Hello everyone,
Since even before we moved to Chihuahua three years ago, we've had a burden on our hearts--the people of this city desperately need to hear the Good News of Jesus. It's true, pretty much all of them have heard something about Jesus. Most say they believe in "God." The majority come from a Catholic background, so they've heard about Jesus dying on the cross. It's not uncommon to see images of Jesus and the cross as you go to different parts of the city. Yet, in this city of about 1 million people, the overwhelming majority know nothing of a genuine relationship with the living Christ. When you talk about being saved--not by the good things you do but only through faith in Jesus and a relationship with Him--they're shocked! If we believe what the Bible says, then that means that most of the people of this city are on a direct path to hell! We have to do something. Sure, there are some Christian churches in town. However, I've had too many conversations with local friends lamenting the lack of Bible-teaching churches, with Christians struggling in ultra-legalistic church settings and with non-Christians mocking the health and prosperity churches that are so common in our city. These observations have been confirmed time and gain as I've ministered to university students. This city doesn't need more man-centered religion. This city needs Jesus! They need to experience the power of the risen Christ in their lives! They need to grow through spending time in His Word! They need to hear the true Gospel! This is what has driven us and continues to drive us as we share Jesus's love with the people of Chihuahua.
It's that burden that has also propelled us forward into the next step of faith that God is calling us to. You may have heard whispers before, but this is our official announcement--God is calling us to plant a church on the north side of Chihuahua (near the university) in the fall of this year! Our tentative launch date is sometime in October. Coming into 2019, we weren't thinking at all about planting a church this year. We have been content serving Jesus at the university and in our wonderful church, Capilla Calvario. We thought the church plant was still a few years away. However, God has made it clear over and over again to Priscilla and I both, with confirmation from the leadership of Capilla Calvario and from the leadership of our supporting churches. It's time. We don't feel capable, but God's Word is clear that He delights in using the weak and incapable to show His power (2 Chron. 16:9; Ps. 18:27-36; 1 Cor. 1:26-29). We can rest in those promises. We are currently in the process of handing off and finishing with our ministries in Capilla Calvario. We are very thankful for Pastor Rafa's heart to have Capilla Calvario send us out as a church plant and to maintain an intimate connection between our families and the two churches moving forward. We are praying a lot about the details for the vision that Jesus has for the church plant. 1 Peter 5:1-4 makes it clear that He's the real Senior Pastor anyway, so we're looking to Him for His vision for the church. There will be more details to come but we ask you to please join us in prayer for the Lord to be glorified through this church plant and in the city of Chihuahua as a whole. All of this brings us back to one of the core verses that God has given us from the beginning of this entire journey:
"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be the glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen." --Ephesians 3:20-21
Always so thankful and humbled by your love and support,
-Tim, Priscilla, Josiah and Hannah
Praise Reports
- God has provided so much guidance and unity as we've been planning and preparing to launch the church-plant!
- There is a student named Ronnie that I've been meeting with and talking to about Jesus for over a year now. Ronnie gave his life to Jesus and is now involved in our summer discipleship study!
- We've been praying for God's provision for a car with Mexican license plates and we were finally able to buy the car earlier this month!
- God is blessing and expanding the bible studies and conversation clubs at the university!
- The kids finished the school year and are really growing and thriving in many ways!
Prayer Requests
- For the church-plant. That God would continue giving a clear vision for it, provide those He wants to be a part of the launch team and provide the resources necessary for it.
- For wisdom, humility and unity as we step down from our ministries at Capilla Calvario and launch out from the church.
- For our UACH summer discipleship study. That God would raise up the students and give them the vision for discipling other students on their campuses.
- For the English Conversation Clubs. That God would continue to give us favor and raise up others--with a passion for sharing Jesus' love but wisdom to know when and how to do it--who could lead conversation clubs throughout the university.
- For our upcoming trip to Colorado. That we would be able to accomplish the tasks that we need to (selling our house and our car) and that as we share at different churches we would shine Jesus and leave them wanting more of Him.
- For continued unity in our family and our marriage as we take a step of faith into this new season.
June Update--A Big Announcement!!!