Broken Chains Freedom Church: Christmas Service

This Friday night, Dec 4th, Broken Chains Freedom Church will be having a special Christmas service titled "When Love Came Down".
Please consider this my personal invitation come come and join us for this special service.
Please feel free to bring and invite as many people as you wish, we would love to pack the house.

See you Friday,

Roy L Boswell
Pastor
Broken Chains Freedom Church
P O Box 9545 / 5200 Old Jacksboro Hwy
Church Ph # 940-766-6464
Cell # 940-636-9615
Wichita Falls, Tx 76308

First Sunday in the New Building

Cowboy Church of Orange County
October 25, 2009

October 25, 2009, was a day we’ll never forget! It was yet another day when God’s Spirit was at work in such a way that it was unmistakable. There is no doubt that what has been taking place at the Cowboy Church of Orange County is a God-thing, NOT a man-thing. We are just blessed to be a part of it and pray that we never get in God’s way or hinder what He wants to do.

We began with a core group of 8 people in May of 2007, meeting on Monday nights for Bible study and prayer and to plan for our launch on October 14. This was the beginning of what continues to be an unbelievable ride. As we tried to estimate how many we might have on our launch Sunday, we knew that we would have lots of friends and family members there. What we didn’t know was how many others we might have. We continued to pray and then decided to plan for 200 people. We purchased 200 chairs and set them up in the borrowed horse barn the night before our first Sunday. We also prepared barbeque for 200 people. About 10:00 am, people started showing up for the 10:30 service. And they kept coming, and kept coming, and coming, even after the service had begun! Before it was over, God gave us 256 PEOPLE for that first Sunday service. He also gave us one adult baptism. And just like the Lord did with the five loaves and two fish, He multiplied the barbeque and the trimmings so that everyone who stayed had plenty to eat, and there was food left over! It was a God-thing!

A year later, as we planned to celebrate our first anniversary, we rented a tent to put up just behind the barn to catch what we believed would be the overflow of the crowd. God gave us over 350 PEOPLE in that service. He also gave us 40 baptisms that first year! It was a God-thing!

Last July, we hosted the Wild Horse Ministries on our new property. God gave us over 400 PEOPLE in attendance, with at least ten people accepting Christ that evening. Since then, we have baptized several of those new Christians.

We just completed our first building on our own property. We planned to have our first service there on October 25, 2009, in conjunction with our second anniversary. Once again, we had no idea how many to plan for. We prayed and believed that we would have 400-500 present, and planned a barbeque lunch to feed that many. We fully believed that we would have a full house. What we didn’t know was that the house wouldn’t be big enough. We put out all 445 chairs that we had, plus 80 that we borrowed. Those chairs weren’t enough! There were people standing across the back, along the sides, on the front porch, and even outside by the windows! There were still others who went on to the arena where we had afternoon activities scheduled. In all, God gave us 675 PEOPLE in attendance that day! There was joy, there was excitement, there was anticipation like I have hardly ever seen in a church service. God also gave us three baptisms that day. It was incredible! It was miraculous. It was and continues to be a God-thing.

From the beginning of our first core group meetings until now, including the message time on October 25, we have focused on Jeremiah 33:3, where God says, “Call unto Me and I will answer you and show you great and might things which you do not know.” Time and time again, God has shown us great and mighty things! I believe there are many more to come. Our prayer continues to be that we don’t get in God’s way. This work is truly amazing and is no doubt a God-thing!

Building Saddle Mountain Cowboy Church

Below are a few pictures of the members of Saddle Moutain Cowboy Church, Channing helping to build their church...

Three Nails Cowboy Church: Inaugural Service

Howdy Y'all:

We had a wonderful inaugural service at the Three Nails Cowboy Church!Despite some no-shows (we'll forgive them) we had 49 people in attendance.(50 if you count the infant) That is double what our core group was! The order of worship went off as though it were our one hundredth serviceand not our first. The band was great and the congregational singing wasmusic to the ears. We were especially blessed that on our first day webaptized Bobby Pettyjohn; who had just recently accepted the Lord andannounced that fact at our first band practice. The church was neatly decorated by the ladies in cowboy style. There were a number of church membership sign up sheets submitted. The whole service was professionally captured in HD video by David Richterfor posterity's sake. Another encouraging thing (more important than numbers) is that no one, andI mean no one, was in any hurry to leave. I was at the back door to greetthem after "Happy Trails" but everybody stayed and talked. For me that is awonderful sign because you don't hang out somewhere where you are notcomfortable or, in the case of a worship service, not feel as though something good has just taken place.

