SHOELESS BEN & MISSION ChALLENGES

 

Mission Challenges, Shoeless Ben & New Generation of Preachers

 

March 20, 2023

 Mission Challenges

While it was great to return to Kenya and Uganda for the first time since the CV-19 saga began in 2019, it was not without its challenges.   After living and working in Kenya and Uganda for many years now, I’m afraid that the familiarity of it all produces complacency in many areas of our lives and ministry .  However, all that complacency and smooth sailing went out the window on this trip as we faced challenges with Visas and cancelled flights before we even got out  of the USA.   God hand of grace has been so great upon Sis. Terry and I over the years that sometimes we need to be reminded that we still need Him to protect, preserve and provide for us every step of the way.    And of course then there is the sheer weight of opposition that the enemy of God throws at us to buffet us, to hinder  us and to frustrate our purpose in life.    Even with all the challenges we faced we saw God blessings during this mission trip.  One such blessing was experienced through our Pokot guide and translator during village evangelism in Uganda.   It was one of those days that we were dragging from fatigue from the heat and long flights to get in country.   We divided up into three teams in three villages and went Hut to Hut in over one hundred degree heat.   I  personally reached my limit and told our guide that I had done all I could do and needed to return to the truck to pick up the other two evangelism teams.   Feeling I had to appoligize for letting them down, our new young Pokot evangelist (Pictured Below) and guide gave me the most encouraging and comforting words a Missionary could ever hear.  He told Me,  “Don’t worry Missionary Loboduk (my Pokot name),  we will continue to preach the gospel in these villages after you are gone”.  It does our hearts good to know that Gods work continues with or without us and the work is in good hands through these young Pokot converts and evangelists.

Shoe-less Ben

Shoeless Ben

There are many moments with God that you experience during these mission trips that can only be described as heartwarming and inspiring.   One of those precious moments in time would be following the worship service at the Landmark Baptist Church at Chepsabei in the Kenyan side of the Kerio Valley.  There would be several of our Landmark Baptist Churches in the area represented at the worship service by sending their Pastors.  After the service, as we were saying our goodbyes next to the Land cruiser our Driver Ben ask me if he could give His brand new shoes to  Pastor Steven from the Landmark Baptist Church at Morwerris who had walked over twenty kilometers in worn out tennis shoes with his toes sticking out to get to Chepsabei.   He removed them and immediately Pastor Steven put them on to see that they were a perfect fit.   With every trip we regularly leave behind our sneakers and boots for the Pastors we work with but this was different because Ben was giving up shoes that would cost up to a months’ salary in Kenya.   It was these types of acts of compassion under the Love of Christ which makes every trip worth while to experience.    We knew our Driver Ben who is a born again believer loved being apart of our mission team but now we saw His heart for His own people who have so much less.  Mat 25:35  For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 

 

Mat 25:36  Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

From a Boy to a Man of God

 From a Boy to A Man of God

Village evangelism on Mt. Elgon at the village called Masaiek offered yet another opportunity to see the great growth of the work that God has allowed us to be a part of over the years.  When Sis. Terry and I made our way Mt. Elgon in 2008 with our team of Kenyan brethren we started at the village of Kipsogon at the house of a Sister in Christ named Mama Rosemary.  She would open her home to us to use at a launching point for evangelism as well as letting the Church meet in her house.   At that time she was estranged from her husband but remaining with two young boys whom we led to Christ.   Since then one of those boys has grown up to be a man God has called to Pastor the Church where we did village evangelism in Masaiek.    It was awesome to go house to house doing evangelism with Pastor David (Pictured Below).  He was dressed impeccably, well spoken and well received in the village.  It makes us feel old but it reminds us that our impact is generational now and is in good hands of these "God called Men. "

NEW PLOT PURCHASED

One of our final opportunities to invest in the Kenyan and Ugandan side of our ministry during our mission trip was to sponsor a seminar at the Landmark Bible Institute of Ndivisi which is located at the base of Mt. Elgon.   Men of God came from Lake Victoria, Mt. Elgon, the Kerio Valley, Kenya, Uganda and now a third East African Nation in the 10/40 window of unreached people groups.   As you can see from the below picture:  the work has quadrupled in size over the last three years and continues to growth each year.    It was an honor to teach several generations of Evangelists, Pastors and Church planters during our seminar.  We concentrated our efforts on teaching Doctrine and Eschatology.    It was also great to see the completed dormitory and classroom being used.    After the seminar we found ourselves limited by sickness in our team which facilitated the need for medical care.    So in many ways you could say we ended the trip in the manner we started with continued challenges!

