Pastor's Conference

I returned from El Salvador and the Pastor's Conference this past Friday...it was a whirlwind week, but it was a blessing. Twenty eight pastors came to the retreat and we went over the 7 principles of Experiencing God together. It was awesome to be with these eager pastors. They seemed genuinely pleased with the experience, and are excited about the pastor's family retreat, November 10-11.

The pastor's will begin studying the Bible for credit beginning in February and they will be meeting in our mission church at Antiguo Cuscatlan! Folks have given to this project and we are buying tables and mattresses for the pastors.

Say a special prayer for the pastors as the learn and lead their congregations...thank you FCC for allowing me the privilege to attend this first pastor retreat and for being so supportive!

Let's also pray for FBC, Chalmette (our partner church) as they weather the coming hurricane...pray that the building that is being rebuilt will stand that it will be a lighthouse in the community...

For the Kingdom!

Experiencing God

Well I leave for El Salvador Pastors Retreat on Monday, August 25 and will return August 26. I will be traveling by myself to meet up with approximately 45 pastors! We will be going through Experiencing God together...I have 45 Spanish versions to give out to the pastors.

Last blog entry, I mentioned that we had financial needs for the pastors and we have had an amazing response...approximately $2300 has been given! Wow. Thanks to all have given. In addition to our FCC family giving, Trinity Baptist Church from St. Mary's has also sent a donation. The money that has come in will buy the Experiencing God books, give the pastors scholarships for the retreat, and purchase cots and mattresses for the pastors. We even have some left over to help us with the November retreat.Please pray for the following:

1. Travel mercies.
2. My daugther Bethany who begins college on Monday.
3. My wife Grace and daughter Tori who hold down the homefront.
4. An ability to communicate with encouragement to these eager pastors.
5. The churches that each pastor represents.

We hope to finalize our Dec/Jan church-wide trip next week.

I will write more when I return. Thanks for praying...thanks for giving!

For the Kingdom!

El Salvador Pastor Training

Who would have known what God had in store when our church agreed to partner and plant a church in El Salvador three years ago. Our church in Antiguo Cuscatlan is growing and learning what it means to be the bride of Christ. Their pastor, Rolando Rivas, is doing an awesome job of ministering to the congregation. But in God's timing and creative imagination, He had something larger for Rolando, our church, and the pastors of our local area.

Rolando is now coordinating training for Baptist pastors in El Salvador. Starting in January their will be accredited Bible classes that will meet in FCC's mission at Antiguo Cuscatlan! The pastor's will meet for a week at a time...sleep on cots...and study during the day. I believe there will be a class offered each quarter.

In the meantime, we are putting together some pastor conferences:

August 25-29, I will be traveling to El Salvador to teach 30 to 35 pastors, Experiencing God in three days...we will also have recreation and worship together.

In November, Dan Hale, FBC Millersville, will be leading a group to plan a retreat for pastors, families. There will be a track for pastors, spouses, and pastor's kids...plus family worship and recreation. This will be an awesome event!

You can help this effort with El Salvador Pastor Training in three areas:

1. Prayer--this is a God thing! We need prayer that God would raise up pastors in Missouri and in El Salvador to come together. We need prayer for the finances of this project.
2. Going--if you know of a pastor that you be interested in this project, please pass this on!
3. Finances - We are trying to raise additional funds for the project (this project is not in any church's budget). Here are some of the monies we are needing initially:

Mattresses $18.00 x 35 = $630

Tables $ 114.00 x 4= $456

Repair of pastor car = $400.00

Pastor scholarships = $500

Training Materials = $500

This does not include expenses for pastors in Missouri to travel to El Salvador. If you are interested in contributing above your normal tithes and offerings, you can send a check to Fruitland Community Church, 6040 Hwy 61 North, Jackson, MO 63755. Make sure you indicate "El Salvador Pastors" on the check memo or envelope.

If you have questions, you can e-mail me at pastormike@fruitlandcommunity.com or call me at 573-450-4134. It is awesome to partner together to build the Kingdom!

Dreaming for the Kingdom...