South O' Border
DR. & MRS LONNIE C. SMITH Sr.
Missionaries to Mexico
__________________________________________________________________
October 2010
Dear Friends In Christ:
The Canton (Calvario) Baptist Temple of Col. Mexico in the city of Reynosa, Tam., Mexico celebrated another anniversary during September with a meeting of the Border BBF fellowship. There were over twenty pastors from churches along the Mexico-Texas border from Matamoros to Piedras Negras across from Eagle Pass, Texas.
The Canton church was started as a mission from the first BBC of Reynosa where Dr. Angel Zapata is founder and pastor. The first pastor at Canton was Elias Lopez who is not pastor of Berean BC in Saltillo. In 1992 Eliseo and Elvia Delgado came to Reynosa to begin their work at the church. Both were saved in our Monterrey work. After Bible College they worked with Lonnie Jr. in Guadalajara for several years. With their three children they have been a real blessing to the overall work in Mexico. Since they came to work in Reynosa they have put together all the hymnals and books that we have published for all Spanish-speaking churches in Mexico and other countries. Their labor of love has made it possible for our printing ministry to supply this need.
As you know schools have started all over the world. In Mexico there are a number of Bible Colleges that have seen a real increase this year due to the results of Youth Camps. The Institute in Cd. Mante had 28 new students this year bringing the enrollment of 69 students. Larry and Sharon Lilly are overseeing this school with help from Dick Redding and others.
The BBC in Monterrey under the direction of the Mexican pastors had an increase in attendance, as did the college under Rick Biven in Allende. Other Bible Schools in Juarez, Chihuahua, Queretaro, Chiapas began a new year. There were EIGHT young people for Lonnie Jar’s church in Guadalajara that enrolled in Bible College there.
PRAISE GOD! This month after several new test the Oncologist told us that there was no sign of cancer left in Margie’s body. He has scheduled further test in THREE months to be sure but we praise God for this good news. We also believe it is a direct result of your prayers.
Yours for souls in Mexico,
Lonnie & Margie
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
News From Turkey
Gateway/EPIC Newsletter:
September 25, 2010
Dear Supporters and fellow partners with us in the ministry,
According to the apostle John in his third epistle you are sending the laborers of the Gospel to the unreached and in doing so you are partnering with us!
“Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God. For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.” (3 Jn. 1:5-8)
Equipping the Church in Turkey: One of our tasks is to disciple and equip the church. “…equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,…” (Eph. 4:12). Our style of discipleship is life on life. Those in our church go with us when we share the Gospel and learn by example. Those see how we serve and learn to serve. Those see how we keep each other accountable and likewise do the same with them. They see our hearts, they are with us when we pray, when we sing to the Lord, and when we discuss the Scriptures and how they apply to the situations we are in. They also know we are not perfect and see us in our failures as well. We also will begin within one week intensive Bible, Practical Theology and Biblical/Systematic studies at Beytel church. This has been requested by many at our church and we ask that you pray for J. and E. as they prepare these lessons to teach them together.
Equipping the Church by Writing: Many may remember the book J. wrote in Turkish, “Aman Nazar Degmesin!”. (May the Evil Eye Have No Effect!). Our first printing was 2,000 and now we are down to the last few dozen. The second edition will have 3 new sections and many testimonies of how Christians here in Turkey, through Jesus Christ have been saved from demons, curses, the Evil Eye and have overcome temptations to revert back to old Folk Islamic practices.
A recent testimony (last week) concerning this is one man “A.” in our church that we are training for leadership. “A.” for weeks has been feeling conflicted in his heart because he had a Hodja (Muslim Shaman) make him a muska (talisman) for the purpose of when he speaks with people concerning the Gospel that the people would believe his words so that they would become a Christian! (Because of the talisman that he made would cause them to believe.)
