Wisdom and Discernment Needed to Plan
The Hensleys have served the Lord in Brazil, South America since 1996. They have worked with orphanages, started mission points, established churches, and are presently conducting a seminary to train Brazilian pastors.
November 16, 2020
Dear friends and family,
It is totally amazing how fast time is passing. It seems only yesterday I weighed 187 pounds and here three months later, I am 204. I don’t understand what has happened. Well, I guess it is Barb’s AWESOME cooking and my immobility with the broken ankle. However, things are starting to heal. I am out of the boot that I had to wear for six weeks and off the knee buggy and am able to walk with a cane with a wrap on the ankle. I am ready for the healing to be completed and COVID to be over. But through it all God is AWESOME.
Sometimes we get impatient when our missions, our dreams, our visions get put on hold or what we think is a delay (oh me of little faith). Then I think of the Bible heroes and how some of them never got to realize their dreams and I remember what faith really is: Trusting in God even when we don’t see an answer or do not get the answer that we want when we want it. Just hold on, God is not finished yet and yes, through it all, God is AWESOME.
We are continuing with our plans although it seems to change almost weekly. Today it looks like we will have four virtual classes in November and early December. Our students are chomping at the bits to get back to classes even if it has to be virtual. The students really want their classes to be face-to-face; however, we all understand our present situation with the restraints of travel with COVID.
Barb and I have been hoping to travel in late December ‘til mid-January to be with family and get some things settled for the Seminary. Our hope is to know by the first of December if this will be possible. So we’re praying for wisdom and discernment as we learn to trust Him more and walk by faith. Pray with us as we are very anxious to be about the Lord’s work that we are called to do. So, continue to pray for Bluegrass Baptist Seminary and Baptist Faith Missions and we will continue to pray for all of you who make this possible by your generosity and faithfulness.
In His service,
Aj and Barbara
CONTACT INFO
AJ & Barbara Hensley
592 Emery Court
Lexington, KY 40505
AJ: 859-539-2302 | Barbara: 859-539-1424
ajcaragua@gmail.com
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A Challenging Month Prepping for Classes
Dear friends and family,
Some months are what we consider more productive than others. This is one that has been a challenge. Limited mobility (broken ankle) and the China virus, of which our country and all the world is being challenged. So, we are working to establish another virtual class for our seminary group in São Paulo. This is the group that is closer to completing the 12 classes for a degree or a certification in Pastoral Ministries. These students, Pastors, missionaries, and church workers are also challenged as we are challenged. We, trying to get the class set up, and they, trying to be able to have the funds and the time to participate.
We are now permitted to have a certain number of virtual classes because of the China virus. So our proposal is to have five classes set up by the end of the 2021 summer. We have completed one class: Systematic Theology, book by Wayne Grudem. The professor was Dr. Coleman and the class was given in São Paulo and in Africa. The virtual classes are going to increase our outreach immensely. How AWESOME is our Lord, taking bad things and converting them into something good. We cannot brag on Him enough! Even though we have a few problems to overcome, all things are possible. Here is a good time to interject a particular prayer request: pray for the setting up, organization, and preparation by our pastors and other technologies we will encounter for these classes.
We are somewhat hesitant to purchase our tickets for Brasil as of yet since we are in doubt as to when we can travel in-country. We were hoping for the end of the year; however, that has been delayed until April 2021 now. Our plans now are to purchase our tickets for the spring of 2021 and praying that we do not have to cancel and reschedule again. We are still waiting to get reimbursed for the tickets in March. Please make this one of your prayer requests.
As I am traveling in Brasil it gives me opportunities to reacquaint myself with the Pastors and to know the problems that they are encountering and the struggles they have to overcome. Before and after classes and during our break time I am discussing all these things and getting their ideas as to how we can overcome these problems. I also use this time to encourage them and to pray with them. I don’t have all the answers but I can work with them in these areas. So I am asking you for your prayers for the Brasilian pastors and church workers to keep on keeping on in the vocation they have been called to accomplish: His mission —Go—Teach—Reach. This is going to be and is accomplished because of you. Your prayerful support and financial help is more than AWESOME!!!!
Continue to pray for us as we were chomping at the bits to get back to Brasil to carry on with God’s work there.
