More On Laredo

Here is a video that features Chuy Avila, a SBTC church planter from Laredo, Texas. We will be taking a group (which you can be a part of) over to Laredo during spring break in March to help Chuy with an outreach effort. The video is a brief description of what he is trying to accomplish there, and why. The Spanish version of Chuy's presentation can be found here.

Salvation Poem

Today I attended a special preview of a movie that's heading our way. It's called "POEMA DE SALVACIÓN", and tells the true story of a young man who turns his back on his faith, all the while sinking deeper into a life of sin and bondage. It's a heartwarming tale of the power of prayer, and the depths of a mother's love. The film opens February 4th at Sunrise Mall. Great for unchurched friends. Click here for more information.

Calling All Couples

While most of my posts have to do with world missions in one way or another, I must make an exception today. On February 11th and 12th our church will host a video conference called "The Art of Marriage". Guess what it's about?? Come on, guess!! That's right, and you can find out more at this website. The conference will be held simultaneously at hundreds of sites nationwide, so there should be one within driving distance of you no matter where you are. I've seen excerpts of it, and it's pretty impressive. But if you still need a little convincing, check out Chuck Colson's comments about it here.

Haiti, One Year Later

January 12th marked the 1st anniversary of the massive earthquake that struck Haiti last year. Things are still awful there. Just today I received a travel update from the U.S. State Department. It reads, in part:
The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of traveling to Haiti and strongly urges avoiding all but essential travel. This notice replaces the Travel Warning dated December 9, 2010 to reflect the critical crime level, cholera outbreak, frequent and violent disturbances in Port-au-Prince and in provincial cities, lack of adequate medical facilities, and limited police protection.
The Department of State strongly urges U.S. citizens to avoid all travel to Haiti unless essential and only if travel is fully supported by organizations with solid infrastructure, evacuation options, and medical support systems in place.
There's lots more, but you get the idea. Pray for the Haitians, and for those who are trying to help them.

Saint Death (update)

On December 11th of last year I posted a blog about a workshop I attended in Laredo. The workshop was about the growing popularity of something called "Santa Muerte". There is a fine article about that meeting here. The video of that same workshop has now been posted online here. The video is in Spanish.

English as a Second Language (update)

After months of planning, we have finally begun our ESL classes here at FBC. Our first night of classes was held Sunday, and we got off to a good start. We've had a lot of inquiries about the classes, even though we only advertised through our school. Pray for these new students as they try to learn. And pray for us, as we befriend them and try to show them the love of Christ.

Why I Do What I Do

I have long thought that the opening paragraph of John Piper's book, "Let The Nations Be Glad", is the best that I have ever read. It never fails to move me. Enjoy.
Missions is not the ultimate goal of the Church. Worship is. Missions exists because worship doesn’t. Worship is ultimate, not missions, because God is ultimate, not man. When this age is over, and the countless millions of the redeemed fall on their faces before the throne of God, missions will be no more. It is a temporary necessity. But worship abides forever.

Journey Of A Lifetime

This week we begin a new Bible study on Wednesday nights at FBC Brownsville. It's called "Journey of a Lifetime", and is a one-year survey of the entire Bible. If you live in our area, we'd love to see you there.

Long Live The King!

Do you recognize this man? (Don't feel bad if you don't; he lived 4 centuries ago.) If nothing comes to mind, here's a little help....he was a king, he lived in England, and 2011 marks the 400th anniversary of a very popular version of the Bible that bears his name. Happy Anniversary KJV!