Teaching Students about Church Planting
June 10, 2023
Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ,
One of the classes that I am teaching this term is Church Planting. Even though I spent fifteen years in Kitale doing church planting, I still hardly feel qualified to teach this course to new ministry students. It is such an important subject for my students to study and I can only pray that I teach them properly and to do everything I can to help them understand the importance of the subject and how they should be doing it. But what I’m teaching them has been a hard sell so far. Let me see if I can explain why.
My students are studying for ministry work. They are diligently studying the Bible and what it means to work in the ministry of Jesus Christ. They are good and godly students who want to know Jesus, want to know the Bible, and want to minister the gospel in the lives of people and in the world. But they usually also come with a certain mindset. I’ll call it a Traditional mindset. They come to Bible school, many of them want to become pastors. They are thinking of becoming pastors of already established churches, of preaching the Word of God and ministering in that church, of seeing that church grow bigger, and of eventually building a bigger church to accommodate this bigger congregation.
There is nothing wrong with the above model, is there? No, there isn’t. It is the same model that most of us are familiar with and, if we are pastors, it is the model we are probably participating in. So, no, there is nothing wrong with the Traditional model. But I am trying to teach these young Bible students something a little different. I am trying to convince them to consider a slightly different model. I don’t know what to call it, so I’ll just call it the Different model. In the Different model that I’m teaching them, I’m trying to convince them to go to a location where there is NO church already present, where there may not be any Christians at all, where the gospel needs to be preached, and where a new New Testament church is actually needed. My students can usually get on board with this pretty well, after all they are godly students wanting to fulfill the Great Commission of Jesus. Where they start jumping off the wagon, however, is when I begin to teach the really different part of the Different model. I am trying to teach them to start churches that will reproduce themselves and start other churches and to teach them principles on how to do that. They were on board at first because, while they do want to fulfill the Great Commission, they also want to start churches that will eventually become big, have lots of people and tithes, and be able to build big church buildings and have lots of structured programs. When I began telling them that church buildings are not always conducive to churches reproducing themselves because poor communities cannot reproduce such a thing, they began jumping off board. When I began telling them that when their church becomes big enough (defined as too big to meet in their house anymore) then the church should start convincing some of its members to start a new church in another location, even more jumped off board. After all, how can their church become big if they are always sending some of their members off to start a new church somewhere else? I think their biggest issue might be, “How can I ever get enough financial support from my church if my church membership is never more than 15-25 people?” The other issue they face is the issue we all face – the mindset that “Bigger is better.” They want to pastor a big church because “Bigger is better” for a thousand and one reasons. I want them to start churches that will start churches that will start churches so that the gospel will spread, the kingdom of Christ will spread, and there will be a church presence preaching the gospel in every place in Kenya and in every place in the world. It is a hard sell, even for godly, Jesus loving Bible students at Bible college. I can see some changes in them, though. They are beginning to ask themselves the question I ask them all the time, “What is your goal?” Is your goal a big church, with a big membership, a big offering plate, a big building, and a big reputation? There is nothing wrong with that goal, my beloved students. But consider another goal – a dozen churches, spreading out over the city, preaching the gospel and reaching the lost, all with the purpose of spreading the Kingdom and starting more churches that will all be doing the same thing.
“My beloved students – What is your goal?”
Blessings to all,
Roger, Julie & Chloe
CONTACT INFO
Roger & Julie Tate
Moffat Bible College
P.O. Box 70
Kijabe, Kenya 00220
rojuta@gmail.com
For ministry donations:
Pastor George Sledd, Treasurer of BFM
P.O. Box 471280 | Lake Monroe, FL 32747-1280
or click here to donate to BFM online.
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New Plans for the Seminary
June 2, 2023
Dear friends and family,
Thank you, Lord, the COVID disaster is over. Now we can begin to get back to the planning of the Seminary. As with many ministries along with many churches, the job ahead of us is an uphill battle but we serve an AWESOME God and He is able to make things happen.
In all of the re-organizing of Bluegrass Baptist Seminary, we have a plan—then some things change. We are getting closer and closer to the structure we are desiring and praying for.
So here goes our “now” plan! In two years, a student in Brazil can complete a Masters (accredited) in Bluegrass Baptist Seminary. The degrees are the same: a Master of Arts in Biblical Studies and a Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministries. A person can also elect to take all the courses for their own self edification and receive a certificate of completion for the courses they chose to take.
I pray all the time for these saints who choose to understand God’s truths in Scriptures and build God’s kingdom in Brazil through the local church.
