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Pray for our Second Church Plant in Colombia!
Hey friends,
Just a quick note to let you know that tomorrow, Sunday, March 5th, is the big day! We’ll be officially inaugurating another church here in Bucaramanga, Colombia at 4 PM in the afternoon.
It has been exciting to see how everything has been coming together. The enemy is fighting, yes, but the Light of the Gospel always overpowers the darkness!
This is the same neighborhood we’ve been working in during the last two years, primarily with the children. Because of this, the reception has been fantastic, even beyond what we expected. We’ve handed out thousands of invites and spent many hours in prayers and preparations, but we know that all is vain unless it is God doing the work.
If you get a moment this evening or Sunday before 4 PM Eastern Time, please join me in prayer for several things:
- For the 25+ leaders coming from our first church plant, including one of the men who has been training with me during the last couple years and will be preaching the main message. Others will help with music, children’s programs, logistics, etc.
- For the people in this new neighborhood, that they would continue to be receptive to the Gospel, that many would believe, that the new believers would take steps toward growth in their new Christian life and that we could train leaders of leaders who will take the torch and run the race set before them.
- For wisdom in finding a more permanent meeting place (we will be meeting in a community center as we continue to search for a building to rent/buy).
- For finances as we help the church get off the ground (if God would have you give toward this need, you can give by check or online here).
- For me and my family as we lead the charge. We have all been battling minor health issues during the last week and we pray this won’t get in the way of serving.
I’ll send another update on Monday, Lord willing. We don’t really know what to expect, but we trust that in all things, Christ is magnified! It is, after all, his church, his work, done through his strength, in his grace, and for his glory!
Colossians 1:27-29 says:
“27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: 29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.”
One of our early Sunday afternoon meetings with the leaders for prayer and preparation.
This is Inés, a sweet girl who has been a part of our kid’s ministry since the beginning. She helped pass out invites around the neighborhood. Each one also has the Gospel on the back.
October 2016 Prayer Letter
Dear Pastors, Family & Praying Friends,
The last month has been packed full of God’s blessing on the ministry in Colombia. Read on to rejoice with us, as well as to be able to pray about several needs.
((Click here to download a printable PDF of this prayer letter))
Making It Official
In September, we took a big step as a body of believers in officially organizing and constituting our church. Over 60 saved & baptized adults signed a covenant of membership and legal documents as founding members. What an exciting day! Pray for us in the days ahead as we submit paperwork and travel to Bogotá to finalize the legal process. Having these documents allows us to open more facets of ministry, & assist missionaries who will need religious visas.
Passing The Torch
We were pleased to have my pastor, Charles Blackstock, with us for a week to celebrate the organizing of the church as well as preach several special services. He was a tremendous blessing to our people, to the men who are training for ministry, and especially my family. I wouldn’t be here today were it not for the years I spent under his mentorship!
Looking Around In Love
We love these people. We love the way God is working amongst them. Many of the men and women who have gone through the discipleship program are now reaching & teaching others, both within the church body and in the community. Continue to pray for this work, as well as a new meeting place as we are out of room! To move into a larger facility is going to cost quite a bit, but we have a BIG God! Pray if God would have you to support this ministry monthly as lives are being changed. It would be an investment into eternity.
Looking Back In Joy
Just over 10 years ago, in October of 2006, God allowed me, as a young, overconfident, single gringo to begin a Spanish ministry in Dawsonville, GA as an outreach of my church. I learned so much during those years. God was patient with me. My pastor was patient with me. Those first few families were patient with me. But through it all, a church was born and it is thriving today. The man who pastors now, Alfonso González, was my assistant for the last few years before we turned over the work to begin deputation, and is doing an excellent job! Many times I feel like a parent of grown children who are beginning their own families. That’s what ministry is all about. We trust to see the same thing many times over here in Colombia!
Looking Ahead In Hope
Our mission work in the north of our city is going fantastic. About 150 people meet with us on Saturdays in a park under trees & tarps with a “Sunday-School” type structure. We plan to find a building soon & establish a “full-service” church here as soon as God gives us the green light and one of our men is ready. Pray for this, as well as the finances to help them get started!
Also, each year we have a special event for Christmas. We give a gift to each child, teen, and adult who come to the program on Saturdays, a meal for everyone and a special presentation and Gospel message for the whole community. If you would like to sponsor one (or many!) of the 150 people, we’d love to give you the opportunity to do so! Just send a check to MWBM, PO Box 519, Braselton, GA 30517 and mark it “A Vance – Special Project”, or you can give online!
We Believe In Prayer
We couldn’t be here without your prayers! As you pray, please remember us in the following:
- The growth of our church — As well as finances to find a larger facility (we are packed out each week)!
