May The Adventure Never End

The writer of Hebrews jots down in Hebrews 11:6: "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." The Scriptures prior, define what Biblical faith is. The Scriptures after, then show what verse 6 looked like in the lives of everyday ordinary people. Hebrews 11 has often been called "The Hall of Faith." A chapter of people like you and I, who dared to take God at face value. To trust in the promise of His Words. Well, the result would be nothing short of miraculous! These people were able to go beyond their comfort zone, and see God show up in a big way. The life of faith, is a life of adventure and discovery. The month of May was a gentle reminder from Jesus to me...

On Saturday June 8th, we had our Graduation/end of the Semester party. A evening once again filled with food, diplomas, worship, speeches, and a slide show. We had two graduates this Spring Semester. Mike Bennett (age 21) and Luke Tonata (age 19) both shared with optimism and hope in the faithfulness of God. Luke is actually coming back to Mallorca this Fall to intern, while Mike is sensing the call to be a Pastor one day. I couldn't help but think of when I graduated from Bible College eight years ago. I was so eager to get out into the world and share about my Lord. I can testify that these eight years haven't been easy, but it has been a great journey serving the Lord!!

On a practical note, I had to move once again. I moved back to Santa Ponsa on September 1st last year, with my fellow pastor and friend Jimmy. After graduation, our contract was done and we had to move to another apartment across the bay. What did this entail? Two days of craziness! The first day was just getting all of our stuff across the bay and settling in. The 2nd day, consisted of a deep and thorough clean of our previous casa. We had to make it look like no one ever lived there!! This August will be 3 years I have lived here in Spain, and I have now moved a total of 7 times!! I am so thankful, because God has always taken care of me this way. I always have had a roof over my head, clothes on my back, and food on the table. He has truly met my needs as a missionary out here. On Monday May 17th, I had to go to the town hall to renew my visa. Raf was gracious enough to carry it over until August 31st during this transition to Malaga. This will now buy me time to work on getting a visa to live legally in Malaga.

On another practical note, I went with Johnny to the prison office. I wanted to inquire about ministering in the prison in Malaga. There was some good news and some bad news. The bad news, was that I would have to go through the whole process of applying for a pass again. The good news, was it wouldn't take as long this time around. This is true for a couple of reasons. First of all, there was corruption at the prison in Palma. Secondly, I am already approved and in the system in Madrid (ministry of Justice). Please pray I can start going to the prison in Malaga ASAP...

On Tuesday May 18th, I embarked on a journey to the East Coast with Raf and Jimmy. We went for a total of ten days. Through the generosity of some churches there and our own, we were able to go on this trip. Raf was invited to attend the annual CC East Coast Pastors Conference, and asked us to join him. We were also able to attend the Missions Conference at CC Philly. We went to six states for various reasons. We went to New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Very different from SoCal to say the least. I will share with you two of the highlights for me on this trip. Raf hasn't been home to Virginia Beach, Virginia to see his mom in seven years. Although she comes to Mallorca annually, it was awesome to see Raf come "home." His mom was so hospitable to us, and we really had a great time! She is so funny, and a joy to be around. What was also really stellar, was to see Raf and his mom interact. Let me just say, no matter how old you may get, moms will always be moms!! You moms know what I am talking about! ;) By the way, hi mom!!

The second highlight, was actually the Pastor's Conference. I really learned a lot from all the speakers. I will share with you about one of Pastor Don McClure's sessions. Don shared on how he just wanted to keep growing. He said: "I don't care what you did 20, 30, 10, or 5 years ago. The adventure of life must be true to me. To go wherever it is, and do whatever it is until I die. May the adventure never end." Pastor Don then shared where he has served Jesus over the decades. He started out as an assistant to Pastor Chuck Smith at CC Costa Mesa, then went over to Twin Peaks to start a Bible College. After that, he lead Calvary Chapels in Lake Arrowhead, Redlands, and San Jose. He found himself back at Costa Mesa assisting Chuck after that period of time. Don went to pastor the Calvary Chapel in Laguna afterwards, then went to Potter's Field Ranch in Montana. He is now currently doing missions. Specifically taking trips to Africa to minister to children. I sat there in my seat listening to this 63 year old man, blown away. He was a pastor who wanted to walk by faith, and not by sight. Through the conference, there were other pastors who were seasoned, also making changes. Pastor Bill Gallatin (CC Fingerlakes) who just lost his wife seven months ago, handed over his pulpit to his son. He is now going to focus on missions and traveling around the country serving anyway he can. Pastor David Guzik is coming back to CA after seven years on the mission field in Germany, to take over CC Santa Barbara. Ricky Ryan leaving Santa Barbara to go back to Maui, to pastor the church he planted 27 years prior. You just don't know what God might do. May His Spirit lead His body, and place every member where HE wants them...

