Update from Pastor Virgil – August 1, 2025

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

Stay Steady!

In the early days of ministry, we were facing a trying time. I spent hours praying at the altar seeking direction, or correction, or something. It just couldn’t go on like this! All I ever heard the Holy Spirit say was a soft prompting in my heart, “Stay steady.” One morning after I had been praying, a young lady, a new believer, stopped by the office. She looked very uncomfortable, so I asked her if something was wrong. She said, “Pastor, as I was praying this morning, the Holy Spirit said to stop at the church and tell you to stay steady.” I got the message!

Thank God for the power of staying steady. If the Lord gives you direction, then move in that direction until He says stop. The circumstances can scream, “Quit! It’s no use!.” Your friends and family can say, with genuine concern, “Are you sure this is God? He knows you’re tired and discouraged. He’ll forgive you.” And for sure, the thoughts in your mind can join in a chorus of, “You’re not gonna make it. Who do you think you are! You’re not …..(fill in the blank) enough.”

Thank God for grace to stay steady! The last year has been trying to say the least. I am happy to report that God is still bigger than the devil and His Word works!

Thank You!

THE  TEAM

Our commission in Mexico has been to prepare shepherds to take care of the harvest that was coming to Mexico. That harvest has begun. After 25 years of teaching bible school classes, I was praying for several months about how we could expand our influence to pastors outside the circle of those we have trained. I saw beginnings at our Congresos the last 2 years in January. We had pastors I didn’t know visiting the meetings. Some started attending our other events. Now what?

We wanted to reach pastors specifically in order to help them with instruction in the scripture and leadership skills. We are dedicated to identifying pastors who have a genuine calling and spiritual gift, but who lack formal training. I’m not interested in fighting with the denominations. My focus is on expanding the Kingdom by helping the unattached and undertrained. How do we expand our reach?

At our pastor’s breakfast in March, I appointed a committee of 4 from 4 different churches. None of them were in positions of leadership in our group, but were folks of integrity and zeal. I gave them parameters for planning a Summer Seminar on July 12th. They found us a great meeting hall with AC, seating for up to 100, plenty of parking, a kitchen and a central location. (Transportation is a huge issue) They also did the promotion, registration, sound, music, and food. You have no idea how much growth that reflects. They made the decision to invite only pastors and their wives.

On July 12th, we had our meeting. My physical challenges had improved, but I was very glad that our graduate and friend, Joshua Taylor, volunteered to drive. We had over 60 in attendance from 35 churches. I taught for three hours on “The Visionary Pastor.” From receiving the vision, to writing and proclaiming it, to organizing a team and tips on getting that team to solve problems and act, it really scratched where they itched. It was a great time. Each attendee received a copy of the outlines and sample forms to everyone. (37 pages of instruction, I’ve already heard a report of people using them to study and teach.

The consensus seemed to be “Let’s do this again!” Pastor Gilldardo, a 2003 IEMFe grad, who MCed this meeting said (in Spanish), “So many of these pastors are independent. They have very little training. I think this may be the way we can help them by breaking down the Bible training material into lessons like this, just for Pastors. They will come!” Our team is beginning the plans for future visits and how we can expand even further.

It is a new season for us and for Mexico. God is moving and we are in on it.

Thank you!

Reports: As you may know, Judy and I have dealt with some challenges recently. Physically we are both improving, but still not at full speed. August is dedicated to that process. I am carefully evaluating what a realistic travel itinerary might look like. In the meantime, here are a few things that we know we can do:

  • This week we’re putting shocks on the Mexico team vehicle. Our team members are carrying the program to churches and helping people grow. We need to keep them on the road.
  • We have 2 more IEMFe Upper Level classes this fall, September 11-13 and November 6-9. Pastor Randy Winkles is accompanying me on these trips.
  • We are now praying and discussing ways to build on the Summer Seminar pattern to build up pastors to shepherd the harvest. The new year, beginning with the annual January Congreso, will mark a new paradigm for us. Please keep praying for direction and favor.
  • I am once again sending out our Out of the Abundance of the Heart teaching emails in Spanish. These are also being posted to the blog site at www.pastorvirgil.com. In addition to translating the new stuff, my friend here in Tucson, Eleazar Islas, is translating some of the things we missed. The teachings on the tithe will be up next as we finish the current series on Vision this month.
  • We are planning a time to record the material we did for the Hermosillo pastors with Spanish interpretation to be posted in our YouTube channel. It will enable others to access this helpful teaching.

Help Wanted: I have discovered that I can’t do everything that needs doing. Duh!

  • Some of the new things we are embarking on will take some extra cash. Using neutral sites means paying rentals and either catering or preparing refreshments. Don’t forget to give (See below)
  • The blog site, www.pastorvirgil.com, desperately needs an update. If you have some design/computer skills and some time on your hands, I could use some assistance. Email me at tucsonjefe@outlook.com and I’ll get back to you.
  • I’ve still got several books that need to be updated and re-published on Amazon. Help!

Good Book: Running a local church is a challenge. If you’re a pastor, you probably just said, “Amen!” If you know someone who is struggling with how to balance accountability with grace, both for the sheep and for the shepherd, try our book on the subject: “How to Run a Sheep Shed: Governing the Local Church.”

Thank you: Thanks for making it possible for us to keep going. He told us to move believers from the pew into the harvest, and we are working to do that. God uses every prayer and every gift to fulfill His mission.

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:

Pray: Provision, direction, protection and anointing as we move into this new season. It’s an exciting time to be alive.

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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