- The training of the 16 men in the Bible Institute — Alfredo, David, Didian, Díver, Ernesto, Félix, Javier, Jhon Didier, Jhon Fredi, Juan Danilo, Julián, Kenneth, Leonardo, Libardo, Óscar, Óscar Mauricio…
- The advancement of our mission in the Café Madrid neighborhood — Especially the Christmas program in December and future plans to officially establish a church.
- Our family — Specifically our health and finances, and an upcoming trip I have in November to preach a pastors conference in Cuzco, Peru.
We love you & thank our God for each remembrance of you. Keep on keeping on for Jesus! He is worthy!!
Love In Christ,
The Vance Family
PS – Here are a few photos from recent days in the ministry here. Enjoy!
Aubrie Is Having Surgery
Hey friends. I wanted to give you all a quick update about what is going on in our lives. We are just returning from a trip out to the Northwestern US where we had the opportunity to visit with some of my extended family as well as share our work in 8 wonderful churches around the Kalispell, MT area (where I was born!). God blessed during this trip and we enjoyed it thoroughly.
Some of you may have heard, but in case you missed it, I also wanted to let you know about something you can pray with us about this week. Last month, at a follow up visit from the miscarriage of our baby, Aubrie’s doctor diagnosed her with endometriosis. There is no cure, but they can do a surgery to reduce the pain of living with this disease. The plan is to make 4 or 5 incisions in her abdomen and pelvis and cut away what shouldn’t be there. It is called a laparoscopy/laparotomy. Originally scheduled for August 1st, they’ve since moved it up to this Thursday, July 25th. We met with the doctor and hospital today for Pre-op and the surgery will be at 7:30 AM in Gainesville GA. She should be able to go home the same day.
Several other women who have had this same disease as well as the surgery have been able to comfort Aubrie with words of encouragement. The surgery works sometimes, and other times there are complications, but we know all things work together for good to them who love God (Romans 8:28). He’s got it under control. Our trust is in him. He gives peace in any storm.
It is a such a comfort going through the things we do, knowing that there is One with us who knows the way. We couldn’t imagine life without our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. Do you know him?
Thank you all for your prayers! They mean so much to us.
Prayer Letter for May & June 2013
Dear Pastors and Prayer Partners,
Deputation Update
Click To See Printable PDF (with pictures).
It has been whirlwind since our last letter. We’ve participated in youth camps & weeks of training, seen people saved and called into missions, and of course we’ve had a blast preaching and sharing our ministry in churches all around the Eastern US.
Colombia is getting closer each day! Our tickets are paid for and now set for November 13th. God constantly takes care of each need, and he has used many of you to do that. Thank you!
Our support is currently just over 80% and we hope to be fully supported before leaving. Will you pray that God will enable churches to join us as monthly partners? Also, we’ve been saving for our setup fund, and many have so generously given, but we still have some more needs in this area. Would you pray about making a special offering through your church or Sunday School class for this need? This will help us as we get started in reaching people in Colombia. Below are several items that we will need and others which have already been provided for. Gifts can be sent through our Mission Board or online through Paypal.
Set Up Fund Needs
Four Airline Tickets — $1,600Baggage Fees — $250Passports — $350Religious Visa — $500- Hotel upon arrival — $500
- Apartment deposit — $2,000
- Beds & Furniture — $1,500
- Refrigerator — $500
- Washer/Dryer — $1,000
- Oven/Range — $300
- Water Purification — $300
- Used Vehicle — $6,000
Family Update
As many may have heard, we recently lost our 3rd child which we were expecting to be born in January. Many others who have also gone through this have helped with words of encouragement. In addition, we discovered that Aubrie also has a painful disease called endometriosis. Her doctor wants to do surgery on August 1st {*UPDATE – July 25*} to relieve the pain. There is no real cure for this disease and many of those affected continue to have surgeries most of their lives. Aubrie is also looking into some alternative treatments, including drastic diet changes, to hopefully reduce the pain and need for additional surgeries. Thanks for your prayers with us in this matter. God is still good, and he knows each struggle we have. We couldn’t imagine going through this without Him!
From The Mouth Of Babes
During our family devotions, our 3-year-old Amira prayed, “Dear Jesus, please let my little brother come back from Heaven because I miss him!”
Colombian Culture Corner
672 Colombians died today… And yesterday… And the day before… According to Colombia’s death rate, 672 people will meet God each day! The saddest part is that most of those will not make it into heaven. They are trusting in their own works, their religion, their effort. And the Bible says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9). You see, it’s not what we do, it’s about believing in what Christ has DONE. Colombians need to hear this! Thanks for helping us take God’s good news to them. We love y’all!
In Christ & For His Glory,
Aaron Vance & Family
BeMagnified.org
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!
The Vance Family 