Ministry glimpses

15 July 2017

Finishing 45 Bible Studies …

Jim Devotional and Bible, Ministry glimpses 4

Last night we finished up a series of 45 Bible studies. We did the Chronological Bible Study (15 lessons) and then Discovering Life (15 lessons) and Discovering Life 2 (15 lessons). No one has been there for all of them – but I think everyone has learned a little something. 🙂

We actually spent two weeks on the last lesson, which was both on spiritual gifts, and then the conclusion.

Here are some of us – well, one person had to leave early, and not all the kids are in the picture, but this is most of us adults from tonight… although not everyone came tonight… ok, enough disclaimers…
Bible Study - Grand Finale!

We tried to end the study focusing on the gospel itself. So this was my attempt at covering some of the key teachings in Scripture…

The Gospel of God’s Grace (Acts 20:24)
   Which is a gift of God, not from works (Ephesians 2:8-9)
   Which gives the forgiveness of sins (Acts 26:16-18)
   Which saves (Romans 1:16)
   Which strengthens us (Romans 16:25)
   Which teaches us to live a godly life (Titus 2:11-14)
If we don’t obey it, we will be lost (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9)
If we change it, we will be accursed (Galatians 1:8)
Those who believe
   Are free from sin (Romans 6:22)
   Have been born again (1 Peter 1:23)
   Were washed, sanctified and justified (1 Corinthians 6:11)
   Await the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ (Titus 2:11-14)

It was fitting, I think, to end with that great text from Titus. I pray that the last line would be a description of our church — a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works!

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,
training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions,
and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,
waiting for our blessed hope,
the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness
and to purify for himself a people for his own possession
who are zealous for good works.
Titus 2:11-14

11 July 2017

A Month of Short Term Teams Ends!

Jim Ministry glimpses, Missions, Prayer and Praise, ST Highlight 1

We have reached the end of a month filled with short term teams! How can I sum it all up? Impossible.

I did show you a few photos from the Mt. Calvary Team’s first few days. I also wrote a bit more about their trip and the upcoming team here. You actually saw a video of an event that the Connect Team (team #2) was involved in here. Rod also posted some video/pictures of this team: Connect Group in Ixtapaluca and Veracruz (Video).

I didn’t have a chance to write after that. Nathanael and I were with the Connect Team in Villa Hermosa, a small village in the State of Veracruz (there’s more than one Villa Hermosa, so here it is on the map. Just zoom out to get an idea where it is. You can even see the main road on Google Street View.)

The people in Villa Hermosa were very gracious and we enjoyed our time of ministry in a couple of churches there, although perhaps our greatest ministry was just spending time with people.

The last team to come was from Leroy Community Chapel in Ohio. They did a lot of work with the construction of the main sanctuary for the church in the community of JesÃºs MarÃa. They finished the stage and also put up lighting. They also were involved in hearing aid/reading glasses evangelistic events, visitation, a craft class, and service at a rehab centre.

By the way, there are dozens of new pictures in our photo gallery, if you’d like to see what all this looked like!

I was especially excited about the event we had in Las Palmas. We’ve never done anything like this in Las Palmas, but the party hall was full of people getting their hearing checked, and getting reading glasses. We partnered with the municipality, who also brought in a chiropractor!

Apart from seeing people’s eyes light up when they could actually hear with a new hearing aid, it was exciting to see people hearing the gospel, and to see conversations going on around the room, often with Bibles open. A new family came to our Sunday service who had gotten to know us through this event.

More video and pictures from this team from Rod: Leroy Chapel Construction and Outreach (video)

When short term teams come to Ixtapaluca, one of the things they almost always mention in the feeling of community. That’s because of the Mexican culture, but also the service of fellow believers that they meet here. The team members usually stay in Mexican homes, and get to know people in real life.

So I’d like to close with a few photos from the goodbye party that we had for team #3 in the church in JesÃºs MarÃa. This team, and all the teams, made an impact on people’s lives. And the people here in Mexico made an impact on their lives. And God continues to work!

New Mexican Family — Team members have new Mexican families

Happy birthday, Michelle! — A birthday surprise for Michelle!

Prayer Time — Two churches from two countries pray together, under the newly installed lights!

