Continued Impact for The Gospel’s Sake

To our Dear Supporters and Prayer Partners;

God is still at work and making a great impact here in Cuenca!  I am so happy and yet humbled to be used by the Almighty in this difficult, yet precious, mission field.

Cuenca has become our home. The people here have become like family to us. My heart aches for their salvation.

God has opened up many doors for us to make an impact for Him. Let me divide it into workable headlines:

•Opportunities to Counsel and Evangelize Marriages Abound

•New People written in The Lamb’s Book of Life

•Childrens’ Ministries Starting

•Youth Ministries on the Horizon

•Creative Tutoring/Counseling Evangelistic Ministry in Embryonic stage

•Seminary Ministry to Begin in November

•Pastors Fellowshipping for Ministry

•Opportunities to Counsel and Evangelize Marriages Abound

Acts 20:20 “How I did not shrink from declaring anything unto you that was profitable, and teaching you publicly and from house to house.”

What a joy it is to fill up my schedule with opportunities to be in non-Christian homes most nights of the week. People are screaming for solutions for their hurting families. Jesus Christ is the answer! The Bible has full counsel for those in less than ideal working relationships. It is my joy to share Him and His solutions with so many families!

Take for instance Don Segundo. He is from the jungle regions of , now living here in Cuenca. His dear wife was about ready to leave him because of his 20 years of macho negligence. She had already filed for divorce. However, The Word of God changed that! They are now, after several weeks of Biblical Counseling and sharing God’s simple plan of salvation with them, their marriage has taken a turn for the better.

Last week when I arrived at their house for counseling, I found myself in front of two more couples who Don Segundo invited. Couples who are facing the same problems as he and his wife were. I am thrilled to see opportunities to help others grow!

This is just one counseling/evangelism example of what God has privileged us to be involved in. We are seeing Him making an impact here in Cuenca with several other families too, so please be in prayer for their salvation and their well-being. 

•New People written in The Lamb’s Book of Life

Revelation 21:27

“And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.”

I am on this Earth to see more people come to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am just taken aback by how He has drawn people to himself. It is such a privilege to be used of Him in leading people to the Lord.

Please pray for new Christians such as Patricio, Andres, and possibly my boy Joshua.

•Children’s Ministry Starting

Mark 10:14 Suffer the little children to come unto me and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of God.

Jesus said “suffer the little children come to me”. God has formed a small team down here to reach the children of the area. Our house has a big lawn now, and this will be ideal for sports and games. I am hoping to buy a big tent to put up for a big group of children. I just know God will bring the children in! We already have a good number dedicated to show up. This children’s ministry will be started Friday September 21, so please be in much prayer.

•Youth Ministries on the Horizon

Ecclesiastes 12:1

Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;

The same group formed for Children’s ministries will be starting a youth group. I am really excited about this, as I used to be a youth Pastor. I still hold the same strong passion for youth in my heart. It is invigorating to think I will be reaching some of the teens in this area for Jesus Christ in the next few months. I can hardly contain myself. Please pray that we might have the resources, and help to reach the thousands of youth here in Cuenca.

•Creative Tutoring/Counseling Evangelistic Ministry in Embryonic Stage

Acts 20:31

“Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.”

An Ecuadorian from my church plant, and my wife, and I have joined forces to form a creative ministry to reach families here in Cuenca. Maria Augusta is trained in tutoring children who need a little extra help in school, and children with special needs such as hearing problems. She has witnessed the need for Biblical Counseling of families. Therefore, together we are forming a tutoring/counseling center. Parents of the children are the target for Biblical Counseling. The Gospel will be the main focus of this ministry. All will be invited to our church plant.

Please prayerfully consider donating to this new effort to grow our infant church. I am in need for $150 extra per month for this. Your help will make an internal impact.

Seminary Ministry to Begin in November

II Timothy 2:15

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dviding the Word of Truth.”

Church planting is my focus as a missionary. The evident need has arisen for Theological Education for the following reason: In our churches, many have followed the call to ministry, but have changed countries to prepare themselves for that call. History shows us that many young men stay in their host country rather than returning to the field which so desperately needs them.

I accomplish all of this alone! As a primer for the future seminary I have requested that BMM send a missionary qualified and capable of teaching ministerial students at the Bible Institute level. Rev Gary Sammons is flying in on Nov. 10^th to teach a module on Theology Proper, Christology, and Bibliology. This will count for credit for the future seminary.

Please bathe this in prayer.

•Pastors Fellowshipping for Ministry

Ecclesiastes 4:9

“Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.”

I have prayed and held meetings with the goal of God uniting the churches started by our mission here in Cuenca. It is an absolute thrill to see the local Pastors teaming together for ministry, and as friends. Prayer and planning changes things!

Thanks for being involved, being a real part of what God is doing down here. Your prayers and support mean allot to us, as we sometimes feel overwhelmed by the workload and the responsibility of being a church planter and being ultimately in charge of the mission and the camp down here. We are witnessing progress and the blessings of the Lord!

Extensions of Your Ministry down here in ;

The Murrays