Missions News
Space Coast Church Continues to Grow
Many have asked about how Space Coast Church is doing since being planted in January of 2016. We are happy to report that the church has grown by 71%, with the greatest share of that growth coming through baptisms! God has blessed us greatly as we have experienced many victories in our outreach to the community, including several married couples.
Miracles in Madrid
"It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation...But now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions, and since I have been longing for many years to visit you, I plan to do so when I go to Spain." -- Romans 15:20, 23-24
Paul’s ambition was to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, and eventually to do so in Spain. That dream is coming to fruition in Madrid as La Iglesia de los Discípulos de Cristo en Madrid strives to preach the word to the 6.5 million people in our city. We pray every day for God to connect us to people who are seeking him, and he is answering our prayers in amazing ways.
North River Church Sends Summer Mission Team to Costa Rica
Editor's note: The following is shared from the North River Church of Christ newsletter.
Though we are miles away from you, we feel your love, support and presence daily. We literally feel that we have been carried by your prayers. Thank you to everyone who put a reminder in their phone to pray for us daily. You have been a part of every heartfelt talk, every honest conversation and every changed heart. Thank you.
House Church Begins in Sioux Falls
God is on the move in South Dakota!
My name is Shannon Van Zee, and together with my wife Janella and daughter Daniella, we are excited to officially announce our move to Sioux Falls, South Dakota and the beginning of a house church in the city. We just recently transitioned to Sioux Falls to help start what we believe is God's desire to see people here come to a great relationship with him. Sioux Falls is the largest and most influential city in the state and region, a city with a thriving economy and growing diversity.
Kiev Church of Christ Celebrates 25th Anniversary
God of wonders!
What an appropriate theme for the 25th anniversary of the Kiev Church of Christ, which was planted on June 7, 1992, from the one-year-old Moscow church. After arriving on a Tuesday, we had only five days to share our faith and wait for God to bring a harvest. God did just that, as over 500 people came to service that first Sunday! The next night, God brought over 270 open hearts with a desire to know the Bible. After daily Bible studies, 28 people where baptized into Christ the very next Sunday! By the end of the first month God added 77 people to the Kiev Church and he has now multiplied them to a Sunday attendance of 1800. God blessed us with planting eight more churches in Ukraine as well!
Miraculous Baptism in Beirut
Another glorifying miracle has happened in the Lebanon Church of Christ. God is collecting his lost children, even those who have grown up following traditional Christianity. Nicolas is the father of Said, who got baptized a year ago.
Nicolas came to his son’s baptism and didn’t fight his son’s decision even though the whole event was strange to him because Said was already baptized as a child! Then he had a painful accident that kept him at the hospital for months. That crisis broke him down because he felt death was so close to a man of his age. When I sat down with him to talk, he realized that his relationship with God was not right!
Atlanta Congregation Brings Good News All Over the World
Editor's note: The following is shared from the North River Church of Christ newsletter.
“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” — Matthew 5:13‐14 (ESV)
Thank you so much for your generous giving that allows our staff and members to serve in both domestic and international mission fields. This month, John and Vivian Hanes travel to Campinas, Brazil to speak at the Brazil Campus Conference entitled "Sal & Luz" (Salt & Light), followed by trips to the Brazilian congregations in Brasilia and São Paulo to preach, teach and encourage the leadership.
Huntsville, Alabama Hires New Leaders for Mission Team
God has chosen an amazing couple to lead the Huntsville, Alabama church planting. J.D. and Claudette Lusan decided to return to full-time ministry and will be moving to Huntsville in May 2017 to begin planning and forming the mission team. During their 20+ years as disciples, the Lusans have demonstrated strong, faithful and dynamic leadership – in the full-time ministry and as lay leaders – in Kingston, Jamaica, Orlando, and South Florida. The Lusans will be joined by the 15 faithful disciples who currently live in Huntsville.
Easter Sunday Brings Baptisms Around the World
We received great news this weekend of baptisms taking place all over the world! Here are just a few of our new brothers and sisters baptized recently.
Thespian Theophilus Wades in the Water
We do not know the identity of Luke’s Theophilus (Luke 1:3, Acts 1:1), but we do know God must have loved him a great deal to prompt Luke to write two books for his benefit.1 This is a story about God’s love for a modern-day Theophilus. Let me introduce him to you.