 5 wives showed up and it truly was a fruitful time praying and sharing. She taught a short lesson on, “It is Well With My Soul.” I’m sure you have heard of the song. No matter the storms and/or persecution that come our way, our GOD is greater. No man can separate us from HIM. (Due to security, we are unable to post any photos) We continue to meet monthly.
Tim and I are amazed by God’s grace and faithfulness to us. We are truly blessed beyond measures that we get to be a part of the Great Commission at Saving Grace World Missions. We see so many times God confirming to us our calling since I quit my job. God continues to provide for us! This is our God! Loving, faithful, sovereign, compassionate.
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for the 2024 Calvary School of Missions and for us as we get to lead this wonderful work of God’s.
- Please pray for us, as we are implementing some personal disciplines that will enable us to serve the Lord in this capacity for many more years.
- Please pray for our son Andy as he is still wandering in his wilderness and desperately needs Jesus. Praise Jesus we are able to minister to him and see him frequently. We pray for our Father to renew his mind.
- Please pray for wisdom as we navigate this new year in a way that honors God and brings much glory to Him. This year’s calendar for missionary care and equipping is quite full and opportunities are not lacking.
We love you all so much and thank you for being behind us. You are also part of this ‘Great Commission’!! We are so dependent on and grateful for your prayers and want to say thank you to those who have already joined us in this area. We realize it’s by God’s grace and through your prayers that we are able to serve the Lord the way we do! But if the Lord leads you to partner with us financially, we are in need of additional monthly supporters, and if you desire to increase your already generous support, please know that it would be a huge help. You can do so by clicking on the link below to become a financial partner or mailing your support check to:
Saving Grace World Missions
17451 Bastanchury Rd., Ste.203 Yorba Linda, CA 62886
*Note Pappas support in memo
All for His Glory,
Tim and Jenn Pappas