Paul "Hoot" Wibbeler, Pastor

Three Nails Cowboy Church

972-567-5119

Texas Licensed Auctioneer

Under 35? Free Hotel Nights at the BGCT Annual MTG.

Under 35
Come to Houston in November and join with folks from across the state as we explore the way faith moves young Texas Baptists and what it means for the future.
Be a part of the next generation as we gather alongside the BGCT Annual meeting.
This event is FREE! Register NOW for TWO FREE NIGHTS at the beautiful downtown Hyatt Regency within walking distance of the Convention Center and Minute Maid ® Park. That’s right - F R E E, so invite your friends and come on down.
This event is for college students, seminary students, young professionals, lay people and young clergy alike. This event is designed, planned and led by Texas Baptists under 35.
Meet at Minute Maid ® Park on Sunday evening at 8:00pm for a welcome reception on the beautiful Union Station Rooftop. Enjoy a concert by Robbie Seay Band on Monday night. Get active and participate in hands-on mission opportunities in the Houston area. Attend breakout sessions to learn and dialogue about missions, social justice and worship in the 21st century. Topics may include environmental justice, poverty, human trafficking, the arts in worship and living missionally. We’ll also have a breakout session on the Challenges of Church Leadership where we want to hear from those of you currently serving in churches about the specific challenges you face in leadership.
Our group times together will focus on spiritual formation, our call to bring hope to those around us, and opportunities for us to hear stories of God’s work in our world.
We encourage you to become a messenger from your church to the BGCT Annual meeting. You can have a say and a VOTE at the meeting this year and help direct the future of the BGCT.

But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. Amos 5:24

Baptisms and Fun

Below are a few pictures from Iglesia Cristiana Restauracion that show Baptisms and Fun times:

11 Components

The Eleven Components of Church Starting
I. Core Group Development
II. Vision Development
III. Church Type
IV. Evangelism
V. Mentoring and Coaching
VI. Covenant Expectations and Doctrinal Integrity
VII. Lay Leadership
VIII. Training and Development
IX. Funding
X. Reproduction
XI. Prayer and Spiritual Vitality

Broken Chains is Braking Loose

A note from the Pastor of Broken Chains

Dear church,
In 5 short months God has used His newest church in Wichita Falls to impact the community in a mighty way. Who knew that in this short of a time we would be needing to expand our worship center? God knew!!! He has great plans for His people and for His church who fall fully in love with Him and are obedient to His will.
Last Friday night I issued you a challenge. This challenge is going to be hard and difficult, but not for our God. We must keep it in prayer and then we must do everything that we can do to make sure that we are doing what God wants us to do on our part to make this happen.
If you were not in attendance, here is the challenge in 2 parts:
1: On Oct 30Th, Touchdown at Broken Chains night, we need 275 in attendance. This is
52 more than we had on July 3rd.
2: We must raise $5000 extra for our building fund (expansion fund) this is above and
beyond normal tithes. Please mark on the tithe envelope in bold letters "Building
Funds" so that we can track this separately.
These funds will allow us to move some walls, buy more chairs and tables, move sound booth and rewire the booth to proper length and we then should be able to sit 200-250 people per service. Don't forget to keep praying about starting a second service on Sunday mornings, starting next year.
If we meet the conditions of this 2 part challenge, someone will be allowed to completely shave my head and my beard. This is another sacrifice on my part, but we will have fun doing this.
I fully believe that if we can offer seating for 200-250 people, that our God will honor us by putting more new people in Broken Chains and filling those chairs
We are open to ideals for raising funds. Some of you have already called and mentioned about having a bake sale and a garage sale and those are great ideals, but it will take everything that we can do to make this happen. God honors His people for their endeavors in His name.
Please continue to pray for us and for our church as we seek God's will.