He read “Aman Nazar Degmesin!” and was afraid to tell “E.” or “J.” because of their stance on such subjects. He was trying to decide whether or not he should continue to wear the talisman or not, and finally confessed what he did to “E.”, he was afraid to tell “J.” as he thought “J.” would be mad because he was the writer of the book that condemns such behavior as blasphemy against God. “E.” immediately had him take out the talisman, and in front of “A.” “E.” ripped piece by piece. Then he told “A.” that he must reject all practices (even if it seems like it is for a good cause) and spit on this talisman as a sign of his rejection. He also said he must get on his knees right then, confess and repent. At first “A.” was afraid to spit on the talisman as he believed it still had some magical powers, “E.” then spit on it, then after seeing “E.’s” courage “A.” spit on it three times, he then knelt down confessed and repented of his sin. A similar story from the books of Acts 19:18-19:
“Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices. And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver.”
The second printing of this book will be within a couple of months and we look forward to continuing sharing God’s truths on these subjects that so entangle the believers and keep folk Muslims in fear.
Urgent prayer need now: J., E, Kenan, A. now in the East and need prayer for safety in their travels and unity among each other. Pray the Lord would lead them to share with the lost sheep in their travels.
Prayer for L.: L. requests prayer that she may have many opportunities to share the Gospel with parents of students that she is working with and that she would have the same opportunities at the school she has been working with special needs children.
God bless and thanks for your prayers.
J. from Istanbul
Follow us on Twitter: Gatewayedu
Join us on Facebook: Gateway Educational
Website: www.gatewayeducation.org
Check out the EPIC’s Website: www.epicinternational.org
September 25, 2010
Dear Supporters and fellow partners with us in the ministry,
According to the apostle John in his third epistle you are sending the laborers of the Gospel to the unreached and in doing so you are partnering with us!
“Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God. For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.” (3 Jn. 1:5-8)
Equipping the Church in Turkey: One of our tasks is to disciple and equip the church. “…equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,…” (Eph. 4:12). Our style of discipleship is life on life. Those in our church go with us when we share the Gospel and learn by example. Those see how we serve and learn to serve. Those see how we keep each other accountable and likewise do the same with them. They see our hearts, they are with us when we pray, when we sing to the Lord, and when we discuss the Scriptures and how they apply to the situations we are in. They also know we are not perfect and see us in our failures as well. We also will begin within one week intensive Bible, Practical Theology and Biblical/Systematic studies at Beytel church. This has been requested by many at our church and we ask that you pray for J. and E. as they prepare these lessons to teach them together.
Equipping the Church by Writing: Many may remember the book J. wrote in Turkish, “Aman Nazar Degmesin!”. (May the Evil Eye Have No Effect!). Our first printing was 2,000 and now we are down to the last few dozen. The second edition will have 3 new sections and many testimonies of how Christians here in Turkey, through Jesus Christ have been saved from demons, curses, the Evil Eye and have overcome temptations to revert back to old Folk Islamic practices.
A recent testimony (last week) concerning this is one man “A.” in our church that we are training for leadership. “A.” for weeks has been feeling conflicted in his heart because he had a Hodja (Muslim Shaman) make him a muska (talisman) for the purpose of when he speaks with people concerning the Gospel that the people would believe his words so that they would become a Christian! (Because of the talisman that he made would cause them to believe.)
He read “Aman Nazar Degmesin!” and was afraid to tell “E.” or “J.” because of their stance on such subjects. He was trying to decide whether or not he should continue to wear the talisman or not, and finally confessed what he did to “E.”, he was afraid to tell “J.” as he thought “J.” would be mad because he was the writer of the book that condemns such behavior as blasphemy against God. “E.” immediately had him take out the talisman, and in front of “A.” “E.” ripped piece by piece. Then he told “A.” that he must reject all practices (even if it seems like it is for a good cause) and spit on this talisman as a sign of his rejection. He also said he must get on his knees right then, confess and repent. At first “A.” was afraid to spit on the talisman as he believed it still had some magical powers, “E.” then spit on it, then after seeing “E.’s” courage “A.” spit on it three times, he then knelt down confessed and repented of his sin. A similar story from the books of Acts 19:18-19:
“Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices. And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver.”
The second printing of this book will be within a couple of months and we look forward to continuing sharing God’s truths on these subjects that so entangle the believers and keep folk Muslims in fear.
Urgent prayer need now: J., E, Kenan, A. now in the East and need prayer for safety in their travels and unity among each other. Pray the Lord would lead them to share with the lost sheep in their travels.
