Monday, December 31, 2018

2018 Year End Report: Breaking Down Walls & Setting Captives Free

                                                                 Opening Up Parking Lot

2018 has been another year of building as we continued growing spiritually and numerically.  To facilitate the numerical growth we cleared the lot next to the building we are currently renting to increase our parking lot size.   The parking lot is the first impression and when first time visitors cannot find a place to park they don't feel very welcome.   We are thankful our Landlord allowed us to use the neighboring lot at no additional charge.   It has already been a blessing for special events. 
 
                                                                     BREAKING DOWN THE WALLS                  
While the parking lot expansion was timely, I can't say the same thing about the sanctuary expansion.    We have proven the well known Church growth principle to be true that states the following:  when you reach 85% capacity, you need to enlarge your building or you will return back to the 70%-75% level.    That is exactly what we experienced this year at The Florida Plant and I can sadly say that our recent renovations were about six month's too late.   Nevertheless, knocking out two walls, building a platform, adding 24 seats and adding a Baby Grand piano has been a welcome change to our faithful members as well as first time visitors.   Hey, nobody said we had it all together but we do learn some of our best lessons from experience.   As you can see from the (below) pic, the welcome expansion has also made our building feel more like a sanctuary.      

                                      (Above) Completed Platform with new Baby Grand Piano
SETTING CAPTIVES FREE!

My prayer is that you will become very familiar with the young man in the above pics.  His name is Ryan Smith and he is one of the men I have been discipling at Cross City Correctional Institute over the last few years.    It has been a real joy to watch this young man grow in his faith and answer the call of God on His life to preach God's Word.   He has been out of prison for four month's now and He is eagerly working through an intense Missionary Baptist training program.    Ryan believes God is calling Him to preach God's Word in and through our Prison Ministry.   Due to travel restrictions as a result of the conditions of His release, he is somewhat limited but we are traveling to him on a regular basis and he is attending two classes per week via Skype.   Last week he actually preached his first sermon since His release to the folks at our Church plant via Skype.  (Pictured Below).    My hope and confidence is in the Lord but it's a blessed privilege and honor to train up new Men of God.    I have seen a passion and love for Christ in Ryan that seems to be very rare in America but we have seen in the lives of the Men of God we have trained in Kenya and Uganda.   Please pray for Ryan as he fulfills his calling. 
(RYAN SMITH PREACHING HIS FIRST SERMON SINCE HIS RELEASE)
BEARING MUCH FRUIT

The Prison Ministry is not the only area of our ministry which is bearing much fruit.   Our youth ministry is also one of the most fruitful areas of ministry.   I often say, "if we cannot reach anyone else in America in 2018,  WE WILL REACH KIDS!"  Many say you cannot build a Church on youth but we believe God blesses those will love and bring children to Christ and consequently blesses the Church.   This is where having a Wife with a servants heart becomes a great blessing and asset to this Missionary.   Terry helps me run van routes, helps me schedule and train workers and is personally involved in discipling a handful of children at a time.    Don't worry, LOL, She's not a Youth Pastor, but she is one of the best youth workers I have ever known is better equipped than many Youth Pastors that have worked under my leadership over the years.    We have seen great growth and literal life changing transformation taking place in the lives of many of these youth.   Please pray for us as we need another van to start another route next year.  If your Church has one sitting and want to get rid of it, email me at missionaryfernandez@gmail.com.  
 
In order to facilitate continued growth in 2019 we are going to have to pray for God's provision and direction with regard to a larger facility for worship, education and fellowship.  (Note: Removing the wall took out two of only four classrooms we have).   We need your continued prayers and support as we press towards the mark of the high calling in Christ Jesus.    We have seen twenty seven professions of faith during the course of 2018 through various ministries and outreaches.  Twelve of them have followed Christ in scriptural baptism and are we are continuing the discipleship process of many.   137 was our record high in attendance for a special promotional event we held in November.  We could not do all that we are doing without a group of faithful servants who come alongside Terry and I to fulfill the Great Commission.  God's grace has been great upon us and we thank Him for our ministry partners who are faithfully holding the rope.  Thank you for allowing us to share what God has done in 2018.  We pray you have a Happy and Blessed New Year.
 
 

 In His Service,
Bro. Chuck & Sis Terry Fernandez
Kenya/Uganda/Florida Plant