Roy L Boswell
Pastor
Broken Chains Freedom Church
P O Box 9545 / 5200 Old Jacksboro Hwy
Church Ph # 940-766-6464
Cell # 940-636-9615Wichita Falls, Tx 76308

Open Road Biker Church: Following Jesus on the Open Road

Open Road Biker Church, Georgetown, has only been in existence for 13 weeks, and has already baptized 7 New believers. Attendance has averaged 40 with a high of 54.

Church Planting Pastor Butch Horton, recently sensed a call to plant the church after over 15 years of Student Ministry (most recently at Crestview, Georgetown-one of 3 sponsoring churches) to start Open Road with just himself and his wife, and it’s already been a wild ride.

Horton says he has to pinch himself-starting a new church that focuses on the unchurched and unsaved is like a dream come true. “The greatest thing might be the freedom I feel to just follow the Holy Spirit’s leading, and be myself while sharing Jesus Christ with people of the biker culture. They are hungry for the forgiveness and freedom from the past that Christ brings”.

Horton, of course, is part of the culture, having been a Harley rider for years.
While its very early, and there is a long way to go, Open Road Biker Church is on the road.

Southtown Baptisms

3 BAPTIZED AT
SAN PEDRO SPRINGS

Elena Flores cele-brates
her baptism.
She had never been in a pool, and was scared to death!

Vanessa and her husband, Jason, gave their lives to Jesus, and are now starting a home group in their new home.

Sylvia shares before she’s baptized. She’s a substitute teacher at Bonham Elem. where she wants all the kids and teachers to know about Jesus!

BGCT Church Starting

The BGCT Church Starting Experience involves many people–not just BGCT staff and Executive Board members, Church Planters, core groups and Church Planting Partners, but ultimately the unchurched people in every part of the state. It is the prayer of all those people that this process will encourage, facilitate and connect churches in their work to fulfill God’s mission of reconciling the world to Himself; and we know that when all parties have a clear, strong, common vision, the results are new churches that can grow, reproduce and replenish mission funds.

BGCT Coaches

BGCT Certified Coaches:
(Click on a name below to find more information)

Pat Alphin
Ronald Cook
Charlie Brown
David Jeffres
George Butler
Tim Worden
Brandon W. Davis
Jason Brown
Dr. Lynn Eckeberger
Bill Gravell
David M. Hampton
David Steele
Rafael Muñoz
Sam Waltman
Johnnie Musquiz
John Crowe
Miguel A. Rodriguez
Sarah Garay
Rev. David Tirado Sandez
Eddy Hallock
Bill Tinsley
Timothy Brown
Pastor Steven D. Young
Dwight Bethley
Tim Randolph
J. Michael Godfrey

BGCT Coaching

General Coaching Principles:

1. Coaching is for people who are basically well-adjusted, emotionally healthy, effectively functioning, and wanting to make changes in their lives or more intentionally focus on a challenge or objective.

2. Coaching is designed to address issues the person being coached would like to consider. These could include personal issues (but are not limited to: career development, relationship enhancement, spiritual growth, lifestyle management, life balance, decision making, and achieving short-term or long-term goals) or ministry objectives and organizational development.

3. Coaching will be an ongoing relationship for at least 12 months, although either party can terminate the relationship at any time. Most of the coaching will be through telephone contact.

4. Coaching can involve brainstorming, values clarification, the completion of written assignments, education, goal setting, identifying plans of action, accountability, making requests, agreements to change behavior, examining lifestyles, and questioning.

5. Coaching is most effective when both parties are honest and straightforward in their communication.

6. An agreement for payment for services (when applicable), will be established prior to the commencement of the relationship. Form of payment, procedures for canceled appointments, and initial length of commitment will also be stipulated.

7. Coaching is a confidential relationship. Be assured that the coach will keep all information strictly confidential, except in those situations where such confidentiality would violate the law. The exception is when the Client shares information that gives the Coach reasonable cause to believe there are threats of serious harm to the Client him/herself or others. The Coach is obligated to report the situation to the proper agency.

