Faithful for the Long Haul

Last Sunday Karen, the kids, and I worshipped at Tohatchi -- in the heart of the Navajo Nation. Pastor Jim Bostic has served this church for eleven plus years, and it shows. Though the crowd wasn't especially large, the impact of Jim's ministry was clear in the depth of several of his people.

Two in particular touched me. One was Alvin, who had recently lost his wife to Cancer. Honest in his grief, you could tell his struggle. And yet he was firm in his trust of the Lord. The reality of Romans 8:28 was all about him. His faith in the midst of loss is a testimony we all could learn from.

Another was Aaron. Aaron has surrendered to preach. In fact, with a word from God, he was off to preach at a nearby church that evening. He reminds me of Paul's words in 2 Timothy 2:2, "And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others."

The growth seen in these men didn't happen overnight. It happened, at least in part, because a man of God (bivocational, by the way) did not simply pop in, pop off, and pop out; rather, he stayed for the long haul. Looking beyond Tohatchi you can see the same thing. The three strongest Native American works in Western Baptist Association share this experience: a long tenured pastor.

Whether you are a pastor or not, making disciples is not a quick and easy task. True life transformation happens because godly men and women invest their lives.

May we all be faithful for the long haul.

To His Glory!

Bro. Jim

Grace, In Any Language

Last Saturday my daughter Lydia and I spent the evening with the Grace Chinese Fellowship, a mission of First Baptist Socorro, New Mexico. It was the sixth anniversary for the ministry, and for Anna Tai, MSC Missionary who started the work. In addition to praise and worship, I preached, Pastor Bob Farmer of FBC recognized Anna for her faithful service, and two of the members shared their testimony. All in all, I believe the Savior was pleased.

For me the high point of the evening was the song service. Despite a few glitches with the technology, we joined together in authentic worship. Since most of the songs were original Chinese hymns, I listened with joy as my brothers and sisters loved God in their heart language. But we opened with Amazing Grace. With a polyglot slide on the screen, they sang out in Chinese while Lydia and I did so in English. Different language... different culture... but the same song to the same Lord, praising Him for His wonderful grace. And do you know what? Grace is amazing, no matter what language you speak.

Please pray for the Grace Chinese Fellowship. Chinese students comprise the largest group of international students attending the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology in Socorro. God has raised up a core group to serve as the hub of a new church that will reach and disciple students for Christ before sending them back home in service to Him. Pray that this leadership base would continue to grow. Pray also for Anna, that a health concern would be quickly resolved. Most of all, pray that God's wonderful grace would continue to flow from this beautiful fellowship.

"to the praise of His glorious grace"

Bro. Jim

Joyful Simplicity

Last Sunday was a treat. Karen, the kids, and I shared worship with the Laguna-Acoma mission, just outside of Grants, New Mexico. What a joyful celebration of Christ it was! We even witnessed a young mother follow the Lord in Baptism.

While there, I was stuck by the simplicity of it all. Back where I come from, if your church doesn't have all the bells and whistles, then you can't reach anybody (at least that's what everyone says). Don't have a first class worship team singing the latest choruses? Forget it. No video projector and PowerPoint? How do you expect anyone to receive Christ without those? I can't tell you how many churches I've visited (and served as pastor) where this was the mindset.

Now, don't misunderstand. I believe in using all the tools available. It's just that sometimes we rely too much on the tools and miss how God really works.

So it was refreshing to see a people gathering together in a simple church, giving their best to the Lord in song, with a simple God-fearing pastor sharing the Word. It reminded me how God doesn't need all the gimmicks and gadgets; he simply needs a faithful people following Him in simple faith. What a joy it was.

To His Glory!

Bro. Jim

Remember the Alamo

I'm a Texan. And for us Texans, "Remember the Alamo" is a significant phrase. It calls to mind those great men who held fast for thirteen days before succumbing to Santa Anna's army in the defining battle for Texas' independence. After this week, however, the phrase has taken on for me a new meaning.

I write this after only recently returning from the Alamo Navajo Indian Reservation, about 30 miles north of Magdalena, New Mexico. It is an isolated place -- about 60 miles from the nearest Walmart and 260 miles from the main Navajo Reservation. Described in some sources as America's most impoverished reservation, its people are, for the most part, a gentle people. And simple. Things many cannot live without, the Alamo Navajo have never known. Yet despite the isolation and poverty, as a community they work hard to assure a better life for those coming behind them.

Well last week I spent five days among them, in support of a mission team from Oakshade Baptist Church, Cleveland, Texas. While the team led VBS and performed community service projects, I worked to foster relationships with the members of Alamo Baptist Church. I discovered a pastor, Jonathan Vicente, who truly has a heart for Jesus, and many wonderful church members continuing a work that has been in place since President Teddy Roosevelt gave the land for the church in 1913.

The heroes of the Alamo fought for 13 days to assure Texas' freedom. But the heroes of the Alamo Navajo have served faithfully for 95 years in order for their people to know freedom from sin. Pray for them. Pray for pastor Jonathan as he leads the church past a series of recent issues. Pray that God would raise up partners to help them become all that He wants them to be. And pray for me: that God would grant me wisdom to help this church as they continue to represent Christ. Remember the Alamo!

To His Glory!
Bro. Jim

Unsung Heroes

We love our heroes... in sports... in movies... and even in ministry. I can remember how, back at preacher school, we preacher boys would dash to hear the latest mega-church pastor who came to town. We'd read his books as if they were classics. We'd pattern our ministries after him. Some would even preach his sermons (though never me, right?), replicating our hero's style right down to the slightest mannerism.

Now I praise God for those men called to the great churches and growing mission fields within our convention. I myself have learned much from them. The effect of their leadership cannot be ignored.

But...

This week God opened my eyes to a wonderful reality. For every high-profile, mega-church pastor across the SBC, there are hundreds of unsung heroes. These heroes are the men who serve faithfully in the remote, hard, and slow to grow mission fields. I have the privilege of serving some as their associational missionary. They don't reach thousands, and no one outside of our corner of the world knows their names. But they serve faithfully, building the Kingdom of God one soul at a time. They are, therefore, worthy of our honor, our love, and our prayers.

Heb. 13:7 (ESV) says, "Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith." Ponder this for a few moments, then ask yourself whether the heroes you follow are really worth your attention.

Praise the Lord for His unsung heroes.

To His Glory!
Bro. Jim

Off to a great start!

It has been a month since our family packed up and moved to New Mexico, leaving not only a familiar place but a familiar ministry. As far as the place goes, we love our new home. The people are great, and there are so many cool places to visit.

In terms of ministry, it's incredible. Our churches have been so receptive. Relationships form the basis for my work. I know that genuine relationships grow over time, and I will need to let that happen. But so far, it's as if we've been here all of our lives.

Case in point: Last week Karen, James, and I helped the Laguna-Acoma Mission with Vacation Bible School. We just loved the church, and they loved us back. I know the encouragement meant a lot to Bro. Richard, but they were the real blessing to us. At least 7 people came to Christ -- five of them in the class Karen led.

There is so much more to share. God has been so good to us. It's still hard to imagine: we are North American Mission Board missionaries -- serving in line with all the "Home Missionaries" I heard so much about since I was saved. That God would give me this privilege is truly a wonderful gift of grace.

Please pray for us as we continue to get aquainted with the field God has called us to. Pray that God would grant me insight into the needs of the churches I serve. Most of all, please pray that all I do as Regional Associational Missionary -- and all we do as a family -- would bring a smile to our savior's face.

To His Glory!
Bro. Jim