Raúl San Martín, pictured above with his wife Albita and their daughter, was licensed to the ministry by Calvary Baptist Church on April 21, 2013. Raúl and Albita serve as Calvary "missionaries" to Sullivan City as they lead the Primera Iglesia Bautista in the same city. For the last couple of years, the San Martín's have been essentially involved in a re-starting of this church which almost closed its doors. (Don't miss his inspiring testimony at the end of this blog post!)
After a brief report of the work in Sullivan City, the congregation approved the recommendation of Pastor Rolando Aguirre to license Raúl to the ministry. This will give Bro. San Martín freedom as he ministers in Sullivan City by preaching, teaching, baptizing, celebrating the Lord's Supper, officiating weddings, etc.
Licensing to the ministry among Baptist churches is generally a preliminary step to the more formal process of ordination. There is, however, no requirement that an ordination candidate be licensed first or that a licensed minister be ordained later. It is simply, the way that it usually works out in practice. Licensing is often conferred on a minister who is beginning. It is meant as an affirmation from the church for the minister to continue to pursue his call, use his gifts for the ministry, and continue to obtain ministerial training.
Raúl was born in Los Angeles, California on May 24, 1968. When his parents divorced, Raul moved with his mom to Guadalajara, Mexico where he grew up. His family followed occultic practices and forms of witchcraft. Additionally, the family was plagued with drug and alcohol addiction.
One happy day, Raúl's uncle, Marcelo, gave his life to Christ through the witness of a North American Baptist missionary whose name was Richard Lee. That was the day that the gospel began to make its way among this family. One by one several of them surrounded their lives to Jesus Christ.
Raúl saw the total transformation of his mother who recovered from alcohol and drug addiction and began to study the Bible. The testimony of his mom and other other family members impacted Raúl's life immensely.
At this time in his life, Raúl was a professional guitar composer and performer. His goal was to become famous and to prosper economically. Nevertheless he often found himself depressed and turned to drugs.
On Christmas 1990, this same uncle, Marcelo, once again shared Christ with Raúl. This time Raúl gave his life to Christ and started his process of study and discipleship. Raul's uncle had founded a Bible Institute which was called Mexican Bible Institute. Raúl studied at this institute for three years and graduated as church-planting pastor. Later, in 2005, Raúl and his wife Albita completed the Southern Baptist Convention's church planting training through the North American Mission Board (NAMB). Additionally, Raúl has received training in drug and alcohol rehabilitation support and ministry.
Raúl has used his musical talent for evangelism as he recorded two albums and toured the USA and Mexico playing in evangelistic meetings.
Raúl's call to missionary work was confirmed when he visited indigenous people communities in Mexico where he preached and helped in outreach. He and Alba, who married in 2005, have worked together with various indigenous groups in Oaxaca, Mexico. Much of their work has been focused on the Mixtec people group where they contributed to the planting of three churches under the supervision of Pastor Agustín Meneses of First Baptist Church, Huajuapan de León, Oaxaca.
God brought Raúl and Albita to Sullivan City, by the request of Calvary in 2011. During their ministry there, several families have surrendered their lives to Christ, been baptized and are being discipled now. This re-start of PIB, Sullivan counts with a Sunday morning worship service, a Wednesday night service and two week day Bible studies. Twenty individuals are being discipled each week learning the Bible, developing spiritually and learning how to lead others to Christ. Additionally, Albita leads a Bible Study for youth twice a week.
God has been working in this zone where drug trafficking and witchcraft have been very common. Many of those who practice witchcraft have moved away from this area. Raúl has approached the police, city officials and the fire department to share Christ with them. The streets around the church have recently been paved, which is a great blessing.
Raúl and Albita had been praying for a child for quite sometime. The fact that Dana was born while they ministered in Sullivan City is for them a confirmation of God's grace over their ministry in this place. They are convinced God has called them to minister in Sullivan City and are trusting God to provide them the grace to fulfill this task.
We are blessed to have the San Martín family ministering in Sullivan City. We are thankful for the opportunity to encourage him and let him know that we are behind him. I hope that beyond licensing Raúl, we continue to support him and the family in prayer and sometimes in presence.
What a blessing! His family in the US will continue to pray for him & his wife and girl!
ReplyDeleteGod bless your family and ministry forever and ever :)
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