Leadership Retreat for Church Planters

Leadership Retreat for Church Planters

• Event: A leadership retreat for church planters and spouses, hosted by the Congregational Leadership Team
• Dates: October 23-24, 2009 (Friday & Saturday)
• Location: Sonterra Fellowship Church, 1460 County Road 313, Jarrell, TX 76537
• Lodging: Holiday Inn Express, 600 SAN GABRIEL VILLAGE BLVD., GEORGETOWN, TX 78626
• Cost: Free! Your hotel room and meals at the retreat will be provided by the BGCT (Auto expense will be reimbursed at $25 per 100 miles traveled.)
• To Register: Send this information to elizabeth.martinez@bgct.org, and we’ll make your hotel reservation for you.

Deadline to register is October 2 to be guaranteed a hotel room.

1. Name:
2. Spouse’s name (if attending):
3. Church name, city:
4. Email:
5. Phone number:
6. Do you need a hotel room?:

We’ll send you more information after you’ve registered.
For questions, contact the Church Starter in your area, or Ed Hale at ed.hale@bgct, 903-262-4955, or Julie.sadler@bgct.org, 214-887-5470.

August New Church Starts

Below are the following New Church Starts that were approved through the Missions Funding Group in August:

1. Great Faith Community Baptist Church, Wolfforth - Pastor Godfrey Comas
2. Comunidad Cristiana Penitas, Laredo - Pastor Ruben Harrison
3. Cowboy Fellowship of San Particio County, Corpus Christi - Pastor Donald Parker
4. Open Road Biker Church, Liberty Hill - Pastor John Horton
5. Rejoice And Praise Community Fellowship Church "The RAP", Arlington - Pastor Andre Toines
6. Victory in Christ Baptist Church, Fort Worth - Pastor Leo Fenceroy
7. Nuevo Hogar Community Church, New Home - Pastor Jose Guerra
8. Coleman County Cowboy Church, Coleman - Pastor Kent Battenfield
9. Church of Acts, Elsa - Pastor Steve Martinez
10. Reunion Fellowship, Rockwall - Pastor Kyle Holland

Please pray for these new church starts as they minister and reach the lost in Texas.

Promised Land Missionary Baptist Church: Back to School Block Party

Back to School Block Party- Promised Land Missionary Baptist Church will be having a back to school celebration to rally and excite the students and their parents about the upcoming school year. There will be a college and career fair, PTA round-up, BBQ, School Supply and Uniform giveaway, and much more. This event is being funded by a number of community grants from various businesses in the community. For more info please contact Community Missionary Baptist Church

Promised Land Missionary Baptist Church: Week of Service

Week of service- Promised Land Missionary Baptist Church is Coordinating a week of service to be held August 17-21st in conjunction with other churches and individuals within the neighborhood.The Goal of this week is to assist the elderly and disabled with much needed property repair and or beautification. This effort will help those that cannot help themselves and help to restore pride in their neighborhood.

Promised Land Missionary Baptist Church Mission Trip

New Orleans Mission Trip- Promised Land Missionary Baptist Church will be taking a group of about 70 students to New Orleans for mission work in the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans. This is a trip is funded by the United Way and in conjunction with Friendship West Baptist Church and Antioch Baptist Church. The objective of this mission trip is so that Students and Adults can be immersed in a full mission experience for the low cost of $75.00 (all inclusive). Dates are July 19th departure and July 25th return.

Promised Land Missionary Baptist Church New Ministry

Over-comer’s- Promised Land Missionary Baptist Church has begun a biblically based 12 step program to deal with life altering and Controlling addictions. Promised Land currently has 2 licensed and trained facilitators and plan on training at least 2 or 3 more. These classes will be held on Thursdays for 1 hour. For more info Contact Promised Land Missionary Baptist Church of Dallas (972) 757-9749

Promised Land Missionary Baptist Church Summer Youth Camp

Promised Land Missionary Baptist Church has planned and implemented an affordable Summer Youth Camp in partnership with the United Way of Dallas. They are providing a full day, 7am-6pm, summer camp with weekly field trips, arts and crafts, recreation, tutoring and educational training as well as spiritual teaching. Promised Land will provide the kids with breakfast, lunch and a snack everyday and are visiting such places as the State Capitol in Austin, NASA Space Center in Houston and local places like Fort Worth Zoo, Skyline Ranch, Dallas World Aquarium, African-American History Museum and many more. They were able to provide all of this for $30/week.

