Theophilus Ministries

We are BLESSED to be back.  As always these trips are profitable and very worthwhile but at the same time very draining.  The main goal of our trip was two-fold.  The first part was to take a small team to help finish some of the construction projects at the Calvary Chapel in la Chorrera.  The second part was to make a connection with the brothers at Radio Faro de David to look into getting on this great station that covers a large portion of the western part of the country. 

While we were in country we were able to spend a considerable amount of time with our brothers and sisters at Iglesia Cristo Vive, who have churches all over the country from the province of Chiriqui in teh west to the Darien Jungle in the east.  The day we arrived we had the honor of being invited to the one year anniversary of their church in Via Maria, San Miguelito - a very poor slum outside of Panama city.  The worship and messages were great and I was able to introduce my friend and student Aguilar who gave his very first expositional sermon.  As we have been teaching them to do, Aguilar covered part of the 1st chapter of Romans beautifully, he ”read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading.” (Neh 8:8)

Our 6 hour trip the next day from Panama City to David to meet with the Radio station people served as an opportunity to take the Pastor from CC La Chorrera to take care of some documentation as well as provided a time for us to fellowship and talk about inter-fellowship opportunities between Cristo Vive and Calvary Chapel.  My good friend and brother in the faith Anselmo Avedano joined us for the long trip where we worked out schedule for conducting a New Believers/Inductive Bible Study class on Tuesday nights.  It is interesting to see how similar we are as churches - they need a bit of instruction on how to study and teach but we definately can learn about how the church needs to serve as a commnity of believers that is truly led by the Holy Spirit.  I love my church but I feel that we have some rough times ahead - my encouragement to the faithful: STAY FAITHFUL AND FULL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.  We have the quote from the radio station and intend to move forward with the programming.  Sergio Lopez, pastor from the Logos hispanic ministry will be the first on the air.  We will inform you about when the programming comes on so that those of you interested can tune in on the internet.

We always appreciate your prayers.  We have some specific financial needs: (1) we need a consistent commitment for donations to support two fulltime ministry workers.  the cost for both is around $600 a month.  if you can help with this (or a part of it) for a minimum of a year please write me at erick@1john.com.  (2) We need a consitent flow of $500 a month for the radio progarm - this will give is 5 days a week of programming on Faro de David (www.farodedavid.com).  we intend to add other programs but want to start with this one.  (3) we are looking for help as we get the defunct KWAVE en Espanol going again as an independent ministry.  If you have web designing skills or can help with the financial aspect of this project we would be blessed. (4) we are planning two trips later this year to do construction projects - one in Honduras and one in Panama.  If you feel the call to come and help out or can help with giving, we will need around 4,000-6,000 per project to get them done.

The rest of the week provided ample opportunity for teaching, fellowship and work.  I was blessed with the opportunity to teach through teh 1st chapter of 2nd Peter, encouraging the brothers and sisters down in Panama that our calling as Christians is one of action.  We are called to respond and add diligently to the faith that we have the good works that God has prepared for us.  As you read this I pray you will also be both encouraged and motivated to respond to the call of Christ in action.  There are far more opportunities than there are people.  Truly the harvest needs workers. This economy needs to be a wake up call for those of us who have put our trust in Christ - the riches and comforts of this world are not for us, they can dissapear in a second.  You are not a Republican, you are not a Democrat, you are not for this cause or that one - you are a slave to Jesus Christ, and a slave does only what his master commands.

Your master has commanded you, as He said to the disciples before ascending:

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. (Mat 28:18-20)

Panama Missions, Spanish christian living, christianity, God, Jesus Christ, Panama Missions, practical living

Friends and Supporters,  Erick had the opportuntiy to speak at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa’s Hispanic Ministry on 12/13/2009.  Check out the video

http://bit.ly/6RmEsf

God Bless you all

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Amigos. Erick tuvo la oportunidad de compartir la Palabra este fin de semana pasada al ministerio hispano de Calvary Chapel.  Aqui tienen el video grabado.

http://bit.ly/6RmEsf

Dios les bendiga a todos Uds.

General Information, Panama Missions, Spanish

(ESPAÑOL ABAJO)
 
Beloved Theophilus,
 
We are back from the Conference in San Salvador safe and sound.  Despite the rain the Lord blessed the conference with great teaching, exhortation and fellowship.  We had pastors from all around the hemisphere come to speak like Mark Presley, Sergio Lopez, Jaime Siman, Bertin Almazan, Rob Savato, Fidel Gomez, Dave Eason and of course our gracious host Carlos Bautista.  The Subject of the conference was Spiritual Warfare and each of the teachers took a piece of the armor of God as the subject for his message.  Clearly, spiritual warfare is a very apropos subject in these times and much needed for the saints attending the conference. 
 