In closing, Don's prayer always to the Lord is "Jesus make me sensitive. Call my name now." His main text was Genesis 22, where Abraham was asked by God to sacrifice what was most near and dear to him. Let's not settle for a life and ministry of mediocrity. May we also not get too comfortable and complacent. We don't serve a boring God! Every day is a new day. We are only given one life to live on this earth, and it is very short! Fear God and don't fear man. Church, let's make the most of the breath Jesus has given us...

By His Grace,
Eric

Always a Rookie

At a Pastor's Conference, Pastor Joe Focht (CC Philly) prayed something that struck me. He said: "Lord, we are all rookies, for no one has lived tomorrow." The apostle Paul put it this way in Philippians 3:12-14: "Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Paul wrote this after walking with the Lord and serving Him well over 20 years. He isn't just talking about past sins, but past good works as well. Paul is addressing the past in totality, victories and losses. Driving home the point, that he still had to learn things about life, God, as well as himself. The month of April reminded me of this...

On Tuesday April 10th to Friday April 16th, we went to the other side of the island for our Semester Retreat. This was my sixth and last one with the Bible College. Every semester without fail, God teaches me something personally. Our guest speaker was Pastor Peter Will of a Calvary Chapel in Germany. Raf simply asked him to share with us his life and ministry. This man was well into his 70's. Peter shared on a lot of various topics such as sacrifice, servant hood, etc. What spoke to me the most was his 5 years on the mission field of India. He said and I quote: "It is a beautiful thing to serve people who can't give back." Peter was also going to leave his position at the church in Germany and press forward...

Peter is such a humble man. He also was just a regular guy who liked to laugh and have some fun. He still chokes up every time he teaches on the grace of God! What I respected the most about this Pastor, was the fact that he was still learning and growing. Peter didn't trust in himself or all the years of ministry experience he had. He trusted in Jesus Christ every single day. I hope and pray as the years go by, I will follow his example. Keep him and the church in prayer, as they make the transition.

On Sunday April 18th, Rick and I began to train Alvaro and Andrea to take over another position I served in. The accounting/bookkeeping is something that I had been doing for a little over 2 years. Alvaro and Andrea are active believers in our Spanish Service. They are originally from Uruguay, and have lived here in Spain for many years. They are a great couple eager to get started and do a great job for Jesus! This involves preparing bank statements in detail, printing them out, stapling bank slips/receipts to them, organizing them, and finally punching everything into the program we have. We then are able to have reports, that show if we have stayed on budget in the month prior. Some of you are thinking yawn fest right now.;) Hey, just trying to tell you all that is involved.:) I learned so much from doing these tasks, and very grateful Raf let me serve the Church and Bible College in this way.

On Saturday April 24th, we had another Men's Breakfast for the Church. It was our smallest turn out, but yet my favorite. The fellowship was incredible! Serge, who I mentioned in the last newsletter taught the Bible study. He taught on Davids' mighty men out of 2 Samuel 23:8-12. Serge did such a great job. It was insightful, spiritual, practical, and funny.

Ivan and I also were able to speak a couple of times. We were able to catch up, as well as continue working out logistics for my move and transition to El Rincon de la Victoria (I know a mouthful.) Try saying this 10 times fast! I am very excited to finally join Ivan, Eunice, and baby Samuel.

May we never think we have arrived, or have become experts in serving our Lord. May our faith constantly be in Jesus. The one true expert...

By His Grace,
Eric