“Moving Christians from the pew to the harvest.” Matthew 9:36-38
Glorious opportunities ahead. Thank you for being faithful.
2020 has indeed been a wild ride, and September was no exception. For the Church, times of turmoil, fear, and uncertainty provide opportunities to do what we’re here for. One of the things this “stay home” time has done is improve our understanding of the potential of digital ministry. It has also highlighted the giant rifts in the tapestry of our American society. Those things in mind, I want to mention a couple of things.
The coming election: It’s fashionable to say, “I won’t tell you how to vote.” But I am going to tell you how to vote. Number one just vote! Don’t sit home. There is too much at stake. Vote for those who are pro-life. Vote for those who will appoint or confirm judges who follow the Constitution. Free speech and freedom of religion are hanging in the balance. Vote for those who see the problems but insist that we use the tools in our wonderful system to solve them. Don’t vote for those who want to blow up the system. I’m begging you. Take time to read this “Primer on Voting,” then share it with somebody. This is a big deal.
Fulfilling our calling:
Instituto de Entrenamiento Ministerial de Fe. Our wonderful team in Hermosillo have completed the first level classes that we had to suspend back in March.
Thanks to all the cooperating pastors and to our team. Pastors Alberto and Nelly Flores have taught the final 8 hours off classes in 2 different locations, enabling students to finish their first level requirements. We are actively planning a launch of an on-site, permanent bible school in Hermosillo in the Spring. Our grads will be running the operation and teaching the first level. This requires teachers and administrators. The team is growing! I will continue to teach the upper level classes until we have done enough for everyone to graduate. Thank you for staying with us!
@IEMFeonline. The Facebook page continues to grow and develop. Traffic to the site has dramatically increased and will continue to do so as we produce quality material to help people grow in their walk with the Lord. Take a look at Desde el banco a la cosecha and Ayuda para sanar. This month we will add classes on addiction recovery which will also be sent to Vida Ministries in Panama this week to be used on the radio. (They already use our material on addictions there to mentor those in recovery.)
This month I began to use Zoom to teach our leadership team to monitor the Facebook page and begin to produce and post material themselves. This is a huge step. Every stage has required instruction in many things we take for granted here. We were able to do all this because faithful people have supported us, enabling us to provide tech resources that are up to the task. Thank you!
New doors, new methods. Also this month, we began training a team of three ministers in Mexico City via Zoom. They watch the classes from our flash drive on their computer and do the homework. Then we are meeting with them regularly and walking them through the IEMFe material as well as grounding them in the philosophical foundations of what we do. By the first of the year they should be ready to begin teaching IEMFe at their location. This is reaching into places that are thought by many to be too dangerous for travel. The Word of God is not bound. Thank you for making this possible.
Don’t forget the prisoners: One ongoing ministry that we haven’t mentioned in a while is Faith Ministry Training Institute Correspondence Course. This has been available to incarcerated people for more than 20 years. Currently, Rev. Mike Schramek is the man who answers the mail. We have always made sure our students have someone who personally reads and responds to their homework and can answer their questions. They do the same homework as our students in regular classes. It’s designed to be more than just a “fill in the blanks and get a prize” kind of instruction. It is actual discipleship. Here’s a portion of a recent letter from one of our students:
“I want y’all to know that this is one of the best studies I’ve done, (in the top 3). I’m keeping all of the guides and answer sheet for further review and study! So far great subjects/topics and thought provoking questions, not some multiple choice A,B,C,D, answer… (requests more materials)
Thank you for being faithful servants of God’s and a BIG THANK YOU to everybody who helps make this ministry function!! To the prayer warriors, financial contributors, graders and everybody else who helps, may God Bless each and every one of y’all.
II Tim. 4:2
Brother in Christ,
Stephen….
#xxxxx”
REMEMBER: We will send the correspondence course to any prisoner, anywhere if the institution will allow them to receive it. All we need is a name and a good address (including ID numbers). Tell your friends, tell your enemies, tell your church. God’s Word works, and this program works.
BIG DEAL announcement: I am officially traveling again. Let me know if I can be blessing to you by coming to visit. God is doing great stuff, especially in the area of healing for those who have struggled to receive. Shoot me an email or call the office and we will start the ball rolling.
Please Pray:
- For our President and those who work closely with him. Healed, strong, wise.
- For our nation. This is God’s country, and He will deliver. It’s revival time!
- For Latin America. Stop the plague and tamp down the violence. The Word is working.
- For our ministry:
- Agree with us for a reliable vehicle for use in Mexico. Our team and teachers need to have a way to move about. It’s time to multiply!
- Open doors of ministry, able laborers for every good work.
- Physical strength and financial supply.
Help Wanted:
I need at least one volunteer with some basic tech ability to help with publishing and social media. This would be a great ministry you can do from home! Requirements are a decent internet connection, a computer, and the ability to use them. (A heart for getting this Word to people would also help.)
Support. “Thank you!” You have been faithful to help us keep going and growing. When I can’t travel, the expenses continue, but so have you! You are great! 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. Lots of new stuff every week. You don’t want to miss it. 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 will help us reach more people.
As always, Judy and I strive to be worthy of your prayers and support. If we can serve you in any way, please let us know. Thank you!!!!!
Yours in His service,
Virgil and Judy Stokes
pastorvirgil.com 