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Douglas VBS, A Roaring Success

FMC - 32 Plus Years and Going Strong

Are You Happy?

from Calvin

Psalms 144:15 KJV Happy are the people whose God is the Lord!

As I was recently reading the Word and talking to the Lord, I heard His still small voice in my heart as He asked me; what makes you happy? Without taking the time to think about His question, I leaped immediately in response with, “Happy people make me happy.”

At this point, my memory kicked in with this verse from Psalms 144. Now, for study purposes, I have about a million versions of the Bible (OK, more or less) even in several languages. Many of them use joyful rather than happy in the verse. I respect that, but please don’t go bursting my bubble with your word study, because right now we’re having fun with happy.

What makes you happy?

Now, back to what makes me happy. We just finished up a week of Vacation Bible School here on the border. We had three major people groups represented; citizens from the U.S.A., Mexico, and the Philippines.  As I watched these precious children blend together in Christian love, it brought happy tears to my eyes more than once. And I can assure you. They made God happy too.

Our lead verse here from Psalms tells us that, happy are the people whose God is the Lord. Thereby we can clearly see the people’s happiness comes from knowing God as the Lord of their lives.

Revelation 17:14 … for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.

I’m sure that there are born again Christians that have yet to discover that they can be happy.

We have an enemy whose job is to prevent us from being happy. He will arrange circumstances that rob us of our happiness. There is a cure for that. Happy are the people whose God is the Lord!

It’s time to make up our minds that first and foremost, my God is to be the Lord Jesus and none other. Making Jesus Lord of our lives with the utmost determination will teach us that we have power and authority over Satan and all of his dirty tricks.

Making Jesus our Lord teaches us that we are now in His domain and have full rights to His promise. As our Lord, He leads us and guides us. The revelation of His Lordship will eventually wipe out every reason to not be happy.

Psalms 127 gives us a clue as to one of the things that bring happiness. In verse 3 children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from Him. v. 4 Children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior’s hands. v. 5 How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them!

This passage also clarifies the reason the devil votes for abortion. He knows that babies generate eternal happiness and as I just noted above, Satan’s job is to stifle happiness in our lives.

My Father-in-law, a seasoned minister, 60 years ordained, used to say, “Christians have more fun than people.”

Whether you are presently a saint or sinner, it’s time to make Jesus Lord of your life. You’ll be happy you did.

Douglas VBS, A Roaring Success

Our VBS theme was: ROAR: Life is wild. God is good!

At ROAR, we explored God’s goodness and celebrated the ferocious faith that powers us through this wild life.

The children had an awesome time. God’s Word was instilled in their hearts and will have a lasting impact on their lives.

We want to thank Pastors Mitch and Nina Nelson and Faith and Elvis Rosa-ot, and the multitude of workers that helped us with the preparation and presentation throughout VBS.

Faith Ministries Church - 32 Plus Years and Going Strong

By Becky Scott-Melendez

An expanded version of this story was published in our Faith Ministries Church newsletter, The Good News, with many more photos and local Douglas history. You can find it here or on our Facebook page.

On May 27, 1990, Faith Ministries Church held its first service. Here is a brief history from the early years...

September 29, 1985 - The Holy Spirit told Calvin, "Arise and go forth on a new venture of faith and I will bless thee and use thee and keep thee safe." It was on this day that Calvin and Barbara met Mexican Pastor Jose Luis de la Torre in their steel buildings booth at The Cochise County fair. After that prophetic word, Calvin thought this was the day business would really take off (it did not). When Pastor Jose saw one of their brochures with a church on it and said he needed a church like that in Mexico. Calvin, overcome by the Spirit, grabbed his arm and felt like, if he ever let go, he would die. Long story short, Faith Ministries maintains close bonds with CEDAP (Centro Evangelistico de Agua Prieta) and Pastor Jose to this day.

Soon after meeting Pastor Jose, the Scotts began working in Mexico, and on December 10, 1987, moved to Douglas into a shack that was literally falling to pieces. Many of you have seen the beautiful home Calvin and Barbara live in now... That is another miracle story that was published last year in our April newsletter. You can find the house story here.

May 27, 1990 - First Faith Ministries Church (FMC) service held at 1500 9th Street. The Lord said, "Establish FMC" because it is to be forever, for family, for Douglas, and to reach the world. This church is not to start or stop due to circumstances.

June 5, 1990 - This prophetic vision was given to Pastora Maria de la Parra of Nacozari for FMC: "I saw Douglas as a large ocean. FMC was a large ship. Jesus was the captain. The water was calm sailing. The ship was full of all kinds of wonderful blessings. There was room on the ship for many people."

November 24, 1996 - Faith Ministries received the donation of our present property at 901 11th Street from the Douglas congregation of First Christian Church, Disciples in Christ. Faith Ministries heart to reach children and young people was a determining factor in First Christian's decision to donate the property which could have been "sold" to someone else.

We have had many trials, heartaches, miracles, victories, and promises/prophecies of great things to come. Arise and go forth on a new venture of faith and I will bless thee and use thee and keep thee safe is for you too as you follow God's will for your life. If you are a member of Faith Ministries Church or in partnership with Faith Ministries missions, the promises given to us are for you too.

Who are our partners? If you share with us your time, talents, possessions, or money, you are our partner. If you support us with your presence, or if your heart is with us, you are our partner. Webster's dictionary calls a partner: (1) one who shares, (2) one associated with another, especially in an action, (3) one of two or more persons who play together in a game against an opposing side, and (4) a member of a partnership, especially in a business.

Please receive this promise, which is our prayer for you, paraphrased from Philippians 1:2-10 (CEV): We pray that God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ will be kind to you and will bless you with peace! Every time we think of you, we thank our God. And whenever we mention you in our prayers, it makes us happy. This is because you have taken part with us in spreading the Good News from the first day you heard about it. God is the one who began this good work in you, and we are certain that He won't stop before it is complete. You have a special place in our hearts. So it is only natural for us to feel the way we do. God himself knows how much we care for you in the same way that Christ Jesus does. We pray that your love will keep on growing and that you will fully know and understand how to make the right choices.

Barbara's dad, the Rev. Forrest W. Mason (Papa Mason) behind Calvin and Barbara.
One of our first services at the little building on 9th Street.

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