Hello Church Family,
What a day! I have had an awesome day here in Naco and Mexico. We have been busy weeding ,and painting today. We ventured off this afternoon for our bible study. B.J. and I were thrilled that eight children ask to know more about christ during our invitation. It has been amazing how we have picked up their language and they have picked up ours. I have made many special friends here as well the others. The kids have enjoyed getting all the attention. They continue to meet the van and wait anxiously for jess and ash to get off the bus. Tomorrow is our last day for V.B.S. it saddens me to think of not seeing them for a long time. Thank God for leading us to places and people that most would never venture to. Also went by the ophanage
and hung out with the children. We were surprised to find out that these kids will probably never be adopted. Their last adopation took place 11 years ago. the reasoning for this is they have no legal papers. The director told us that three girls were found at a dumpster and left to phen for themselves at ages 10-2(unbelievable). Thank God for missions that support these children. I am so blessed to be traveling with great companions all of them have such a passion for God and what he is able to do. We love and miss you !!
melissa
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Buenes Noches iglesia familia!
Today was absolutely AWESOME!!! We started out by prayer walking around the community of Naco. We prayed that God would move in the hearts of the lost, that He would knock down social and racial barriers, and that God would soften their hearts to be open to hearing the Word. We had a fabulous lunch of hot tamales and "Glory Salsa" (compliments of Tim).
Then, off to Cuahatamoc where we got to spend some sweet time with some beautiful chicos. We brought bubbles for the children, and it was so great to see how happy they were with something so simple. This is such a great opportunity to reach people for Christ and show God's love. We were once told, "If not now, when? And, if not me, who?" We can't sit back and just expect God's work to get done. Everyday is a chance to reach the lost.
After VBS in Mexico, we headed back to Naco for a bible study. BJ led a study with the adults while Jennifer led a youth bible study about listening to God and trusting His will. Overall it was a thrilling day!!! We look forward to what tomorrow will bring.
Stay Beautiful Smitville,
Ash and Jess
Today was absolutely AWESOME!!! We started out by prayer walking around the community of Naco. We prayed that God would move in the hearts of the lost, that He would knock down social and racial barriers, and that God would soften their hearts to be open to hearing the Word. We had a fabulous lunch of hot tamales and "Glory Salsa" (compliments of Tim).
Then, off to Cuahatamoc where we got to spend some sweet time with some beautiful chicos. We brought bubbles for the children, and it was so great to see how happy they were with something so simple. This is such a great opportunity to reach people for Christ and show God's love. We were once told, "If not now, when? And, if not me, who?" We can't sit back and just expect God's work to get done. Everyday is a chance to reach the lost.
After VBS in Mexico, we headed back to Naco for a bible study. BJ led a study with the adults while Jennifer led a youth bible study about listening to God and trusting His will. Overall it was a thrilling day!!! We look forward to what tomorrow will bring.
Stay Beautiful Smitville,
Ash and Jess
Monday, March 9, 2009
Naco Mission team
Good Evening Church Family,
We have had a most productive day here in Naco as well as in Mexico. I feel truly blessed to be a part of what God is doing out here. There are no words to describe the feeling you have when you know you have been obedient to God's calling. He is sooooo good. Today we started VBS in mexico. Entering the village today I could not help but feel humbled by the lives the people live. I am amazed at the strength and courage these people have and the faith that they have in "cristo" just for their daily needs. The language barrier was challenging at times but through it all the message and Gods love was felt by all. The children were a joy to be around and we learned a few new dance moves . We cannot wait to see what tomorrow brings. Thank you for your prayers and your love.
Be Thankful for the Lord our God has blessed all and everything!!!!!!!!!
Melissa
We have had a most productive day here in Naco as well as in Mexico. I feel truly blessed to be a part of what God is doing out here. There are no words to describe the feeling you have when you know you have been obedient to God's calling. He is sooooo good. Today we started VBS in mexico. Entering the village today I could not help but feel humbled by the lives the people live. I am amazed at the strength and courage these people have and the faith that they have in "cristo" just for their daily needs. The language barrier was challenging at times but through it all the message and Gods love was felt by all. The children were a joy to be around and we learned a few new dance moves . We cannot wait to see what tomorrow brings. Thank you for your prayers and your love.
Be Thankful for the Lord our God has blessed all and everything!!!!!!!!!
Melissa
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Hola Church Family!
Jess and Ash signing in to fill you in! :) We started our day out right by getting into the Word! Next, at 9:00 am March 8, 2009 A.D., we began prayer with the members of Naco Baptist Church. Then, the church service began! It's amazing what God is doing in Naco! Attendance has more than tripled compared to two years ago! The message was great, and we were blessed to rejoice with four people who were baptized as a profession of their faith. One man named Carlos (CHARLIE) was dear to our hearts.