If Starbucks was Marketed like a Church

This link was given to me by a Pastor. What do you think?
-Paul Atkinson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7_dZTrjw9I

Promised Land Missionary Baptist Church Growth Campaign

Due to growth and the fact that we were sharing our initial building, we found a property within the neighborhood to purchase at a price we could afford. We began a building fund campaign to assist with down payment on loan to purchase new property and to assist in purchasing new equipment upon entrance into our new building. We discussed the need of a new building with our sponsor church and were assured support in acquiring a loan to purchase and renovate property early in 2010. We will build a 200 seat sanctuary with at least three 25 seat classrooms. We anticipate outgrowing this facility, but look to use the building long-term to house the Promised Land Community Development Corporation.

Promised Land Missionary Baptist Church Growth

On Dec. 31st 2008 Promised Land Missionary Baptist Church opened their doors. The 1st service consisted of 12 core members and 27 visitors. As of the end of June, Promised Land is averaging over 100 in worship attendence and has added 51 members since January to bring the total membership total to 63. Since Janurary 2009 there have been 15 baptisims and 12 professions of faith. May God continue to bless Promised Land Missionary Baptist Church and the ministy that it is doing in the Dallas area.

Montague County Cowboy Church Starting Off Right

Montague County Cowboy Church (MCCC) is Starting off Strong. MCCC recently had it's groundbreaking ceremony on the 18 acres of land that they just acquired, and had a great turn out.

This groundbreaking ceremony included a plow team!

No groundbreaking ceremony would be complete without several baptisms out of a Horses Trough....

Pastor Walter Haynie of MCCC has a new hair style as a result of an auction that the members worked hard to overcome...

Generation Church Baptisms

The Fellowship at Plum Creek in Kyle, TX was a new church start in 2002. As a result of their growth and service to the Lord, The Fellowship at Plum Creek was able to start a New Church. Generation Church in Buda, TX was established in 2006 and continues to prosper in their ministries. Generation Church has shown their dedication to the mission of Texas Hope 2010 by sharing the hope of Christ with every person in Texas in their own language and culture. In the month of June Generation Church baptized 11 people and continues to prosper.

Broken Chains Freedom Church "Buzz Cut"

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Wow!! Words can not express the feelings that are going through my mind. Thank you for all your hard work and effort, not only in making The Blow Out at Broken Chains a huge success, but also in making Broken Chains Freedom Church a church who is making an impact in our community and in people's lives. We had 223 in attendance last night. That is a new record!!! I apologize that it was a little warm in there for a short time. We turned the a/c down and it was very comfortable earlier, but with all the body heat, it brought the temperature up just a little. The praise band, Warriors for Christ, was great and to hear what God has done for Jeff and Bobbie Wadley is so cool, the baptism of Simon Avey made it a great night. The Spirit was moving, with additional testimonies being offered up, several people wanting prayers, people desiring membership in Broken Chains, people wanting to follow Christ in baptism, and another salvation. Praise God, what a night. You were able to see how the elders from the church as well as from other churches all came together to anoint with oil and pray for God's healing in the gentleman from Irving and also you were witness to what can happen when we submit ourselves fully to seeking God's will in our lives and in our church. Your hearts were ready. You came expecting something special and I fully believe that you received it.
Please keep praying for our church and for Linda and I and all our leaders and volunteers. Ask and bring someone with you. Continue to seek God's will in your life.
I love each and every one of you and thank you for letting me have the honor of being your pastor.
Oh, I almost forgot. Thanks for the "free" haircut!!
Love,Roy L Boswell
Pastor
Broken Chains Freedom Church
P O Box 9545
5200 Jacksboro Hwy
940-766-6464Wichita Falls, Tx 76308

For the Month of June the Missions Funding Group approved the following New Churches to be funded:

1. McKenzie Trail Cowboy Church, Stafford- Pastor Tim Stevens
2. Houston Praise Community, Houston- Pastor Charles Bagenda
3. Linving Acts Church, Tyler- Pastor Brandon Davis
4. Encouragement for the Journey, Everman- Pastor Errol Jones
5. New Beginnings Baptist Church, Flower Mound- Pastor Joseph Fields

Broken Chains Freedom Church Flyer

Gentlemen,
Praise God for what He is doing and what He has done in such a short time. I would like to invite you to our service on Friday, July 3rd at 7:00PM.
The couple that is giving their testimonies met in a drug house and now they are in charge of the recovery program at New Hope Fellowship in Irving. God is still in the miracle business !!! The praise band is a Christian rock band and so it will probably be loud. After service, we will cook hot dogs for everyone in attendance.
This past Friday, we had 2 salvation's (real bikers. if you know what I mean,) several re- dedications, 95 in attendance and we were blessed with our largest offering ever. Praise God for changing lives..

