Plant, Lead, Repeat

Hi -

A couple weeks ago I was discouraged when the leaders of the church I helped plant and lead for the past 4 years in Bogota decided to veto my proposition to commend Alejandra as a missionary to a small border town in Colombia.

Iglesia Parkway Leadership Team

The decision surprised me, because we had previously sent Alejandra to Puerto Carreño on an exploratory trip, and she loved it ...She made a lot of valuable contacts, and the town seemed safe (even though I don't think safety should be a main factor in determining where someone should serve), and yeah, I don't know... I guess I just thought that a lot of things about the location made it a great set-up in which she could thrive, and the gospel could keep going forth among many displaced Venezuelans... We even had the financial backing of a women's Bible study group, but... "no deal" was Iglesia Parkway's leadership team's final response.

...I didn't like the decision, but the underlying thing which I did like, was that the decision was official ...I like what that represents, because it shows that my opinion isn't the only one that matters, and that our church has correctly evolved into a plural leadership structure in which I am just a voice. I'm a valid voice, yes, but not the only voice... Christ Himself is the Head, and the rest of us work together in love.

In fact, I'm not even living in Bogota anymore, and instead, I'm based out of Cucuta (Colombia's largest border city with Venezuela), leading a church that is finally in motion, after having gone through 3 different stages of 3 different groups that each came together fast, and then dissolved just as quickly, as my sojourner friends went off to other cities looking for more opportunities.     

...This church has been a long time coming, but God has brought together a good group of us to worship Him and know Him more, and we're off to a good start.

Cucuta Church Bible Study

And by the way - besides this new church plant, there are two other groups that have emerged from Iglesia Parkway: one in the Center of Bogota, and the other up in the mountains. Would you please pray for each of these?

Some members from Iglesia Parkway, Family Church, and Iglesia Central Park

...Even though my main priority right now is to consolidate the church God has entrusted me with in Cucuta - Puerto Carreño remains on my heart as well, and in the beginning of November I'm going to take a friend down there with me, both to keep discipling him, and be able to work together with him, as we try to lay the ground work for a new church that may ensue (click here to see a recap video from my first visit to this town, and be sure to click the English subtitle option if you don't know Spanish!)...    

Big man Harry and I

My friend's name is Harry, and I first met him in the mall where he sold smoothies. We then went to play basketball a couple times, and since then we've become good friends... He believes in Jesus, and he's absorbing just about everything I teach him, and you can see him progressing a lot in his faith, in both our mid-week Bible studies and our Sunday services... He's a solid guy and consistent, and wants to get more involved in ministry... I honestly think he'll do very well, and I'm also just looking forward to hanging out with him some more, and playing a bit of basketball every once in a while.

...Right now the plan is for Harry and I to leave at the beginning of November and give it our best shot there in Puerto Carreño, while the other believers from our church in Cucuta will keep studying the Scriptures together and praising God in our weekly meetings... Then, in December Lord willing, Harry will make it back here to Cucuta, as I'll fly out to the States and then Scotland, where I'm looking forward to spending some time with a church there, that is looking into commending me as a missionary...

Pastor Jim Crooks and I outside Tanside Christian Fellowship

It would be so awesome if that actually came through, because I'll take all the prayer and help I can get.

...Knowing how meaningful it would be for me to receive a commendation like this, I'm just sad that for now, Alejandra won't get the same experience... I think she has tons of potential, and for the past 4 years I've seen God use her in so many ways - especially in my own life. The world needs more people like her, and particularly in places like the border cities of Colombia with Venezuela - Alejandra would be invaluable. 

It's risky business though, because once you get that church planting bug inside of you - you never want to stop.

Alejandra planting plants, which is the same as planting churches, but different, and yet I think she is capable of both.

-Sam

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