Soon after, our growling tummies set off for Bisbee. After lunch and some sightseeing, we headed to Wally World to gather supplies for the upcoming Vacation Bible School! Then, we made goodie bags and made a visit to the orphanage in Mexico. The children were very excited about their sweet treats, and we took a moment to watch some High School Musical 3 in Espanol with them! We look forward to seeing them again later this week.
As the sun melted over the horizon, we scurried back across the border to gather for our late night bible study. BJ led a devo from John, and we were all greatly encouraged by each other.
Please continue to pray for us and the people of Naco and Chuatamoc (college kids can't spell).
Signing out,
J & A
P.S. Mark is still the butt of jokes.
Jess and Ash signing in to fill you in! :) We started our day out right by getting into the Word! Next, at 9:00 am March 8, 2009 A.D., we began prayer with the members of Naco Baptist Church. Then, the church service began! It's amazing what God is doing in Naco! Attendance has more than tripled compared to two years ago! The message was great, and we were blessed to rejoice with four people who were baptized as a profession of their faith. One man named Carlos (CHARLIE) was dear to our hearts.
Soon after, our growling tummies set off for Bisbee. After lunch and some sightseeing, we headed to Wally World to gather supplies for the upcoming Vacation Bible School! Then, we made goodie bags and made a visit to the orphanage in Mexico. The children were very excited about their sweet treats, and we took a moment to watch some High School Musical 3 in Espanol with them! We look forward to seeing them again later this week.
As the sun melted over the horizon, we scurried back across the border to gather for our late night bible study. BJ led a devo from John, and we were all greatly encouraged by each other.
Please continue to pray for us and the people of Naco and Chuatamoc (college kids can't spell).
Signing out,
J & A
P.S. Mark is still the butt of jokes.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
mission team-Naco,Az./Cuahtemoc,Sonora, Mexico
Just to let our church family know that we have safely arrived in Naco, Az.
B.J. Thomason had his first plane ride-he earned his wings.He was actually surprised-the flight was smoother than the bus ride to Nashville with Mark driving! lol Tim met us and stopped us by Tombstone to catch a photo op with Doc Holliday himself!! We know you cowboys/cowgirls at heart are jealous. We'll share pictures. We ate supper in Naco, Mexico & it was great food & fellowship with Tim & his family. Devotion before bed was encouraging to our team & Tim. God is sovereign & where he leads we will follow. Please continue to pray for Tim & his family after he lost his father this past week. They have sacrificed much to follow God's call-but they know that God will meet their every need. Until tomorrow.
Safe in His hands, Naco Mission Team
B.J. Thomason had his first plane ride-he earned his wings.He was actually surprised-the flight was smoother than the bus ride to Nashville with Mark driving! lol Tim met us and stopped us by Tombstone to catch a photo op with Doc Holliday himself!! We know you cowboys/cowgirls at heart are jealous. We'll share pictures. We ate supper in Naco, Mexico & it was great food & fellowship with Tim & his family. Devotion before bed was encouraging to our team & Tim. God is sovereign & where he leads we will follow. Please continue to pray for Tim & his family after he lost his father this past week. They have sacrificed much to follow God's call-but they know that God will meet their every need. Until tomorrow.
Safe in His hands, Naco Mission Team
Friday, February 13, 2009
Back to Blogging and a New Sermon Series
Sorry about the blogging break. I posted a new book review below on "Christless Christianity." I am currently reading "The Pursuit of Holiness", book #5. Here's the list of the next 5 books on my list...
6. The Heart of Evangelism
7. Biblical Foundations for Baptist Churches
8. Elders in Congregational Life
9. The Next Generation Leader
10. Chosen but Free
Click the "2009 Reading List" link on the right sidebar, which has links to all of these books to Amazon.com for you to order if you want.
On another note...
We start a new sermon series this Sunday called "Isn't She Lovely?" It's a sermon series on the bride of Christ - the church. See you Sunday.
Blessings...
Pastor Mark
6. The Heart of Evangelism
7. Biblical Foundations for Baptist Churches
8. Elders in Congregational Life
9. The Next Generation Leader
10. Chosen but Free
Click the "2009 Reading List" link on the right sidebar, which has links to all of these books to Amazon.com for you to order if you want.
On another note...
We start a new sermon series this Sunday called "Isn't She Lovely?" It's a sermon series on the bride of Christ - the church. See you Sunday.
Blessings...
