Make sure to keep up with our mission teams for updates and photos on the missions blog...
We arrived on Thursday, it was an 18 hour trip door to door. Friday was our tour day and we spent our day touring the city and learning about the culture and religion in the cities of Mexico. The King and Pagan children were so excited to see one another and we sensed the encouragement God has planned for all of us in just bringing us together. The photo from Micah’s ipod shows that enthusiasm.
Friday we visited the city of Guantanamo and a group of believers that are planting churches as well. This group has been working for several years and has several ministries for children, youth and adults even in other cities. We were able to pray with and for them and offer them prays of encouragement. We also visited a mummy museum, this gave us a better sense of the false worship in Mexico. As the days progressed, we have seen the Catholics here worship Mother Mary, of course, a doll which is in the city of San Juan De Los Lagos. This doll, is believed to have miraculous power and the legend of her bringing a dead girl back to life has thousand or hundreds of thousands, millions Jamie says, pilgrimage hundreds of miles to worship her. We visited this church yesterday and watched people approach this alter of the doll on their knees. Some stay on their knees until they bleed. This is all "works" based so that they can earn there way to heaven.
On Sunday we were blessed to be a part of the home church service at the Pagan home and then to a larger established church in Leon, where Alex was invited to preach. The audience was very attentive to his message from Hebrews 6 and we enjoyed the Spanish worship. George was able to share our testimony as a family who is becoming more mission focused at the morning service and he also was able to introduce us to the congregation in their native tounge as a family. It was wonderful to worship in spirit and truth despite the language barrier.
Today we went into a community in Leon where the Pagan family has been working to try to start a new church. They go there about every other month and set up an outreach event with food, games for the children, bible lesson and time of talk with the women. It was amazing to see the effort in trying to make relationships and build trust so that one family might offer their home as a place to start. There is one family with a very sick little girl, she has no aorta. She was not expected to live and is now 6 months and they go and pray for her and the family is considering allow a group to start meeting there. Please pray for this family, pray for a door of opportunity....today as we prayed in their concrete floor, three room home, the front door was open and I sensed the holy spirit saying just as the door to this home is open so will the door of opportunity be opened here, for a door that the Lord Jesus opens, no man can close.
We also have had several opportunities to share why we are here with some of the Mexican people esp in the hotel although the language barrier keeps us from gaining much ground.
Please remember us in your prayers and we finish our week here, as the Cosio's go onto Mexico City to do VBS with Lena's brother's church, as the Pagan family continues this great work and as we travel back to the states on Thursday.
Blessings from Mexico,
The King family
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Staff Vs.
Be ready, Apex Baptist Church. There's a train heading your way late August/early September and its conductor is none other than renowned basketball legend, O. Phillip Qualls. Check out the video below and email Nathan if you'd like to field a team. The date is still tentative because of an undisclosed injury to one of our staff members, but we're working hard rehabbing said injury and will be ready to go soon.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
The Resistance
Nathan Stam
Children/Communications Pastor
So . . . the resistance. I was recently introduced to the music of Josh Garrels (you can get his amazing CD for free by visiting his website, by the way!) and he has a song entitled "The Resistance." Here are some of the lyrics:
"Every mortal breath is meant to bring forth fire;
but only when when the fear of death gets consumed
On the funeral pier.
So let the flames rise higher
Let every man be considered a liar
If he doubts the goodness and faithfulness of God."
Reminds me a little of Hebrews 2:14-15!
Let's breathe fire. Resist complacency and laziness in our walk with God. Death has nothing on us because of Christ. Hold fast like an anchor in the storm.
I found the same themes of resistance and resurrection in a book I read recently, entitled "The Island of the World" by Michael O'Brien (definitely a must read!). It is the story of Josip Lasta and chronicles his sufferings in the former Yugoslavia. He knows first hand what resistance is like, particularly under the Communist Party, and as his life and faith fall apart, you can just feel the power of the Gospel and of forgiveness pulsing in his heart, aching to break out, until resurrection eventually bursts through every pore and his life is changed forever--despite the injustice and heartache he's experienced in his life.
How are you living out the resistance? As a co-heir with Christ you are free from the slavery of death. You are empowered by the Holy Spirit and resurrection flows in your very blood. Are you breathing out fire in a world that is lost in darkness? Join the resistance and be a part of the movement of God.
Children/Communications Pastor
So . . . the resistance. I was recently introduced to the music of Josh Garrels (you can get his amazing CD for free by visiting his website, by the way!) and he has a song entitled "The Resistance." Here are some of the lyrics:
"Every mortal breath is meant to bring forth fire;
but only when when the fear of death gets consumed
On the funeral pier.
