I am amazed at the Lord’s goodness to unworthy people like us! Consider the fact that we were once the enemy of God (Colossians 1:21), and now he has made us his representative and ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:18-20)… His grace sure is rich!

Deputation Update

We have been blessed on deputation. For a year and a half, God has kept us safe, provided for each of our needs and allowed us to see people saved along the way. We have truly enjoyed each moment! Through your faithful prayers and giving, the Lord has now provided over 77% of our needed support! We are thankful to have added quite a few new partners since our last letter, and we only need a handful more churches to join us before leaving for Colombia.

With our departure nearing (November, Lord willing), we are now in the process of getting our setup fund ready. We will be purchasing tickets very soon, along with getting our passports and visas all set for our move. If your church or Sunday School class is interested in giving to this project, contact me by phone or email or send donations to our mission board and mark the check “Aaron Vance – Setup Fund.” For a list of specific items we will need to set up our home in Colombia, please check out our website: www.bemagnified.org.

From The Mouth Of Babes

Our 3-year-old Amira was talking to my Mother-in-law the other day who told her that she missed her a lot and was crying for her. Amira quickly gave comfort by saying, “It’s OK Mamaw, don’t be sad. God is here!” It’s amazing to see her picking up on spiritual truths like these.

Colombian Culture Corner

There are two words that are often heard in Colombia when people want to say something is “cool” or “neat.” Those words are “chévere” (CHEH-beh-ray) and “bacano” (bah-CAH-no). If something is really cool and you are feeling particularly adventurous, you can put those words together. Now, isn’t that chévere bacano?

Prayer Requests

• For several that we’ve seen saved recently
• For others to trust Christ, here and far away
• For our support & setup needs to be fully funded by this November
• For God to prepare hearts in Colombia even before we arrive
• For God to raise up more laborers for Colombia
• For the Our Generation Camp at the end of May

Thanks again for your constant prayers and financial support. We love you and pray Christ’s best for you. Also, we’d love to hear from you to know how things are in your life & ministry.

Serving the Worthy King,

Aaron, Aubrie, Amira & Anabel Vance

Click to see the printable pdf version of this prayer letter (with pictures!)

This summer, my family and I will be joining a team of missionaries in helping out at the Our Generation Camp in Dayton, TN. I want to challenge you to consider coming this year. It has made such an impact in my life, that I plan on giving away a sponsorship for somebody by next week (see how to win at the end of this post).

The following description is from their website:

In 2004 a group of young missionaries headed to the field held a camp (Baptist Camp for World Evangelism) for college age students interested in foreign missions. God blessed in a such a tremendous way that the world is still feeling the impact of the decisions made that week as alumni are now serving all over the world. Over the years the camp evolved into the Our Generation Student Leadership Conference and remained a focused training ground for foreign missions. In 2011 we expanded our vision and began to provide the Our Generation Camp for middle school and high school age students. It allowed them exposure to young missionaries, missions training, plus all the fun and excitement expected in a summer camp.During the Our Generation Camp we have two tracks running simultaneously. Two camps, five days, but for one mission! We are blessed to have over a dozen missionaries families join us to serve as keynote speakers, counselors, and to spend time with the students. We believe this unique equation makes for an awesome week with maximum impact on the life of the teenagers and college students.

Interested in bringing a group!?!

We would love to hear from you! Please, email Trent@visionbaptist.com. He will communicate with you directly and answer any questions you may have.

We will email you a Youth Pastor Packet that will help you as you promote the camp to your youth group, meet with the parents of the teenagers, and recruit youth sponsors to join you.

In partnership with Fort Bluff Camp and missionaries around the world we believe we offer a premier, missions focused camp at an extremely reasonable price. We have all you would expect in a summer camp plus so much more!! 

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To see more info about camp speakers, the schedule, and to register, please visit the official camp website here.

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Now, for the good part…

Sponsorship Giveaway!

If you are interested in coming to the camp or know somebody else that is, I want to help you get there! How do you win? Simple… leave a comment below, share this post on Facebook or Twitter, or subscribe to the email updates. Doing each of these things will earn you a separate entry. Then, next Wednesday, April 17th I will use a random picker to select the winner.

[If the above video doesn't show up click here]

“¡Viva el Papa! ¡Viva el Papa! ¡Viva el Papa! ¡Viva el Papa!”

I tuned in yesterday afternoon in time to hear multitudes of Catholics from all over the world chanting in expectation of their new leader. Flags were waving all over the Vatican. The cry of the crowd was a cry of enthusiasm, expectation and energy as the new pope was to be revealed.

