STATE MISSIONS: A Blessing and Celebration
Note: My Psalms 23 series will continue next week with Part 4.
It was a blessing to preach on Sunday morning at Faith Chapel as they celebrated five years as a BMA Mission. There was a wonderful crowd of people and, of course, plenty of fabulous food. God is truly blessing our work in Flippin. We celebrated five years of God working with 71 in attendance.
Continued Prayers
Please continue to keep Juan Carlos Posadas and his family in your prayers following the recent loss of Sayra’s father, who has passed away.
From Our Missionaries
Ebenezer, West Little Rock: Ruben Isturiz writes, “It brings me great joy to share the blessing we experience when we celebrate a united service with our mother church. These occasions have always been a tremendous blessing for both the Hispanic congregation and the American church.
This service held special significance as we granted the license to preach the gospel to our brother Moises Rico. We thank God for the transition of the Rico family to Ebenezer as a Silas Connection Partner this year.
“I also want to share the great encouragement I received this week from a letter sent by the churches in Magnolia. They expressed their prayers for me and the missionary work at Ebenezer. This prayer support is an invaluable source of strength amid the weekly struggles. I reiterate my request that you pray for God to lead us to people who are thirsty for Him.
“I am deeply grateful for your continued support and prayers. To God be the glory!”
Faith Chapel, Flippin: Johnny Shew writes, “What a great week we had at Faith Chapel! We had our second-best attendance ever, with several returning attendees and four first-time visitors. State Missions Executive Director Paul White was even present to help us celebrate our fifth anniversary as a BMA mission in Flippin. It hardly seems possible — five years!
“We have come so far from that first service in the rented building; Sunday’s congregation wouldn’t even have fit in there. Now, we have grown in number, and we have our own building, and it all feels like a blur. It happened so quickly. We thank God and give Him all the glory because He did it; we just showed up. We are also grateful to you. We know He heard and answered every prayer you lifted for us, and we recognize He blessed every gift you provided to help and support us as we establish this mission. It is humbling to be a part of this work and to belong to an association that cares for and loves us so much.
“After the service on Sunday, I talked about salvation with a young man who has been attending and for whom we have been praying for a long time. He approached me, and I can tell that he is feeling the conviction, but he is still not ready to trust in Jesus. Please join us in fervent prayer for him. Romans 10:1 reminds us that “it is my heart’s desire and prayer to God” for him, that he “might be saved.”
Faith Journey, Benton: Bryan Clay writes, “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen” (Eph. 3:20-21).
“We have enjoyed a blessed week filled with answered prayers at Faith Journey. With many of our mission families and small group members absent in recent weeks due to COVID, flu and some traveling, we welcomed most of them back this week! The answered prayers are truly a great blessing.
“We achieved record attendance at our weekly worship service, weekly nursing facility visits, and our monthly middle school Christian council meeting, totaling 120 people. God is moving powerfully in our community!
“We prayed together as a mission to see God touch the hearts of the young people we serve at the middle school, where we hold our monthly meeting with the Mountain Movers. We were able to bring a lesson, and the Lord was working in the heart of one young man, leading him to seek salvation. After our lesson, this young man approached us and asked how to be saved. We guided him toward salvation and a relationship with Christ as his Savior. Nothing rejuvenates your spirit and calling more than witnessing someone come to know Jesus!”
Misión Gracia Soberana (Sovereign Grace), NWA:Roberto Marcelletti writes, “This week, we were finishing up all the planning for our first community mission project — ‘The English Classes.’ Sister Iris, who is in charge of the project, informed us that 17 people have signed up to start on March 18, and they continue to call.
I ask for prayers that through this project, our church can make a significant impact in the community and that people can see Christ in our teachers, our children and the brothers who will serve in this project.
“I’m discipling a couple who are serving with us. Franklin assists us with sound and various tasks at church, while his wife, Mayerlin, volunteers in Sunday school with the children. She also records the sermons on video and uploads them to YouTube.
“On Sunday, we had excellent attendance in our Sunday School. The theme was the battles of the Christian and was followed by a wonderful time of corporate worship in our Sunday service, during which we were able to exalt the Shepherd of our souls, Jesus Christ.”
Epic Life, Pea Ridge: Jake McCandless writes, “Last week, I wrote about the struggle for momentum this year, and this week, I’m celebrating the synergy and progress of our coaches and their growth. That likely sums up church planting. We did get back on track with our group meetings this week, but attendance was still affected by illness.
We’ve added Marty and Denise Stewart as a new coaching household. I’m excited to see what God will do through them. Marty has been leading us in worship since August.
“I started a series of weekly videos for our coaches, and we’re discussing them together. This approach appears to be effective. It also seems that the time we spent focusing on our coaches and their families last fall is bearing fruit.”
El Faro #2 Hispanic Mission, Cabot/Jacksonville: Michael Hight writes, “This week has been good for us. We made several contacts, and the service was excellent on Sunday. In the morning, I preached at El Faro in Little Rock; then we had our afternoon service in Cabot.
Please continue to pray for the Latin community, as they are facing unique challenges that have even the documented residents hesitant to trust anyone. Everyone wants to discuss Trump, but no one wants to talk about God! Pray for our wisdom and opportunities as spring approaches, that outdoor activities will increase and that God will provide ‘divine appointments.’”
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Paul White
Arkansas State Missions Director Paul White pens a weekly column to inform the BMA of Arkansas concerning Arkansas Missions’ activity and includes individual reports from each church planter.
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