So let the flames rise higher
Let every man be considered a liar
If he doubts the goodness and faithfulness of God."
Reminds me a little of Hebrews 2:14-15!
Let's breathe fire. Resist complacency and laziness in our walk with God. Death has nothing on us because of Christ. Hold fast like an anchor in the storm.
I found the same themes of resistance and resurrection in a book I read recently, entitled "The Island of the World" by Michael O'Brien (definitely a must read!). It is the story of Josip Lasta and chronicles his sufferings in the former Yugoslavia. He knows first hand what resistance is like, particularly under the Communist Party, and as his life and faith fall apart, you can just feel the power of the Gospel and of forgiveness pulsing in his heart, aching to break out, until resurrection eventually bursts through every pore and his life is changed forever--despite the injustice and heartache he's experienced in his life.
How are you living out the resistance? As a co-heir with Christ you are free from the slavery of death. You are empowered by the Holy Spirit and resurrection flows in your very blood. Are you breathing out fire in a world that is lost in darkness? Join the resistance and be a part of the movement of God.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
10,000 Reasons
Nathan Stam
Children/Communications Pastor
"For all Your goodness I will keep on singing;
10,000 reasons for my heart to find."
Definitely check out Matt Redman's new album "10,000 Reasons." We should never be short of reasons to worship our Creator and Savior and these are some great songs to help express what God has done in your life. "Never Once" is probably one of my favorite songs. You can view a live performance below:
Children/Communications Pastor
"For all Your goodness I will keep on singing;
10,000 reasons for my heart to find."
Definitely check out Matt Redman's new album "10,000 Reasons." We should never be short of reasons to worship our Creator and Savior and these are some great songs to help express what God has done in your life. "Never Once" is probably one of my favorite songs. You can view a live performance below:
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
The Serampore Compact
Nathan Stam
Children/Communications Pastor
"If a commission by an earthly king is considered an honor, how can a commission by a Heavenly King be considered a sacrifice?" (David Livingstone)
You're probably familiar with William Carey, known by many as the Father of the Modern Missionary Movement. Carey, after being called to missionary work in India, became part of the Serampore Trio--joined by Joshua Marshman and William Ward. Together they preached, translated Scripture, began a school, and loved the Indian people with the Gospel.
Three times a year (January, May and October) they would gather together and read out loud what was known as the Serampore Compact of 1805. This document is amazing, and well worth the read (you can see the full text here).
A few highlights:
1. "It is absolutely necessary that we set an infinite value on immortal souls." Is that how I feel about people? The man at the auto shop who works on my car? Our pediatrician? The driver in the car that cuts me off on the way to work? The one who hurts me deeply with false accusations?
2. "It becomes us to watch all opportunities of doing good." Is that how I live my life? Am I constantly looking for and aware of opportunities to love and to serve other people and to point them to Christ?
3. "Let us give ourselves up unreservedly to this glorious cause. Let us never think that our time, our gifts, our strength, our families, or even the clothes we wear, are our own." Have I given myself unreservedly for Jesus to use? Am I only willing to serve and love when it is convenient or when it is not difficult to do so? Do I recognize that everything in my life is a gift from the Great Giver of all Good Things?
Definitely check out the compact when you get a minute!
Children/Communications Pastor
"If a commission by an earthly king is considered an honor, how can a commission by a Heavenly King be considered a sacrifice?" (David Livingstone)
You're probably familiar with William Carey, known by many as the Father of the Modern Missionary Movement. Carey, after being called to missionary work in India, became part of the Serampore Trio--joined by Joshua Marshman and William Ward. Together they preached, translated Scripture, began a school, and loved the Indian people with the Gospel.
Three times a year (January, May and October) they would gather together and read out loud what was known as the Serampore Compact of 1805. This document is amazing, and well worth the read (you can see the full text here).
A few highlights:
1. "It is absolutely necessary that we set an infinite value on immortal souls." Is that how I feel about people? The man at the auto shop who works on my car? Our pediatrician? The driver in the car that cuts me off on the way to work? The one who hurts me deeply with false accusations?
2. "It becomes us to watch all opportunities of doing good." Is that how I live my life? Am I constantly looking for and aware of opportunities to love and to serve other people and to point them to Christ?
3. "Let us give ourselves up unreservedly to this glorious cause. Let us never think that our time, our gifts, our strength, our families, or even the clothes we wear, are our own." Have I given myself unreservedly for Jesus to use? Am I only willing to serve and love when it is convenient or when it is not difficult to do so? Do I recognize that everything in my life is a gift from the Great Giver of all Good Things?
Definitely check out the compact when you get a minute!
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