Our Evangelism Team on Mt. Elgon

Our Sleeping Accomodations

Pastors Peter Barasa & Shadrach

THE FORIDA PLANT 2022 A YEAR IN REVIEW

 Jan 4, 2023

2022 Would be one of the most encouraging and fruitful years the young Church plant has ever experienced. By the grace of God we have seen an increase in virtually every area of ministry. With the previous two challenging years of CV-19 behind us we have seen Gods hand great upon us and watched Him pour out a blessing that made it known that He is with us in a great way.  Last year I made this statement in my year-end report (2021), “We thank God we have an anchor who is steadfast and true and sustains us through the challenges we face. We simply choose to focus on the author and finisher of our faith and know that we will be glad we stayed the course”.  This year 2022 we can say that we are glad we have stayed the course to see God moving in so many ways in so many lives.   1Cor. 3:6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.   The Best way for me to give you insight into the year in review is to break it down according to the “Great Commission”.   We are Missionaries who are singularly focused on bringing Christ glory through fulfilling His command given to His Churches in 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 alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. 

Going!Go ye therefore

As you can see from the below pictures,  we take the Lord’s command literally.  And if there is a characteristic the Church plant is known for in Brooksville and Hernando County, it is a GOING Church.   We made hundreds of visits last year which gave us the opportunity to build relationships and to preach the gospel.   Sis.Terry and I made the commit to go out in the highways and hedges each and every week and at first it was just her and I.  However, God has assembled a faithful visitation and outreach team that is bringing them in from the fields of sin.   Visiting and knocking doors is not easy but is an essential part of reaching our community for Christ. 

Teaching

and teach all nations,    One of the many lessons our years in Kenya taught us was the need to preach the gospel and to ground new converts in the word of God as soon as possible.   So for reporting sake, I will report that we first and foremost teach the lost what the Bible says about their need of salvation and how to be saved.   After salvation we teach them about the need to follow Christ in Baptism and then how to observe all things Christ commands.   Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.   We know that uninstructed and uneducated converts will lose their zeal and love for Christ and eventually will fall away.  We make every effort and afford many opportunities for these new Converts to be grounded in their faith through one on one teaching as well as weekly Bible studies.

Baptizing    

  baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  In obedience to the commands of Christ, we baptized twenty four in 2022.  Most were new converts but a few were folks who had been saved but never scripturally baptized.   As of the time of this report we had five more accept Christ the last week of December and will be scheduling them for baptism in the next two weeks.  This was double the number we baptized the previous year. 

Building Purchase in 2022

 On a no less spiritual note, the Lord hath provided us with a permanent building for God’s people to assemble and worship Him on a weekly basis.  After six years of renting the building which we started the Church plant and after researching properties we came to the conclusion that we were home. The owner of the building made us a deal we could not refuse by basically applying all of our rent towards a reduced purchase price and financing the building.  God used our faithful ministry partners to provide the down payment and now instead of paying rent we are owners of a very desirable commercial piece of property located in the heart of our community. It has been an amazing builder of faith for our young congregation to see God provide in such a great way.  We know the Church is not the building but we also know that a building that the Church owns provides a very real sense of permanence.  

With the purchase of the property have come numerous construction projects to make it our own.  The members of the Church have been busy knocking out walls, building a sound booth, upgrading electrical and preparing to install a donated steeple.   There is still many construction projects still in progress but we are thankful to know we are being good stewards of such a great blessing

 There is still so much more to report that space on this report does not allow. Php. 1:3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Once again we want to take this opportunity to thank God for Pastor Tim Myers and His wife Sheila as well as our sending Church family at 1st Baptist East Bay. Additionally the Churches of the American Baptist Association as well as individual friends, family and brethren who partner with Sis. Terry and I in East African and Florida. Please keep us and the Lord's Churches in Prayer as we push towards the mark of the high calling in Christ Jesus.

