THE START
There are probably many different metrics that could objectively quantify how great our start is as Table Church Puerto Rico, but my assessment is a bit more subjective. Our family is encouraged and we feel blessed by the Lord's presence. So, we are off to a great start! We began meeting on the first Sunday of this year. We've had consistent participation every Sunday. Of course, each Sunday has been a different group of sorts. Here in Puerto Rico, traveling is the norm, so you never know from week to week who is in or out of town. All in all, every Sunday we've had people gather to worship Jesus and be stirred up to follow him wholeheartedly. As a whole we have about 10 adults and 12 children at the moment. We've also had visiting families each week, some on vacation and others just checking us out. We're praying the Lord allows for more people to catch our vision and join us as we long to see wholehearted discipleship flourish in Puerto Rico for the sake of God's glory and kingdom.
TABLE CHURCH VISION
We bring people together to follow Jesus wholeheartedly
BAPTISM SUNDAY
We have really exciting news to share! All of our kids have been asking to be baptized for a while now. Since I believe one thing baptism signals is an initiation into the life of a local church, I wanted to wait till we had a church for them to be baptized into. Well, we started Table Church and we have families participating with us in this church planting endeavor, so we concluded it was good time for them to take this important, dramatic step. On January 26th, all four of our kids were baptized in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. They "renounced the devil, his servants, and all his works" (an early church baptismal statement). They believe that Jesus died on the cross for their sins and rose again from the dead. They confess with us that "Jesus is Lord!" Celebrate with us!
GOOD WORKS
I'm currently preaching through the book of Titus, although I've done a couple themed sermons as well. If you want to listen, I'm currently posting them here on my youtube channel (I didn't start recording right away so they're not all there). One emphasis in the book of Titus is that God's people be "zealous for good works" (Titus 2:14).
Titus 3:8
"The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people."
As a part of our wholehearted discipleship to Jesus we are aiming to do just this. Currently we have started up a flag football clinic on the Coast Gaurd base. We have about 16 to 20 kids every week that we are able to encourage with some football fun. I also get the opportunity to share the gospel with them every week.
Another way we were able to be a blessing this last month was by giving gifts to the nursing home workers at Splendor Home Care. We put together some gift packages that included a $10 gift card to The Coffee Spot, chocolate goodies, Table Church stickers, and some cards made by the kids of Table Church. Rose is a worker there and has also been attending Table Church. The report from the staff was very positive and we'll continue to see what fruit these small seeds yield for the Kingdom of Jesus.
FAMILY UPDATE
The kids got to have all their grandparents (and an uncle) visit us this last month! Our kids had a blast and even though we got behind on some school, the time with family was encouraging. We walked through San Juan, showed them some of our favorite beaches, coffee shops, and did a few new things as well. Here's some pics from our time with them.
OTHER HAPPENINGS
I have officially received my diploma from NOBTS for completing an M.A. in Church Planting.
I got to go golfing with Gabe Baillie in Palmas Del Mar! Gabe is a church planter on the east side of the island. He pastors Summit Church Puerto Rico.
I had the unexpected opportunity to see some old friends from the Life Action days who were doing some mission work on the island. They hail from Gospel City Church in Granger, IN.
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