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Mayo Nation of Southern Sonora

A Generation of Mighty Warriors

Equatorial Guinea - House for Teachers

Digging Deep

The Juniper Tree

Testimonies from Pastor Alberto Ruelas

God Sees the BIGGER Picture

from Calvin

I am a firm believer that the people God connects me to along life’s journey, will have an eternal effect on my life. Here’s a good example:

In 1988, our Pastor Jose Luis lined us up to preach in a new church at Naco, Sonora. We still had three teenagers living at home and they were always attracting friends that loved to tag along on our ministry assignments. One such friend of our son Bob was Abraham. Abraham was a new Christian and was always watching curiously how things worked in our Christian world.

A few days ago, Abraham shared with me a lesson he had learned at that service in Naco thirty-four years ago. After the service was dismissed, the Pastor insisted that I take the entire offering that had been collected that night and handed me a plastic bag of coins. Even though I was reluctant, the Holy Spirit reminded me of Mark chapter 12 where Jesus accepted the widow’s two mites and declared that her two coins were of more value to Him than the huge gifts of the rich.

If there is one thing I’ve learned on the mission field, it is to never hinder someone from giving, because that is how God puts them into a position to receive and have their needs met.

So back to Naco... when Abraham saw me accept the gift, he thought, WOW, it sure is easy for Hermano Calvino to get rich. He just preaches a while, says a few prayers, and they give him money. I had no idea what Abraham was thinking when the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart saying, “Give the offering to Abraham. He needs the money.”

Abraham shared with me that the Naco money exchange changed his life and gave him a realistic view of how God’s people should be generous. Well, today Abraham has a successful business in Agua Prieta, Sonora, and helps support Faith Ministries missions.

By the way, the bag of Mexican coins was the equivalent of one dollar and sixty-seven cents in U.S. currency.

Thank you for your love offerings and never take them lightly. Offerings given by the will of God never stop blessing.

Luke 6:38 NKJV Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.

Mayo Nation of Southern Sonora

For many years, indigenous Pastor Fermin Escalante has had a successful and progressive ministry to his people of the great Mayo Nation of southern Sonora.

It has been an honor for us here at Faith Ministries to help him build his new church in Guayparin, Sonora.
 
Even though the work has continued, it has also been slowed by the hindrance of the Covid pandemic. He still needs to finish the walls and put on the roof.

We’re asking you to pray with us for a spiritual shot of adrenaline to bring things back up to speed.

A Generation of Mighty Warriors

Mark 10:13-16 NKJV Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. 15 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” 16 And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.

Almost every time we open Facebook, we see our family in Mexico doing something to bless children with God’s love and their love. They take advantage of every occasion. There is Easter, Dia de los Ninos, Saturday and Sunday Bible classes, VBS and Christmas. The list could go on and on…  A generation of mighty warriors is being raised up! WOW!

Equatorial Guniea - House for Teachers

Isaac and Noemi Teran and their family had to leave Equatorial Guniea because of visa challenges. When they arrived, they received a temporary visa and immediately applied for long-term visas. Three months after their temporary visa expired, they were advised to leave the country as it is dangerous to be there without the proper paperwork.

They have pledged to continue funding the house for teachers that they started when they were there. It will be a blessing, as we continue helping them finish this project.

They are seeking the Lord for His direction in their next assignment of ministry.

Follow the Teran family on Facebook. Follow Morada de Paz College.

Digging Deep

There is a segment of U.S. history that the Lord had used many times to keep me on track when times are hard.

Before the American Civil war of 1861 to 1865, the Capitol building in Washington D.C. was well into construction.

As the war progressed, President Abraham Lincoln’s advisers tried to get him to discontinue the work in order to have more money and manpower for fighting the war.

His response was always the same. His mindset was that if the enemy saw construction cease, they would believe the government of the Union was collapsing.

He was bound and determined to never stop pursuing the original vision of his nation’s forefathers.

Many times over the last 36 years, Faith Ministries has passed through seasons of belt-tightening. Each time the Holy Spirit would instruct us to dig deep and use our faith to show progress, even at times, launch new ministry projects.

That determined faith has always pushed us upward and forward in the vision of our forefathers.

Mark 16:15 NKJV And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 

We must continue this goal of our forefathers until the job is finished.

The Juniper Tree

On a recent ministry trip to the Cumpas area, we were with one of our pastors that we’ve worked with for many years. He has never been one to express disappointments.

As we visited and shared good reports, he became teary-eyed and began to talk of one of his newest ministry assignments that was the subject of serious disappointments and setbacks.

Before he could finish his discourse a strong impulse of the Spirit had Barbara and me laying hands on him and praying fervently. He was definitely under the juniper tree and in need of freedom from this burden. (Please read I Kings 19:1-5 KJV) The power of the Holy Spirit fell strongly on us and before long his strength and courage were renewed and he was caught up in Spirit laughter, set free by the mighty name of Jesus. You would probably be surprised how much of our ministry takes place, not behind the pulpit, but rather behind a cup of coffee.

Testimonies from Pastor Alberto Ruelas

1. A young man with his wife and children from Phoenix were visiting Cumpas. He had a serious skin disease that caused severe itching over his entire body. After prayer, he began feeling relief. The man and his family returned to Cumpas the following weekend to testify that his skin was completely healed.

2. While ministering in a home cell group in a nearby pueblo, Pastor Alberto encountered a man who had not had a bowel movement in three weeks. His entire body was bloated and red with infection. After prayer, his body immediately began normal function.

3. In 2020, Pastor Alberto was ministering to many people who came to do business where he worked, but they didn’t want to attend his church. As he began to seek the Lord, the Holy Spirit strongly impressed upon him to begin home cell groups. Many people warmly invited him to minister to their families in this manner. At first, the new converts who were content with home ministry still would not come to church services. Now, by his faithful continuance in home cell work, the people have grown in faith. They now have 10 cell groups in homes, and members from all ten groups are now attending Sunday services at church together.

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