Then, as the curtains were pulled back, it was announced that the pope was none other than Argentine Jorge Bergoglio, who chose the name Pope Francis. Indeed, this man is the first Latin American to ever be chosen as Catholicism’s Papal leader.

He is a simple man, choosing to be as much among the people as possible, live a simple life, help the poor and deny many of life’s dainties for the “greater good.”

He led the people in reciting the Lord’s Prayer, then a prayer to Mary.

You could see expressions of hope on the faces of all who listened.

Hope.

…But is there hope in the pope?

I need to be careful here, because my intention is not to carelessly offend those that hold to the catholic teachings. But could I be so bold as to say, Catholicism, at its core teaching, is leading over a billion people to hell.

Why is that?

Don’t Catholics believe in God? Don’t they believe in the Bible? Don’t they believe that Jesus died on the cross?

Yes, they believe all of these truths.

But what is different between biblical Christianity and catholic teaching? Simply put, it’s a matter of do vs. done. 

The Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church states: “Christian initiation is accomplished by means of the sacraments which establish the foundations of Christian life. The faithful born anew by Baptism are strengthened by Confirmation and are then nourished by the Eucharist.”

Their teachings go on to express that there are 7 sacraments of the church, and in keeping these sacraments you will have favor with God and earn salvation.

But ask any catholic if they know where they will spend eternity and they always reply, “I don’t know” or “you can’t know” or “I won’t know until after I die.”

Why is that? Because salvation is depending on what they do. They are initiated into the church as a baby when they are baptized, they go through confirmation as a child or young adult, and they take the communion. They confess their sins to the priest, pray to Mary, pray to the saints and other idols, and help the poor, but it comes down to one question: What is their salvation depending on? DO or DONE!?

Friend, there is no hope in the pope. He is just a man. He may be a nice man, but he is a man who is leading people down a religious road straight to an eternity that is separated from God.

Salvation is only by grace through faith. It is either grace or it is works. It cannot be both. Jesus already bought our salvation, and offers it as a gift to all who will believe on him. Why are you trying so hard to earn it?

If you have never been biblically saved, if you are still trying to work your way to God, if you don’t know for sure if you’re eternity will be Heaven or Hell, I challenge you to do one thing. Repent.

Repent of your sin and your faith in works or religion. Then believe on Jesus. Run to Jesus. Throw out any other hope that you have and cling to the cross where Jesus paid for your sins. He says he will forgive you. He will accept you. He will make you his child and an heir to all promises. He promises to give you life. Don’t wait any longer.

The Bible says in John 5:24 “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”

You have God’s word on it. He never breaks his promises. Don’t wait any longer. Believe on Jesus.

Christian, maybe you agree with all that I’ve written here. Would you pray with me for the billions around the world that are deceived by religion? Would you pray with me that God would raise up more laborers to take the GOOD NEWS to them, that Jesus paid it all? Would you pray that God would open their eyes, that they would know the truth, and this truth would make them free?

“And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;” 1 Timothy 1:12

My heart is full today.

I feel blessed far beyond what I deserve.

Last night, at our home church, 18 men gathered around me for several hours to encourage me, bless me, lay their hands on me, and ordain me into the Gospel ministry. These men have had, collectively, hundreds of years in the ministry. I was so humbled to be surrounded by these giants of the faith, and to hear of their recognition of God’s hand in my life.

I would like to thank the following men for not only having a part in my ordination, but for investing in my life. God has used you!

• Charles Blackstock — My pastor and close mentor and friend. (over 30 years of ministry)
• Carl Braswell — Church planter for years and now missionary with Macedonia World Baptist Missions. (over 50 years of ministry)
• Jeff Bush — Missionary to Argentina and now Director of Vision Baptist Missions. (over 10 years of ministry)
• Robert Canfield — Assistant pastor at Vision Baptist Church. (about 5 years of ministry)
• Trent Cornwell — Assistant pastor at Vision Baptist Church. (about 7 years of ministry)
• Mark Coffey — Missionary to South Africa with Vision Baptist Missions. (about 10 years of ministry)
• Austin Gardner — Close mentor and friend. Pastor of Vision Baptist Church and missionary to Peru for many years. (almost 40 years of ministry)
• David Gates — Close friend and missionary to Egypt with Macedonia World Baptist Missions. (about 5 years of ministry)
• Alfonso Gonzalez — My assistant while I pastored the Spanish church in GA, now pastor of Iglesia Bautista El Faro. (about 3 years of ministry)
• Kevin Hall — Missionary to South Africa with Vision Baptist Missions. (about 10 years of ministry)
• Brandon Mayes — Missionary to China and now Deputation Director for Macedonia World Baptist Missions. (about 15 years of ministry)
• Rex McPherson — Missionary in Wales and now Pastor of Galilean Baptist Church. (about 30 years of ministry)
• Larry Monroe — Pastored for many years now assistant pastor at my home church. (about 20 years of ministry)
• Cory Sexton — Friend for years and now pastor of The Church at Hoschton. (about 10 years of ministry)
• Donald Swaim — My grandfather and missionary to Mexico and US hispanics with BIMI. (about 30 years of ministry)
• Richard Vance — My dad and missionary printer with Macedonia World Baptist Missions. (about 18 years of ministry)
• Thurman Wade — Pastor for several years, now Director of Macedonia World Baptist Missions. (about 50 years of ministry)
• Frank Whitmire — Pastor for several years, now assistant pastor at my home church.  (about 30 years of ministry)

