Leadership Recognition Service

We were so thankful for the leadership recognition service on the 30th of April – so why didn’t we post anything about it? Well, for those who know us well, we could just say “it’s May” (hence crazy busy) and that might be enough. But we were also trying to get the news out to our Support Team first, so hopefully many of you have already heard the news! If not, there is probably a letter on its way to you. 🙂

Anyway, yes! On the 30th of April we had a special service to recognize the first national leaders of the Path of Life Bible Church Las Palmas (Iglesia Bíblica Sendero de Vida Las Palmas)! Ezequiel and Oscar have already been doing the work of elders, but this service was a time to specifically honour them and their wives, to talk about leadership in the church, and to lay hands on them and pray for them.

I (Jim) had the privilege of leading the music, with Nathanael as one of my fellow musicians, and all the songs were chosen by Oscar and Ezequiel. It was neat because the songs all emphasized their desire to look to the Lord and put Him first. In fact, every song except one was directly a prayer – and the one that wasn’t was instead a testimony. (I don’t know which songs have English versions, but you might recognize songs such as “Psalm 5 (Give Ear to My Words)” and “Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me”.)

Oscar shared a little bit about our friend Edgar, who passed away this past November. It was important to us that he be remembered in this service, because he had had a leadership role as well. We miss Edgar, but look forward to seeing him again soon.

Rod preached about the role of pastors in the church from 1 Peter 5, and other texts. Martín, pastor of the church in the community of Santa Barbara, gave the charge to the congregation.

Next the two couples were presented with various symbols representing different aspects of the ministry…

• Shepherd’s staff, representing pastoral leadership (1 Peter 5:1-4).
• Basin and towel, representing humble service (John 13:3-5).
• “My house is your house” decorative plates, representing hospitality (Titus 1:7-8).
• Framed verses – 2 Timothy 3:16-17, representing the Bible as our authority.

Shari and I presented the last one.

Then we laid on hands and prayed, along with other elders and pastors and their wives from the area.

Of course, no special service would be complete without some food and a time of celebration! And some cakes! Maybe even some impromptu games!

No one really wanted to leave, so I think it was evening by the time everything wrapped up. 🙂

Thanks so much to everyone who was praying – and who is praying! We’re so thankful for these men and their families, and for many other men and women who are already helping with the ministry of this congregation. But the work of this young local church is only beginning – may God grant that it would be a light here in Ixtapaluca and around the world! Please continue to pray for this church, and especially these leaders, who are finding their way into the service of this growing congregation.

Our coworker Rod had a post about the service up ages ago – with lots of pictures – you can check it out here: An Important Step in the Life of a Local Church