Greetings from the deputation trail! As we look back over our first month of deputation, our hearts are filled with gratefulness to God for His goodness, provision, and protection! In the last month, our travels have carried us through or to the following states: West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. We have traveled over 7,000 miles and have had the opportunity to be in 12 churches! This past month has been filled with many “firsts.”
FIRST MEETING
Our very first meeting was with my uncle, Pastor Mark Stalnaker, and Lighthouse Bible Baptist Church in Fernandina Beach, Florida. It was a special blessing to be with family that we have not seen in several years and to participate in the church’s Stewardship-Emphasis Weekend. We also had the opportunity to reconnect with several folks who have been friends to my parents and family over the years. What an encouragement it was to see their continued faithfulness to the Lord!
FIRST SOUL SAVED
Recently, while out on visitation in Florida, I had the opportunity to lead a teenage young man to the Lord. Josiah was sitting on his porch playing on his phone when I approached and offered him a tract. He was very open and respectful as I shared the Gospel with him. At the end, I asked him if he would like to pray and place his faith in Jesus for salvation. He said that he would and bowed his head and received Christ as His Saviour! I hope that he is the first of many we will be able to reach while on our deputation journey.
FIRST MISSIONS CONFERENCE
The second week of September, we traveled to Abilene, Texas, for our very first Missions Conference. Pastor Avery Barney and Abilene Baptist Church really set the bar high for Missions Conferences. They were such wonderful hosts and treated us missionaries like royalty. We left that meeting very refreshed and encouraged.
Tiffany and I have been genuinely encouraged to see how God is working in and through these different churches and ministries and to meet so many faithful and sincere pastors and Christians! We are extremely grateful for the churches that have decided to partner with us to reach Nicaraguans for Christ!
Until next time,
Jared, Tiffany, Emerson, & Darcy Stalnaker