For years, I have seen God do great things over and over again in my life, and I’m constantly reminded that it’s not about me… it’s all about HIM! I’m just an earthen vessel, he’s the real treasure. Knowing this humbles me. It is an honor to serve the King of Kings. It is a privilege that God would see it fit to put me in ministry. It is a joy to be his voice in this world.

I want to also express my love and gratitude for the one that is by my side — that is, my wife, Aubrie. There’s no one else that has loved me more, encouraged me more, inspired me more, helped me more and will ever be with me more than her. Ministry can come and go, but she will be with me until the end. I tell you, God has been super good to this ol’ boy!

Dear Praying Friends,

What a joy it is to greet you once again and share the goodness of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Deputation & Family Update

Since our last letter, we have added several new monthly financial partners and quite a few others that have expressed interest in joining us. I’m always amazed how God opens doors and crosses our paths with people and churches that desire to have an impact in Colombia. If you haven’t done so yet, I want to encourage you to jump on board with us. Each little bit really does help us get closer to reaching people in Colombia with the Gospel.

Also, if you know of a church that would be interested in supporting us or having us in to present our work, please let me know. You can contact me by clicking here.

From The Mouth Of Babes

Amira, who will be turning 3 in March, has made a habit of singing songs about people she meets. Her last song was about her new friend Kylee and went something like this, “I love my friend Kylee… She likes to color… She likes green, purple, blue and red… She’s my best friend ever… And she loves God too… We like to play… LaLaLaLa….” Maybe someday Amira will write a song about you!

Colombian Culture Corner

When you visit a home in Colombia (a common occurrence, since they are very relationship oriented), it is customary to bring a gift for the hostess, such as fruit, quality chocolates, a potted plant, or flowers. But DON’T take marigolds or lilies, as they are used in funerals!

An Event To Consider

The Our Generation Student Leadership Camp, May 27-31, is actually 2 camps in one. There is a track for youth groups (Middle/High schoolers) and another for College Students/Singles that are already interested in missions. With all the things you’d expect at a summer camp (Yes, there is a BLOB!), what sets this apart is its focus and theme on missions. Missionaries come from all over the world (including us, Lord willing) to challenge and train young people to live for God and be a WITNESS in our generation. Bring a group, bring a friend, and plan to be there. For more info check out: visionbaptistmissions.com. {{Also, keep an eye on our family’s website, as I’ll be giving away a free sponsorship soon!}}

Prayer Requests

1. For growth in the new life of recent converts
2. For others to trust Christ, here and far away
3. For our support to continue to increase
4. For Colombian hearts to be prepared
5. For God to raise up more laborers.

Serving The King of Kings,

Aaron, Aubrie, Amira & Anabel Vance

Click on the icon to see the print version of our prayer letter (with pictures)

I don’t know a better wife, mother, helpmeet, Christian.

Your strength inspires me.

Your smile encourages me.

Your love blesses me.

Thank you for loving God, and loving me through God’s love.

I love you and would give my life for you.

Happy birthday.

May the Hope, Peace & Love of The Lord always reign in our hearts and lives, and may He give us many more years together to serve and magnify Him.

Recently a good friend and one of my mentors, Austin Gardner, began a podcast on leadership. It has quickly become one of the things I look forward to most each week! I encourage you, if you are in any type of Christian leadership role or desire to be some day, check it out! It will be a great investment of your time. Each week for 10-20 minutes you will hear loads of practical & biblical advice. This is one of those things that will be invaluable in ministry.

You can check the website above for updates each week or subscribe for free in iTunes by clicking here.

The Spanish podcast, which is also helpful and sometimes deals with different issues, can be found here.

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It was 4 AM this morning. My precious 2 1/2-year-old daughter Amira was crying in desperation. So, what’s a good dad to do? Down to her room I went.

