The (above) picture is one of my favorites of 2020.
The
CV-19 saga continues to produce great challenges for the Lord's Church's world
wide. Jesus warned us that the "gates of hell" would come
against His Church but praise the Lord for His promise they would not prevail.
Church planting during what might be considered normal times is
difficult at best but we like all ministries have experienced the challenges of
the CV-19 crisis. We have seen the young of faith particularly effected
as the devil has used CV-19 as an occasion to buffet, to hinder and frustrate
their purpose in life. Not only has the tempter used it to sift
the young of faith but surprisingly many folks who we would consider long in tooth
in the faith have been sifted as well. We've heard the same words
that many Churches and Pastors have heard over the several month's.
"We will be coming back when it is safe". "The Church is
too far now", "The Church is too young". " The Church
is not taking this serious enough", etc... We have heard it all.
With that said, we made a decision very early that as soon as we felt
the Lord's leading, we would return in full force to resume our outreach
programs. It was either give in or dig in, we choose the later.
As a young Church plant it was not as much as rebuilding but more
like starting over again. To that end we began to get out in the highways
in hedges while everyone was still hunkering down. The one benefit
was that most everyone was at home and we were able to bring the word of God to
them and let them see people of faith out in the community not living in
fear.
As you can see
from the above pics, we do what we do best an that is get out in the
highways and hedges compelling anyone and everyone to come to the Lord's house
while preaching the good news of the gospel. Our plan
for 2020 was to make over one thousand visits this year. I'm not sure we
are going to make our goal due to the CV-19 pause, but we have been faithful to
return to reaching our community for Christ since July. The Lord said
GO, and we love getting out in the community on a weekly basis.
Last week we had ten servants go out into the community with Sis. Terry and I
to compel them to come in from the fields of sin.
Luke
14:23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and
hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be
filled.
Little
by Little the Cup is Filled
One by One we have seen our youth returning to the house of God. It has also been a blessing to see new adult faces come through the doors of the Church as well. We have seen a steady flow of both youth and adults making professions of faith in the Lord again. It's been said that God blesses faithfulness because faithfulness blesses God. We don’t claim to be the best or brightest Missionaries but we sure love the Lord and will continue to be faithful to obey His Great Commission to preach the good news of the gospel, no matter the circumstances. The Preacher and Evangelist Jonathon Edwards once said I live by two rules. #1. I will serve God. #2. If nobody else will serve God, I will serve God. We too want to be found that faithful in our most high calling.
Not
only is the cup filled little by little but as you can see from the (below)
pics, the vans have been filled little by little.
1Cor.
15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always
abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not
in vain in the Lord.
The Lord has been faithful in adding to His Church. We recently had the opportunity to baptize two adults who had been saved and followed the Lord in scriptural baptism. We continue to pray that God will help us produce solid disciples who will in turn bring others to Christ. It has done our hearts good to see folks coming to Jesus and their lives being transformed by their relationship with Him and through learning His Word. Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Mat
28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded
you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
2 Timothy 4:2...Preach the Word: be instant in season, reprove, rebuke,
exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
As you can see from the (above) pictures, one of the areas were we have experience recent growth as a result of our outreach efforts has been in the teens department. For years have been able to reach elementary and middle school children but now the Lord has given increase with regard to teenagers. We know the challenges they are facing in their lives at this age and we thank God for the honor and privilege he is giving us to invest in their live before adulthood. Pray for us as we teach them the word of God which is able to build them up and transform them into mature Christians who will be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Jude 1:22 And of some have compassion, making a difference: Jude 1:23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
Bibles/Biblia
We
are thankful for our ministry partners who provide Bibles for our ministry.
Many have given towards the audio Bibles for Kenya and Uganda but we are
also reminded that not everyone in America has a Bible. In fact we are
finding it more common place that many people do not have Bibles.
We will not let anyone leave the Church plant without the Word of God and we
continue to give out English KJV Bibles as well as Spanish & English
combined as you can see from the (above) picture. Sis.
Terry reached the lady (above) during door knocking. We affectionately
call her Abuela= Grandmother as she would come with her two grandchildren.
Thank
you for the opportunity to share our journey of faith and for every prayer and
every dollar given which enables us to do all that we do for the glory of God.
We also ask those of you who take time to read these journal
entries/blogs but do not currently partner with us to prayerfully consider
partnering with us and be a part of this great work God is doing through His
servants.
In
His Service,
Bro.
Chuck & Sis. Terry Fernandez
Kenya/Uganda/Florida Plant