25 June 2017

A Hearing Aid/Glasses Event (video)

Jim Ministry glimpses, Prayer and Praise, ST Highlight, Video Blogs 1

Some of you have heard about our recent events in Ixtapaluca, where we have been providing hearing aids and reading glasses for people in need, along with a presentation of the gospel. Well, today you can get a glimpse of what one of these events looks like.

I was able to help one lady with her new hearing aid. Her hearing was pretty bad, so I was either shouting instructions or making sure she was looking at me so that she could understand what I was trying to tell her.

This particular person was also waiting to receive a pair of glasses. Her name was called from the front, and up she went. When she sat down, her friend said,“You actually heard them call your name?!” Well, she was pretty proud of her new ability to hear what was going on. 🙂

Anyway, here you can see a little of what happened this time around.

22 June 2017

Between Two Teams

Jim Ministry glimpses, Prayer and Praise, ST Highlight 0

Our remaining time with the team from Mt Calvary went well. There were lots of other fun activities. For one, the women promoted and joined a craft class hosted by the church in Santa Barbara. Here are a few of them – they were making pretty greeting cards.

Crafts - Santa BÃ¡rbara Also, we continued with evangelistic events, where we providing hearing aids and reading glasses to people who needed them, along with sharing the gospel. Here’s the team singing in front of a large crowd in the town of RÃo FrÃo (also in the municipality of Ixtapaluca).

Mt Calvary in RÃo FrÃo The next team arrives tomorrow, so I’ll be heading downtown with them, Lord willing. Shari and Hannah will be teaching the adults and kids back here in Ixtapaluca at our regular Friday evening study.

This team will be starting their ministry on Saturday, and I’ll be preaching on Sunday.

Sunday afternoon, Nathanael and I will be heading out with the team to the State of Veracruz. I’m mainly going to help with transportation, and there was just enough room for one more small person, so Nathanael is squeezing in too.

The team will be involved in ministry in various areas in the state.

Here’s a photo of some of the people who took a similar trip a few years back. Some of the same people will be there this time.

We’ll be gone until Thursday, the team flies Friday, and the next team comes Saturday. And so it continues!

13 June 2017

A Few Photos from Mt Calvary’s First Few Days

Jim Ministry glimpses, Prayer and Praise 1

Here are a few photos to give you a glimpse of what has been happening so far with the team from Mt Calvary.

The first night, for some of us, was a blur of flooded streets. booster cables, and getting very wet.

Half of the group (or so) shares a song at the Sunday service in Las Palmas.

Showing people how to use their new hearing aids at a special event to help the community, hosted by the church in Santa Barbara.

A very fat dog at the children’s home we visited yesterday. His name is Balboa. And seriously, the picture doesn’t do him justice. He was a ball of flesh and fat.

Eating pizza and drinking Coke with the kids at the children’s home (Nathanael and Gustavo in the foreground).

Some of the children at the children’s home (they have a total of about 18 right not), along with one of the owners.

25 May 2017

The Bible Teacher’s Guilty Confession (and some upcoming events)

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I’m such a bad Bible study leader. Do you know what I did?

I’m so ashamed.

For our Bible study passage we … we … we opened the Bible at random.

I know, I know.

Actually, it’s not quite as bad as it sounds. We had just finished a two part study on how to study and understand the Bible. We did a review, and then as a bonus we look at 7 ways to look for Christ in the Old Testament. My claim was that you should be able to open up to any page in the Old Testament and find Christ.

So – after we got the training, we tried it out. Sure enough, we found Christ in several ways in – where was it? Some chapter in Jeremiah. It was quite interesting, actually. I noticed some things I hadn’t before.

Really, you should try it. Just don’t open the Bible at random expecting that it will be talking about you. That’s when you get into trouble!

Tomorrow we’ll head into “grey areas” – yes, actually a study about how to figure out what to do when the Bible doesn’t address it directly (how to dress – video games – going to the casino – you name it!).

Actually, this study is online in English – here is part 1, and here is part 2.

I’m preaching on Sunday, and would appreciate your prayers. Once again I’ve been learning about some things that have really confused me in the past, from Mark 6. Amazing stuff.

In the midst of all this – it’s (a slightly belated) birthday season! This week, a party for Hannah, and next week a party for Nathanael. Hannah’s party is a dolphin theme, and we’re taking her and some friends to the aquarium in Mexico City.

But if you know Shari, you won’t be surprised to know – cakes are being created!

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