Prayer for L.: L. requests prayer that she may have many opportunities to share the Gospel with parents of students that she is working with and that she would have the same opportunities at the school she has been working with special needs children.
God bless and thanks for your prayers.
J. from Istanbul
Follow us on Twitter: Gatewayedu
Join us on Facebook: Gateway Educational
Website: www.gatewayeducation.org
Check out the EPIC’s Website: www.epicinternational.org
Friday, September 24, 2010
Thai Surge
Thai-Surge
Over the past year, our Global Surge missionary team has been working on a partnership with some Thai Christian Businessmen! Through a variety of circumstances, God has brought a Filipino-based team and a Thai team to move the bar forward for the Great Commission!
A Passion For God...Blessed in Business!
On a layover from Cambodia, Global Surge Team Missionaries Roger Akers and Greg Lyons, had breakfast with a young businessman in Bangkok. As we shared what God is doing through our ministry in Metro Manila and other countries, the businessman said, "Would you bring all of your ministries to Thailand? We need your help!"
Many factors contribute to the low number of Christians in Thailand. The culturalization of the Buddhist religion, the strong family ties that resist changing faiths and the few existing believers, are among a few of the reasons there are only 0.4% of the population numbered as Christians.
Recent unrest has provided a window of opportunity! The political and social unrest has caused many Thai people to question their values and faith. The businessmen we are partnering with are convinced that now is the time to share the Gospel in Bangkok! With their help, we will implement some ministry systems that have been effective in other Asian megacities.
Thai-Surge - Invest in Reaching This Great Nation!
Would you partner with us in helping send a Filipino Team to Bangkok? We need 10 plane tickets - $385 each. Our Thai partners are covering the ministry costs in Bangkok, we just need help getting ten of our Filipino Team Members to Bangkok!
For the same cost of flying two Americans to Asia, we can send a team to implement ministry and train Thai Christian brothers to be more effective in reaching their own people.
Please CLICK HERE to partner with this tremendous opportunity! You will receive instructions on how to partner.
Let's Change The World!
Sincerely, Greg & LuAnn Lyons
Global Surge
Missionary Team
Asians Reaching Asians
Make a Difference Where It Counts!
Join this unique opportunity to empower a Filipino Asian Team to train a Thai Asian Team! Help complete the "Full Circle" of missions through helping Asians Reach Asians!
Click Here to Partner!
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Newsletter from Turkey
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Thank you for your prayers and support they keep us going to share the Gospel with the unreached and disciple the body of Christ here in the Middle East.
Evangelizing Muslims
One of our major tasks here in the Middle East is to clearly present the Gospel to Muslims. Here in Turkey the population is around 99.6% Muslim. We have developed a very effective and Biblical approach to sharing the Gospel. God honors our zeal to be Ambassadors for Him and sends many our way. Just in the last seven days we have shared the Gospel with several Muslims; it was the first time they ever met a Christian or heard the Truth. Here are a few stories from this week:
1. Hasan: Hasan is Kurdish and “M.” whom we work with made first contact with him and introduced him to us. Yesterday “E.” and I spent 5 hours with him explaining the differences between Islam/Christianity and the Qur’an and the Bible, and the truth of the Christian faith, along with our testimonies and answering his questions. Hasan said to us, “I have never heard any of this before, I now have to search out for myself by reading the Bible and the Qur’an to see if what you say is true or not.” He did not want us to leave him that night and wanted to spend even more time speaking about such subjects. We will be meeting him again next week. Pray for Hasan he is young, married and has a child. E. and I brought him to a point that he must choose Christ and reject Islam. In this society it is very difficult to make such clear cut commitments and many pastors even have wavered between being a Muslim or Christian because of societal and family pressures. Pray that the world and or Satan will not choke out the seed that has been planted in young Hasan.
2. Suleyman: Suleyman also Kurdish, befriended “E.” on a bus yesterday and for 1.5 hours. “E.” clearly presented the Gospel and the differences between Christianity/Islam the Qur’an and the Bible. This young man was also shocked to hear this for the first time in his life and was in disbelief. Like Hasan, he wanted to bring his own Qur’an and begin to read the Bible concerning what “E.” challenged him on. “E.” shook Suleyman’s world-view and beliefs at the core by sharing that Jesus is the Christ that was prophesied to come and not Muhammad. Pray that the Lord would enlighten the heart of Suleyman.
