Pastor Virgil November Update

Moving Christians from the pew to the harvest.”  Matthew 9:36-38

It’s a chain reaction!

Have you ever gone through a season when it seems that every step is a battle? That’s been the theme for us over the last 2 months. We had to postpone our Mexico adventures until the first of the year due to Judy’s physical problems. She is much better, though we are still waiting for some further diagnostic procedures. Thanks to all who have been praying.

I did manage to make my Fall journey to New York, although it was somewhat shorter than usual. The bright side is that I was able to spend time with the leadership of 2 churches tat are making transitions in leadership. Both are doing great. In that process, I had one of the most profound spiritual experiences I have ever had. The battle was intense, but the Spirit of God brought us through. I don’t feel that I can share all of it, but He gave me a front row seat for the battle in the Spirit, and it was unusual and a little unnerving. I Thank God for supernatural revelation and empowerment.

Mexico: Though we had to postpone our next class in Hermosillo, we have still been seeing good things in Mexico. I’ll be there over Thanksgiving to perform a wedding of two of our students. It is a privilege. We continue to have good engagement for our monthly Zoom sessions with pastors and leaders. We have been focusing this year on identifying and mentoring a new generation of leadership.

Just recently, I got a “thank you” video from some students who were finishing the first level classes. They are part of Iglesia Orabes. Their pastor, Pastor Jose Santos Ramos, asked me if they could use one of our graduates to teach the classes in a home group setting. I was thrilled. That is how this was originally designed to work. Remember Paul’s explanation to Timothy:

You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.  

2 Timothy 2:1-2 NKJV

In this case, the teacher was Rossy Garcia de Andrade. Her husband, Eduardo, has been instrumental in doing interpreting for us, and Rossy has worked hand in hand with me, helping by grading papers, doing enrollment, and keeping records for our second level classes. She is a diligent student. It took 2 years, but this group have completed their course work.

The picture I had in mind years ago when we started the do-it-yourself bible school program was of what we used to call and airplane plant or a spider plant. The sprigs fall off and start new plants in sort of a cascade of ferns. We have started a cascade of laborers striving for accuracy, simplicity, and the demonstration of the Spirit and power as they head for the harvest fields.

Praying as Jesus Prayed:  One of the unintended consequences of spending some extra time in Tucson has been the opportunity to continue the series of teaching on praying with Jesus. He came to earth as the Incarnate Son of God, but He humbled Himself to live here as a man anointed by the Holy Spirit. As wild as that sounds, it means that He prayed! It dawned on me just over a year ago that, since I also am a man anointed by the Holy Spirit, I can learn from following His example.

“Jesus Prays” has been very rich. We started with His proclamation that His House is a house of prayer. Then, beginning with His baptism at the Jordan, we began observing how He prayed, when He prayed, and what He prayed for. Tonight we will finish up by digging in to His High Priestly prayer as He entered Gethsemane. John Chapter 17 gives us a transcript of How the Son prayed to the Father about the Church. It’s gonna be good. You can find the whole Wednesday night series on the FCF Tucson Facebook page.

There’s also a pretty good message on the purpose of praying for our nation and its leaders from November 10. I think it will help you. The teaching starts at 59:34.

Ministry to the Tormented: Gospel Rescue Mission of Tucson

We continue to teaching our course on “Ministry to the Tormented” to the staff at the Gospel Rescue Mission here in Tucson. We began in September and continue every 2 weeks to speak to the folks who are directly involved in helping those who are in dire need. I don’t know how it is where you are, but here in Tucson, there are many people living unhoused, and many of them have serious drug problems as well as a variety of other mental health issues.

This course addresses the basis for mental and emotional torment, be it spiritual, mental, or physical. It helps the helper by identifying the problem and finding biblical ways to intervene that addresses the issue, not just the behavior. It’s a privilege for me to be able to join with Pastor John Smith of Faith Christian Fellowship of Tucson, and Rev. Joyce Hughes, Pastoral Care Manager for the Gospel Rescue Mission to have a small part of the great work at GRM. Both John and Joyce are graduates of Faith Ministry Training Institute. It is always a joy to see the impact that the simple teaching of the Word has on people’s lives.

Thank You! Together, we are changing lives. Thank you for being one of the dominoes in this chain reaction. Please keep us in your prayers.

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 and designate missions or pastorvirgil and it will get where it needs to go.

Here are some things you can do to help:

Keep doing your part, I’ll keep doing mine, and together we will get a lot done.

Virgil and Judy Stokes

3141 W. Ironwood Hill Dr.

Tucson AZ, 85745

520-792-3238

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