The title of this blog could really be the theme of many posts. “The process begins” could have been applied to our time on deputation, our packing and preparing to leave for Argentina, trying to find a house here to live in, starting language school, etc. So what is the process to which I am referring? The process of acquiring a contract for the building for Faith Baptist Church. This morning I go to put down a security deposit for the the building in which we will start the church. Renting a building is a bit of a process and this is just the beginning. This is an answer to prayer. We should have the building in two weeks.

After searching for weeks, talking with dozens of real estate offices, scanning any and every real estate websites in the area that we could find, and seeing many buildings, we have finally come to the building we have been praying for! We are excited about the location, the city, and the greater surrounding area (the location is for another blog post, a post that will be coming soon).

There is much more to do once we have the keys. A company is currently using the building and they will need to empty and vacate very quickly. It will take them at least two weeks to do so. Hopefully, they will clear their things out quickly. Only then can we begin to start the renovations (like painting, etc). This is truly the beginning of the beginning of the process.

I am praying now that the rest of the contract process will be completed quickly so that we are able to get to work.

I read the first few chapters in Exodus this morning. God called Moses. God had a purpose for Moses to accomplish. How did Moses respond? It is very interesting that Moses responded with this idea in mind, “I cannot do it.” God responded with truth and empowered Moses, but Moses continually responded with fear and doubt. I have outlined the conversation that took place and have Moses’ responses of doubt in blue.

• God calls Moses (Exodus 3:1-10)
  • Moses tells God that he is not able. (Exodus 3:11)
  • God tells Moses He will will be with Moses. (Exodus 3:12)
  • Moses asks God, who can He say sent him. (Exodus 3:13)
  • God gives Moses the answer and explains what He (God) will do through all of this. (Exodus 3:22)
  • Moses tells God that Israel will not believe him. (Exodus 4:1)
  • God gives Moses a sign (the staff that turns into a snake and the leprous hand) to show them. (Exodus 4:2-9)
  • Moses tells God that he is not able to speak well. (Exodus 4:10)
  • God reminds Moses that He (God) is the Maker of the mouth and promises to be with Moses mouth and will teach him (Moses) what to say. (Exodus 4:11-12)
  • Moses asks God to send someone else. (Exodus 4:13)
  • God provides Moses a “mouthpiece” in Aaron, his brother. (Exodus 4:17)

It is incredible to think that God calls Moses and empowers him, but Moses tried to decline God’s calling at every turn. Moses’ answer to God’s call was basically “I cannot do it.” What does all this have to do with us today? Quite simply a lot! I have not seen any burning bushes where God spoke to me through them and you probably haven’t either. But we do have a Bible where God gives His children a calling, that calling is to plant churches, win people to Christ, to baptize, and to disciple believers (among other things). We all have different parts in this great calling. The Bible tells us that the church is the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12). Not everyone is an “eye”, but every part of the body is needed and is important and has a part in God’s plan!

Moses’ answer to God over and over was “Why I can’t do it.” God’s promise to Moses over and over and over again was “You can because I am going to do it through you and will be with you.” Our answer to God’s leading should be “I will follow you” not, “These are the reasons why I cannot do it…”

All of this is very easy on paper (or on a computer), but to put into action is harder. By God’s grace we can have the right response!

We are starting a church in Argentina. There is much to do in starting the church. Faith Baptist Church really doesn’t exist yet, but it will, and it will very soon! At this time we are looking for a place to hold services. That means we are looking for a building to rent. The area we will be starting the church in is over an hour away from our home and we do not know anyone in the area yet. That means I go along with some Argentine friends and we go from real estate office to real estate office explaining what we are looking for. We have spent days in the area looking for somewhere. We have asked God to guide us. What exactly are we looking for?

• We are looking for a building we can rent. We obviously want it to be cheap.
• We want the building to be in a residential area.
• We don’t need a huge building, but we do need a room that would be large enough to hold services in (this is challenging). The homes here are made of concrete, which makes tearing down walls difficult.

All of these factors make finding a building a little more difficult. It means we have to think “outside of the box”. We have already seen many different houses, salons, and the like. As for now, there is one building we are seriously considering! We will take the remainder of this week to continue looking at places to hold services and we should be making a decision soon.

The amazing thing is that the cities we are looking in are all cities that are wide open! We don’t know of any churches that are preaching the Gospel in these cities. They are on the Southern border of Buenos Aires and are full of people! My mind goes to Matthew 9:37-38, when Jesus told His disciples “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” Also in John 4:35, “Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.“

This is just the beginning. There is much more to do from preparing the building, inviting people to the church, to witnessing to the community, baptizing new believers, discipling, and training men! What do we do from there? That is for another post! Check back for updates and continue to pray for us.

2017 – A Special Announcement

We are in a new year and with this new year come new beginnings. We have many great things scheduled for 2017. We will be telling you more about the different things planned for this year as the year continues. One thing we are very excited about is that we will be starting the first church in our ministry here in Argentina! Faith Baptist Church will officially launch in March 2017! We have gone through language school and have been practicing the language faithfully. We are now at the place where we can converse and I can preach, teach, and explain the Bible. We are now looking for a building to rent to hold services. From there we will continue forward. Please pray for us as we continue on in faith.

Serving Together,

Patrick, Leslie, Lily, Piper, and Ivy Henry

 

Prayer Requests for the Church Plant

• We are now searching for a building where we can have services.

• The inaugural service will be in March 2017.

• We are looking in Southern Buenos Aires, primarily in Lanús and Lomas de Zamora.