Pastor Mark
Book Review - Christless Christianity
Click the link on the right sidebar for the 2009 reading list.
Michael Horton offers up a crushing diagnosis of contemporary American Christianity where Christ is abandoned in favor of some other form of man-centered pseudo Christianity. The solution he points us to is the same solution that the church has been abandoning for the entirety of its existence…the true gospel of Jesus Christ.
Horton calls the main problem “moralistic, therapeutic deism.” We’re not that bad. God’s not that great. Christianity is about this life. The problem the contemporary American church faces has an ancient name: Peliganism. Peliganism is a heretical system of theology that exalts the ability and nature of man to do and be good and ultimately make the right choice to save himself, although salvation is not that great because sin is not really that big of a problem. Horton exposes this system of theology in the current trends of the prosperity gospel that the popular Joel Osteen and Joyce Meyer preach and the emergent church movement led by the likes of Brian McLaren.
Horton issues a call for the American church to return to a Christ-centered Christianity. He issues this call as a “call to resistance” because it will ultimately go against our very human nature to be Christ-centered. If we are Christ-centered, gospel-loving, God-exalting then we cannot go with the current of human-centered ministry.
Book Evaluation
This was a timely book for me, as a pastor trying to evaluate all that is going on in the current landscape of American evangelicalism. I think Horton’s critique is very accurate and that our human nature is to always leave Christ-centered ministry in favor of some form of ministry that exalts us and tries to make us feel good about ourselves and our plight in this world.
I recommend you read this book with the following understanding…
This book is not an easy read simply due to the target level of readership. The assumed knowledge of advanced Christian vocabulary and the assumed knowledge of Christian history (early history, reformation history, and 2nd great awakening history) make for a more difficult book if you do not have the assumed background knowledge.
Mark’s Related Commentary
I strive to have a Christ-centered ministry but I know that I / we can do better in many areas at First Baptist. It is my thought that Christ-centered ministry is often absent in churches and the people of the church do not even know it b/c they are fed a steady diet of “do this” “do that” “live this way” without grounding all of the exhortations in the gospel. It seems and feels like Christianity, but it is really a moral improvement program with a Christian wrapper. We don’t need to do more ministry…we need to be ministered to by the Son of God, the one who, to our own objection, gets on his knees with a towel wrapped around his waist and serves us. Church, let’s have Christ as our center in all that we are and do!!!
Christless Christianity by Michael Horton
Book SummaryMichael Horton offers up a crushing diagnosis of contemporary American Christianity where Christ is abandoned in favor of some other form of man-centered pseudo Christianity. The solution he points us to is the same solution that the church has been abandoning for the entirety of its existence…the true gospel of Jesus Christ.
Horton calls the main problem “moralistic, therapeutic deism.” We’re not that bad. God’s not that great. Christianity is about this life. The problem the contemporary American church faces has an ancient name: Peliganism. Peliganism is a heretical system of theology that exalts the ability and nature of man to do and be good and ultimately make the right choice to save himself, although salvation is not that great because sin is not really that big of a problem. Horton exposes this system of theology in the current trends of the prosperity gospel that the popular Joel Osteen and Joyce Meyer preach and the emergent church movement led by the likes of Brian McLaren.
Horton issues a call for the American church to return to a Christ-centered Christianity. He issues this call as a “call to resistance” because it will ultimately go against our very human nature to be Christ-centered. If we are Christ-centered, gospel-loving, God-exalting then we cannot go with the current of human-centered ministry.
Book Evaluation
This was a timely book for me, as a pastor trying to evaluate all that is going on in the current landscape of American evangelicalism. I think Horton’s critique is very accurate and that our human nature is to always leave Christ-centered ministry in favor of some form of ministry that exalts us and tries to make us feel good about ourselves and our plight in this world.
I recommend you read this book with the following understanding…
This book is not an easy read simply due to the target level of readership. The assumed knowledge of advanced Christian vocabulary and the assumed knowledge of Christian history (early history, reformation history, and 2nd great awakening history) make for a more difficult book if you do not have the assumed background knowledge.
Mark’s Related Commentary
I strive to have a Christ-centered ministry but I know that I / we can do better in many areas at First Baptist. It is my thought that Christ-centered ministry is often absent in churches and the people of the church do not even know it b/c they are fed a steady diet of “do this” “do that” “live this way” without grounding all of the exhortations in the gospel. It seems and feels like Christianity, but it is really a moral improvement program with a Christian wrapper. We don’t need to do more ministry…we need to be ministered to by the Son of God, the one who, to our own objection, gets on his knees with a towel wrapped around his waist and serves us. Church, let’s have Christ as our center in all that we are and do!!!
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