"I will gladly spend and be spent..."

A funny thing happened to us on the way to Ecuador.  The book of Acts found us.  It found us when we studied 32 lessons of Acts and the Apostles beginning in September with Bible Study Fellowship (BSF).  Providentially, our pastor at our home church in Chandler, AZ was preaching through the book of Acts this fall.  Paul has left a footprint on our steppingtstone.  After his Damascus Road conversion, Paul spent his remaining years traveling and establishing churches.  But, he didn't do it alone.  He had a strong core of faithful workers who traveled with him to build the churches of believers.   He lived by his calling:  "...this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ..." (Ephesians 3:8).  And Paul did this whether on a river bank (Acts 16:11-15) or in the synagogues or in the marketplaces (Acts 17:16).  Where there wasn't a meeting place, he established one - called the church.  He started more than 14 churches in his 3 missionary journeys and the power within those churches tranformed lives...and still does today.  We can say he started something powerful during the approximate years between 35-67 AD, unifying a group of believers for he knew that "...(God's) intent was that now through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known..." (Ephesians 3:10).

  We have studied the words and actions of Paul since September and within the past few weeks, we actually have witnessed the continuation of what he started. 

Last week, we traveled 2 hours south to Sangay National Park (www.parquesangay.org.ec) to Alausi, Ecudador straight to a Church of the Nazarene nesting within the alpine tundra of the Andes Mountain Range.  A small group of 8 workers spent 6 hard hours cleaning and preparing the church.  Some repaired doors, windows and damaged concrete blocks.

Some began wiring the church for electricity.  We didn't do it alone either.  The house near the church, although blessed with little, loaned us a wheel barrow, extra shovels, electricity, and water for the block cement.  Many hands were a part of the harvest process.  They have a young pastor and will begin services in two weeks!

In addition, slowly and methodically, a new church is being planted slightly northwest of Riobamba in beautiful Ambato.  Pray for these starts and those who attend.

If you have been or are now a part of a new church plant, consider yourself in good company.  Paul told the Corinthian church, "I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls."  (I Corinthians 12:15).

God is still planting Himself in the world and "...the gates of Hades will not overcome it."  (Matthew 16:18).

His church is built upon a Rock and many hands are part of the process.
Do you have a church?

     Keep Looking Up!    Jim and Linda