In His service,
Aj and Barbara
CONTACT INFO
AJ & Barbara Hensley
592 Emery Court
Lexington, KY 40505
AJ: 859-539-2302 | Barbara: 859-539-1424
ajcaragua@gmail.com
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Planning Continues for 2021 Classes
September 17, 2020
Dear friends and family,
This has been a month that went into our history books. So for a moment let’s ALL remember the lives that were lost on 9/11, and pray for their families and others affected on that tragic date. This is especially close to me as I served with the Lexington Fire Department for 23 years before I surrendered to the call to be a missionary to Brasil. God is AWESOME, we do not always understand all but one thing never changes, God is God. It is He who is in control!!
It has been another month for planning and preparation, but before I get into that I need to tell you about an interruption that has happened to me this month. While doing some clean up on the property here in Lexington I had an accident. I was removing some tree limbs from a trailer and lost my balance and began to fall. So I jumped and landed wrong and broke my ankle. Now I am wearing one of those boots and looking to be wearing it for 6 weeks. But the good part of this is that I did not have to have surgery.
As the planning continues, both here and in Brasil, we are zooming with our pastors there, working with leaders and professors here, and we are confirming dates for our 2021 classes. This planning involves choosing the locations, the professors, the translators, and the tech support people. We have completed our first virtual class. There were some minor glitches but we are getting them corrected. So, we have the first of many under our belt and looking forward to many more.
We request your prayers for this ministry and all our involved partners and volunteers, students, and most of all—YOU— our financial supporters and prayer partners.
It is with much appreciation and gratitude that I express our love and prayers to all of you who sponsor, support, and loyally give to BFM. During this pandemic we appreciate even more your financial support as we know you have families and it gets harder to continue your outside giving. So, one more time THANK YOU for your financial support and prayerful intercession for our ministry.
In His service,
Aj and Barbara
CONTACT INFO
AJ & Barbara Hensley
592 Emery Court
Lexington, KY 40505
AJ: 859-539-2302Barbara: 859-539-1424
ajcaragua@gmail.com
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Studies Being Taught in BBS
August 19, 2020
Dear friends and family,
This month has flown by with little change so we thought we would show you the studies that are being taught in Bluegrass Baptist Seminary. These are the classes with a description of them.
Bluegrass Baptist Seminary Course Listing/ Descriptions
- BBS:101 Systematic-Theology
The Christian church has a long tradition of systematic theology, that is, studying theology and doctrine organized around fairly standard categories. This course presents material in each of these categories for the purpose of preparing students for ministry within the local church. The categories are examined in depth with an in-depth focus of contemporary application for today’s church.
- BBS-102 Old Testament Survey
This course is designed to provide a basic introduction to each book of the Old Testament. While traditional topics such as authorship, date, and historical context will be covered, there will be special focus on the revelation of Jesus Christ in each book. There also is a focus on providing keys to understanding each book in the context of the entirety of the Scriptures.
- BBS-103 New Testament Survey
This course is designed to provide a basic introduction to each book of the New Testament. While traditional topics such as authorship, date, and historical context will be covered, there will be special focus on the revelation of Jesus Christ in each book. There also is a focus on providing keys to understanding each book in the context of the entirety of the Scriptures
- BBS-104 Pastoral Ministries
This course is designed to equip students for pastoral ministry by examining the various aspects of ministry required of pastors serving in local congregations. Also, it includes identifying the biblical absolutes, priorities, and qualifications needed for effective pastoral ministry within the local church.
- BBS-105 Theology of Evangelism
This course provides a general introduction to the theology of evangelism. The course is divided into three major units: (1) Foundational Tenets of Evangelism; (2) Preaching Components of Evangelism; and (3) Practical Aspects of Evangelism. The purpose of this course is to provide the local pastor with basic theological understanding and tools for implementing a biblical plan of evangelism in the local church.
- BBS-106 Theology of Discipleship
This course provides a general introduction to the theology of discipleship. The course is divided into three major units: (1) Evaluation of Today’s Discipleship in the Local Church; (2) Biblical Foundations for Discipleship; and (3) Church-Based Discipleship. The purpose of this course is to provide the local pastor with basic theological understanding and tools for implementing a biblical plan of discipleship in the local church.
- BBS-107 Lexical Hebrew
This course provides the student with the basics for working in the Hebrew biblical language. It includes a basic presentation of Hebrew grammar, such as recognizing vowel markings and sentence structure. This is not a language course, per se, but provides tools for use such as lexicons, dictionaries, and grammars, to assist the student in gaining a better understanding of a biblical text.
