Category Archives: Deputation
Quick Update
Hello everybody, I hope that God has been good to you! The past few weeks have kept us super busy. After my last day of secular work on May the 6th we’ve been able to travel a bit, with meetings in Ohio, Tennesee, South Carolina and several here in Georgia. It was also nice being able to spend a little time with Aubrie’s family in Ashland, Ohio during Mother’s Day. God has allowed us to cross pass with some wonderful people and we sure have been blessed by the churches we’ve been in.
I’m still trying to fill up our calendar with meetings over the course of this year and next. Will you pray with me that God will open up the doors of opportunity to present our burden for Colombia? The longer we’re here, the more people drop off into eternity there. We must get them the Gospel!! It really is an urgent matter.
Love you all. Thanks for your prayers!
Leaving Our Comfort Zone
I turned it in today.
My notice.
Many saw it coming, but it took quite a few by surprise to see it so soon.
For the past two years, in addition to pastoring the Spanish Church at Lighthouse Baptist, I’ve had the privilege of working at Children’s Medical Services as a Bilingual Program Associate. I’ve enjoyed helping families that have kids with varying disabilities and special healthcare conditions. I’ve been able to assist them with case management, interpretation with doctors, and intermediation with nurses, hospitals, specialists, pharmacies and so much more. Since this is a government job I have had the luxury of being able to pastor the Spanish church at the same time without worrying about conflicts on nights and weekends.
Unfortunately, the Monday-Friday, 7 am to 5 pm schedule doesn’t work as well with scheduling deputation meetings.
So, I put in my notice today.
We don’t have much support at all right now, but we do have a big God. There’s nothing too big for Him. It’s time to get out of our comfort zone and step out by faith.
Pray that we can fill up our calendar with meetings. Fast. 🙂
Last Day As Pastor Aarón
Iglesia Bautista El Faro | Dawsonville, GA
The last four and a half years have been a whirlwind for me. Somehow, God saw it fit to let me, a young man (possibly very much arrogant and ignorant) begin a Spanish ministry out of my home church. It was my last semester of Bible College and our project was to start a successful Sunday School class from scratch.
During those first couple months, many lonely weeks would go by with nobody in sight. But then people started coming. Many started accepting Christ as their Lord and Savior. Lives were being changed. Many began to grow in their faith and their love for God. The Lord Jesus Christ began a great work. What started as a Spanish Sunday School class in October of 2006 in a bitter cold tent outside the main building, soon became the Iglesia Bautista El Faro, a full-service church. Midweek services were started, Sunday school, men’s and ladies ministries, outreach events and opportunities, and so much more. Our people began serving others. Many learned how to win someone else to Christ for the first time. Fruits were being multiplied. The Gospel was being spread. Leaders were being trained. (click here to see a video from our 4th anniversary)
The past several years have been some of the greatest in my life. During this time I met an amazing woman named Aubrie, was married, became a father of a precious girl, and saw God work through me in ways I never thought possible.
Sometimes I have asked myself, “Who am I that so great a thing could be done? Who am I to be so blessed? Who am I that so many have come to know Christ through my preaching? Who am I to stand in front of all these and announce the riches of Christ?” … Then it dawns on me, it’s not about who I am, it is ALL about who HE is!! I don’t preach because I am worthy, I preach because the Lord Jesus is worthy! What an awesome life.
This past Sunday was a bittersweet time for us. It was our last day with the precious brethren at our church. It was my last day as Pastor Aarón. We turned over the Spanish Church to Brother Alfonso Gonzalez, the man who had been my assistant. Over the past couple years, the people have grown to love him, respect him and follow him as the man of God. It was a sad time for us, but we know that God was opening up the door for us to go to Colombia, South America as full-time church-planting missionaries. Tears were shed, but our church is excited to be sending out their first missionary, their pastor. Hopefully the first of many! The service itself was such a blessing, with a wonderful attendance and one precious soul saved. Be praying for Eva and her spiritual growth.
All along, it is easy for us to see how Christ has been preparing us for the work he has in store for us. A few years ago, I don’t think I would have been ready for such a task, but God knew that. Isn’t it great how each day He prepares us for the days to come? It is He that strengthens us, teaches us, grows us, establishes us and gives us opportunities to glorify His name!
Many have asked me how to know the Will of God. It’s simple. Love him and grow in him each day. Then do what He wants you to do today, and do it with all your heart. He’ll take care of tomorrow.
The road before us is great. Sometimes it seems daunting, but it is awesome to know that God is with us. He has used us before and will use us again, as long as we remain faithful to what he has entrusted to us. As David in the Bible killed a lion and bear before taking down Goliath, and he took down Goliath before leading a nation, we see that God has given us these small victories. Glory to his name.
Bring on Colombia!
Challenging Pastor Alfonso and his wife Josefina
The ladies praying for their new pastor's wife
Carina and Alfonso Jr.
Wilfredo
Elena
Elizabeth, Stephanie and Susan
Proud Daddy with his Princess
Hector
Of course as good Baptists we have to eat!
- Iglesia Bautista El Faro
First Deputation Meeting Scheduled!
Today was a landmark day for us. We confirmed our first appointment to go to a church & present our burden for Colombia. Praise the Lord!! We’ll be at Blessed Hope Baptist Church in Canton, GA for their missions conference the first week of May.
If you’re a pastor and would like us to come to your church, give me a call at 678-696-0082 or send me an email. If you are a church member and want me to call your church, feel free to pass along their contact info and we’d love to schedule a time to come by!
The Ball Is Rolling–Fast!
It’s official….
Well, almost.
The application has been sent and we have an interview with Macedonia World Baptist Missions tomorrow morning. Lord willing we will start raising support in 1 month. wow….
It is incredible to see how God has worked in His timing and opened so many doors for us. We are very excited to be going to Colombia, South America to plant churches, win the lost and glorify the Lord Jesus Christ.
We are about to start filling up our deputation schedule. If you would like us to present our work in your church please let me know. Send me a message, or give me a call at: 770-519-1689.
The Vance Family 