“Moving Christians from the pew to the harvest.” Matthew 9:36-38
May 1, 2020
Are you ready for what comes next, Friend?
For many of us, the entire month of April has been spent in a sort of suspended animation. This is a unique time. I pray you are well, and have found ways to be useful, renewed, and revived. Judy and I have actually gotten a lot done. I’m grateful for the provision of God and the healing that is ours by the stripes of Jesus. I do believe He has used this time to allow us to prepare ourselves for a new season of vigorous activity. There’s much to be done. Remember, the issue in the Spirit realm is always the same: Satan comes to steal the Word. Don’t let the thief get away with it.
Remember, God doesn’t waste opportunities.
“Use this time to get healthy. You just thought you were busy before. When this (the lock down) ends it is going to speed up.” This was the word that God gave Judy during the first few days of the lockdown. That has given us a sense of purpose during this time. We have been intentional about taking care of our physical bodies, and have also been purposely studying, praying, and scheduling office hours to get projects done. I believe the Lord wants to do great things and do them rapidly. We are ready!
Faith Ministry Training Institute (Instituto de Entrenamiento Ministerial de Fe) Though our classes have been postponed in Hermosillo, we are planning the beginning of our new school year in September. It will include both First Level and Upper Level courses. I have been in regular contact with our workers and pastors there, and I believe God will bring us back together soon. Beginning next week, we are planning leadership training meetings via Zoom. During the lockdown we have been receiving requests for new outposts of IEMFe in Mexico. Please pray that we have the mind of God on how to move when this season is over.
“Healing Help” is a series of teachings designed to help those who are struggling to receive healing, or who want to get better at helping others receive their healing. They are being posted on pastorvirgil.com, and I am also sending them out as part of the “Out of the Abundance of the Heart” email letters. The response has been excellent. Short (Approximately 10 minute) videos are being posted weekly. You can find them on pastorvirgil.com, Or on the fcftucson.org video channel. Healing Help has its own playlist.
“Man Alive!” is almost reality. Judy has been slaving away doing editorial work, and I have finished the final chapters. Her comment on the content was, “This is good!” If you know Judy, then you know she never pulls punches. If it weren’t good, she would tell me. God bless here for the labor she has put in on this project. The eBook will be available very soon. This world needs godly men. This book will help build them. It will be ideal for small group discussions. Anybody want to do a Zoom meeting?
From the Pew to the Harvest is a new series of interviews/testimonies from people who are connected to our ministry in some way. The focus is on those who have been impacted by our Bible school, or in some other way helped by what we do. Thanks to the wonders of the internet, we can interview people who are many miles away, even when we are confined to quarters. Glory! The first 2 videos are up on pastorvirgil.com. They feature Eduardo Andrade and his wife Rosa. He shares an inspiring story of God’s grace in using a man in a maximum-security cell to reach other prisoners with the Gospel. Rossy’s story is one of commitment to follow God, even at great personal cost. You will be blessed.
The Tithe. I’m working on a syllabus for a short course on the tithe. The controversy over this subject is almost violent. The more I’ve dug into it, the more convinced I am that there is tremendous spiritual power in the tithe. I look at it this way: I don’t have to tithe; I get to tithe. Thank You , Jesus! When I get the material into a form that suits our standards, I will find a venue to get it on video and make it available to everyone. Please pray for the progress of this project.
Please pray. All our Latin American friends continue in various stages of pandemic. The toll on them and their ministries is at least as great as on ours. Pray for our students and graduates, our teachers, and the pastors with whom we cooperate.
Scheduling. I believe the virus is dead, and that the revival is begun. Pray for us as we strive to re-invent our schedule for the Fall. We have Panama in August and Hermosillo in September that are still on the calendar. We believe God has a busy and fruitful time ahead. Pray we hear Him. Thank Him for His provision as we move forward
Upcoming Events: Jesus is coming! Details to follow.
Thank You!
As always, we are humbled by the faithfulness of our friends. Your prayers and support have continued even when I know many of you are facing real challenges. God bless you richly.
Financial support can be sent to Faith Christian Fellowship of Tucson at the address below, 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.
Don’t forget to visit www.pastorvirgil.com. I post stuff there every few days. Share it with your friends. You can help by looking at the Pastorvirgil.com Facebook page and hitting follow. Whenever you see a post, share it. This stuff will help people.
Yours in His service,
Virgil and Judy Stokes
pastorvirgil.com 