The Lord is always good and always right. He has taught me some wonderful lessons over the past two months.
“. . .Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.” (John 12:24) It seems there is always a price to pay with the start of each new church. Personally, I have not suffered much except some minor things, but the pastors I have helped to start the churches have suffered quite a bit. The young man who will be pastoring the church in Queretaro and his wife lost a child in pregnancy three weeks ago. That is very difficult for anyone to go through. “. . . weeping may endure for a night . . . .” (Psalm 30:5) They also have not been able to find a place to live. They have been rejected in three places because they said they also wanted to start a Bible study or church in their home. I have been detained by problems with the Temporary Resident Visa and have been without a car since January 15, so I have not been able to help them.
But because of your support, I have been able to visit the young man, give some comfort, help him determine the location that God wants for the church, and been able to offer him enough support for a place to meet, furnishings, and rent for the first year or two. That should also help them get a place for their family. “. . . but joy cometh in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5) The Lord gave us 16 souls saved the 5 days I was there and some good prospects for the church. We are hoping the Grand Opening will work out for Sunday, April 12, but the pastor still needs to settle his wife and three children and secure an initial place to meet for the church. We hope to knock 10,000 doors before April 5, and Evangelist Carlos Chacon is willing to come help us do a week of evangelistic meetings the week before the inaugural.
I have had the privilege of helping Brother Chacon on Saturdays in visiting two very small, remote villages in Mexico to bring them the Gospel. He also is a part of Dr. Ramos’ church. Brother Chacon is a well- known and beloved evangelist in Mexico. He worked with Dr. Joe Boyd for three years and still has the tent under which Dr. Boyd saw so many thousands of souls come to Christ. I have learned a lot working with Brother Chacon on Saturdays. It has been a great blessing to see many people in these two small, remote villages come to Christ!
Queretaro impresses me as a place that has not been touched by the Gospel. They seem somewhat cold toward the truth of the Word of God. It is a city of over a million people but just a few small churches. They desperately need a spiritual awakening. I am sure this is where the Lord wants me to invest most of 2020. Please pray for Queretaro and the new church plant there this year. There are many things we need the Lord to put together. Most of all, we need the Lord to work in the hearts and lives of people.
The Lord has been generous, but please pray also for more regular monthly support to come in. I have been counseled by my sending church to accept Missions Conferences and such meetings as they come up. The Lord has given me three such meetings in the window of a month upcoming.
Yours for souls,
Chris Sage
Missionary to Mexico