 

In His Service,

 

Bro. Chuck & Sis. Terry Fernandez

Thank you for Holding the Rope!

Kenya/Uganda/10-40 Mission Development 2022 A Year In Review

 Kenya/Uganda/10-40 Mission Development

              2022 A Year In Review

January 2, 2023

Let me preface this year-end report by saying, “To God be the Glory, Great things He hath done”.   Let me also say Thank you to all of you who faithfully support the Great Commission centered work Sis. Terry and I do in East Africa as well as Florida through your prayers and finances.  God is using the joint efforts of our Mission support team to see thousands saved, baptized, discipled and New Testament Churches organized.   Looking back at 2022 in review can be somewhat overwhelming as a result of the sheer numbers of Churches, outreaches & Bible Studies we partner with in different regions now spanning into three countries now.   Looking back at 2022 also produces great joy to see our East African brethren obey the commands of our Savior out of heart of love for Him.

John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

Over the course of 2022, weekly evangelism efforts have led 10,756 souls to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. They were able to baptize 3,227 of their new coverts and unite them with the Local New Testament Church. Praise the Lord! Some of the first generation Churches have planted dozens of new Churches. Please Note the details at the close of this report and please continue to pray for these young Churches as they obey the commands of Christ by sending out evangelists two by two in 2022. Mark 6:7a And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two

New Villages Reached   2022 saw Landmark Baptist Evangelists preaching the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ in ten new villages. The villages are located in the Mt. Elgon region and the Uganda side of the Kerio Valley. Bible studies have been established in Makusaelwa were 90 folks have been saved, Misemwa where 107 have been saved, Serek saw 46 profess Christ, Toywandeti 87 saved, Kopsiro 44 Saved, Likusi 104 saved, Kituni 109 saved, Maeni 100 professed Christ, Nambawani 211 saved, Bituyu 13 Saved. Kapkerwa. The LBC Evangelist's will continue to teach these new converts and baptize them in the near future. Please pray for these dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ and consider their needs of God called Pastors, Bibles, Tents to meet under and eventually a permanent Sanctuary. If you are interested in partnering with us in 2023 to help encourage these new believers and eventual Churches, please contact me at: missionaryfernandez@gmail.com or call me at 352-277-1753. Ugandan Soldiers Receiving Solar Audio Bible

