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Farewell, USA! September-October 2013 Prayer Letter
Dear Prayer Partners,
Well friends, this is the last prayer letter you will receive from us for a while…from the USA.
Deputation Update IS FINISHED!!
Yes, within days we will land in Colombia to begin the next stage of our ministry! Deputation has been a blessing to us over the last 2 years. We have made many “yoke fellow” friends. Thank you for standing with us as we take the Gospel to South America.
The best I can tell from our numbers, we were in just over 300 churches, travelling about 150,000 miles. We were in 23 States, stayed in 42 prophet’s chambers and over 100 hotels. It’s been a very busy but exciting time. God has taught us many lessons, primarily that we would trust him. He is a great God, and he always takes care of us. We don’t deserve his blessings, but we are so grateful both to Him and to you that have helped us along our way.
Currently we are at 95% of our needed support. Please pray with me that God would enable just a few more monthly partners, so that we may fully minister to the Colombian people.
Staying In Touch
Technology is great to stay connected overseas. Here’s how to get in touch of us while in Colombia. Be sure to check out our website, bemagnified.org (or sign up for email newsletter!) for periodic updates that aren’t included by mail.
Email:
(also works with iMessage/FaceTime for apple/mac users)
aaronlvance@gmail.com | aubrie888@yahoo.com
Phone:
(US number that will work for texting & calls)
(678) 696-0082
Facebook / Twitter / Skype:
search: aaronlvance
Mailing Address:
(contact us after we arrive and we can give you info on how to send us letters or packages)
Colombia Visit Opportunity!
Upon arrival to Colombia, we’ll immediately begin setting up our house and ministry. I would like to invite you to visit us on a short-term mission trip. We are organizing a special trip for singles & college aged students on June 9-26, 2014. This will include one week at the Our Generation Camp in GA for training, and nearly 2 weeks of seeing the need in Colombia, assisting with the beginning stages of a church plant and making an impact. The cost is $1700 and includes airfare from Atlanta and expenses. See our website for info and to fill out an application. Also, if you are interested in bringing a church or youth group, call or email me to work out a time. We’d love to have you!
Prayer Requests
- Our flight to Colombia on November 13
- That we could find a home to rent quickly
- Contacts to be made & souls to be saved
- Wisdom and safety
- Family back home. It will be hard on them too!
God bless. We love, appreciate, and pray for each of you. Thank you for giving so that we may go. As we see from the Apostle Paul in Philippians 4:16-19:
“…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 I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
All For Jesus,
Aaron Vance & Family
Philippians 1:20-21
Click for a printable PDF version of our prayer letter.
July – August 2013 Prayer Letter
Deputation Update
Click to see and print our full prayer letter (with pictures)
The countdown has begun! As I sit here to write this letter, it is almost surreal to know that in just over 2 months we will land in Bucaramanga, Colombia to begin our ministry of church-planting. For the past 2 years on deputation, we have been so blessed and humbled by the many churches and individuals that have helped us along our way. Thank you all for holding the ropes for us. The work is just beginning.
Many have helped with our setup fund needs, and we are most grateful! If you’d still like to have a part, we’d encourage you to check out our website (BeMagnified.org) to see an updated list of our needs. Gifts can be given online through PayPal or by sending a check to our Mission Board and marking it “Aaron Vance” or “322.” Pastors, would you consider taking up a special offering for this?
Family Update
My wife and our little girls are excited about moving to South America. It seems every time we get in the car, Amira asks if it’s time to move to Colombia yet. To say there is much work to do is quite an understatement. Please pray everything goes smoothly in these last days.
Aubrie is recovering well from her surgery. Thank you all for your prayers in that matter. Our God is always faithful and good, and we pray that even in most difficult moments He would receive great glory.
Colombian Culture Corner
According to CIA.gov, 75% of Colombians live in cities. This rate is going up rapidly as every year more families and students are looking for a better life and future. Looking at the New Testament model of church planting in Acts, there is a strong focus on reaching cities, whereby the Gospel could easily spread into smaller towns and villages. We need more laborers for the thousands of cities around the world that lack a strong Gospel witness. There are still about 200 of these cities in Colombia. Would you be willing to give your life to reach a city?
Prayer Requests
- Pray that the remaining 10% of our monthly support would be raised before we leave
- Pray for several setup fund needs to be met (see website for details)
- Pray for travels to our remaining 2 dozen meetings with churches around the Eastern US
- Pray that God would prepare hearts of Colombians to receive the Gospel before we arrive
- Pray for more laborers. How about you?
It excites me to know that soon, many Colombians will hear the true Gospel message for the first time. You have had a part in this through your prayers and financial support. Thank you. Please let us know how we can pray for you.
All for Jesus,
Aaron Vance & Family
A Week That Will Change Your Life {GIVEAWAY}
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.
Date: May 27 – May 31, 2013 (Mon – Fri)
Location: Fort Bluff in Dayton, TN
Cost: $200 (special pricing for youth groups)
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.
Committed To My Trust
“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!
Grow in Your Leadership
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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The Vance Family 