Thoughts on our June 2009 Trip--Pastors

First--I apologize for not blogging daily in El Salvador.  We just didn't have as easy access to computers/internet, and we arrived home late each night.  So...here are some reflections on this past trip.  I will organize my entries in this order:  Pastors, Antiguo Cuscatlan, Cuidad Obrera, Tori's Sports Crusader Experiences and plans for our next trip.  So check back...this is just my first entry of five in the next week or so:

One of the main purposes of my trip was to help Rolando encourage pastors.  We did a 2 and 1/2 hour conference for pastors.  There were 23 or so pastors who came and we looked at the book, "Ordering Your Private World."  The pastors were very receptive and we ended with 45 minutes of questions about family and maintaining a pastor's spiritual life!  I was amazed at the number of questions and the eagerness of the pastors.  It was a good experience all around! 

The pastors are in a Bible Institute class this week for credit.  Individuals in our church helped pay for this week's Institute (THANK YOU!!).  Several churches have expressed interest in helping support future Institute classes for the pastors.  We hope to formalize an agreement in the next few weeks.  This is very exciting!!

Tori and I had the opportunity to travel to different parts of the country and meet and pray with pastors.  Here are some of the pastors I met and their prayer requests:

  1. Ricardo Basan, pastor of FBC, Cajutepeque.  This is an amazing church that has 700 members, 60 cell groups, 9 satellite churches and an awesome Christian school.  This November 14 they will be 40 years old and they will be doing a huge outreach to the community called Savout (it is based on a Jewish festival).  Last time they did this, they had between 3 and 6 thousand came!!  The pastor has asked that we pray for this event and that many will be drawn to the love of Christ!
  2. David Ayala, pastor of FBC, San Vanciente.  This church is partnered with Concord BC in Jefferson City.  Pastor David is sick--he is having trouble with his kidney stones and cholesterol.  He is asking for prayers for his health, construction on addition to the church, and for the church to continue growing.
  3. Hector Garcia, pastor of FBC Zacatecoluca.  He has asked that we pray that he stay strong physically and spiritually and that his church can hook up with a potential Missouri partner church in Missouri.
  4. Jesus Angel Martinez pastors a church on top of a mountain.  It took us hours to get there.  His church's name is Mount Moriah in El Coco.  The church has a beautiful building and 270 members.  He makes $45 a month as pastor.  He is asking for prayer for a partner church from Missouri, for the spiritual growth of the church, a planting of a new church, a crusade in august, and for personal strength. 
  5. Eliseo Linares, pastor of Mount of Olives, Baptist Church in Tanque.  This church is 3 KM from Pastor Jesus' church...Pastor Eliseo walks that 3 KM everyday from his home to the church and back (it's not an easy walk).  It is a new church that has 75 members.  They are praying for a partnership from Missouri and growth of the church.  Pray for his physical strength as well!
  6. We visited two churches that currently don't have pastors:  Mount Sinai and Mount Olivet.  They are on the same mountain as the previous two churches, but I forgot to write down the name of the villages.  Pray that God would send them a pastor!

It was inspirational to spend time with all these pastors in El Salvador.  Thanks for reading...thanks for praying!!

For the Kingdom!!

--June 23, 2009 (1 year ago)


Add a Comment:



Name:

Email: