Sendero de Vida

27 March 2012

2nd Anniversary Service in JesÃºs MarÃa (video)

Jim Ministry glimpses, Prayer and Praise, Video Blogs 1

Below you can watch a video with a few of the moments from our anniversary service at Iglesia Bíblica Sendero de Vida Jesús MarÃa this past Sunday.

We had a tent set up in front of the community centre for the morning. We also invited Iglesia BÃblica Sendero de Vida Santa Barbara, so many of them were there as well.

It’s amazing to think about what God has done over the past few years – and before that even – and to see the faces of so many people that He has touched and used for His glory!

Come to think of it, it was an unusual service in that every member of my family was involved. How did we manage that?

20 November 2011

Sunday School in Ixtapaluca

Jim Mexico, Video Blogs 1

Will your kids be going to Sunday School this morning? Here’s a little glimpse into one Sunday School class in our church in Ixtapaluca (in Jesús María). This video was taken by videographer Nicole Greiner.

20 June 2011

Baptisms 2011 – Video

Jim Ministry glimpses, Prayer and Praise, Video Blogs 2

Here are a few video clips from the baptisms this past Sunday, just to give you an idea what it was like. There were 19 people baptized, ten from the Jesús María church and nine from Santa Barbara.

As you may know, the baptisms were at a public water park just outside of Mexico City, so there were other people around and other things going on (and you’ll hear lots of music in the background that wasn’t ours).

Not everyone who was planning to be baptized actually was – a few people didn’t come. It’s not an easy step to take… please continue to pray for both those who were baptized and those who were not.

You’ll see clips of most of the baptisms and a few clips of the testimonies (everyone gave their testimony, but I didn’t include clips of them all). Praise the Lord with us, and enjoy the video!

Check out the Ixtapaluca baptisms from 2010, and 2009. In 2009, the second church didn’t even exist yet, and the first elder and deacon had just been recognized in the first. Wow.

12 June 2011

Vision Weekend Day 3

Jim Mexico, Ministry glimpses, Practical matters 1

Today the group split up, some going to the service in Santa Barbara and some going to the service in Jesús María. Our service was … well, no day is ever the same as another, let me put it that way. For example, part way through the service, as I was playing keyboard, the stand fell off of one of the legs, and so I was playing on a slant the rest of the morning. Well, except that the sound stopped working for the keyboard, until I unplugged it from the system and just tried to play with the keyboard speakers….

But we won’t get into all that.

Robert (one of the interns) preached, and Hannah (our Hannah) and her ballet class performed.

After the service we had a potluck, with yummy food as usual. Then we had our last baptism class (which wasn’t exactly the last – some people weren’t there, and one girl wants to be baptized who wasn’t in the other classes… so more will be happening this week!

But – well, this isn’t really Vision Weekend related, but I had a great time again listening to testimonies and talking about the Gospel.

After a break in the afternoon, we met at Valtierras’ house for … well, you guessed it … more food! No one will be going away hungry, that’s for sure.

Then our work groups met again, and made some specific plans to move forward with the ministry here. Things we can cooperate on, whether in Mexico or not.

Finally, we had a time together praying and singing praises to God.

Oh, of course there were the goodbyes. Lots of hugs!

There’s not really any way we can thank those who gave of their time and money to be here this weekend. God will thank them.

Now we’re home again. Tomorrow I’ll be getting up to take two of our guests to the airport. Then back to normal li… no, sorry, scratch that. Life will be crazy from here on in. In less than three weeks we’ll be on the road, and before then — ! But that’s for another post.

If I can, I’ll get up some more pictures and video of the weekend. Meanwhile, you’ve had a summary!

11 June 2011

Vision Weekend Day 2

Jim Ministry glimpses, Missions 1

More sort-of live blogging of the Vision Weekend. Day 1 is here, and here is Day 2…

We begin with a time of worship in both English and Spanish, focusing on the greatness of our Lord Jesus.

Samuel gives a devotional from Matthew 25:14-30. He talks about the union of people from different countries with different "talents", preparing to unite to fight a spiritual battle.

A time of prayer, in which many people pray aloud in confession and thanksgiving.

Rod is giving a summary of some of the materials that have been handed out to everyone. He’s talking about the purpose of the weekend, about the realities of Ixtapaluca, about the distinctives of the churches and ministry here.

Now everyone is introducing themselves to the larger group. 🙂

Martin is sharing some things that the leadership in the church here in Santa Barbara have talked about. What specifically does the local church here need? What kind of personnel? What types of physical goods?

A bit of extra discussion about giving strategically – what will be the most help? What is needed?

Rod is introducing the work groups for specific discussion: ongoing theological training, using websites, technology, graphic arts and social media, reaching children and youth, creative ways to share the Gospel, using music in outreach, and supplemental income for bi-vocational workers.

But first, stopping for some VERY DELICIOUS food!!

Work groups discussing ideas…and now presenting their ideas to the whole group. Practical ideas – ways we can go forward… Great ideas!