These last two months have been a lot of telephone work getting classes organized for this year and the next year. Four of the professors we have for the classes are PhDs and the other two are Doctors. We also have two adjunct professors if needed. How AWESOME is He who puts His plans in motion. Along with these Professors we have three translators and one more for back up as needed.
All the classes are approved and planned for this year and next year. These classes will be done via Zoom with the exemption of the Greek and the Hebrew classes which will be taught on site in São Paulo City and one other location to be determined at a later date. And now for some AWESOME news: we have been approved to start a PhD program for the year 2024. At this time, I do not have all the details, but as we get them we will be passing them along to you. But for now, we invite you to rejoice with us for this blessing for the Brazilian students.
Thank each and every one of you who keep us at God’s throne for our safety and health. God has been faithful in all things. We are hoping to go to Brazil in July if God wills. Right now, we are waiting for our renewed passports, so pray with us for this. We have some people to see and places to go so we hope we are permitted.
In His service,
Aj and Barbara
CONTACT INFO
AJ & Barbara Hensley
30524 Mimi St
Sebring, FL 33870-0530
AJ: 859-539-2302 | Barbara: 859-539-1424
ajcaragua@gmail.com
For ministry donations:
Pastor George Sledd, Treasurer of BFM
P.O. Box 471280 | Lake Monroe, FL 32747-1280
or click here to donate to BFM online.
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JUNE IS VETERAN MISSIONARIES PENSIONERS OFFERING MONTH
JUNE IS VETERAN MISSIONARIES PENSIONERS OFFERING MONTH
[or formerly known as FOUNDERS MONTH OFFERING]
Please give as generously as you can for the continuing support of our Veteran Missionaries Pensioners
[Click to contribute to this year’s VETERAN MISSIONARIES PENSIONERS OFFERING]
“Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, do not forsake me, until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come.” Psalm 71.18
June is the month for appealing for our Veteran Missionaries Pensioners Offering. And, we are fervently appealing to you on their behalf. Please read this appeal with an open heart, asking God how he wants you to give – and to give you something to give.
What is the Veteran Missionaries Pensioners Offering? That name may be a little new and unfamiliar to you, but it is the same offering that has before been called Founders Month Offering. They are two names for the same offering and are used for the same purpose. We will continue to link this offering to the Founders Month Offering name, but we do want to make our Veteran Missionaries Pensioners Offering more prominent.
Here’s why: this offering is allocated to providing service pensions for our Veteran Missionaries Pensioners. We have a number of Veteran Missionaries who have given a substantial portion of their lives in missionary service for Christ in partnership with BFM. BFM gives them a modest service pension as a token of our love and gratitude for their service.
However, their pensions are NOT supplied from the monthly Missionary Support Fund that supplies the needs of our current active missionaries. The pensions for the Veteran Missionaries Pensioners are funded from a separate investment account that has been established for that sole purpose. And, all the funds that are allocated and deposited into that Veteran Missionaries Pension Fund are disbursed for that purpose.
Currently, we have six (6) pensioners, and every month, there is a disbursement of $11,590.00 to fund their service pensions. That amount, even on a good month, is double the amount of growth we receive on the investment base in that account.
And, as a side note here – you know what a hit investment accounts have taken over the course of last year, and that decline/loss activity only makes our attention and generosity toward our Veteran Missionaries Pensioners all the more urgent.
Here is another way we are going to expand our participation in this Veteran Missionaries Pensioners Offering. We will continue to ask you to give your most generous gifts in the memory of our founders: H. H. Overbey and Z. E. Clark.
But, we want to expand it further by encouraging you to give gifts both:
- “In Memory Of…” someone who is now with the Lord … and
- “In Honor Of…” someone who may still be living, but whose love and service for BFM you would like to honor. It can be any faithful servant of the Lord.
For example: you could give your most generous gift “In Memory Of…”
- Hafford Overbey and Z. E. Clark
- a former BFM missionary who is now with the Lord
- a former Director of BFM who is now with the Lord
- a family member, loved one, or friend who is now with the Lord
Or, you could give your most generous gift “In Honor Of…”
- a current BFM Veteran Missionary Pensioner
- a current missionary
- a current Director, pastor, or other servant of the Lord whom you wish to honor
All of these gifts will be allocated to and deposited in the Veteran Missionaries Pensioners Fund and will be used to continue to support them in their senior years.
So, who are you thinking of right now – either with the Lord or still serving the Lord – whom you would like to memorialize or honor with an offering that will be used to fund the service pensions of our Veteran Missionaries Pensioners?
