STATE MISSIONS: Last, But Not Least
On Saturday, we were able to attend the last local association of the year. The Howard County Association met at Bowen Baptist Church in Delight. It was at last year’s meeting that Bowen petitioned into the Howard County Association. They were great hosts, and those ladies outdid themselves on the delicious desserts. The BBQ and trimmings were good also. Their zeal could be felt as they worshipped together.
One ministry presented was that of children’s church camp. Those folks take their camp time seriously. Praise the Lord, if I remember correctly, they had 14 saved out of 76 youth campers. Please do not underestimate the value of sending your kids to camp.
Special Time
I am excited about the presentation your missionaries will be sharing with you Friday morning. While we distance ourselves from COVID, I am happy to announce I have noticed an increase in the numbers being saved and baptized. Pray that this will be a time of harvest.
State Meeting
Should you receive this before our state meeting, please make a concerted effort to attend. If not on both days, at least try and make it to one. I am hearing through the grapevine that there may be some changes suggested and I would like for as many as possible to be involved. It is, by no means, a bad thing. As I was once told, the only thing that is permanent is salvation and change. I hope to see you there and be sure and come to our table.
From Our Missionaries
Misión Creciendo en Cristo (Growing in Christ), North Little Rock: Juan Carlos Posadas writes, “Let us pray for Yesmer. On Saturday at noon, his relatives in Nicaragua called him to inform him that his father had died. It is difficult when a loved one leaves this world, and we cannot be with him in the last moments of his life, nor at his funeral. Please pray that Yesmer’s family can draw closer to God through this difficult circumstance.
“This Saturday, we had the Health Fair. It rained all day, so only three people outside the church visited us. The rest of the attendees were church members, and only one vendor arrived. The others canceled because of the rain. People who attended were able to take glucose, cholesterol and blood pressure tests.
“On Sunday, we had the emphasis on Lifeword, and Fernanda shared information with us about what Lifeword does. She presented a video on what she now does working at that institution. Then we collected an offering. Among other things, it was very interesting to know that, through Lifeword, we are reaching more than 200 nations. We thank God for that ministry and pray that God will provide them with the necessary resources to continue placing biblical content in the media.”
Ebenezer, West Little Rock: Ruben Isturiz writes, “We are grateful to God that we were able to continue with the training ‘Gospel Movement’ this week. We want to finish before the end of the year 2023. Next year, we will put into practice what we have learned all these months.
“Please be praying for Avelina Santos, who was hospitalized last week due to heart problems. Sister Avelina is one of our founders and, if God allows it, on Nov. 10 she will be 88 years old. She is our most faithful sister in her assistance and support to our mission.
“November and December will bring important activities for our community. Both Thanksgiving and Christmas are good opportunities to share the gospel and bring people to hear the message of salvation.
“Thank you for praying for us and for your support. To our God be the glory!”
Faith Chapel, Flippin: Johnny Shew writes, “We had a wonderful week at Faith Chapel! We had several out, but still had a good number, with two first-time visitors. It is a blessing when return visitors bring new visitors, and I am grateful every time it happens, which is actually pretty often. I give God the glory for that. I also love it when I hear visitors refer to us as ‘our church,’ even though they haven’t joined yet.
That happens often as well, and I always pray for the Lord to lay it on their hearts to join us if that is His will, and some have done just that. He is sending us laborers to the harvest.
“The building is coming along. We hope to install our steeple this week and we are finishing up the lighting and wiring. Our master electrician is pleased and says we are ready for an inspection, so we will try to schedule that this week. After that, we can hook up our permanent power and schedule drywall. We get closer every day. Praise God!
“We thank you all for your love and support, and especially for your prayers. Please continue; God is answering them!”
Faith Journey, Benton: Bryan Clay writes, “This week at Faith Journey, I was able to get out and continue the quest for land for the mission. I visited with a couple of landowners in the area and got our name out there in our target area in hopes that someone will feel led by the Lord to provide what we need.
We are confident that God will open the right doors in His time, and we will be blessed with just what He has prepared.
“We had a couple of special visitors this Sunday at the mission. Michael Hight and his wife, Jenifer came to worship with us, and we couldn’t be more delighted to see them. Bro. Michael has always been a mentor to me through the years, and I look up to him and the wisdom I have learned from his teachings. He is an inspiration to all his fellow missionaries, and we are excited to see his next adventure as he follows what God has planned for him. Let us all be in prayer for all our BMA missionaries as we continue to plant churches to expand the kingdom.”
Misión Gracia Soberana (Sovereign Grace), NWA:Roberto Marcelletti writes, “I am thankful to the Lord as we are coming into our first year as a church. There have been so many things that have happened for people to come to Christ — transformations, people to commit and some to recommit.
Three Grace Groups have been opened in three different cities in Northwest Arkansas. Week by week, 27 people are in discipleship training. In the last month, 3 new families have joined both the Grace Groups and our Sunday service, making 35 people who gather every Sunday to worship our King. Praise be to Him.
“Yesterday, we were able to celebrate the day of the pastoral family and it was beautiful to hear our brothers and sisters give thanks to God for having sent us to plant the Sovereign Grace Church. One of the things that impacted us the most was that we realized that our work of teaching them that the gospel is a message that we need every day to be transformed. Daniela, a young woman from our church, expressed some things she has learned in this year and it was very Christ-centered, Glory to God.”
Epic Life, Pea Ridge: Jake McCandless writes, “We had a new addition this week — this one by birth! One of our coaches and host families had a baby daughter this week. This had been a prayer request for nearly the whole time we’ve met. We’re excited for them and excited that we’re able to stand beside this family with a plan of discipleship for their newborn and efforts in place to help her have a faith that lasts.
“The last couple of weeks, I’ve celebrated the many new guests and returning families we’ve had over the past two months. I said our ‘approach’ is working, though I do believe there’s another component that is working more! In September, we launched a Prayer Collective. This group prays daily for the work in Pea Ridge and gathers every two weeks via Zoom for a prayer meeting. God answers prayers. That is what is making the biggest difference and will continue to in the future.”
El Faro #2 Hispanic Mission, Cabot/Jacksonville: Michael Hight writes, “This week has been interesting. I have been cussed out and propositioned vulgarly while sharing the gospel. I guess we are invading the enemy’s territory! Please pray for the connection I am working with on a weekly basis.
We are also praying for God’s open doors. Please continue to pray for us! I call this the G-factor. When doors open that only God can get the credit for! That’s what we’re praying for and working toward!”
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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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