The Kingdom Comes

The churches in the desert region of Paraíba had their trimester PORmissões meeting. PORmissões (Organic Missions Plan) is a three phase plan to take the Gospel to the entire state of Paraíba.

The first phase is to establish a congregation in each of the four major cities. The second phase is to mature these four congregations, and the third phase is to reach out to the surrounding cities within a 90 mile radius of these four major cities.

Phase one is complete but still needs a little work in the last of the four cities, Campina Grande. The mission team arrived there going on two years now. It is still a very slow process. Please pray that the team in this city may have wisdom, courage, and determination while taking God's message to this city. Please pray that the hearts of the people in Campina Grande may be open to the Gospel.

Phase two has begun in the desert region around the city of Patos. Belem, Emas, Catingueira, Patos and Cajazeiras are working together to plant a church in another city. Sounds a little like phase three, I know. I have encouraged and helped them plan this church plant to also help these congregations mature as well. To pass on this vision of evangelism, they need to believe that they can work together and establish a congregation in another city on their own. They are in the beginning stages and are excited to see things happen. There are two Bible studies happening in the city of Pombal, one personal and another in a group. Please pray for those studying and their faith in God's Word.

This step has taken the evangelists in these congregations to see the need to mature other members of their own congregations. Not that they did not already know this, but it seems to be even clearer to them now. Please pray that men and women will be matured in Christ and teach other men and women. When this begins to happen then phase two will be completed successfully, and then the church can spread to other cities, minimizing the danger of new converts leaving Christ.

It is exciting to see God working through the lives of others, to see their excitement and their dream of another city one day having a group of people who have given their lives to Christ. Please pray for Luciano, Santo, Givanildo, Silvan and Café and their wives.

How awesome it is to be a part of God's mission to save the world.

Comments

Consecration

We know that God can do anything. The question is what will He do? What will the Lord do in the lives of His people when they consecrate themselves to Him? We hope to find out. Friday, May 22 nd , the Luna congregation had an all night vigil of consecration. We went from 9 pm to 5:30 am, and over 50 people participated, from the ages of 10 to 75 years. In the prayer corner, brothers and sisters signed up for time slots so that we would have prayer without ceasing. The vigil focused on Consecrating our Lives, in Gratitude, in Unity, in Service, and in Sharing . Each part consisted of prayer, singing, Bible Reading and Reflection, and practical activities, like in Service, we washed everyone’s feet, and then everybody joined in making breakfast for the group: homemade bread, fruit, tapioca and eggs, juice, and coffee. In Sharing, we ended with a wonderful meal together in family, talking about people with whom we want to share the gospel. Spend

Luna Men

The men of the Luna church of Christ have a weekly meeting for the purpose of edification and planning God's work in the congregation. Some are going strong, others have family problems, and we all want to grew in God's purpose for our lives. Last night's meeting included a discussion of what really happened on the cross, on resting in Lord in the Psalms. We made plans about the upcoming Carnaval (Mardi Gras) retreat, and talked about the need to do some manual labor on our building. Though the group was smaller this week, there is a hunger to serve. Five out of the six committed spending Wednesday ripping up a big wall that needs to be redone. Whether leading, studying, admonishing, evangelizing, or tearing up a wall, let God use us to His glory!

Pentecost in Paraíba

"This is Pentecost in Cajazeiras," Rivaldo Café said, "Almost three thousand were baptized in Jerusalem, almost ten in Cajazeiras." A wild comparison, of course, but the excitement that produced it was legitimate. Six young men gave their lives to Jesus and were baptized on Saturday. I was blessed to be there: the sixteen hours on a bus, going and coming, was worth it. I went to teach a weekend couples' seminar on the theme "God Gave Me You". The couples (around 12) were mostly parents of kids in the Right Step Program. The changes in these boys' lives have made an impression on the families, many of which have started Bible studies too. Saturday morning, after the soccer practice, three of the boys asked to be baptized. We headed to the building. Café began filling the portable swimming pool while I talked to the boys about what it means to come into the Family of God. Franze (15 yrs), Luam (14 yrs), Jorcelam (17 yrs)

McKinney Report

Search This Blog