“The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.” (Psalm 16:6)
After a very busy Teen Rally the last week of May, the month of June continued at a busy pace as we finished up our academic year. I taught a doctrinal class about the local church and prophecy, as well as a philosophy of ministry class during this time. The school year ended as we celebrated the high school graduation of four students on June 22 during our Sunday afternoon service. We are proud of their hard work and the dedication of their teachers. Two of the students will join our college in August, and two have gone to begin Bible college in the USA.
July was our summer break, but it was largely a time to “catch up” on many things as we prepared for a new year of our Bible college. Class schedules and teacher assignments were made for the next year. Our handbook and forms needed for orientation were produced, as well as housing preparation for four new students. Some of our students were able to get away for a week to have some needed time with family.
We continued our usual church and soul-winning schedule during this time, and God blessed our efforts. So far this year, we have recorded 4,566 people led to Christ, 396 public professions of faith in our church services, and 126 who have followed the Lord in believer’s baptism.
Our growth in attendance led to a project which took out the back wall of our auditorium and put a folding wall in its place. When needed, we can open it for more auditorium space. When closed, it creates a nice, large, all-purpose room to have Sunday school and college classes. We did the work ourselves, being led by one of our college graduates who used to be a civil engineer.
On the home front, our extended family welcomed 2 new grandchildren: Anna Grace born to Amos and Lacey Christiansen in Maine on August 1 and Timothy Isaac born to Mike and Ruth Morrissey in Mindanao, Philippines, on August 8. I now have 22 grandchildren, with one on the way in September. Praise the Lord for safe deliveries and healthy children during higher-risk pregnancies.
I am rejoicing as I see how God is using our students as they grow in the Lord and overcome the challenges of life. It is a privilege to train them and watch as they become mature servants of the Lord who are dedicated to soul winning and “old fashioned” standards. They love the Word of God, and it shows in their daily lives. The Lord has certainly placed me in “pleasant places” as I teach them that we have “a goodly heritage.”
Thank you for your faithful prayers and support, which make this progress possible. Keep praying that the Devil will be kept at bay and that many more will be saved, baptized, and grow in Christ in this new academic year.
Your missionary in the Philippines,
Scott Christiansen
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- My soul-winning partner Caleb led Shaquille to the Lord using only the Cebuano language.
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- Teaching in our upgraded room with a new folding wall