I challenged everyone to bring someone on July 3rd with them, if we have over 200 that night, I would let someone give me a "buzz'' haircut. That perked up some conversation and then we agreed that if we hit 300 they could also shave off my goatee. If it will bring lost people in to hear the word of God, I would shave my legs HA!
I really feel like we will have over 200, so come and be part of worship with us that night. Please start praying for us right now for that night. Pray for salvation's, pray for safe travel for all of those who are coming, pray and bind satan from all that is taking place.
Continue to lift us up at ever chance you can. God is faithful and awesome and He is at work in the biker world here in Wichita Falls.

Thanks,

Roy L Boswell
Pastor
Broken Chains Freedom Church
P O Box 9545
5200 Jacksboro Hwy
940-766-6464
Wichita Falls, Tx 76308

Broken Chains Freedom Church Challenge

We had 95 on Friday night with 2 salvation's and several rededications and we had our largest offering yet. Praise God for the lives that are being changed!!! We are also having a special service on July 3rd and I challenged the church for 200 in attendance. If we hit 200 or more, I am going to let someone in the church cut all my hair off into a "buzz' cut.

Roy L Boswell
Pastor
Broken Chains Freedom Church
P O Box 9545
5200 Jacksboro Hwy
Wichita Falls, Tx 76308
940-766-6464

More stories found in Wichita Falls Times

Austin City Life Baptism

by Jonathan Dodson

On Saturday we had our first church baptism. Baptism is an act of obedience that symbolizes faith in Jesus as Christ and Lord. It is a public declaration of repentance from false lords and faith in Jesus gracious, sovereign lordship. We wanted our public declaration of Jesus as Lord to be in a public place, so we chose Barton Springs in Austin.

It was about 100 degrees, the springs were packed with people “keeping Austin wierd.” Topless women, pot-smoking hippies, dogs and dog owners, families, and right in the middle of it all—people being baptized proclaiming their faith in Jesus as Christ and Lord!

It was a great joy to baptise Kristin and Chris, to celebrate the gift of new life in Christ together! We followed the baptism with a time of prayer and singing. Afterwards, we had a big church cookout, played games, and just enjoyed one another.

New Generations Fellowship

New generations fellowship in new braunfels is experiencing God at work. In Just 7 months after starting as a small home group, they have now grown to over 110 in sunday worship and 80 in home groups. The new church's growth is over 70% from previously unchurched, and they have baptized many adults already. The church planting pastor Joe Tostado had never pastored before, but shared his sense of the calling with the association director of missions, who encouraged him to pray about church starting. God is blessing the innovative non traditional approach of New Generations Fellowship.

Abundant Grace Community Church of Dallas: The Pastor from Miami and His Mother

Last August, a well dressed stranger arrived at our church (Abundant Grace Community Church of Dallas) and introduced himself as a Pastor from Miami. It was around lunch time and we were about to begin our mid-week lunch service that we call “PowerLunch”. The Pastor was in Dallas looking for his Mother who he hadn’t seen since he was a boy in Puerto Rico. It had been 22 years since he had seen his Mother, all he had was an old photograph and some family stories that his mother was homeless and on the streets of Dallas. Diego traveled from Miami to Dallas because he was scheduled to be ordained back in Miami and he wanted to share this great event with his lost mother.

The Pastor had stopped for lunch earlier at Ojeda’s, a local restaurant in the area. The manager of the restaurant didn’t recognize the lady in Diego’s picture but told him, “If someone is homeless and on these streets, go see the Pastor at Abundant Grace”.

His Mother, was a regular attendee of our “PowerLunch”; but for some reason was not there that day. My wife, told the Pastor that she would be glad to take him to find his mother; but that he needed to be ready for what he might find. You see, his Mother lives in a dumpster.

