We prayed together

May 20, 1999

Dear Beloved Family of God:

Today was a wonderful day. As you know today we called all the preachers in Crystal City to meet with us for prayer at our church building in Crystal City, Texas. We spent some time talking about the Holy Scriptures regarding the gift of the Holy Spirit and the unity prayer of Jesus mentioned in John 17:6-26. It is interesting to know that we are not all far off from agreement in most of the teachings of Jesus and His Apostles. We agreed to gather not as an "ecumenical gathering of preachers, but rather as a group of preachers who desire to bring unity in an effort to restore the churches to the New Testament way. I heard Pentecostal Preachers talk about the "speaking in tongues" and the abuses and extremes of this practice. They also understand that the speaking in tongues can be human tongues. They are some what divided in the use of an interpreter, but they agree that there must be order in the worship to Almighty God. There appears to me to be a growing change in the "charismatic movement". I am encouraged to know that a number of Charismatics are concerned about having order in their worship, and many are beginning to accept baptism for the forgiveness of sins. It is important to help the Denominational Churches in their spiritual growth. They love the Lord Jesus as much as you or I do, and many of them have sacrificed their lives for the cause of Christ as did Apollos mentioned in Acts 18. I am here for them in an effort to help them bridge the gap in their effort to restore their churches as we are doing in the churches of Christ.

We prayed for unity in the Holy Scriptures, and for one another. We asked Almighty God to destroy the walls of division that keep all believers from becoming like the New Testament church. We also prayed for a greater understanding of the Holy Scriptures, and the ability to overcome our fears as changes are made in all of the churches. We prayed for courage and strength that will be needed in order to overcome the possible attacks that may be launched against these preachers including me for praying and working together in an effort to restore all of the churches to the pattern of New Testament Christianity.

After the prayer meeting the Preacher for Cristo Fuente de Agua Viva (Spanish for: Christ the Fountain of Living Water Church) invited me to come and preach for his church this Sunday evening after our Sunday evening service. I accepted his invitation and will be preaching for them in Spanish. This church is affiliated with the Assembly of God churches. I asked him for a topic and he suggested that I preach on the pattern of New Testament Christianity. I was not at all surprised with his suggestion. We must be humble, kind, and compassionate with the Denominational Churches as we share the powerful Word of God with the love of Jesus in our hearts. Our God is an Awesome God, and He is working in our lives today. I am thankful for all that Jesus did for you and me. Of all the great preachers in God's Kingdom I am amazed that the God of the Most High has chosen the least of all the Saints to work in this area. I for one know that I am not worthy of such a task, and that there are others who are better qualified in leading the Denominational Churches toward the more accurate way of Almighty God.

It is my prayer that my fragile self will be able to do the will of the Father, and that I never embarrass Jesus or you. Please keep praying for me since the enemy's wrath is growing against me and those who want to restore the churches to the Lord Jesus. Ask Almighty God to raise up a church with an Eldership filled with love, compassion, and great vision who would be courageous enough to serve as my overseers. A number of churches of Christ are willing to financially support me, but only if an Eldership is overseeing my missionary efforts. I beg you to plead my case to your Elders and to other Elderships around the world. Please don't let me continue alone in the ministry. Your love and prayers for me are greatly appreciated.

For more information regarding our missionary efforts you may visit our web site at http://church-of-christ.org/CrystalCity/newsletter.

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

Your brother in Christ Jesus,

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

The church of Christ at Crystal City

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Last updated on 5/20/1999