December 2024 – January 2025 …that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith...

December 2024 – January 2025

…that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine… Romans 1:12

Even this, our loving Father thought of to motivate His children. Paul’s inspired words remind us of the power of Christian fellowship, that we are not meant to travel this journey alone, but to uplift and strengthen one another in faith. The Tepic OANSA kids are learning about the life of Timothy: his identity, from Whom he obtained his power, and how he could live boldly staying true to God’s Word. The deep bond between Paul and Timothy was a relationship built on faith, mentorship, and mutual encouragement. Paul told the Philippians: I have no one else like him...you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. — not one-sided — Neither are the abundance of reassuring answers to prayer this past two months here in Mexico one-sided. God has used a faithful team for encouraging, building, and upholding His work. Thank you for your vital part in that. 

No sooner was the beautiful overhead structure at the OANSA court at Zapote de Picachos finished, than a team of the talented lesson writers made a trip to the village where all the Huichol youth camp teachers agreed to assemble for orientation. Of course, we chose to meet under that enormous, encouraging new blessing to review each Bible message that will be taught at this year’s camp: “No Turning Back.” Daniel and his friends, mutually encouraged by each other’s faith in their all-powerful God, did not turn back. There’s lots to pray about; David García designed a poster in English to remind us of some of the details. 

What could be more unimaginable than this? Jaime, the grandson of Nate Saint—the pilot who gave his life alongside Jim Elliot and three other dedicated missionaries in the jungles of Ecuador, a story that convinced a junior-high kid named Kirt Mellberg to someday invest his life in sharing the Gospel with the people of a foreign land—arrives in a Huichol village called La Bendición. His story and vision, representing the Indigenous People’s Technology and Education Center (ITEC), encourage both UIM pilots and Huichol villagers. Adding to the incredible connection, Jaime Saint’s words in English were translated by David, the son of Martín—Kirt’s spiritual Timothy. 

Think about it: Nate Saint’s grandson, Jaime, working alongside Kirt’s spiritual grandson, David, for the cause of the Kingdom, right here in La Bendición! You can’t make this stuff up! We don’t have to—it’s just another encouraging part of the Designer’s master plan. 

It's been nine years since the IBBM Christmas celebration, Come and See Him...the King of Heaven is my Savior! Nahúm, the adorable, little singing shepherd boy, was born to a 16-year-old single mom. His high school drop-out dad was disoriented and suicidal; hopeless. That Savior about Whom Nahúm sang, came to rescue his lost parents and him. Thank God for those children who came to see Him and accepted His wonderful gift. Now, this year, Nahúm was the protagonist in the IBBM Christmas celebration entitled: If Jesus Hadn't Come… Nahúm’s dad? He’s the lead singer of the IBBM worship team. Yes, what if Jesus hadn’t come? We’re weekly mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. 

Pastor Phil McKeown from North Village Baptist Church retired this past month after 41 years of faithful service to his Lord and his beloved congregation. Though his ministry continues as he presses on toward the prize, he has passed the pastoral baton to Pastor Sean Myers. It is a joyous answer to prayer to witness this transition—one that honors the past, while today, embracing a renewed vision for reaching the lost within the church’s community and beyond. Pastor Sean, born the same year Pastor Phil began his ministry at NVBC, grew up in the neighborhood and experienced a very difficult childhood. Yet, through God’s miraculous intervention and guidance, he navigated a life of pain, suffering, and rejection, ultimately finding redemption, healing, and adoptive parents who helped nurture his faith. Now, divinely appointed for this role, he carries a deep personal understanding of the needs of the lost and underserved in the community. I am filled with expectation for what the Lord has in store for our sending church.               …that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith…

    

October/November 2024 - No Turning Back ~Ezekiel 46:9

October/November 2024

When the people of the land come before the Lord… he who enters by the north gate to worship shall go out by the south gate, and he who enters by the south gate shall go out by the north gate: no one shall return by way of the gate by which he entered, but each shall go out straight ahead. ~Ezekiel 46:9

