Church Planting...

For a missions major, this is a really cool week for me to be a part of and work with church plants and also the "mother-church" this week.

The first day we visited the church that has planted these other smaller churches. This church by American standards is a "mega-church." It has probably 150-200 members that consistently attend the church and is pastored by the president of the national seminary, Pastor Orlando. He is a very strong and animated pastor and big into missions. In this past Sunday night service, he spoke a very convicting sermon on missions. He is very close to his church members and even "stepped on some toes" by calling them out saying, "You bought this or that, but you can't give $3 a month to missions." $3 a month is what he asks his members to give. He believes Nicaraguans should also be sending missionaries out but instead they have the mentality, at times, to just receive. But I also believe we as Americans have the same mentality. We can buy new clothes or iPhones but still do not give to the church or missions. Take a moment to think about that. I'll get off mine and Pastor Orlando's soap box after this example.

Say, a church with 200 faithfully attending members. If they each gave $3 a month to missions. That would be $600 a month and $7,200 a year! Let's just say on average a trip here to Nicaragua costs $900, that same church could send a team of 8 each year to the mission field with no out of pocket expenses for those wanting to go! And that is only $3 a month... (one meal at McDonald's is double that)

Throughout the rest of this week we will be working with church plants of Bethany Baptist. And we will finish off the week with Bethany and hosting a soccer tournament with 16 teams and at least 175 teenage boys from 15-20 years old. Please be praying for this tournament and our time at the church plants. It is hard to reach this age group here in Nicaragua, but they flock to this soccer tournament. Pray for energy on Friday and Saturday as we have about 6 hours straight of nonstop soccer games! I know God is good and will bless this time. Thank you all for your support. It is encouraging to talk to mom and hear her mention how people have been reading and interested in the things happening here in Nicaragua.