Spanish Ministry
Influenza Impacts Mexico Ministry
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| Carlos posed with airport security
during the height of the H1N1 influenza outbreak in Mexico. |
Carlos Fernández, our Spanish-speaking
evangelist, had the distinction of being in Mexico during the
first days of the H1N1 influenza outbreak. We are thankful
that he was protected from any ill effects, despite his
traveling on buses and participating in several public meetings.
Although his schedule was reduced to a single weekend (rather
than the planned two weeks) he completed six successful and
encouraging events. After those, all public gatherings were
banned in an attempt to curtail the spread of the virus.
The campaign brought Carlos through Mexico
City to Puebla, where he conducted community outreach events
attended by over 1,100 people. As a result, fifty-eight individuals
indicated they had made a faith commitment to follow Jesus as
Savior and Lord. In addition, Carlos trained fifty-nine
people to use the newly-produced Spanish version of the FaithSearch
Discovery PowerPoint® presentation. Those trained will now
be able to present the Gospel with evidence in their own ministries.
While there, Carlos worked with a large
church, Torre Fuerte (Strong Tower) and in spite of the shortened
schedule, they were excited to invite him to return in 2010
for further ministry. We heard from a member of their "welcome
tent" ministry, who served when Carlos was teaching and
preaching at Torre Fuerte. She wrote, "First, I thank God
for your visit, and of course you too, as you took the time
to be with us." She continued:
This Sunday, we had excellent results, since besides the
new people who were very interested in the message, there
were people who came because of the impact the message had
on them. Counting the first and second service, we had nearly
forty people to take care of, when normally we take care of
six or eight per service. Of these people most were attentive,
listened to the detailed plan of salvation we presented to
them, and received Christ as their Lord and Savior. Truly
your preaching was of great blessing.
Carlos also made contact in Puebla with
an even larger church of about 7,000 attendees (Amistad Cristiana,
Christian Friendship). They have acquired television equipment
and a studio, and plan to broadcast programming they develop.
FaithSearch was invited as the guest for
the first episode of "Destino Joven" (Youth Destiny).
During the taping, Carlos presented the historicity of the New
Testament-in about a half hour. He was invited to return for
three additional programs. "With the size of this church,"
Carlos said, "I estimate that about 2,000 people might
see the program when it is released."
Book sales of Sorprendido por la Fe
(the Spanish translation of Surprised by Faith) in Puebla
were also significant. In fact, book sales there were enough
to finance the second printing of the Peruvian edition.
This is good news, because the first printing in Peru has been
depleted.
After a brief stay in the Twin Cities,
Carlos was off again for a series of events in Peru. These included
a week-long evangelism and training series in Ica, a
small city 200 miles south of Lima. Ica was badly hit by an
8.0 earthquake in 2007. The impact of FaithSearch
may produce an even greater effect in some lives, however. Carlos'
outreach presentations yielded 212 faith commitments to follow
Jesus. These were overwhelmingly from high school kids making
a profession of faith for the first time.
Carlos also conducted FaithSearch
Discovery training during the week, which was attended by another
fifty-six people. These included the director of a local seminary,
who has said he is now "truly sold" on proclaiming
the Gospel with evidence. Another key contact is from a Christian
radio network. Radio is a significant medium of communication
in much of South America. In fact, attendance at the training
is believed to have been increased as a result of Carlos' participation
in a radio program the day before the event.
With the flu furor abating, it appears
possible that the planned Monterrey, Mexico, campaign in June
will move forward. Please continue to pray for our Spanish
ministry: for continued safety for Carlos and his family, and
for the resources to fund this ever-growing ministry field.
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| Our Spanish language evangelist
Carlos Fernández presented FaithSearch
Discovery at Torre Fuerte church in Puebla, Mexico. |
