Batting 1000, Faithful Men & Empty Pews

This week of ministry brought some unexpected changes while some things remained on course. I have heard it said, "The more things change, the more things stay the same".   Not sure if that makes perfect sense but it does have some truth to it. We lost a member of our Mission Team this week as Deacon Phil Shemwell returned to the USA without us. I am thankful for a friend and Brother in Christ who uses his personal finances and vacation time to travel around the world to be a blessing to this Missionary and our people. Additionally, we were forced to cancel our trip to Uganda this week due to time constraints as well as vehicle issues.   That's right; we have not had a week go by that we have not had some type of breakdown or repair.  

It has been so bad that Pastor Tim said he will not know what to do when he returns home and is on his way to church and does not have to stop to get under the hood of his truck. So with regard to breakdowns, I guess you can say we are batting 1000.   One of the major events this week was the Pastors seminar we held here in Eldoret.   We had all sixteen Pastors from the Churches we have been involved in planting as well as four Associate Pastors and five outreach preaching point leaders.   Pastor Tim did an excellent job of expository teaching through First and Second Timothy while I taught on Eschatology and Fasting.

Seminary Teaching

The evening sessions would be led and taught by the National Pastors who taught on; tithing/stewardship, missions, evangelism and our doctrine.   It is fair to say that the Men of God left with plenty of food to feed the sheep of their respective congregations. We will continue to sponsor and lead these quarterly seminars as the importance of training these Men of God to be able to rightly divide the word of truth cannot be overstated.   Strong Pastors = Strong Christian disciples = Strong Churches.   God has graciously allowed us to connect these Men of God who are from four different tribes located in three different regions as well as two Men from Uganda.   While each and every Church is totally autonomous and independent, these men have grown to know and love one another in Christ Jesus. They will talk and discuss problems that I could never fully relate too and will be able to encourage and exhort one another in their faith long after the Missionary is gone. Finally, the dry season is here and we managed to climb Mt. Elgon to deliver the new sign for the Landmark Baptist Church at Kipsigon and for Sunday worship service with the Landmark Baptist Church at Cheptabrubru. The sign was important and personal to me because they have started a new Primary School at the Church and named it after our Granddaughter Kelbee.

It does my heart to see them know our family and also the honor of naming the school after one of them. We had a great service of singing praise, prayer, teaching and preaching.   This particular Church led by Pastor Alex Kimtii is always packed each and every service, however while I was teaching I noticed a few empty pews in the back. It was then, the Holy Spirit reminded me that this Church has sent out six young preachers and their families to plant five more Churches and one outreach on Mt. Elgon. 

Congregation

Prayer

LBC Cheptabrubru is a second generation Church that is birthing many third generation Churches. Now that is what we call a powerful Missionary Baptist Sending Church!   Will close for now but know that we need your continued prayers as we serve the Lord and seek His guidance and direction for this great work he has done.   Thank you for our many ministry partners who hold the rope while we do God's work.

In His Service,

Bro. Chuck & Sis. Terry Fernandez
Kenya/Uganda                  Pastor Alex Kimtii and Family 

Another Namesake for Terry.  We Miss U!