Seek to be a missionary church, not a church with a missions program

We don’t need to wait until a church is fully mature to start teaching about missions. Paul and Barnabas were sent very early in the history of the church as an example that as we plant churches, we also need to be planting God’s plan for missions in every soul.

 "The Bible is not the basis of missions; missions is the basis of the Bible."
— Ralph Winter

I’ve seen some great examples of missions-minded churches both in the States and in Peru:
Churches that seek out to support missionaries, even thinking about what kind of missionary they want to partner with.
Churches that include missions in their budget in an intentional way: collecting regular missions offering, setting aside a percentage of their offering. One church I know sets aside 10% of any project, like a building project, to missions.
Churches that pray for missionaries in an intentional way.

"The mark of a great church is not its seating capacity, but its sending capacity." — Mike Stachura

Churches that know, that though it is good to have a mission committee or program, that God’s purpose for the church does not stop there. God’s intention is that the whole church be involved in missions.

"Go, send, or disobey." — John Piper

Churches that intentionally look for people in their congregation that are called to missions and seek to encourage them.

“Every local church should be constantly and intentionally discipling, training, developing and then sending its best men out into mission—to make disciples of all nations.” — Scott Thomas

Churches that see short term teams and service as a training ground for greater participation in the future. Churches should strive to make their short term missions program a “taste of the great banquet” instead of “fast food meal” that they grab and go on with their lives.”

"This generation of Christians is responsible for this generation of souls on the earth!" — Keith Green

Whether a church is a new plant or a full tree bearing much fruit, we can all learn to be even more part of God’s global plan.
The last few years I have been more involved in training, mentoring and encouraging missions among Latin Americans. Please PRAY for wisdom as we seek to walk alongside what God is doing.

LLAMADOS (The Called)

In March we started a monthly meeting for people in Lima with a serious interest in serving in missions. The goal of the meetings is to teach a little, but mostly to encourage and to support those who are walking toward serving.
About 16 Peruvians so far have come and have commented about how encouraging it is to be in the group. One lady who has a call to India, yet for nearly ten years has been slowly working toward going and feeling a bit discouraged, said, “I walked in and it was like everyone there was speaking my language…my mission passion language.”
Though the meeting ended promptly at 9pm, I later found out that three ladies continued talking on the street corner until nearly midnight.
We’ve had two meetings so far, and it is amazing to see that God is using this little effort to encourage His people.
PRAY for wisdom in planning future meetings.

Mobilizing Mission

SIM Director of the Latin American Connections Office, Obed Cruz came for a short visit this month where we met with pastors of the denomination that will send Nery to South Africa. We also had meetings with our new Peru director Allen George, breakfast with my media team, and meetings with two potential missionary candidates.
Obed, from Guatemala, knows the culture well. He encouraged, as well as challenged, us. He said to the media team: “The material that this team produces is not just giving information to Latin Americans, but teaching and forming the missions’ movement.”
PRAY for guidance as the media team, as well as SIM Peru, seeks to know how we can best serve the Latin church in missions.

English: making a difference

We continue to study the book of Luke in the English Bible study. Breaking down basic concepts for the students has made me reflect on them in a new way. And it is still amazing to me how open students are to learning the Bible.
“English Improv night” (improvisation drama activities and movie clips discussion) went very well with more than 40 in attendance. I gave a short devotional on “Life Decisions.” The youth group I am partnering with now will follow up new contacts.
The next event there will be May 21 with “You:  In Concert,” a night of singing along to songs (like from the Beatles) as well as some Christian songs. PRAY for Marc and Terry, two friends of mine who are preparing all the live music.
The English bulletin (which you can see on my website) now reaches 700 Peruvians interested in learning English. Even if I don’t see them in class, I have heard that many are reading it and sharing it.
This past Sunday, I invited my class to go to an English-speaking church with me. It is a newer church and is a Calvary Chapel like the one I attend. I will continue to be part of my Spanish-speaking church but want to be able to offer the students a good church to attend if they want to work on their English.
PRAY for April 24 as we do an English event for just ladies called Beauty: inside and out. We’ll share makeup and skin care tips as well as talk about inner beauty and how God sees us. I’m partnering with two Peruvian ladies who are makeup consultants for this. About 30 ladies are already signed up (and this is in a culture where often they just show up without registering), so PRAY that we have everything prepared well.