The Above Picture of one of our Landmark Baptist Evangelist's getting God's Word into the hands of two Ugandan Soldiers. Matt. 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: Matt. 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen Providing God's Word Through our faithful ministry partners, in 2022 we were able provide hundreds of solar audio Bibles in the Swahili, Pokot and Karamojong languages. Additionally we provided hundreds of hardback Swahili Bibles along with John and Romans for the Evangelists to use during village evangelism. People are starving for the Word of God in Kenya and Uganda. We will continue to do our best by the grace of God to provide them with His Holy word to help them know Him and grow thereby. Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Some of the most exciting news produced in 2022 came out of the 10/40 window of unreached countries.  While we are not at liberty to release detailed information about this new country and ministry, I can say that God has opened a door of opportunity for us to provide resources and training for the men God has called to preach the Gospel in this closed country.  Jesus said the gates of hell would not prevail against His Church.   As the return of the Lord draws nigh, He is not willing that any should perish but that all would come unto repentance towards God and faith in our Lord.  Please pray for protection of those involved in this new and exciting outreach.   2022 Sanctuary Construction  (Above) Landmark Baptist Church at Evaclet Newly Purchased Plot Landmark Baptist Church at Chelekei Completed. I have not received a picture with the roof installed but I have been told this sanctuary is completed. As you can see from the (above) pics, we are providing resources needed to put a permanent roof over the heads of God's people in East Africa. (Below) are the bricks ready for our latest Landmark Baptist Bible Institute in the Kerio Valley. We have completed the LBBI at Mt. Elgon and we pray by God's grace we will be able to start construction to train Men of God to continue to preach the gospel deeper into Uganda. 2 Tim 2:2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. (Below) This is a picture of Pastor Kennedy Watoto and a few members of the Landmark Baptist Church at Matili. They are standing on a newly purchased plot at the base of Mt. Elgon. Pastor Isaac Slape and the folks at Calvary MBC in Muldrow, Oklahoma have partnered with this Church to build the sanctuary. We intend to put posts in the ground during our upcoming January return to Kenya.  (Below) Is a picture of the plot for the Landmark Baptist Church at Namanje. We are looking forward to building a new sanctuary there in 2023 with your prayers and support. Neh. 2:18 And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work. 2022: Thousands Trust Christ on Mt. Elgon, Kerio Valley and Lake Victoria Listed below are the Number of Professions of Faith and Baptisms as reported by the Pastors and Evangelists of the Landmark Baptist Churches we currently partner with in East Africa. While I fully understand that the names do not resonate with you unless you have traveled with me over twelve years. Surely the Souls saved, Baptized and Added to the Churches will give you reason to rejoice. To God be the Glory! Great Things He Hath Done!   Ndivisi 185 saved and 13 baptism, Mawetatu 65 saved 15 baptism,Namarambi 140 saved 25 baptism,Soysambu 41 saved 6 baptism, Evaclate 28 saved 8 Baptism , Chelekei 263 saved 91 baptism, Matili 222 saved 73 baptism,Kibuk 91 saved 34 saved, Matisi 44 Saved 43 Baptism Bokoli 181 Saved 60 Baptism Mayanja 76 saved 7, Sinoko 124 Saved 46 Baptism, Kimatuni 45 saved 5 baptism, Namajalala 208 saved 79 baptism, Nakoba 167 saved 22 baptism, Kibuku 298 saved 90 baptism, Manafwa 112 saved 102 baptism, Sirongo 100 saved 90 Baptism, Namanje 394 saved 200 Baptism, Kimwanga 200 saved 12 Baptism, Mechimeru 113 Saved 12 Baptism, Makhonge 166 Saved 80 Baptism Chesamisi 202 Saved 92 Baptism, Chenjeni 332 Saved 111 Baptism, Chelebei 458 saved 40 baptism, Kamachei 356 saved 211 baptism Tindibale 135 saved 81 baptism, Tuebei 205 saved 156 baptism, Kumabusi 140 saved 99 baptism, Kapkerwa 189 saved 85 Baptism Chebichi 140 saved 33 baptism Kibuke 150 saved 40 baptism, Saboti 167 saved 65 baptism, MIanga 250 saved 28 baptism, Chemondi 335 saved 74 baptism, Chesokwo 144 saved 58 baptism, Cherwandoi 396 saved 96 baptism, Chemta 113 saved 80 baptism, Kamabusi 212 saved 84 baptism,Cheptaburuburu 269 saved 70 baptism,Chepguruguru 360 saved 104 baptism, Huruma 149 saved 64 baptism, Panandeka 362 saved 67 baptism, Cheptandan 171 saved 45 baptism, Kaboriot 91 saved 53 baptism,Kipsigon 67 saved 12 baptism, Siaya 28 saved 7 baptism,Got 14 saved 5 baptism,Wichloum 40 saved 7 baptism, Uwendo 75 saved 11 baptism, Chenjeni 110 saved 59 baptism,Cheptais 220 saved 54 baptism, Sikhendu 74 saved 30 baptism, Malomonye 70 saved 38 baptism, Lunyu 111 saved 70 baptism, Nalondo 127 saved 48 baptism,Tuebei 39 saved 11 baptism,Chebei 160 saved 71 baptism, Lutacho 96 saved 19 baptism,Chebosi 199 saved 99 baptism,Mvunje 93 saved 18 baptism, Kopsiro 44 saved 16 baptism, Butiru 60 saved 28 baptism, Chalicha 177 saved 13 Baptized Nalondo 259 saved 103 baptism, Cheptais 296 saved 91 baptism Kibisi 115 saved 48 baptism, Cheposibpoi 60 saved 21 Baptized, Moriweris 20 Saved 12 Baptized, Kakoron 35 Saved 24 Baptized, Kapswama 18 Saved 8 Baptized, Tandaposi 20 Saved, Lukhome 15 saved,     NOTE: We do not submit these numbers to take credit in any shape or form, but to encourage your faith today in our Lord Jesus Christ. We only glory in the cross of Calvary but recognize the importance of what God is doing through a fellowship of Churches in East Africa which is not currently being replicated in many parts of the world today. We want to thank our God for the Churches of the American Baptist Association as well as individual friends, family and brethren who partner with Sis. Terry and I in East African and Florida. Please keep us and the Lord's Churches in Prayer as we push towards the mark of the high calling in Christ Jesus.   In His Service,   Bro. Chuck & Sis. Terry Fernandez AKA: Missionary Loboduk & Mama Terry Your Missionaries   Sending Church: 1st Baptist Church East Bay 10102 Big Bend Rd. River View, Florida 33578   Co-Sponsoring Church Dean Springs MBC 2106 Dean Springs Rd. Alma, Ark Thank You For:

