As part of our 2020 Vision, the ICOC in Trinidad and Tobago has been praying to have churches in five boroughs of significant population - Port of Spain, Tobago, San Fernando, Chaguanas, & Arima. From these cities, we believe the entire nation can be evangelized. God has moved powerfully in Port of Spain, San Fernando, and Tobago - and we officially began our ministry in Chaguanas just last year. For the last two years, however, we have been praying and asking God to show us a way to plant the last remaining borough in east Trinidad - Arima. We would like to share with you how God's Spirit has moved in the hearts of a family, and planted the seeds for His work in east Trinidad.
A few months ago, our brother Bob Peterson (a modern-day Caleb!) began reaching out to a golfing buddy named Robbie Lakhan. Robbie is from Sangre Grande, about 20 minutes east of Arima & over an hour from our place of worship in Port of Spain. God prompted Robbie to begin driving an hour each way to study the Bible with Bob. Robbie was so impacted by what he was learning, he began to bring his wife Angelita to the bible studies. In time, they brought along their son Marcus, who brought his wife Kimberly!
The Lakhan family belonged to a small church of about 15 people in their village outside of Sange Grande. But one day Robbie informed us that the minister (who is also his brother-in-law) had decided to close the church due to burnout. We encouraged Robbie to read the story of Cornelius in Acts 10 and invite his friends, family, and neighbours to their house for a Sunday evening worship service! God blessed the service with about 25 in attendance, and we preached the message of the cross from Acts 2, calling everyone who wasn't right with God to study the Bible, repent & be baptised for the forgiveness of their sins.
We were awed by the response, as several persons expressed an interest in learning more. Even the former minister, along with his wife and two kids came over for dinner, as we continude to build friendships with them, and share God's vision for their lives and their community. God's vision for the Lakhan family and the village of Sange Grande is obvious, as we have been invited to return at the end of July for a special kickoff service where the entire village, mostly Hindus & Muslims, will be invited to attend!
Most amazing is how God has moved in the hearts of Robbie and his family! They continued to faithfully study the Bible over the last few weeks, and responded to the call to become disciples themselves, and take the message of Jesus' love to their community! On Father's Day, Sunday, June 15, the Lakhan family submitted their lives to the "Father of their spirits," as Robbie, Angelita, Marcus, and Kimberly made the hour-plus drive into Port of Spain to meet the church and publicly make Jesus Lord in the waters of baptism!
The disciples in Trinidad erupted in thunderous applause, as they first witnessed Bob baptise Robbie, who then baptised his wife Angelita; then together Robbie and Angelita baptised their son Marcus, who would then baptise his wife Kimberly, making the family truly united in Christ! Watch the video here:
We praise God for four more souls added to his Kingdom, and the beginning of a new house church in Sangre Grande! Please continue to offer up your prayers for our new brothers and sisters and for the new house church started by God's Spirit! And pray for the disciples here in Trinidad and Tobago, and all around the Caribbean, as we work together to "Reach Every Beach," to the honour and glory of God!