Pray about and prepare your most generous offering.
You can contribute your Veteran Missionaries Pensioners Offering via:
- through our online website portal [GIVE NOW]
- through your church’s collective offering [if your church is receiving one]
- by USPS mail to Pastor George Sledd, Treasurer | P. O. Box 471280 | Lake Monroe FL 32747-1280
And, would you prayerfully consider making your gift toward our Pensioners recurring? Our disbursements of $11,590 toward supplying their modest service pensions recur every month!
And, as always, thank you for giving to the Lord!
– your BFM Directors
Baptist Faith Missions Veteran Missionaries Receiving Pensions
Bobby Creiglow
Harold and Ursula Draper
Paul and Wanda Hatcher
Sheridan and Anita Stanton
Wanda Turner
[Click on their names to learn more about their missionary service and where they are now.]
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MEET YOUR “VETERAN MISSIONARIES PENSIONERS” BENEFICIARIES OF YOUR “FOUNDERS MONTH OFFERINGS”
We are frequently asked: “What are you doing to continue giving our Veteran Missionaries assistance, especially financial assistance, in their senior years? How do you assist them? Through what means do you assist them? How can I help assist them?”
The short answer to that question for those who served long enough to vest into our traditional retirement/pension plan is: “We continue to honor and assist them by giving them a monthly ‘service pension’ for the remainder of their lives – and for which spouse may outlive the other.”
This is just a small way we can honor them and show our love and appreciation to them for the years of service they gave to Christ in partnership with BFM.
Many of you have known our Veteran Missionary Pensioners for decades. You have not only known them, but you have loved them, fellowshipped with them, served with them, hosted them in your churches and in your homes, and have contributed to their missionary support.
We still have six current Veteran Missionary Pensioners to whom we are giving this honor:
- Asa and Lucia Bratcher
- Bobby Creiglow (Betty is with the Lord)
- Harold and Ursula Draper
- Paul and Wanda Hatcher
- Sheridan and Anita Stanton
- Wanda Turner (Richard is with the Lord)
[Click on their names to learn more about their missionary service and where they are now.]
The “Veteran Missionary Pensioner” account is not funded through the regular monthly offerings given to BFM, but rather through a separate investment account that is established for that purpose.
Currently, every month, there is a disbursement of $11,590.00 to fund their service pensions. That amount, even on a good month, is double the amount of growth we receive on the investment base in that account.
Would you help us with this expression of our love for them? When you designate your offerings for ‘’Veteran Missionaries Pension’ or for ‘Founder’s Month Offering’ [they are the same], they will be applied toward the continuing and on-going financial honor and support of these faithful life-long servants of Christ.
Your missionaries and their families have served and sacrificed greatly on your behalf during their productive years. Please make a small financial sacrifice for your missionaries in their senior years by giving to the Founders Month Fund.
And, there’s MORE you can do to encourage them! Pray for them! Reach out to them through every means you can (call, write, email), and let them know you still appreciate them and their service. They would love to hear from you personally, or from your Sunday School class, or your church’s Pastor/leadership.
Thank you for sharing with them!
You can make a secure donation online with a check or credit card. Just click the “Give” tab on our homepage at www.bfmnow.org.
Click here to give now or you can mail your offering to:
BFM, c/o George Sledd
P.O. Box 471280
Lake Monroe, FL 32747-1280
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Warm Send Off, Currently Stateside, Gospel Presentations Continue
June 1, 2023
Dear Friends,
Let me start out by announcing that Charlene and I have begun our stateside furlough and will be available to visit and share our ministries with you or your church in the upcoming months. Our contact information is:
Phone: (813) 501-9328
E-mail: bobbymichael_1@hotmail.com
Before leaving Curitiba, Brazil last week, we had a very warm send-off service from our dear church family there. I have left the pastorate in the able hands of Pastor Cledson Xenofonte. He has been my co-pastor and youth pastor for the past five years and the church has grown significantly due to his and his assistants’ dedicated labors. His wife, Fabiane, and he have two children (both teens) who are involved and dedicated in the church ministries as well. I feel confident that God placed Cledson on my heart to succeed me as pastor and I believe the church will continue to grow steadily under his leadership.
