Harvest Christian Church, Zacatecas, Mexico
This is one big world in which we live! The world population is now over 7.3 billion people and counting. And to think that God knows each one by name, and has a destiny and purpose that only He knows. I guess we could say welcome to God’s world! It has always been a great privilege for me to be able to travel to different places in this world and see the power of God at work in the lives of so many people. One of those places is Zacatecas, Mexico. It is the home to Pastor Chuy, his wife Maria, and Harvest Christian Church. This was not my first visit and I trust it won’t be my last.
Pastor Chuy and his wife Maria in front of the church.
A number of years ago, Pastor Jim McNally and I travelled to Zacatecas to work with Pastor Chuy and to help support him in any way that we could. It was during one of our visits that the Holy Spirit met us in a very powerful way, and gave us a vision and a plan to help Chuy and his team literally build their new church. It was one of those defining moments in each of our lives. We were literally writing out this vision on a napkin as the Holy Spirit gave us the words. It was such a profound meeting, that to this day Pastor Chuy still has the napkin, thank you Coca-Cola!
When you know God has spoken to your heart, it is always good to respond the best way you can. Once we had our marching orders from above, we needed to put our faith into action. We started raising support for the building materials and gathered teams of men and women who were willing to be a part of something bigger than themselves. After much prayer, divine guidance and hard work, I am happy to report that, today in Zacatecas, a dream has been fulfilled and a church stands declaring the faithfulness of God. What a thrill it was for me to be back inside the walls of Harvest Church. The place looked beautiful. Pastor Chuy and his team have done an amazing job of finishing the work that was started many years ago. To be back in Zacatecas and to experience all that God has done, truly lifts my faith and causes me to declare that nothing is impossible for God.
Harvest Christian Church, Zacatecas, Mexico
The worship team playing on Sunday morning. In the group are Isaac and Anissa, the children of Chuy and Maria.
During my visit, I had the opportunity to meet many new people as well as renew many old friendships. We held many meetings during that week, and many lives were impacted by the power of the Holy Spirit. The people were hungry for Jesus to touch them. It was an incredible week for me, and as I returned home I brought back many fond memories of what God can do through simple, ordinary people who are willing to be used by Him. I believe with all my heart that God will continue to bring many others to Him through Pastor Chuy and the church in Zacatecas. Would you join with me in prayer as we pray for Chuy? A few years ago he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. It has not been easy on him and you can start to see some of the outward signs on his physical body. Chuy is a man of faith and I know he will walk this journey, trusting God for his strength and healing. And in the end God will be glorified by a life well lived.
As I said earlier, this is one big world! The God of the Universe knows each of us by name. He called Chuy to do something big for Him, and that is what he is doing. Has it been easy? No way! Yet through all the trials and hard work, today there stands a church that truly is a miracle of God. And to think it all started with three guys, having a coke and writing down on a napkin the words given to them by Heaven. I want to challenge you! Maybe God wants you to do something for Him? If He speaks to you, write it down on a napkin and then do what it says! Enjoy your Coke!!!!
Uganda October 26th – November 4th
As you receive this newsletter, I am in the final stages of all my preparation and packing for trip #13 to Uganda. I am humbled by God’s grace and in awe of all that He has done during my previous visits. It has been an honor for me to work with Pastor Fred Muyimba and his church in the capital city of Kampala. It was a dream and vision of Pastor Fred to one day be able to plant churches and raise up leaders in the villages of Uganda. During this upcoming trip, we will once again be in the city of Fort Portal where we will be joined by the pastors and leaders of the village churches. We will spend a week together training, teaching and mentoring these pastors to lead their churches and to reach others with the hope of the Gospel. During our stay in Fort Portal, we will be hosted by Pastor Solomon and his church. We have met there once before and had an incredible week of ministry, capped off by water baptizing 120 people in a Ugandan river. Please stand with me in prayer, for safety and for the power of the Holy Spirit to lead and guide our time.
Pastor Fred is standing in the middle of Pastor Solomon’s church in Fort
Portal where we will be holding our meetings. Empty Tomb Ministries is
helping raise funds to finish the building of this church.
Bucks for Bricks Update
I am happy to report some wonderful news in regards to our campaign called “Bucks for Bricks.” ETM is making a difference around the world, and many of you are playing a big part in that process. Our goal is to raise $50,000 to build six new churches in the villages of Uganda. To date, we have been able to raise $6,000 towards our goal! The money has been wired to Pastor Fred and has been disbursed to 4 different churches. This will enable each church to continue in the building process, and as more funds come in we will send the remaining to each church. Would you prayerfully consider giving to this all important campaign? We can make a difference, one brick at a time.
Warriors for Christ
For a number of years, I have had the privilege of being a part of a prison ministry called “Warriors for Christ.” We have found great favor with the Colorado Department of Corrections. Our mission: to bring the love, grace and power of Christ into the hearts of men and women who are incarcerated in the prisons of Colorado. I am so thankful for these opportunities to go and share the truth of God’s Word and to see that word change the hearts of many for all eternity.
Warriors for Christ has recently started a new ministry at our local jail in the Fort Collins area. We are working with offenders who have been in the work release program. They have either been in jail or prison and are now out yet still under the oversight of the local jail. These offenders work by day and must return after work and sleep at this facility. There are four of us going in on Monday nights, sharing from God’s word and challenging the offenders that God has so much more for them. As you think about us on a Monday, would you stand with us in prayer and trust God to impact the lives of many. I just have this feeling that if Jesus was walking on the earth right now, we might find Him in places just like this!