The conference had representation from the United States, Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama and there are many needs in each of those countries.  Please remember to mention each one of these countries in your prayers.  One specific need that I heard was the need for help establishing a Spanish ministry in Belize.  Belize is an interesting country where the predominant language is English but there is a large population of Spanish speaking workers that are in need of the Gospel.  If this is of any interest to any of you please write me back and I will help you get in touch with the Pastor down in Belize City.
 
Sadly, Sunday, the day after the conference there was terrible flooding due to the constant rain and their have been over 120 deaths.  Please pray for the people that have lost their loved-ones and possessions as they struggle to recover from this disaster.  Please continue to pray for us as we seek guidance from God on our next step.  As always we appreciate you support and prayers.
 
Erick
–
http://www.1john.com/
 
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Querido Teófilo,
 
Hemos regresado sano y salvo de la conferencia en San Salvador.    A pesar de la lluvia, el Señor bendicio la conferencia con buenas enseñanzas, exortaciones, y companerismo.  Habían pastores de todos partes de hemisferio que vinieron para hablar como Mark Presley, Sergio Lopez, Jaime Siman, Bertin Almazan, Rob Savato, Fidel Gomez, Dave Eason y por supuesto nuestro anfitrión Carlos Bautista.  El tema principal de la conferencia fue la Guerra Espiritual y cada uno de los pastores hablo sobre un parte de la armadura de Dios como el tema de su mensaje.  Claramente, la guerra espiritual es un tema oportuno en estos tiempos y necesitado por los santos que asistían el congreso.
 
Habían representantes de ministerios en los Estados Unidos, Belice, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica y Panama; son muchas las necesidades de cada uno de esos países.  Recuerden cada uno de estos países en sus oraciones.  Una necesidad especifica que oí fue ayuda en establecer un ministerio hispano en Belice.  Belice es un país muy interesante donde el idioma predominante es ingles pero también hay una gran cantidad de obreros hispanoparlantes que necesitan el Evangelio.  Si algunos de uds. tienen interés en esto, mandenme un e-mail y les pongo en contacto con el pastor en Belize City.
 
Lastimosamente, Domingo, el día después de la conferencia, había inundaciones y derrumbes terribles a causa de lluvia constante y mas de 120 personas se han muertas.  Por favor, oren para las personas que han perdido sus amados y posesiones mientras se tratan de recuperar de este desastre.  Por favor que nos mantengan en oración mientras pedimos dirección y sabiduría en nuestros próximos pasos en el ministerio.  Como siempre, estamos muy agradecido por todo sus apoyos y oraciones.
 
Erick
http://www.1john.com/

General Information, Panama Missions

I am headed down to the yearly Pastor’s Conference in San Salvador tomorrow and would encourage all of you to keep the event, the missionaries and pastors (and their families), and me and my family in prayer for the rest of the week.  I am praying for divine appointments and an opportunity to share all that the Lord is doing with Theophilus Ministries in Central America.   Also, keep in prayer the Calvary Chapel High School missionary trip that will be taking place in January/February timeframe in Panama as we are being tapped to help out with some of the coordination.  We are looking to run a full seminar for the churches in Panama City/San Miguelito area during the few weeks we will be down in country.

Check out the information on the conference here:  http://www.ccofcentroamerica.org/conference09.php

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Salgo manana rumbo a San Salvador para asistir conferencia anual de pastores y les impulo a todos uds. mantener en oracion esta semana el evento, los missioneros y pastores (y sus familias), y mi familia y yo.  Estoy pidiendo citas divinas y la oportunidad de compartir todo que hace el Senor a traves de Theophilus Ministries en America Central.  Tambien, mantengan en oracion el viaje missionero que Calvary Chapel High School va a tener este Enero/Febrero en Panama porque nos tocaron para ayudar con la coordinacion del evento.  Queremos planear un seminario completo para las iglesias en Panama/San Miguelito durante las semanas que estaremos en el pais.

Pueden ver la informacion sobre la conferencia aqui: http://www.ccofcentroamerica.org/conference09.php

Panama Missions, Spanish

The next day began with our normal routine, a little prayer, a little of the Word and then breakfast before the seminar.  The convention center was very quiet as sundays are generally slow for them.  To our surprise everyone was present when we arrived and they were ready to get started.  I After some annointed worship by Brook and a short devotional we dove right in to breaking the Gospel of Jude down and scrutinizing it line by line.  Wayne gave some practical reminders on the precepts we had already learned over the previous two days and then cut the students loose on actual work of the study.  We all worked diligently for a full 4 hours guiding and correcting the students as they tried for the first time to study a piece of scripture in depth with no other study aides.

