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!