Ministry glimpses

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.

18 June 2011

Tomorrow – Baptisms!

Jim Ministry glimpses, Prayer and Praise 1

Tomorrow morning we’re supposed to meet at David’s house at 7am, and then drive to the water park where the baptisms will take place.

There’s quite a crowd expected – I hope we have room for everyone! I also hope everyone wakes up in time! 🙂

Seriously, though – please pray for those who are planning to be baptized tomorrow, that they would have the courage to follow through. And praise the Lord for each heart that He’s changing.

I was listening to testimonies last Sunday after our morning service, as those who are being baptized prepared for what they were going to say.

After hearing one testimony, I wanted to make sure that people weren’t claiming that you could become a Christian and all your life’s problems would melt away. So I said,"So, after you put your faith in Christ, life is easy – right?"

Yes. (several voices said)

No! (several voices said, as they realized what I was saying)

Well, actually….

Then something amazing happened.

People began to share around the circle.

"Actually, now that I know Christ I can sleep at night. I’m not living in guilt."

"Actually, now that I know the Lord I wake up without fear of what’s going to happen that day."

"Now I have somewhere to go when I’m in trouble."

As the apostle Paul said, through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God (Acts 14:22). But on the other hand, look at the Friend we have with us. His yoke is easy and His burden is light (Matthew 11:30).

Looking forward to tomorrow.

16 June 2011

Video: Vision Weekend Day 3

Jim Mexico, Ministry glimpses, Missions, Prayer and Praise, Video Blogs 0

Here’s the last video, from this past Sunday. It’s a little shorter than the others, probably because the morning service was a big part of the day, and I didn’t video any of it. In our church, one of the interns (Robert) preached.

So here’s a little taste from the last day of the weekend. A major theme was, apparently, FOOD. 😉 But if you want more details about this day, read Vision Weekend Day 3.

15 June 2011

Video: Vision Weekend Day 2

Jim Mexico, Ministry glimpses, Missions, Video Blogs 0

Saturday was the first bilingual day. We spent time in God’s Word and in discussion about how to move forward together. For a full summary, see Vision Weekend Day 2.

Here are a few clips from the day. We spent most of the day in the building where Iglesia Bíblica Sendero de Vida Santa Barbara (Way of Life Bible Church Santa Barbara) meets.

14 June 2011

Video: Vision Weekend Day 1

Jim Mexico, Ministry glimpses, Missions, Video Blogs 0

Here are a few brief video clips from the first day of the Vision Weekend. Obviously you won’t get the real "meat" from the weekend, but you’ll get a bit of an idea what happened… hopefully.

For a summary of what we talked about on this day (Friday), see Vision Weekend: Day 1.

Just a couple of notes – first, you won’t see clips of everyone who shared. Second, the answer is no, I did not intentionally stand outside of the view of the camera!

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!

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