Transformed Paths. Transformed Lives. No turning back. We’re teaching the children of IBBM-Tepic about the Old Testament prophets. In Ezekiel’s vision, worshipers entered the presence of God by one gate, and they left by an opposing gate, resolute with renewed purpose, direction, and hope marked by His love, grace, and power. The past two months in Tepic have been filled with astonishing stories of God’s provision for what was once barren but now is filled with spiritual life and corresponding physical structures that are sanctuaries of hope and testimony to the powerful truth that has shaped and transformed futures marked by His love, purpose, and provision. 

Huichol pastor José López is not the young guy he was when he became a believer 45 years ago. His story of entering the gate and never turning back is nothing short of a miracle intricately planned in the portals of heaven in the ages prior to his birth and rebirth. You can read about some of that here.  Previously known for their antagonism, hatred for the Gospel message, and persecution of their believing neighbors, the now-transformed believers from the church at Guásima del Caiman celebrated their very first anniversary in October.

José, the Huichol equivalent of the Apostle Paul, who has trekked tirelessly and faithfully throughout the Sierra Madre sharing the Gospel in village after village, was afraid that his 78-year-old legs wouldn’t be able to make that arduous trip “back home” to his natal village for the momentous celebration with the family he led to Christ. The previously hostile believers from the newborn church, met him at the river’s edge with a mule to carry its precious cargo over the treacherous 4-hour climb. The Guásima family, at long last, has walked through the gate, and they’re not turning back. 

The church at Zapote de Picachos celebrated its 20th anniversary with joyful festivities including baptizing nine new believers. Life is difficult in the remote village, but the members of that exemplary church don’t seem to notice much. They have an OANSA children’s ministry with more than 80 kids who, like their devoted leaders, wouldn’t think of missing a meeting. The sun is brutal on their beautiful game court, and the leaders have been praying about the possibility of building a protective overhead structure. There were no tangible resources for such a lofty dream, but in faith, with help from brothers from Tepic, they dug corner footers and cemented in the rebar, waiting for God’s provision. 

A friend of our Father’s, and ours, though we don’t even know him, is dying of cancer. He chose wisely to lay up treasure in his “coming-soon” new residence, purchasing the materials necessary for completing this project. It was surprising, but not exactly unexpected. Our friends from Zapote probably never imagined that one day, after walking straight through that gate to follow their Master, others from the state of Durango, who had also walked in obedience through that gate, would be transporting an enormous Sky Jack cross-country for them to use.

They also offered their hard-working, skillful hands and time to help install a marvelous structure over the treasured OANSA court where the children whose shepherded hearts are weekly learning to hide God's Word and His precepts in their own hearts.  Straight through, and no turning back.

Forty-nine years ago, this month, a young missionary couple arrived in Mexico. After investing 15 years, they faced some very confusing and discouraging trials. They prayed for God’s guidance and began picking up pieces starting all over with the planting and harvest process. That led to the birth of IBBM-Tepic. Now, 33 years later, we’re adding a second story to the Sunday school building where many children and young people will continue to hear the Good News, hide God’s truth in their hearts, and become the next generation of leaders at IBBM-Tepic and beyond. 

The materials and labor for “pouring” the concrete roof portion of Phase 2 of the Classroom Project were offered by that same anonymous friend, along with help from others who love this work. In both, Zapote de Picachos and Tepic, these sanctuaries of hope and testimonies to faithful friends and God’s constant provision were completed precisely on time, on Thanksgiving Day. In the gate, and no turning back!  How appropriate that this year’s theme for the upcoming Spring 2025 Huichol youth camp is, “No Turning Back”. There are lots of logistics to pray about, but the scripts for the teaching sessions are written, and the campers are in for the opportunity of a lifetime! Enter the gate; don’t turn back!  

You won’t regret taking the time to check out these October/November 2024 Tepic activities here.