 

The Florida Plant   November 10, 2022 FLORIDA PLANT: MAKING ROOM,           YOUTH #'s GROWING & 7 BAPTIZED   Bring Them In!   The (below) pics are of our weekly efforts at the Church Plant to reach the lost in Hernando County.  We generally send out two or three teams of members visiting our van routes and or knocking doors.  God continues to bless our efforts of obedience to go in Jesus name by giving constant fruit in the form of new youth and new families.   We are seeing youth and adults trust Christ and unite with the Church through baptism as a result of our highways and hedges ministry. We are commanded to go, we are called to go and we gladly carry the gospel to a lost and dying world.  It’s hard to be light and salt when we hide our light under a bushel.    1Co 3:6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.  1Co 3:7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Knocking out Walls As you can see from the (below) photos, we continue to knock out walls in the building we recently purchased. These building projects are an effort to facilitate continued growth as well as improve the quality of our worship services. We fully realize the Church is not the building but we also realize the Lord's house should be a place of excellence. Isa 54:2 Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes. New Members:7 Baptized   Over the last two month's we have baptized seven souls at the Church plant.  We continue to baptized both youth and adults who have recently received Christ and also those who were saved and needed to be baptized into the Church.   To God be the glory!  Matt 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: Matt 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.   Adopt a Van?   A large part of the ministry and outreach of the Florida Plant is a very active van ministry. Each week we can be found out in the highways and hedges bringing youth and adults to Christ and the house of God. We have recently been given a great blessing of (two) Ford fourteen passenger vans from Missionary Reagan Hawthorn and His Ministry. (Below)    Bro. Reagan said that He has been praying for the right ministry to pass these blessings on too.    We praise the Lord for these Chariots of Salvation! With all that said, we have been working on getting these vans delivered from Arizona to Florida.  After studying many options of flying to Arizona and driving them back its become apparent with the cost of fuel and needed time, it is cost prohibitive.  For that reason we have chosen to have them transported at a cost of $2500.00 each.   We are thankful for our prayer partners, so please pray for this provision and if you or your Church is looking to help us fulfill the Great Commission, this would be a project well worth considering.   Adopt A Van!     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. Thank you for Holding the Rope!   Php. 1:3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,Once again we want to take this opportunity to thank our God for the Churches of the American Baptist Association as well as individual friends, family and brethren who partner with Sis. Terry and I in East African and Florida. Please keep us and the Lord's Churches in Prayer as we push towards the mark of the high calling in Christ Jesus.   In His Service,   Bro. Chuck & Sis. Terry Fernandez AKA: Missionary Loboduk & Mama Terry Your Missionaries   Sending Church: 1st Baptist Church East Bay 10102 Old Big Bend Rd. Riverview, Florida 33578   Co-Sponsoring Church Dean Springs MBC 2106 Dean Springs Rd. Alma, Ark.