At first sight of me she seemed relieved, and immediately she exclaimed, “I need some milk.” We talked some, quenched her thirst, and the conversation quickly went from her dry throat to more pressing issues.

“I need to sleep with you in Mommy’s bed” (funny how that works, isn’t it?). “No dear,” I replied, “you can stay in your bed. Just a couple more hours until the sun comes up. Your bed is nice and comfortable!”

“But there are monsters on my wall.”

She said it in such a matter-of-fact manner that I had to try to keep from chuckling.

Turns out, the monsters were not just on her wall, but also in the closet, under the bed, and on the ceiling, she told me. Honestly, I don’t know where she got that idea, but she was fully convinced of the infestation.

I showed her how safe her room was, that monsters weren’t real, then I assured her that God is in our house and he keeps the monsters and other scary things away. She got tucked in and slept for a few more hours, and woke up nice and cheerful as if nothing had ever happened.  Thank goodness.

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How many times do we act the same way? All around us there are “monsters” out to gobble us up. Maybe not the big, hairy, green ones, but our fear manifests itself in other ways.

• I can’t try anything new because I might fail
• I can’t witness because people might reject me
• I can’t give to the church or missions because I might not have enough for other bills
• I can’t speak to anybody about God because I might make them angry, and I might even be persecuted

It shows up in missions all around the world. May I be bold to say, Fear-based Christianity and fear-based missions is sin.

Why is it that the most frequent command in Scripture is to fear not? I believe that there are 2 prominent reasons:

1. Fear causes us to magnify a lie instead of Jesus

What is fear? It is worrying about something that hasn’t even happened yet! Satan whispers a doubt, a lie, an unfounded anxiety, and we swallow it. That’s why we find the following in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5:

³ For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: ⁴ (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) ⁵ Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”

Anything that makes itself greater than my God is an idol and must be torn down. Tear down your fear. Bring your thoughts into captivity. Trust Christ.

2. Fear causes us to miss God’s will

When fear controls your life, the Devil gets the victory because you’ve already given up. “There’s no use in trying.” many might say. When we think of reaching the world with the Gospel, what is the greatest hinderance? We have missed it because we’re dominated by fear. Paul told one of the young men he mentored in 2 Timothy 1:6-9:

^“6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. ⁷ For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. ⁸ Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; ⁹ Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,”

He had to remind Timothy of something that was forgotten. Fear doesn’t have to own you. God has something greater for you. The power to defeat that fear is already in you.  If you don’t squash that fear, you will miss God’s plan for your life!

Christian, What’s your fear? What’s the “Monster on the wall?” What’s lifting itself up above Jesus in your life? What’s holding you back from doing God’s will? It’s time to lay it aside and trust Christ. It’s time to live boldly for the ONE who gave all for us.

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Merry Christmas from our family to yours! Aubrie and I pray that you have a wonderful, Christ-filled year, and that God would do even greater things through you than ever before.

Deputation & Family Update

This year, we have travelled over 40,000 miles, been in 156 churches, and seen our support grow to nearly 60% (almost all of which has come in since January!). We welcomed Anabel into our family back in May, and have welcomed many into our spiritual family that have been saved along the way. Praise Jesus!

It is always humbling to me as we travel that anybody would let me preach and share our ministry to Colombia. Then to think that many give so sacrificially so that we can go, it is amazing. Thank you, to all of you that have given, prayed, kept in touch and helped us along our way. You have blessed this family! I think of Paul’s words to the church at Philippi in the Bible:

“Ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account…But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:16-19

Amira and Anabel are both healthy and growing. Anabel just had her dosage reduced to twice a day for the tumor they started treating back in August. It has all but vanished, and her doctors are impressed at her progress. Just a few months of treatments left. Thanks to those that have prayed for her.

From The Mouth Of Babes

Speaking of Anabel, she is babbling a lot, and occasionally says “mama” but so far has refused to say “dada.” I’d be dishonest to say I’m not at least a little jealous.

Colombian Culture Corner

In Spanish, to wish somebody a Merry Christmas, say “Feliz Navidad” (fell-EECE nah-bee-DAHD). If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, you could add “y prospero año nuevo” (EE pro-SPEHR-o AHN-yo nu-EH-bo) — “and have a prosperous new year.”

Think On These Things

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” (John 3:16, 36).

Have you believed on Jesus? Have you been saved? That is the whole reason we celebrate Christmas. Please contact us if you have questions about salvation. It’s the most important decision you can ever make. Please don’t put it off!

I’ve included our Christmas card. Once again, thank you for staying up to date with us, for the prayers and faithful support. God bless!

Serving The King of Kings,

Aaron, Aubrie, Amira & Anabel Vance

Click Here to see the print version of our prayer letter.