Soul Winning Effort in Crystal City, Texas

December 31, 1998

Dear Beloved Family of God:

God is great, and He continues to work through us as we take the Word to the lost via the Internet and now in Crystal City, Texas for the next two years. Last Sunday was our first worship service and we had two Christians and seven Jehovah's Witnesses attend. We had a total of nine people attend our first Wednesday night bible class last night. Two of us were here last Sunday and the other seven were new. The Jehovah's Witnesses visited us last Sunday because they were in financial need. Their babies were hungry and needed food. I gave them all the money I had in my wallet, and I pray to have them visit us again during better times. A total have sixteen different people including myself have entered the doors of the Lord's church here since Sunday. This may not sound like a lot of people, but it is significant and the Lord is at work. Our Wednesday night class was exciting as I shared with the people our plans and goals for the work of the Lord's holy church in Crystal City. The folks that attended Wednesday were all members of the Spanish congregation that once met in Crystal City. They all pledged to work together with me to re-establish and to build up this church to what it once was years ago.

There is much excitement in the prospect of rebuilding the Lord's presence in this remote sector of the United States. The churches of Christ in this area are supportive of our efforts, and they have even financially contributed to pay for the costs of moving me to Crystal City, Texas. The church of Christ in Eagle Pass, Texas contributed $400.00 and the church of Christ in La Pryor contributed $500.00 toward our moving expenses. The church of Christ in Sabinal, Texas has pledged to contribute $2,400.00 toward Internet Ministries. The church of Christ in Carrizo Springs, Texas has also shown an interest supporting Internet Ministries. There are a number of other small congregations in this area who are also wanting to support Internet Ministries. The Internet is a new technology in this remote part of the country near the Mexican border, and the Christians in this sector are excited to have Internet Ministries here in their area.

The Lord's church has been in decline in this part of the world, but now it appears that we can impact the churches here with excitement and the encouragement needed to build up the spirit of the churches. World Evangelism is not a new term for these good Christians for they have been involved in supporting mission works in various parts of the world, but they have never had the ability to personally work in this field until now. The Internet enables these good brethren to personally promote the Gospel of Jesus Christ from the comforts of home, and they can now communicate with the missionaries that they support on a daily basis. There is a new awakening taking place in this area, and Internet Ministries is responsible in part for this and to God be the glory. The Lord's church in Crystal City may indeed serve as an example to other churches of Christ worldwide in the area of local evangelism. I plan to share a report of our efforts with all of the churches of Christ via the Internet, and I pray that our success with God's help will be an asset of information to each of you.

A number of members from the First United Methodist Church, the Catholic Church, the Baptist Church, and the Christian Church in Sabinal, Texas have also shown an interest in our evangelistic efforts in Crystal City. For the past four years I have been promoting the idea that the churches of Christ should reach out to the Denominational churches and encourage them to imitate the pattern of New Testament Christianity as we are doing. It is our divine responsibility to share the Word of God with every one who calls upon the name of Jesus just as Priscilla and Aquila did in the case for Apollos (Acts 18:24-26). It is an exciting thing to potentially win the Denominational churches to the pattern of New Testament Christianity.

Upon my arrival to Crystal City, Texas I found that there were no Internet Service Providers here, and I had to establish an Internet Gateway here for Internet Ministries. With the help of Almighty God everything has been set up here in Crystal City, and the Internet is now a local reality for this community. At some point in the future I may even provide Internet Access for the people of Crystal City in order to supplement my income, but for now that remains a future possibility. Our focus remains primarily on Internet Ministries and the local church.

I am thankful to the brethren at the church of Christ in La Pryor, Texas who have served to bring me to Crystal City. The La Pryor congregation is located in a town of about 500 population, and I am grateful to their love and desire to have the Lord's church re-established in Crystal City, Texas. Brother Joe Brockman the local preacher for the La Pryor congregation is a new friend of mine and I thank him and his wife Mary for supporting me in this move. I would also like to thank the McGlothlin family of Abilene, Texas for their father's love of the church and his financial contribution for the church building that is now available for us to use. This building was built about thirty years ago when Brother McGlothlin was living on the Earth. The facility is in fair condition, but our Annex is in need of major repairs. The auditorium seats about 250 people and it is in good condition. With God help we should be able to have the auditorium full by January 1, 2001. I would also like to thank Brother Byrl Brockman of College Station, Texas for first inviting me to consider the work in Crystal City, and to my dad (Silbano Garcia, I.) who convinced me to take the challenge that God has prepared me for. Above all I thank the Lord Jesus Christ, our heavenly Father, and the Holy Spirit for making this possible. Each and every move for me gets better and better, and my relationship with God grows more and more each time a walk out on His promises and my faith in Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit comforts me, and gives me the resolve needed to move forward in our heavenly Father's business.

This will be the fourth congregation that the Lord has used me to establish for His glory, and it is fun. The people of Crystal City are happy to have me here, and the Mayor and the City Manager have asked me to consider an appointment to serve on a new Committee for Economic Development. God is good, and I am content with the way He uses me to win the lost to Jesus His Son. This town of 8,263 souls has been plagued with a bad name and a history of political scandals, but all of that is history. This community needs healing, and Jesus Christ is the one who can heal the wounds and scars of these people. With the help of Almighty God the church of Christ can help to better the image of Crystal City, Texas. The government of Crystal City appreciates our help in bettering the community and its image. The Mayor and the City Manager are willing to help our church in what ever manner possible. The City Manager, a City Council member, and a District Judge live across the street from our church building and the home that I now live in. The City Manager has shown an interest in attending our new congregation. Please remember the Lord's church in Crystal City and me in your prayers.

May the grace of God, the love of Jesus, and the peace of the Holy Spirit be with you and your family forever.

The least of the Saints,

E-mail questions or comments to: garcia@church-of-christ.org

The church of Christ at Crystal City

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