We were blessed to have two sets of visitors from the States in July. The first two ladies are friends of Alyse’s, and they were a great encouragement, especially to her, during their brief stay. The second two are pastor’s daughters from a supporting church. For their time with us, we scheduled several events that could be accomplished with their help. The first was a ladies event, in which several ladies gave their salvation testimonies. Alyse organizes these events quarterly and they are always met with excitement in the church!
The second event was a one-night VBS. Providentially, at the last minute, God placed eighteen Chinese exchange students into our church for this one week! Their established purpose for being in our town? To have the gospel preached to them. All eighteen attended the VBS, a special junior church during the midweek service, and three kids’ programs on Sunday. Task accomplished in getting them the gospel. It was with great joy that four of the students accepted Christ during the VBS and two kids from our church (who have been so close to salvation) were saved as well!
On that note, one of the young couples reached this year taught their first month of Junior Church in July. We continue to ask for prayer for them and God’s leading in their life. (Pictured below) Continuing in the blessings of the youth ministries, one young boy who has attended since December has a learning disability. This has caused a bit of a neglect from other churches in the past. Our church took it upon themselves to bring it to God instead. The evidence of God answering this prayer has been miraculous. The life of this boy has stirred the church into a place of great faith, all to God’s glory!
Also in July, I began inputting small bits about the importance of hymns and how to sing congregationally, a new concept to eighty percent of our regular attenders. (Which, by the way, the traditional hymns and physical songbooks have been almost universally loved by those not familiar with it!) It was no surprise then when God gifted us the use of a grand piano to aid in the congregational singing. This may seem like a small matter to many, but that is a rare find in independent Baptist churches in New Zealand as most use rental facilities or have to settle for a keyboard because of space. What a great enhancement it has been already in our congregational singing!
Last week the church held its first business meeting, welcoming four new members into the church. We are praying for this same commitment from those regular attenders that are approaching this decision.
The testimonies from prayer stand this month include many looking for a church simply preaching out of a Bible, visitors becoming regular attenders, many gospel presentations weekly, and two men accepting Christ. We have not experienced a more fruitful outreach opportunity in New Zealand in the past nearly three years here. Continue to pray for soft hearts at the prayer stand.
The Gospel of John book continues to sow seeds. Several have contacted me from reading a copy in a local cafe. One man walked by the prayer stand reading a copy he had received elsewhere. Another man was offered one at his home and already had been given a copy from a friend living one hour away. Sow the seed!
Throughout a series on How To Tell Others Of Christ, there have been at least six believers who have begun witnessing for the first time. Several of them using the simple Romans Road scriptures they are memorizing. God has put people in their path who are searching, now that they are equipped to tell!
Thank you for praying and sacrificing for the gospel’s sake,
Josh, Alyse, Bentlee and Raelynn Szwarga