The walk from the church to his mother's “home” was a tough one for Diego. But the joy of a Mother and Son being re-united after 20+ years was amazing.

Pure in Heart Community Baptist Church, Lancaster

Pastor Reginald Scott and Pure in Heart Community Baptist Church have taken seriously one of their Core Values, Evangelization of the Lancaster community near Cedar Valley Community College. They have adopted an evangelistic theme for 2009 “Sharing Godly Love with God’s People” (I Cor. 3:6-7 NLT). Their desire is “Getting the word out that Jesus Loves You.” This campaign has been developed and taught by Pastor Scott and will kick off June 2009-June 2010. Their goal for these 12 months is to reach 1000 souls for Christ.

Even before the official kick-off date, they have aggressively been seeking souls for Christ. Since this one-year old church began in 2008, they have reached 92 people with the message of hope in Jesus Christ. They have had 10 professions of faith since February 2009. Their initial evangelism strategy has been emphasizing “Frangelism” (Friends, Family, Associates and Neighbors). One of their members, a young lady, has been very committed to witnessing to her friends, family, and so forth. She has been bringing people to church with her every week. A couple of weeks ago, she was stopped by the Lancaster Police just a few blocks away from the church. The police wrote her a citation for having a bad windshield and another violation which required the impounding of the car on the spot. This inconvenience did not bother this new sister in Christ. They simply got out of the car and walked the rest of the way to church. The pastor felt that God had given him a message on that day that was particularly “right” for this young lady, and the Holy Spirit led the two who came with her to give their lives to Christ on that Sunday.

Oikos Church, San Antonio

There is a cook in a popular restaurant in downtown San Antonio. A self-avowed atheist, he had been cool to conversations before. For months our church has focused on building relationships and praying for God’s glory to be known in an area known for its cultural, ethnic and moral diversity. When his mother’s house was badly damaged in a fire we immediately drove to her home to see what we could do. We found his mother talking with the Red Cross in her pajamas with no shoes. We gave her a coat and prayed for the family. When we put the word out about this family that had lost everything, believers began to respond. His mother was amazed at the outpouring of love, gift-cards, and of clothes. When she asked, “Why are you doing this?” we were able to tell her about the love and grace of Jesus Christ. His mother prayed to give her life to Jesus. That same afternoon she forgave her husband of 44 years who had mistreated her and who had died several years ago. A mission’s team from Louisiana cleaned out her burned yard, and a local builder organized materials and expert labor to rebuild her home. Again, his mother was dumbfounded by the grace she saw. Currently a group meets in his mother's rental house for weekly Bible study. She has started to read her Bible and journal. Recently at a gathering of different small groups from our home network his mother stated, “When I had a home I didn’t have peace. Now I am homeless, but I have peace for the first time.” She smiled and said, “Now I have the family of God.”

Praise Testimony: Iglesia Bautista El Buen Pastor, Brownsville

Last fall as part of the Rio De Esperanza tour for TX Hope 2010, Dr. Randal Everett was invited to preach at a new church start located in a Colonia in East Brownsville, Iglesia Bautista El Buen Pastor. At the time, the church had been in existence for six months. At the service that Sunday there were about 35 people in attendance from the Colonia. Pastor Jaime Mata, who does not lack energy or initiative, was energized by Dr. Everett’s encouraging words and challenging message. He caught the TX Hope 2010 vision and has been running with it ever since.

Since the beginning of the year Iglesia Bautista El Buen Pastor has hand delivered over 200 Bibles to families in their neighborhood. Groups of church members go out and knock on doors to deliver the Good News of Christ and to invite folks to church. Also during the last four months the church has begun English as a second language (ESL) classes for the community to attend weekly and learn to speak, read, and write English. During this time 23 people have been won to Jesus. The church average Sunday attendance is now 55 and continues to grow weekly.

It is exciting to see the movement of God in this church through His faithful servants who are on fire for Him. Pastor Jaime Mata continues to work diligently as he encourages his members to “be a part of the journey” that God has laid before them. He says that he is already thanking God for allowing him and his church to be a part of what God will continue to do through this Colonia Church.