3. Barish: Barish also Kurdish, is friends of another in our church (Beytel). From 10 P.M. until 4 A.M. Kenan, “E.”, “Ah.” and a new member of our church “Bh.” Shared their testimonies and the details of the Christian faith. They also challenged him on the differences between Islam/Christianity, Bible/Qur’an. This man was so happy about what he was hearing that when he left them in the morning he said, “May the Lord bless you all!”. Please pray for Barish as we stay in continual contact with him.
Church life at Beytel: One of the most difficult issues that Christians from a Muslim background deal with is loneliness. Their families, friends and society as a whole reject them and all they have is the church. The local churches here are usually made up of 10-30 believers. Within many of the churches there is much back-biting, division, gossip, slander, jealousy and pride. Many are disillusioned with what they have seen. One believer I know has been a Christian now for 3 years and has already seen two church splits in two different churches! Our fellowship is now being known as “The 10th Village”. There is a proverb in Turkish: “The one that tells the truth is thrown out of 9 villages, long live the 10th village!”. We are considered now by many as the “10th village” which tells and accepts the truth. Everyone that has visited us has said the same thing, “We have never seen a church act like a real family, you guys really love each other and no one is out to see what they can “get” out of someone else”. Another person said, “When I saw that you guys were trying to do everything according to the Bible I became afraid of the accountability, because I have never seen anyone do this before”. Another person has said, “This is exactly the type of church that we need as an example for this country.” One man said after a worship service, “I have been in churches for 4 years and I will never forget this night, I have never worshipped God or seen the Spirit like this present in a church in my life”. This is not because our worship is so great, or our sermons are the best, but it is because of the love and care that we show one another. “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another”. (1 Jn. 4:11) We also pour out our hearts before God and ask Him to create a revival in us that would be shown to the world. Continual confessing of sins and coming back to the blood of Christ keeping our focus on His word alone is our heart.
Pray that God would: Create a full and continual revival in the hearts of those at Beytel Church. Pray that God would cleanse us, protect us and grow us spiritually/numerically.
Urgent need: We never made it to the East last week, 2.5 hours into the drive our vehicle “blew up”. The engine is gone and needs to be re-worked. We have decided to retire the vehicle and just use it for local trips and now purchase a new vehicle for longer Zacchaeus trips to the East. The repairs for the car are upwards of $3,000. To purchase a used vehicle in good condition we need around $8,000 more. If anyone can help with any part of this, you will be helping put the legs on the Ambassadors of our King to take the message of the Gospel to unreached villages. Thanks for your help and prayers.
For the King,
J. from Istanbul.
Follow us on Twitter: Gatewayedu
Join us on Facebook: Gateway Educational
Website: www.gatewayeducation.org
Check out the EPIC’s Website: www.epicinternational.org
New Donation Instructions and new giving address for Gateway Supporters: New Donations can be made online by going to: http://www.epicinternational.org/designated_donation.html
Please make sure you designate your giving to Jacob Pursley (Gateway)
Or send checks snail-mail to: EPIC International115 Woodland Way, Suite 120
Canton, GA 30114
Please note or indicate on the check in the memo: PURSLEY or GATEWAY.
Thank you for your prayers and support they keep us going to share the Gospel with the unreached and disciple the body of Christ here in the Middle East.
Evangelizing Muslims
One of our major tasks here in the Middle East is to clearly present the Gospel to Muslims. Here in Turkey the population is around 99.6% Muslim. We have developed a very effective and Biblical approach to sharing the Gospel. God honors our zeal to be Ambassadors for Him and sends many our way. Just in the last seven days we have shared the Gospel with several Muslims; it was the first time they ever met a Christian or heard the Truth. Here are a few stories from this week:
1. Hasan: Hasan is Kurdish and “M.” whom we work with made first contact with him and introduced him to us. Yesterday “E.” and I spent 5 hours with him explaining the differences between Islam/Christianity and the Qur’an and the Bible, and the truth of the Christian faith, along with our testimonies and answering his questions. Hasan said to us, “I have never heard any of this before, I now have to search out for myself by reading the Bible and the Qur’an to see if what you say is true or not.” He did not want us to leave him that night and wanted to spend even more time speaking about such subjects. We will be meeting him again next week. Pray for Hasan he is young, married and has a child. E. and I brought him to a point that he must choose Christ and reject Islam. In this society it is very difficult to make such clear cut commitments and many pastors even have wavered between being a Muslim or Christian because of societal and family pressures. Pray that the world and or Satan will not choke out the seed that has been planted in young Hasan.
