“Moving Christians from the pew to the harvest.” Matthew 9:36-38
January 30, 2020
Unbelievably, 2020 is about 8.5% gone. January has been quite the busy month, though I did get to stay home a bit more then usual, and that was a very welcome change. 
In December I visited Peru, where we saw 11 new IEMFe graduates in Tarma and in Lima. They are a very impressive crew, and Jacko Oscanoa is doing a great job of training new leaders using our materials. We have sent him our upper level courses so they can continue to prepare people for ministry. Also in December, I visited Iglesia Emanuel in Nogales, Sonora. Eduardo and Rossy Andrade are teaching IEMFe there, and the students are hungry for the Word.
In other late December news, FCF Tucson sent out 60 flash drives with the Faith Ministry Training Institute videos (English or Spanish depending on the country) and printed materials to churches in countries around the Caribbean rim. Our expectation is high for a positive impact in may places. Thank you for making all this possible.
Words for 2020.
The first two Sundays in January I was privileged to minister in our home church here in Tucson. Pastor John asked me to take the first week after he read the Out of the Abundance note I sent out for the new year. In case you missed it, you can read it on the pastorvirgil.com or watch at the FCF Tucson YouTube channel. In addition, I subbed for him on the second week of January while he recovered from a low back injury. The message that Sunday encompassed the core of what I will be teaching this year as I travel: Supernatural Synergy.
Also for 2020, I have begun a series of short teachings on the subject of healing. The goal is to help you find where you may be missing it in ministering healing to others or in receiving it for yourself. If we believe God wants to heal all, then we ought to press toward that as our goal. In addition, when healing doesn’t come, we too often “blame the victim” instead of helping them or comforting them. I encourage you to visit pastorvirgil.com and take a look at “Healing Help.” The responses are very encouraging.
And then there was Congreso!
Oh, my! What a week we had in Hermosillo for the 2020 edition of Congreso. Nine churches worked together to sponsor the event: three days of teaching leaders in the daytime and Holy Spirit ministry in the evenings. It was tremendous. Pastor Alberto Flores and his team of pastors and leaders did a wonderful job. There was lunch provided for all the ministers in attendance, as well as tempting refreshments on the breaks. Worship was fantastic as churches shared the responsibilities. This may not mean much to you, but I was tremendously 
blessed that the churches believed God for the finances and the needs were all covered.
The morning session I taught our FMTI Level II course on “The Gift of the Interpreter,” emphasizing learning to follow the flow of the Holy Spirit in the church service. We provided a Spanish manuscript of our book, “Is there an Interpreter in the House,” to all the pastors and leaders, around 70 each day. Pastor Randy Winkles helped with the teaching bringing practical insights and personal experiences, as the morning sessions seemed to set the stage for the evening ministry. 7 of our local pastors spoke in the meetings. Others served as MC’s and in receiving offerings. The three evening finale speakers were Pastor John Smith, Pastor Gildardo Lamadrid, and Pastor Randy Winkles. Of all the pastor’s who spoke, all but one are either FMTI graduates or current students. They were excellent!
It’s hard to communicate how good the atmosphere was in these meetings. The love and unity was tangible. The messages were on point, and people came ready to receive. One lady gave her heart to the Lord after coming along to placate her boyfriend. They were from another city visiting friends in Hermosillo. Another young woman, with black fingernails and multicolored hair was walking by on the street, heard the worship, came to see what was going on, and gave her life to Jesus. She was in every service thereafter. Pastors from other groups attended and were mightily touched. One seasoned worship leader got filled with the Holy Spirit! This meeting will have ramifications far beyond the walls of the auditorium. The anointing was implanted in the hearts of leaders. They will take it home.
Here’s the point. God is doing something quite special in Hermosillo and around the area. You are a key part of that. Thank you! We start the next classes in February, and it is just going to get better. Feb through May we teach Practical Ministry Skills. In February I’m teaching the 2nd level class on “Marriage, Divorce, and remarriage.” We will also be meeting with pastors to form a team to carry the IEMFe bible school on into the next generation in Hermosillo. Glory!
Thank You!
Judy and I are so grateful to be able to continue what we do in this season of life. I believe God has a good deal more ahead. Without faithful friends who pray and support, we couldn’t do anything. Please continue to agree with us that we have the mind of God on where and when to go. Also, three major writing projects are underway, so I need grace when I’m home to get words on paper that reflect the unction in my heart. Again, thank you.
Financial support can be sent to Faith Christian Fellowship of Tucson or given online at www.fcftucson.org. (Make checks payable to FCFT, you can designate for missions or pastorvirgil and it will get where it needs to go.) Thanks again.
Schedule a visit: I am still working on the rest of this year after April. Get in on it!
Coming Attractions:
- February 7-9. Living Faith Christian Center Fresh Fire Weekend. Tucson, AZ
- February 20-21, 2020. IEMFe Practical Ministry Skills. Hermosillo
- February 22. Pastors Breakfast. Hermosillo
- February 27-28. IEMFe Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage. Hermosillo
- March 14. FCF West Region Conference. Cambria, CA.
- March 15. Living Waters Christian Fellowship, Cambria CA. Contact: Pastor Judy Templeton (805) 440-0105
- March 26-27. IEMFe Practical Ministry Skills. Hermosillo
- March 28. Pastors Breakfast. Hermosillo
- April 23-24. IEMFe Practical Ministry Skills. Hermosillo
- April 25. Pastors Breakfast. Hermosillo
- May 29-June 7. Upstate New York. Details to follow.
Don’t forget to visit www.pastorvirgil.com. I post stuff there every few days. Share it with your friends. This message will help them.
Yours in His service,
Virgil and Judy Stokes
pastorvirgil.com 