I was amazed that even the students that had very little education (1st or 2nd grade) were still getting the hang of the method - it is not an easy method for anyone to get ahold of because it really challenges your ability to meditate on what is being passed to us.  I know that the fruits are there because i have seen them in my life - The Lord always meets us when we are given over to learning about Him. 

After about 4 hours Wayne had everyone stop so that we could quickly go over the text together.  The room was quiet and intense the whole time as they saw the things that they had pulled out of the text and all of the information that they missed.  The big eye-opener for them was during this study as they were finally seeing the depth of information that lie in this book that we call God’s Word.  There was no way to finish this study and many of the students only got through verse 4 or 5 in the four hours we gave them, so we sent them home with the assignment to finish off the rest of this epistle as a personal study.  I spoke with the people about how this simple seminar could do one of two things: It could have a revolutionizing effect on their walk if they gave themselves over to this depth of study; OR it could have been a waste of time because the precepts we taught never get applied.

I closed the event with another devotional from Mark 8 where after feeding 5,000 and 4,000 people the disciples the basic principles about what is important in our walk with the Lord.  This is a pertinent question for all of us - how many Bible studies do we all sit in in a week without applying these precepts to our lives?  Its about more than sitting in church and hearing great teaching; its about experiencing the very Word of God personally and intimately, and then responding to that Word in obedience regardless of how hard that is.

Then He charged them, saying, “Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “It is because we have no bread.” But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, “Why do you reason because you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive nor understand? Is your heart still hardened? Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments did you take up?” They said to Him, “Twelve.” “Also, when I broke the seven for the four thousand, how many large baskets full of fragments did you take up?” And they said, “Seven.” So He said to them, “How is it you do not understand?” (Mar 8:15-21)

We gave out 16 certificates to the people who had worked diligently to finish all of the work and really sought to learn from the seminar.  There were about 7 people that did not receive certificates of completion; most were either children or couldn’t read.  After we wrapped up we took some pictures and waved goodbye as all headed in different directions to their homes.  Anselmo Adano, a good friend of mine, stayed back to travel back to Panama city with me the next day – this ended up being a divine appointment.    Anslemo was genuinly touched by what the Lord had done in the seminar and his heart was now broken and desiring to not let this opportunity to change the heart of his church slip by.  Anselmo is a leader in the chruch that more or less prayed Theophilus Ministries into existence.  Knowing their need for biblical instruction and pastoral training the church had been praying hard for the Lord to send a missionary to come to Panama and take on this task.  This happened when the Lord called us to do this very thing.  Anselmo and many others had been concerned that despite all of this the church was now taking this answer to prayer for granted and not responding to the doors that had been opened.  We spoke through dinner and into the night about the potential that simply studying the Bible in depth could have on the body.  We both agreed that this was a good work and that it is from the Lord and so we need to be diligent in continueing in it.  It is no mystery to me why our last study was in Jude as the purpose of the letter is to warn the believers about ungodly men that have snuck into the church to divide and destroy.  This is the warfare of the enemy that is actively going on to make our work and others like it fail.  But our God is the Lord of Hosts, which translated means that He is the God of the Armies!  And as always He has outflanked the enemy and made him look like the fool he is.  Little did Anselmo or anyone else know that Bertin, the pastor in La Chorrera near Panama, and I had already spoken before the seminar and he said that he had a desire to help with these churches and would be willing to begin bringing them the Bible college curriculum so that they could have more consistent attention and discipling. After a time of emotional prayer, Anselmo and agreed to work together to plan the next event in detail to make sure that everyone was engaged in the process and that the work continued – then we slept.

We got up early the next day and after breakfast we bid farewell to the Wayne, Brook and Miguel.  Anselmo and I took the bus from Santiago to La Chorrera where we met up with Bert from CC Panama.  The 4.5 hour bus ride provided me with time to finsh some work I had started on the weekend .  We had lunch with Bert and one of the brothers from the church Tony in Veracruz near the old Howard AFB.  We coordinated some next steps to integrate Bert into the work with the Churches we have been helping  before leaving.  We then continued to the airport, said our goodbyes and parted ways.  After a long wait (more work catch up – internet is perfect in Panama) I boarded my plane at 7pm and closed out this chapter in the work that awe are doing. 

Thank you for all your prayers, thank you for all of your support and I thank God for all that He accomplished on this trip.

Panama Missions, Spanish