2. Suleyman: Suleyman also Kurdish, befriended “E.” on a bus yesterday and for 1.5 hours. “E.” clearly presented the Gospel and the differences between Christianity/Islam the Qur’an and the Bible. This young man was also shocked to hear this for the first time in his life and was in disbelief. Like Hasan, he wanted to bring his own Qur’an and begin to read the Bible concerning what “E.” challenged him on. “E.” shook Suleyman’s world-view and beliefs at the core by sharing that Jesus is the Christ that was prophesied to come and not Muhammad. Pray that the Lord would enlighten the heart of Suleyman.
3. Barish: Barish also Kurdish, is friends of another in our church (Beytel). From 10 P.M. until 4 A.M. Kenan, “E.”, “Ah.” and a new member of our church “Bh.” Shared their testimonies and the details of the Christian faith. They also challenged him on the differences between Islam/Christianity, Bible/Qur’an. This man was so happy about what he was hearing that when he left them in the morning he said, “May the Lord bless you all!”. Please pray for Barish as we stay in continual contact with him.
Church life at Beytel: One of the most difficult issues that Christians from a Muslim background deal with is loneliness. Their families, friends and society as a whole reject them and all they have is the church. The local churches here are usually made up of 10-30 believers. Within many of the churches there is much back-biting, division, gossip, slander, jealousy and pride. Many are disillusioned with what they have seen. One believer I know has been a Christian now for 3 years and has already seen two church splits in two different churches! Our fellowship is now being known as “The 10th Village”. There is a proverb in Turkish: “The one that tells the truth is thrown out of 9 villages, long live the 10th village!”. We are considered now by many as the “10th village” which tells and accepts the truth. Everyone that has visited us has said the same thing, “We have never seen a church act like a real family, you guys really love each other and no one is out to see what they can “get” out of someone else”. Another person said, “When I saw that you guys were trying to do everything according to the Bible I became afraid of the accountability, because I have never seen anyone do this before”. Another person has said, “This is exactly the type of church that we need as an example for this country.” One man said after a worship service, “I have been in churches for 4 years and I will never forget this night, I have never worshipped God or seen the Spirit like this present in a church in my life”. This is not because our worship is so great, or our sermons are the best, but it is because of the love and care that we show one another. “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another”. (1 Jn. 4:11) We also pour out our hearts before God and ask Him to create a revival in us that would be shown to the world. Continual confessing of sins and coming back to the blood of Christ keeping our focus on His word alone is our heart.
Pray that God would: Create a full and continual revival in the hearts of those at Beytel Church. Pray that God would cleanse us, protect us and grow us spiritually/numerically.
Urgent need: We never made it to the East last week, 2.5 hours into the drive our vehicle “blew up”. The engine is gone and needs to be re-worked. We have decided to retire the vehicle and just use it for local trips and now purchase a new vehicle for longer Zacchaeus trips to the East. The repairs for the car are upwards of $3,000. To purchase a used vehicle in good condition we need around $8,000 more. If anyone can help with any part of this, you will be helping put the legs on the Ambassadors of our King to take the message of the Gospel to unreached villages. Thanks for your help and prayers.
For the King,
J. from Istanbul.
Follow us on Twitter: Gatewayedu
Join us on Facebook: Gateway Educational
Website: www.gatewayeducation.org
Check out the EPIC’s Website: www.epicinternational.org
New Donation Instructions and new giving address for Gateway Supporters: New Donations can be made online by going to: http://www.epicinternational.org/designated_donation.html
Please make sure you designate your giving to Jacob Pursley (Gateway)
Or send checks snail-mail to: EPIC International115 Woodland Way, Suite 120
Canton, GA 30114
Please note or indicate on the check in the memo: PURSLEY or GATEWAY.
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