- BBS-108 Lexical Greek
This course provides the student with the basics for working in the Greek biblical language. It includes a basic presentation of Greek grammar, such as recognizing verb endings and sentence structure. This is not a language course, per se, but provides tools for use such as lexicons, dictionaries, and grammars, to assist the student in gaining a better understanding of a biblical text.
- BBS-109 Biblical Proclamation
This course provides a general introduction for developing an expository sermon. The course is divided into four major units: (1) The Need for Expository Preaching; (2) Expository Sermon Preparation; and (3) Expository Preaching Hermeneutics, and (4) Delivering an Expository Sermon. The purpose of this course is to provide the local pastor with basic theological understanding and tools for preparing and delivering expository sermons.
- BBS-110 Survey of Church History
This course provides a general overview of the history of the church. The course covers the major events and philosophies of the church from 6 BCE to the end of the 20th century. It focuses on the historical setting and explanation of Christian ideas and institutions. The purpose of this course is to provide students with an annotated timeline of the church’s develop from the 1st century through the 20th century.
- BBS-111 Introduction to Christian Apologetics
This course studies Christian apologetics and its implications for and application to evangelism. It provides students with an explanation of key components within Christian apologetics. Points of tension between and within various apologetic methods are explored in the course as well. The purpose of this course is to aid students in the development of effective apologetic approaches for evangelizing people in the contemporary culture.
- BBS-112 Thesis Paper Writing
This course serves as an information class for writing a thesis paper. The student will learn techniques and styles for researching and writing a thesis paper. The course includes one week of in-class instruction and 4 months of research and writing. Upon completion of the thesis paper the student will defend their work to a seminary thesis committee. Upon successful defense (defined as receiving a passing grade), the course is complete.
These are the classes we are scheduling for 2021. Please pray for the courses and the professors and the Pastors planning to attend the classes. We serve an AWESOME God and we know that He is in control of everything that is happening. So, we are trusting that He will make everything right and in His timing.
In His service,
AJ and Barb
CONTACT INFO
AJ & Barbara Hensley
592 Emery Court
Lexington, KY 40505
AJ: 859-539-2302Barbara: 859-539-1424
ajcaragua@gmail.com
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Paperwork & Planning for 2021
The Hensleys have served the Lord in Brazil, South America since 1996. They have worked with orphanages, started mission points, established churches, and are presently conducting a seminary to train Brazilian pastors.
July 18, 2020
Dear friends and family,
I have told you before how it is sometimes hard to get a letter started because I don’t know where to start. Well this is one of those times.
I have been totally blessed in that I have been to all my doctors and done all the tests. So now all the results have been sent back to the doctors and here are the AWESOME RESULTS. My PSA is undetectable (for those of you who have not dealt with prostate cancer, that is excellent), my heart is good, just working a little slower because of my age, my sugar diabetes needs me to eat better, lose a little bit and add one pill that I had been able not to take earlier. Oh well, over all I am good. I am going to blame the weight gain on the virus (being cooped in and eating everything I see, how can a poor boy win?). But I am blessed.
We are using this down time to get a lot of paperwork and planning done for the Seminary. Our goal is still the same for Blue Grass Baptist Seminary: providing the saints of Brasil with a solid understanding of God’s truth in Scripture, also equipping them to evangelize, disciple, and build God’s Kingdom in Brasil. We have been on the phone, the internet, and zoom with the pastors in Brasil looking at the schedule for 2021.
We had a couple in São Paulo who missed our first class there because of their first child. They asked when we would be giving that class again so that they could graduate with their original class. We had been looking into virtual classes, so we will be using this as an experiment for doing just that. We are hoping to do this soon, but that means that we have to have our Portuguese website up and running so this can happen. Will you pray with us for all the hurdles we are having to jump through at this time will be scaled with ease? The other concern is to not do anything to impede our accreditation status there in Brasil. Just lots more RED TAPE. Praise God we got the word that we can have 1/3 of our classes virtual this upcoming semester.
We have been working on the specific dates, assigning professors, and lining up the sites for the classes for this upcoming 2021 year. In doing this, we have run into a few things that we ask for your prayers for: two of our regular professors have accepted calls to new churches and they do not know if they will be able to teach in 2021. Pray these new churches will have the same hearts for missions that their previous churches had. If not, pray that God provides other Pastors to fill their places.
