I write to you with great joy to share with you that your efforts in prayer and giving have changed the life of our church. Because of your support, you’ve made it possible for the other pastor in our church, Ariel Umaño, to serve full-time in the ministry with me. The support that makes it possible for Ariel to work in the church full-time came just when I could no longer carry the weight of the work any longer. Our church is small—a little more than 80 people come each week—but even that number proved too much for me to care for as the only full-time pastor.
I was attempting to juggle my private devotion, being truly present with my family, preaching several carefully prepared sermons throughout the week, discipling potential leaders in the church, devoting myself to counseling, caring for candidates for church membership, sharing the gospel with unbelievers, and many more things! Really, just before Ariel began to be supported by HeartCry, I had reached the end of my strength and was out of ideas in terms of how to meet all the different needs and responsibilities.
But now that Ariel has “come onto the playing field,” how things have changed! Immediately he took on the work of devoting himself to evangelism and discipling the thirty candidates for membership that we had at the time, many of whom have now been baptized! They were well-prepared for membership thanks to Ariel’s efforts. He also began to alleviate the preaching responsibilities and also a good portion of the counseling needs.
All of this has been possible (and much more!) because of you, dear brothers and sisters. The Lord has used your generous prayers and giving to make it possible to send more workers into the harvest. Our church is growing and the kingdom is advancing, and you are part of this work. What a great honor it is for us to work with you in the Great Commission of our Lord!