Support update

For the last few months support has been low. Knowing that in this economic crisis, everyone is affected and has had to sacrifice, I made the decision to take a 17% salary cut until support returns to a higher level.
If you had been waiting to see when I really needed support, this is the time. PRAY that God provides for the needs of His people. And I continue to pray for many of you who I know are struggling financially.

Computer need

My computer is still running great, though it is nearly four years old. A time is coming when my programs will be too out-of-date to help other missionaries with their media items and teaching. Though computers have gone down in price, the design programs I need have gone up, which means a new computer and programs would cost about $3200.
Prayerfully consider making a contribution to my ministry account toward this.
PRAY that God provides in His perfect timing.

The list of prayer requests from some of you is posted by my desk to remind me to pray for you. Please keep me updated.

Blessings,
Chris
http://conti.with.sim.org/

Gifts can be sent to: SIM USA Receipting Department, PO Box 7900, Charlotte, NC 28241
(put a note or on the check that it is for Chris Conti’s support account.)
SIM allows you to make contributions through the internet. Click here: https://usanet.sim.org/SIMGift/detail.aspx.

The Lord, our Keeper is ever-present

I lift up my eyes to the hills-where does my help come from?

My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. Ps 121:1-2

Five other missionaries and I are currently studying Beth Moore's study on the Psalms of Ascent. We have found it especially encouraging to learn more about ...and even write our own psalms!

The reoccurring idea is the God is our Helper, Protector and Hope and that our eyes need to be focused on Him. My prayer is that your eyes are on the Maker of heaven and earth!

Art and English class

Debbi and Nancy, retired teachers from the US, came in January to help me with English outreach. We offered six "art and English" opportunities: scrapbooking, jewelry making, painting and working with clay.

More than 60 students came through the classes and it seemed that we had just the right number in each session.

I did the message for each session: "God as our Potter," "Beauty and self-worth," "Discerning Truth," "Overcoming Fear," "On Purpose, for a Purpose."

Praise that they had an enjoyable time and that our events went smoothly and will have an eternal impact.

Want to see photos of the English events?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8293244@N02

English making a difference

English events continue with weekly Bible study, weekly conversation class and regular social events. In February, we had a games night as well as a trip to the zoo.

I've been partnering with a church youth group that wants to reach out to the English institutes that are on the same block. We did an art day there and a movie night so far. March 13 we are planning "English Improv night" where we will do various improvisation drama activities as well as discuss movie clips. The theme of the clips and the message that follows will be "Life Decisions." PRAY as I prepare that talk and the other activities for this event.

Learning to Pray

Last week at Bible study, José, a newer student with good English, offered to pray before we started if I taught him how. This is the third time in a few months that students have been so vulnerable to tell me that they do not know how to pray and be willing to learn. His prayer was beautiful and honest...like from a child rather than from the mouth of a 32-year-old. I guess that is how we all should be, right?

English 2010

This year we hope to offer two English camps as two churches in Indy will send teams. Castleview Baptist Church in July and East 91^st Street Christian Church in October. Please PRAY that God forms these teams and prepares them for service.

Also, I've had a few people show interest in coming to work with me for 6-10 months. Please PRAY for God's timing to be perfect in this.

Mission team trip

East 91^st Street Christian Church is putting together a team to come help with an English camp and other outreach events. If you are interested in coming and available October 14-21, contact Amy at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information. First preparation meeting: March 28

Llamados (The Called)

In March we will start a monthly meeting for people in Lima with a serious interest in missions. The meeting will hopefully be informal with lots of opportunities to share.

Pray for guidance as we evaluate how we can best serve the Latin church as it seeks to obey the Great Commission.

I have a list of prayer requests that some of you have sent. I am praying. Please keep me updated as to how I can be praying for you.

Blessings,

Chris

Gifts can be sent to: SIM USA Receipting Department, PO Box 7900, Charlotte, NC 28241

(put a note or on the check that it is for Chris Conti's account.)

SIM allows you to make contributions through the internet. Click here: https://usanet.sim.org/SIMGift/detail.aspx.