We have been able to accomplish all this planning with the great technology that is out there today. We have communicated with and have seen all those involved in this ministry through zoom and FaceTime.
Our greatest need right now is to be able to get to Brasil to teach those faithful Pastors, Sunday school teachers and Church workers. Pray with us as we work for Gods Kingdom through Bluegrass Baptist Seminary and Baptist Faith Missions.
In His service,
Aj and Barb
Contact Info:
AJ & Barbara Hensley
Cell #s — AJ: 859-539-2302 / Barb: 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.
Read more
Preparing to Equip Amidst Bumps in the Road
June 22, 2020
Friends and family,
Serving as a missionary has been and is one of the most AWESOME things of my life. Though there have been some bumps on the road, the love of this calling is still AWESOME. These last three years have been filled with more bumps than the others. First there was the discovery of cancer, the operation of the cancer (they did not get all the cancer with this surgery), then after the waiting time for the surgery to heal, I had 38 radiation treatments—and to further assure that the cancer was gone, they started injections in the stomach of hormones for a year (this was more painful than any of the other treatments).
We do not always know what God has in store for our lives, but we know that He is in control. After all this I was sure that God was not finished with me yet. So instead of planting churches, my focus has moved to equipping the pastors and church workers with a seminary to train them in the Word. So, the way of doing God’s work has changed, not our focus.
As we enter into the second year of the seminary there is another bump in our road. The COVID-19 virus. As you know, this has changed all our lives and our way of life. So, we have had to cancel all the classes for 2020. Not only has COVID-19 changed our lives, but also the lives of the Brazilians. So, now we can no longer go to Brazil, and when the virus reaches Brazil, they are like Americans, they are quarantined and without work. This all means that we cannot go to Brazil, but even if we could, the pastors will not have any money to pay for their courses.
Now we are using this time to plan for next year. And boy, what a year it will be. So that we can make up the year we are losing this year, we are looking at having 20 classes in 2021. This means that we have to schedule the classes back-to-back so that I will be able to accompany each of the American professors.
We will be allowed to conduct 7 of the classes in the virtual format. This is something that we have been working on since the virus. The rest of the classes will be held in seven different locations. These will be with the professors, the translators, and me.
Well, I have seemed to ramble, but all to show that even though we have been in quarantine, we have continued to work.
We need much prayer for these plans to go forward smoothly. So please get on your knees and lift us up to the Lord because we know the AWESOME God that is in charge, and He knows the plans He has for our lives.
In His service,
Aj and Barb
Contact Info:
AJ & Barbara Hensley
Cell #s — AJ: 859-539-2302 / Barb: 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.
Read more
Bluegrass Baptist Seminary Spreads in Brazil
The Hensleys have spent nearly 20 years serving in Brazil. They have established a church in Caraguatatuba and mission points throughout the city. They have also recently started a seminary to train pastors.
September 21, 2019
Friends and family,
This month has been more than busy. I will start with the end of the month and reconstruct it backwards.
Pastor Derek and I were invited to a Pastor’s conference in Goiânia, Brasil, where I was able to represent Bluegrass Baptist Seminary. This was an opportunity sent from God because we were trying to incorporate a visit to this area this year to spread the word about the Seminary. As a result, we were able to talk to representatives from six different churches. They are now going to send students to the Seminary in our location in Rebeirao Preto. This will be our first classes in August of 2020. This city is projected to be one of the permanent locations for Bluegrass Baptist Seminary. This is a very large city with an airport and in a central location to many cities. Pray for these new locations we are planning for the 2020 Seminary year.
The missionary conference in Goiânia, São Paulo.
Also this month we have put Manaus, Amazonas on our projected schedule for seminary classes. The invitation to Manaus came from the classes we are having in São Paulo, as some of the students had contacts in Manaus and spread the word about our classes. I have many friends there from language classes and work that I had done there for Pastor Paul and Wanda Hatcher.
This coming year promises to be a busy and productive one for the Seminary. Our plans are for being in Ribeiro Preto, São Paulo and Manaus, Amazonas as the new cities, and Campinas, São Paulo and São Paulo, São Paulo as the ongoing classes. With these four cities we will have eight different classes. Pray for all our professors and helpers. As you know our professors are Pastors here in the United States with their Dr’s and PhD’s and they are doing an AWESOME job. Because of their qualifications, they will help with our pursuit of accreditation for the Seminary. This is an AWESOME blessing.
