Historic Event in Nicaragua

Frequently, I am asked how we, as an organization, decide which opportunities to pursue. In a wonderful book, Strategic Planning for Christian Organizations, the author describes the prayerful and careful approach that ministries must take:

 

“Every opportunity should be evaluated against the institution’s mission, capabilities, and the sense its leaders have of God’s direction.”

 

In the Old Testament, amid the description of Ezra gathering a second group to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the people spiritually and morally, a powerful phrase is used: “According to the good hand of our God upon us they brought us a man of insight…” (Ezra 8:18). This man, Sherebiah, played a pivotal role in Ezra ultimately gathering the 1,515 men, plus women and children, who ushered in a spiritual revival in Jerusalem.

 

Last July, I had the privilege of meeting Pastor William from Nicaragua, who was anxious to partner with our ministry in his home country. After the prayerful consideration described above, EA leadership decided to proceed, believing that our connection with William was the result of the good hand of our God being upon us.

 

Please join us in praising the Lord for these recent photos of our first K2:42 Church Network Development graduating class in Nicaragua, which we believe, by God’s grace, to be just the beginning of many years of fruitful ministry to come!

Update on Riquelme Family

Last month, the Riquelme family officially received their Dominican citizenship. This historic event is the culmination of a lengthy process spanning years after moving from Cuba to join Empowering Action in January 2017. This development also opens new doors for ministry abroad, as their Cuban citizenship imposed restrictions on their travel. And yet, these limitations produced “opportunities out of necessity” requiring that Raydel and Madelines equip and empower other EA staff to travel in their place to strengthen churches abroad. During these years, we’ve often reflected on God’s sovereignty and on similarities with the Apostle Paul’s ministry regarding occasional restrictions and anticipation of new opportunities.  

For we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, more than once—and yet Satan hindered us…Therefore when we could endure it no longer, we were pleased to be left behind at Athens alone, and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you as to your faith. (1 Thess. 2:18, 3:1-2)

For God, whom I serve in my spirit in the gospel of His Son, is my witness as to how without ceasing I make mention of you, always in my prayers earnestly asking, if perhaps now at last by the will of God I may succeed in coming to you. (Rom. 1:9)

Thank you for your continued prayer and financial support of the ministry, which are absolutely vital, as each contribution, regardless of the amount, “is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also abounding through many thanksgivings to God.” (2 Cor. 9:12)

Happy Resurrection Day!

“And what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places.” (Eph. 1:19-20)

For the believer it is impossible to overstate the importance this day represents.

“It is impossible to exaggerate the importance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The resurrection is the assurance that He is the Son of God. It is the assurance that He is the Messiah. The resurrection is the assurance that He will come again to judge and to reign. The resurrection is the assurance that our sins are forgiven and that all who are in Christ will be raised with Him.” (Zuber, 2021).

Today we celebrate that “He is risen…risen indeed!”

Reference:
Zuber, K. D. (2021). The Essential Scriptures. Moody Publishers.

Good Friday: It is finished.

John 19:30 reads, “When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, ‘It is finished,’ and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”

Let the following commentary on the verse above by the Prince of Preachers, Charles Spurgeon, bring us a renewed gratitude for what Good Friday represents in the life of a believer:

Hear it, Christians. Hear this shout of triumph as it rings today with all the freshness and force which it had years ago! Hear it from the sacred Word and from the Savior’s lips, and may the Spirit of God open your ears that you may understand what you hear!

Dear friends, once more, take comfort from this finality, for the redemption of Christ’s church is perfected. There is not another penny to be paid for her full release. There is no mortgage upon Christ’s inheritance. Those whom he bought with blood are forever clear of all charges—paid for to the utmost. “It is finished”—finished forever. All those overwhelming debts, which would have sunk us to the lowest hell, have been discharged by the cross. And they who believe in Christ may appear with boldness even before the throne of God itself. “It is finished.” Your sins have received their death blow; the robe of your righteousness has received its last thread. It is done—complete, perfect. It needs no addition; it can never suffer any diminution.

This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world that we celebrate today!

Happy Good Friday!