Since last March I find myself as the senior pastor of the Jesus Maria church, and it has been a learning and growing experience. A special shout-out to pastors Rick Clark of E-town Grace and Kirk Belmont of Hope Community Church for helping me think through sermon series creation, thinking through the advantages of expository, verse-by-verse preaching, melded with a focus on choosing topics of need and relevance to the congregation. Our sermon series for January, 2025 was “Running to Win in 2025” from Hebrews 12. When we return, I’ll be starting a 5-week series based on questions sent me by the congregation entitled, “What’s the Bible Say about That?” The questions that I’ve already received are…challenging!
Mayra and I were able to visit PA for several weeks in February. I spent the first week in February representing Liebenzell USA with Mexican co-workers Fernando and Luz María Amezcua at Moody Bible Institute‘s 2025 mission conference, in Chicago, IL. What a special time! Going back to Moody always reminds of the incredibly transformational time in my life, as a student there from 1985-88. The speakers at the conference this year left me in tears repeatedly. Wow! It was so encouraging to meet many students, and also touch base with some of the mission profs at Moody. The theme: Where Christ Is Not Yet Named.
Fernando Amezcua presented a workshop giving first-person testimony of how his church in Guadalajara, Mexico adopted an unreached people group with their own unique dialect. For 23 years, the church has visited the town several times a year (a 12-hour drive), and there is now a small group of believers in the town. The group recently began construction on their church building. You can check out a video on this village HERE. We stayed with a great family during the conference time in Logan Square, that attend Armitage Bible Church. Thanks so much Alexander and Noemí, and their 4 kids who gave up their beds for a couple days!
Rod and Mayra, it is inspiring to see your continued passion for church planting and world evangelization. May the Lord continue to supply you with vision, stamina and resources to run the race.