My health issues continue to improve and I have an appointment in the coming weeks. Be in prayer for the latest results. I know that, as in all things, God is in control.
As you know, when you are trying to serve God, there are road blocks. My roadblock this month was on the road. Not literally, but I had an accident and totaled my car. The AWESOME news is that I escaped injury. Just a few bruises and minor scratches. Our God is an AWESOME God.
Just following up with Mary’s oldest daughter Chelsea, she went for a check-up last week and the Dr said that her spina bifida is getting better and she will not have to wear a brace. Prayer works!!! Continue to keep them in your prayers.
Please pray for Barb and I as we are going to be in Brasil for the month of October. Barb will go first to visit the grandchildren then to Garça with me for the first of three Seminary classes. Then I will finish the month in São Paulo and Campinas.
Thank you for your continued prayers for this endeavor for the Kingdom.
In His service,
Aj and Barb Hensley
Aj and Barbara Hensley
ajcaragua[at]gmail.com
Like them on Facebook.
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
Four Seminary Classes in Three Weeks
The Hensleys have spent nearly 20 years serving in Brazil. They have established a church in Caraguatatuba and mission points throughout the city. They have also recently started a seminary to train pastors.
May 14, 2019
Dear friends and family,
In March and April, I was in Brazil taking Caragua Baptist Seminary to the Brazilian pastors and church workers. This is our concept of how to reach more Brazilian pastors and, through that, spread the gospel throughout Brazil.
In these three weeks four classes were taught: Systematic Theology, Survey of the Old Testament, Greek and Hebrew. Then the students have two months of work to be done for each class over the internet. This constitutes two semesters for those who complete all four classes. For these four classes, two pastors from the United States, Pastor Derek Coleman and Pastor Raymond Edge, gave two weeks of their time to go to Brazil and teach. Each pastor taught one course in Campinas, São Paulo and one in São Paulo, São Paulo.
Class in São Paulo
The class in Campinas was our first one in this location and we never know how many students we will have. We were told to expect 20-21 students, but we ended up with 17 students. These pastors have problems that we don’t even think about here in the States. There were some pastors that could not afford the gasoline to come to class, others could not get off in time to get to class, but the 17 that were able to come were very pleased with what they learned. I made many new pastor friends in this class and I expect to make many more.
Each time we go we have many students interested in the courses and this time was no different in that respect, but there was some hesitance or fear with the two language classes. One of the students said that he had taken two semesters of Hebrew and had not learned anything. After some assurance from me that these courses would be taught in a different manner and with a different approach, we had 33 students sign up for the classes. After the classes were taught, that same student told me that he was grateful to have had the opportunity to sit under our professors and that he had learned his Hebrew alphabet and how to do basic translations. AWESOME!!
Pastor Thomas, Pastor Edge, and AJ with the Bibles
The retired pastor, Pastor Thomas, of our host church in São Paulo is the President of the Trinitarian Bible Society of Brazil. He called the Trinitarian Bible Society of England and told them about our classes in Hebrew and Trinitarian Bible Society of England wanted to be a part of the classes. So, they decided to send us Hebrew Bibles without cost. However, Satan saw an opportunity to interfere. When the Bibles arrived in Brazil, the customs charged 2,700.00 Reals to get them out of customs. So, Pastor Thomas and I talked it over and decided that we would pay the cost to liberate the Bibles, but God in His great wisdom had another plan. Pastor Thomas called his friends in England to thank them for the gift and in the conversation, he told them about the cost to liberate the Bibles. And wouldn’t you know that they would not let us pay anything. They also paid the customs charge. They wanted to bless the Brazilian students with a free Bible. Isn’t our God AWESOME!!!!!
Class in Campinas
As I look at these students in each of the four classes, I thank God—for through my cancer, He gave me another way to plant churches in Brazil, and I see in each of these pastors the opportunity for God to use them in a special way to further His kingdom.
I have a special prayer request for all of my prayer warriors out there. One of the students in our classes in São Paulo and a close friend of mine has a 19-year-old son, David, that has been in the hospital for over 120 days and there does not seem to be any improvement. So, when God brings David to mind pray for him and his parents please.
Also please pray for the students, the pastors in the seminary, and especially for the professors as they dedicate their time and money to teach these classes.
In His service,
Aj and Barbara
Aj and Barbara Hensley
ajcaragua[at]gmail.com
Like them on Facebook.
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
