More Believers than Seats!

 Our American missionary was given two traditional honoring ceremonies from our church family and also our local YWAM family. The saints, whose lives she touched, shared stories and testimonies about how she had led them to the Lord, or counseled them with wisdom. They shared especially about how she loved God and loved people. We miss her very much and we pray one day she’ll return to us soon. We send her out with our blessing and prayers, as she transitions into a season of taking care of her father.

   With all these changes, came unexpected growth, as well! Namely, more people joining our fellowship and more locations being offered as start-ups for our church to expand within our city.

   First of all, our city is huge with a fluctuating population of more than 10 million residents (sometimes up to 15 million). MILLIONS of people call my city their home — without traffic it can take nearly 2 hours to travel across town by car, from end to end. God has definitely given us favor! We have seen fruit at two different outreach locations where we are exploring planting new church fellowships.

One such campus, already has a vacant home and small property! This was readily provided to us by Brother Arthur* who is part of our fellowship. He offered to let us use the house for ministry purposes. Immediately, we began evangelism in that area. This area is about 45 minutes from our existing church fellowship. It has a different demographic of people as well.

   My main concern, as a pastor, is not being able to re-locate our already existing and growing fellowship. Difficulties include the cost of transportation, distance, traffic and the general preference of believers to want to attend church in their own colonies. For that reason, I’m slowly developing the far away campuses. I am hoping for God to equip & send leaders from the Bible College or raise up men from within our church to help those areas grow in the future.

We are experiencing major favor amongst Catholic believers who are hungry for God’s Word. A family of 10 recently joined us. They have come seeking Truth. They are weary of their superstitious traditions and the guilt-burdens they carry because of knowing about God, rather than knowing God directly through Jesus.

   Additionally, the believers are experiencing personal growth! In the absence of brother Andrew and our American sister, three men from our church have come under my wings for spiritual development and to help with outreach. Brother Arthur has been especially helpful to me. His desire to learn the Bible, lead his family, and serve has really touched my heart. He has consistently amazed me with his kindness. He even comes to my home to cook, spend time in the Word, and make sure I’m doing okay as a bachelor. Because of his example, other men are stepping up on many more occasions and volunteering for more ministry opportunities.

   I praise God that I was able to save up and buy a little 2003 Suzuki car for $500! I am now driving it on rainy days, instead of the motorcycle. I can also take the brothers along with me to outreaches at the two new campus areas. It is my very first car. I feel so thankful and happy!

   In all these changes, I can see that God is so good. We continue to trust Him and fully rely on His provision and direction by His Word and Spirit. That He may make Himself gloriously known in our church as the One True God.

Urgent Prayer Requests:

– Pray for the Catholic families who are joining us to experience grace and truth

– Pray for our evangelism efforts in the two new areas to yield souls getting saved and start-up campuses

– Pray for God to send trained men to help pioneer the new campuses for church planting at the right time

– Pray for a way and place for our church to have a building/property of its own with room for all the believers to attend