Grateful for 2010 and some early 2011 developments

As the year 2010 comes to an end, we are grateful to God for his blessings.  This was a year of transition for Calvary in the interim period.  The economic situation in the U.S. and the violence in Mexico have presented their own challenges. Yet, as we look back, we thank God that during this year Calvary had a missional presence in Germany, Kenya and Southeast Dallas.  Our church built a home for a family in the Peñitas colonia.  We fulfilled our commitments to all the missionaries and church plants we support.  We ministered to hundreds of families through Angel Food, Bread of Life and Angel Tree.  Our Spanish service doubled in attendance.  And, we saw approximately 123 people join Calvary by baptism or transfer.  These are just a few of the many blessings we received in 2010.  Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

An important meeting with leaders from Saltillo church is taking place in a few days.  As our leaders explore renewing a strategic partnership with a Saltillo church, some of the Saltillo leaders will be Calvary’s guests on January 7-9.  During their time here, our leaders will discuss ways in which we could partner in mission to the poor and to the unreached in Northern to Central Mexico.  We will hear testimonies from them during our worship services.  If you would like to host a family in your home, please contact Cindy Shartle.

We welcome Benjamin Aguirre to the Calvary Staff.  Benjamin has recently received his Bachelor’s degree from Rio Grand Bible Institute in Edinburg.  This month he joins our staff as Spanish Language Ministry Associate.  In this part-time role, he will continue to lead music and worship in our Spanish service and he will also provide administrative and pastoral support to Pastor Rolando.  Benjamin’s time and work at Calvary will be complemented by a part-time role on the Rio Grande Bible Institute faculty beginning this spring semester.  We are grateful to God for bringing someone with such a calling and giftedness to our church and for providing additional leadership to our fast-growing Spanish ministry.

Genuine Faith

Some people believe that faith is simply believing that what you want to happen will happen with enough intensity.  If what you want did not come to happen, then the assumption is that you did not have enough faith.  Others correctly understand that faith is trusting God and surrendering to Him completely.

For several months some of us prayed with David and Veronica Reyna of Rio Grande City for their daughter LouLou, an 11-year-old who had leukemia.  After many intense prayers by hundreds of people, the Lord called LouLou home.  The testimony of David and Veronica Reyna one week after her passing is a tremendous demonstration of genuine faith.

You can hear it yourself by watching this video:

http://www.louloureyna.com/blog/a-message-from-loulous-parents?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+LouLouReyna+%28Lou+Lou+Reyna%29

(If you cannot open it by clicking above, copy and past the url or simply go to www.louloureyna.com and look for the video message).

I hope you will be encouraged by their example as you grow in your faith.

Blessings...

Deacon Ministry Seminar: 12-11-10

Calvary has recently elected six men who will join the active deacon team at the beginning of 2011.  Some one may ask what is the role of deacons at Calvary Baptist Church?  How does their work relate to the pastoral staff? How does it relate to the other ministries of the church?  What does the Bible say about it?  What has been the Baptist tradition in that regard?

This topic has found new interest in Baptist churches today as the role of deacons has changed in some.  Some Baptist churches have done away with the deacon ministry altogether.  Others have established elder boards.  It is important that we consider this matter for our context.

On Saturday, 12-11-10, beginning at 8:30 am in our multi-purpose building, I will lead an overview of the role of deacons, hoping to cover biblical, historical and practical areas of this topic.  The seminar is for deacons and for any others who are interested in understanding the role of the deacon in our church.  It is my hope that this seminar can help us understand our roles better, and thus, be more effective in the work that God has entrusted us.

Since this seminar involves meals, I am asking you to confirm your participation so that we can plan the food accordingly.  Please notify Kathleen Beecher in our church office of your participation via phone (686-4364) or e-mail (musicministry@calvarymcallen.org) by Wednesday, December 8.

I hope you can join us.