Multiplication Training Group at OMS

Currently at OMS we have a group of 19 church planters attending a two week training course, which we had also hosted in August of 2008. The training delegates are from a number of countries with ministries in many more countries.

In ECC, we spend much time talking about and training leaders to reproduce themselves. It is always exciting to receive reports from leaders that have attended various training events.

In the 2008 training group, was a man from Nigeria who wanted to be a more effective evangelist and church planter. He himself was effective but the Lord had given him a large vision and he knew that he must train and empower others to carry out the work.

This is what Jesus did when he left His work in the hands of His disciples, and later on, with me and you.

After the training, he lead a lady to Jesus. She needed to know Jesus as the final sacrifice so that her family would no longer offer animal sacrifices. She was a medium and spiritist and was well know for her ability. After she accepted Jesus and was freed, seven of her former medium co-workers put a death curse on her. Since she was covered with the blood of Jesus, she was protected. However, since those that put the curses on her were not covered by the blood of Jesus, all seven died within a year.

Also in the 2008 training group was an OMS missionary to Mexico and a Mexican pastor. At the training, they received a large vision from the Lord to go to all of Mexico, not JUST Mexico City. Upon returning to Mexico, they began training and within 9 months, there were over 50 house churches established.

It is great to be part of and help make these training events possible.

Caribbean Training Group

June 2009

During our visit to a Caribbean island, we had the privilege of participating in a four day training event on the multiplication of leaders and groups. The group had almost 70 participants, about half of the delegates were within the ECC ministry. The others were church pastors that want to have a more effective church planting ministry going out from their church.

It is exciting to work with so many that are gifted and blessed in evangelism.

It is great to have people come to know Jesus, but it is such a joy to see how new believers come together, form a new church, and live out their lives in a Christlike way. They give counsel, they help the sick, they go visit those that can’t go to the church, they help people with addictions. They feed the hungry, they cloth people, and in general, be a friend. Ministry done in the context of a local church is what God intended for the support of each other.

The group of training delegates committ

ed to starting over 215 NEW GROUPS in the next year! Please pray for these pastors and the believers that will share the love of Jesus in their communities.

Colombia Changes

June 2009

In the middle of June 2009, I had the privilege of visiting our 3 ministry partners in Colombia with another OMS missionary. We each had our own purpose, mine being financial administration. Since we have few OMS missionaries in Colombia, we in ECC must send funds from the OMS office directly to our ministry partners.

I needed to communicate our ECC and OMS expectations on the handling, distribution, accounting and reporting of the funds being sent to each partner. This was a step of greater trust and partnership and each partner viewed it as such. They are very capable of meeting our expectations. This was very encouraging to us and my third biggest encouragement from my time there.

My second biggest encouragement was that one of the national churches that had been founded by OMS missionaries in the 1950’s and made an official separation from OMS in 1980, asked us as OMS representatives for forgiveness for their part in the separation. This was done in front of 3500 people at their national convention. We didn’t know this was going to happen and we were overwhelmed by the action. Of course, we accepted and asked the same of them.

To me, the biggest encouragement was when we met with the national church leadership and heard of their vision to reach not only Colombia, but all of the America’s! And even though the relationship with OMS hadn’t always been the best, they value what we have to offer to help them reach the Americas. Hallelujah!

Colombian Youth for Missions

June 2009

When me and another OMS missionary arrived in Colombia at the national convention of the IGLEICO national church in Medellin, the President invited us into his temporary office for a snack and something to drink. He was very happy to tell us about the church reaching all of the Americas, but he was even more happy to tell us that many young adults have received a call to go and are preparing to go! He told us that most of the work being done for the convention was to be done by young adults, and we saw them at work.

In the evening when the convention ended at 10:30pm, a small army of youth would stay to clean up the large convention hall and to put all the chairs back in straight rows.

We had many youth speak to us about their call to missions and how they were living it out where they were.

We in OMS know how to send missionaries from a developed country, like the USA, UK, Canada or Australia, but our system isn’t effective in dealing with missionaries from developing countries going to other countries. We in OMS are working to be able to send a missionary from any country to any country and contribute to the global Christian community and to reach the world. Doors will open for these missionaries that would not open for many western missionaries.

In Revelation 7:9 it is written that, “before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from EVERY nation, tribe, people and language standing before the throne...”

It is exciting for us to be part of reaching all nations for Jesus!

New Photos

Click on the link to the left, "View Ministry Photos", to see our new ministry photos on Flickr.

Do Drop In

In April, Anita and I visited Mexico City and spent one day helping at a drop in center for the homeless.  That day 20 homeless people came to the center for two meals, a shower and to wash their clothes.  On the street, they live in "families" and the 20 were from 3 different families.

There was a time of rest and games.  There was also a time of singing and Bible study.  The discussion was open and lively.

The staff, in top photo, is working to develop relationships that support and

encourage those that come to the center.  After a time of relationship building, the staff challenges the homeless person to work to improve their lives.  If the person rejects help, they will not be able to enter the center just to use it as a handout.

The day we were there, the young lady in the photo visited for the first time and accepted Jesus.

It is a very challenging ministry, but the staff is doing a great job of holistic ministry.  At the end of the day, Anita and I had the opportunity to share words of encouragement to the staff.  It is mostly a thankless job that the staff has.

Water Park Baptisms

When Anita and I visited Mexico City in April, we were privileged to attend a baptism service of people from newly established house churches. 

Since house churches don't have a baptistry, the baptism was held at a water park!  Two bus loads and 7 SUV's of people from 13 house churches went to the water park for the service and a day at the water park.  About half of the people were unchurched.

Since November 18, 2008, our Mexico church group has started over 50 house churches.