Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Greetings in Jesus’ love. Thanks to all who support HOPE Ministries with your prayers and finances. Thanks also for keeping my family in your prayers. Rut’s condition has not improved, but your prayers continue to be a valued support for her and us. We are grateful to our merciful God who keeps Rut spiritually and physically strong and positive.
I want to give an update on how our appointed ministry leaders are doing. Approximately three years ago, we made the decision to appoint Jose Onate as the evangelist for the congregation of Logansport. With the support of his family, brother Jose, along with the elders of the church, is developing an effective ministry for God’s glory. In his first year as minister of Logansport, Jose baptized almost thirty people. The congregation continues to thrive and increase with his dedicated work. New people are being added to the church. Jose is also training a valuable group of men to work with him in serving the Lord.
The ministry that Brother Jose is developing is not just limited to Logansport. He started preaching and teaching Jesus’ gospel also to the large Hispanic community of Frankfort. People are responding positively, and some of them are attending the services at Logansport. Brother Jose learned and loves the New Testament doctrine, and has a great passion for making it known to others. Recently, Jose told me one of the reasons for having one more Hispanic church in Logansport is the mission of preaching and teaching sound doctrine.
Just as we did in Logansport, we’ve also assigned local ministers in Monticello. For this congregation, we appointed Jorge Palencia and Faustino Hernandez, who both are doing outstanding work in God’s Kingdom. They are going beyond Monticello in their ministry. For example, through the week, they hold several meetings in Logansport for various groups: women, men and youth meetings. On Friday, they combine all the groups in one Bible study. On Sunday, people gather from various places to meet in Monticello to study the Bible and worship God. As a result of Jorge’s and Faustino’s ministry, on February 14, they baptized three new people. Happy Valentines Day!
Jorge and Faustino have a vision to train men who will take on ministries in other towns and congregations to continue the pattern of how the Lord has already been working in this ministry. For example, Jose Onate introduced and recommended Jorge Palencia. After one year, Jorge and his family were serving with me in Monticello. They in turn introduced and recommended Faustino and his family. What names will I be telling you about in the future? Thus our ministry is built on the apostle Paul’s wise advice in 2 Timothy 2:2 (ESV): “and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”
Please that we will be able to keep developing this ministry for God’s glory.
Sincerely,
Rafael Tirado