God Changes Hearts in Mexico through Volunteers

"Central Baptist Church, Temple, Ga., did an incredible job on this mission trip…they did everything asked of them and more," stated resident missionaries David and Pam W.

Six OP Go volunteers, under the leadership of Bryan Cox, worked with Mexican Baptists and IMB missionaries to hand out 5,000 Gospels in four areas around Tultitlan, Mexico.

The IMB missionaries tell the following heartwarming story of God at work.

"Bryan Cox's team on Wednesday left a Gospel at a house with a young man, Isaac, and his 75-year-old mother. When they were heading back to the car for lunch, Isaac came down the street with tears in his eyes asking for more information. The group was able to lead Isaac to Christ who also wanted the group to share with his mother. The volunteers made their way back to Isaac's house and led his mother to the Lord as well. That evening they both showed up for the service where Joe Owen preached the Gospel. Both came forward to confirm their decision in the presence of over 200 people. The next two days Isaac showed up to help with the saturation project."

Even with the team's limited Spanish, they blended with the nationals in an incredible way by speaking a message of love through their actions. Their obvious humility and Christlike behavior, helped demonstrate to people God's message of salvation and truth.

Through the efforts of the volunteers, the Op GO team and the dedicated Mexican Baptists, the Father used them as vessels to bring many to His throne. Yet there are a host of people who have never heard. Allow God to use YOU and help fulfill the Great Commission. Volunteer your time to be on a mission trip and gain a new perspective for other cultures. When you sow seeds of faith, and interact with the lost, it allows others to experience the grace of God through you.

For more informaiton and future possibilities to serve in the harvest fields, contact us today, We will encourage you in your decision and celebrate your obedience to God's Word.

Prayer Deters Attempts by Colonia President to Halt Gospel Presentations

Jim and Peggy S. are retired missionaries who returned to Leon with the First Baptist Church, Cassville, MO, to work with church planters Mike, Jennifer and their four children. Their main objective was to distribute the Gospel door-to-door during the daytime in two areas where there are Bible studies and to share the Gospel in parks in the same areas in the evenings.

Each day, the volunteers walked the parks and bathed the areas in prayer. They wanted to seek the Lord's guidance on how to encourage attendance for the planned activities and to deter confrontations that might surface. The first night the volunteers cleaned the park area and prepared it for the evening events. As some volunteers continued to pray, more and more people arrived and stayed to see the dramas.

Everything seemed to be going well, except the second day the colonia president contacted the pastor of the small Baptist church that the team worked with and he told the pastor the team had to leave the park area. After a lengthy plea from the pastor of the church, the president accepted an invitation to come that night and see the activities first hand. If he did not approve, the team would agree to stop their plans for the next night. Everyone began to pray about this dilemma. Praise the Lord, the president came and all ended well. He gave his approval for the team to continue their work.

Following the puppet shows and dramas, the church planters gave the people an opportunity to sign up for a CD about family issues. Many couples requested the CD and follow-up visits.

Because of the Operation GO saturation project, new people are coming to the Bible studies. Praise Jesus for His goodness in guiding the team during their efforts, and for protecting the team while on this mission trip. Seekers in this area reported several incidents of persecution, but the volunteers were safe during their time in Leon because of the prayers said for them and the Lord's hedge of protection.

After the volunteers returned home, the church planter visited a woman who had received the Gospel from the U.S. team. She was open to the Word and explained that her psychologist recommended she fill the emptiness in her heart with God. The church planter reinforced what her psychologist had shared and explained that only a personal relationship with Jesus could fill the void in her heart. We praise the Lord that this woman continues to seek information, that she reads the Truth, and attends Bible sessions in her neighborhood.

Jim and Peggy shared other exciting news from the harvest field: "One single young man (20ish) attended the festivities one night at the park. We shared Jesus with him and gave him a Bible. Our contact in Mexico told us this young man has recently begun one-on-one discipleship classes with the church planter. Sometimes we see immediate results, but like this young man, we see God beginning a work in his life after six months. We praise God that the Holy Spirit works in the lives of the nationals long after the teams are back in the U.S.!"

Pray for the Christian witnesses in this area to have a unity of spirit and a common vision so they can find true freedom in Christ and help bring others to Him.

John 3:16 explains God's boundless love – won't you allow Him to lead you toward opportunities in the MAC region to evangelize His love for others? Contact us for more information at the address listed on this blog.