MISSIONARY DEVELOPMENTS

Over the next two weeks, I will be sharing exciting developments from Bethel’s World Missions Team. You may remember that last spring Bethel sent an exploratory team to assess our relationships with the countries of Nicaragua and El Salvador. By the Grace of God we have built on those relationships and are seeing fruit from our prayer and financial support.
 
Roland Vanderburg from Calgary is one of our missionaries in El Salvador. Over the last year he has been so successful in community development work that he has seen rapid expansion in his ministry. Amazingly, Roland told us this year that he will not require any financial support, as his work becomes more and more self-sustaining!  In the coming weeks you will hear about an opportunity Bethel has to partner with Roland, and Christian Reformed World Missions (CRWM), to build a ministry centre outside of San Salvador.
 
When Roland told us he did not require financial support, it opened up some options for Bethel. Last year while visiting CRWM’s Seeds of New Creation (SNC) the team met a man named Gerardo Reyes. A citizen of El Salvador, Gerardo has a magnetic personality. He was working part-time for SNC training pastors, and part-time for the University. Gerardo is an Evangelist who is able to talk to people about the love of Christ with ease. In the last few months he was promoted to become the new Director of SNC. In order to free him up from the other work he has needed to support his family, Bethel will be sending the money that was committed to Roland and give it to Gerardo. This will mean a gifted man with God’s call on his life will be able to devote more of his time in training pastors and leaders!
 
Next week Sunday (March 13) will be a Missions Sunday. Everyone will have an opportunity to give to Bethel’s Missionary  Support through CRWM, and also hear about a couple of upcoming trips to Central America. God’s Spirit is leading us forward in our mandate to make disciples of all nations!
                                                                                                                      - Pastor Ryan
 

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