Although Charlene and I will reside this year in the USA, we have several mission trips scheduled that will take us back to Brazil a couple of times and at least on one trip to our new church plant in Portugal to assist Yago and Manoela. This couple has shown tremendous wisdom and a great work ethic as they are constantly setting up Bible studies and personal discipleship meetings. They are still seeking the right house to move to near the capital, Lisbon, so that they can reach a greater number of people with less waste of time and money on the highway from their present residence. Our church in Curitiba is contributing as much as they can so that they can afford the higher rent there and Charlene and I give personally as well. But since the currency in Portugal is the Euro and more expensive, they still need about $200 per month more to meet the additional cost of rent in the capitol. If you feel led of the Lord to give toward this investment in reaching the lost in Portugal, you may contribute by labeling your offering: Wacaser – Portugal Mission.
Our traveling evangelistic team, Projeto Vida recently returned from a three-week trip to the northwestern part of the state of Paraná. In the public parks and schools where they ministered, the gospel was presented to 1743 students and adults. Of these, 151 made a public profession of faith in Jesus Christ. We are so thankful the Lord continues to keep this window of opportunity open to us. We know that this privilege is being lost in more and more locations throughout the world, so we seek to take advantage of it to get the gospel out there.
In Christ’s love,
Bobby and Charlene Wacaser
Contact Info:
Bobby & Charlene Wacaser
Currently Stateside on Furlough from Brazil
Phone: (813) 501-9328
E-mail: bobbymichael_1@hotmail.com
For ministry donations:
Pastor George Sledd, Treasurer of BFM
P.O. Box 471280
Lake Monroe, FL 32747-1280
or click here to donate to BFM online
Read more
News & Reports – June 2023
The Online Edition of the June 2023 BFM News & Reports is available at the link below. This month, we are featuring our Veteran Missionary Pensioners.
*Remember you can click on any headline to view the post/story on our website. To view a VMP’s profile online, click on their picture.
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News & Reports – May 2023
The Online Edition of the May 2023 BFM News & Reports is available at the link below. Read how God is at work through our faithful missionaries and continue to lift them up in prayer.
*Remember you can click on any headline to view the post/story on our website.
Peruse all our recent newsletters on our FaithWorks Blog by clicking “PDF Versions” under Categories on the right.
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Amazed at God’s Goodness
April 26, 2023
Hello Faithful Friends,
So much has happened since I wrote last year that I am amazed at God’s goodness to us. It is actually quite encouraging to stop and write about it because it’s a way to reflect on and count our many blessings.
We have been experiencing steady growth at our church. So much so that we had to find a larger building to move to. The Lord guided us to a great location that will allow the church to keep growing. Part of my role in this process was to organize the packing and labeling of everything the needed to be moved so that we could find it and use it almost immediately after our arrival there. I had some great volunteer helpers working with me and I am very grateful for them.
One of my roles at the church is as an assistant teacher. I work with the kids ages 8 to 12. Through the course of my years teaching, I have evangelized and taught children who are now grown up, have gotten married, and now I’m teaching their children in my classes.
One of my favorite activities in our ministry is to coordinate the preparation and decorating for special events like marriage seminars and evangelistic outreach meetings. I believe that even in small things like this we should seek to honor the Lord with excellence. One of the challenges is to apply excellence with a limited budget. I enjoy the challenge, though.
As a missionary’s wife, there is one area that is not pleasurable, and that is the “goodbyes”. There are so many of them and for various reasons. Of course, there are the goodbyes when we leave family and friends when coming to our field of service, but there are also the goodbyes on the field to those who we’ve evangelized and prepared to go out as missionaries to new places. Recently we sent Yago and Manoela off to Portugal to start new churches. I had worked side by side with Manoela for quite a while and we had become very close. As much as I was thrilled that God had called her husband and her to go, it still hurt to lose that constant companionship with her. I’m very glad that we have the promise of an eternal home to enjoy fellowship again, and without the goodbyes.
Bobby and I are going to begin a U.S. stateside furlough near the end of May. If you or your church would be interested in having us come and share personally how God is using our ministry, feel free to contact Bobby at: bobbymichael_1@hotmail.com.
I am so grateful for your prayers and concern for us and our ministry.
Yours in Christ,
Charlene Wacaser
Contact Info:
Bobby & Charlene Wacaser
Rua Laudelino Ferreira Lopes, 279
Sobrado 1, Novo Mundo
81050-310 Curitiba, PR. Brasil
Phone: 55-41-99899-2333
bobbymichael_1@hotmail.com
For ministry donations:
Pastor George Sledd, Treasurer of BFM
P.O. Box 471280
Lake Monroe, FL 32747-1280
or click here to donate to BFM online
Read more
