“And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.” (I John 5:20) It is fitting that Thanksgiving and Christmas are so close to each other, since our greatest thanks should be for the gift of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.
I have been busy in the classroom, teaching our college students subjects such as doctrinal classes on Christ, the Holy Spirit, future prophesies, and the book of Daniel. We have dealt with some wonderful truths but, at the same time, kept our focus on seeking the souls of men.
Some of our college graduates are now on staff at our church and continue to use what they have learned to serve the Lord faithfully. Miss Clarice, for example, recently led a young father to the Lord. Two months later he went to Heaven because of a brain tumor. The wife and children were saved as they were visited by our people. At a funeral service in the young father’s house, Bro. Emirson, another graduate and staff member, saw 9 visiting family members saved. I am thankful for a faithful soul winner who was able to reach someone just in time!
Another staff lady, Jennifer, was home ill one evening, unable to go out to our usual soul-winning activity. She heard outside a teen girl who lived in her apartment complex and was led to go out and witness to her. She was saved and was baptized the next Sunday. Since then, others in her family have been saved. Jennifer thought of others, even while sick.
So far this year, we have records of 7,046 having been saved and 261 baptized as a result of our church’s ministries. Several times in these last two months, we have had dozens going out soul winning at one time and seeing scores saved. I am thankful I am here. It is a mission field “white unto harvest.”
For Thanksgiving this year, I was able to spend the day with my missionary daughter’s family, the Morrisseys, in Mindanao. I was able visit them in their new house and see the new location of Truth Baptist Church, which they planted about a year ago. We had a great meal together but found out my daughter had dengue fever. Then her husband came down with dengue and was hospitalized a few days later. They are recovering now, and I am thankful that it is God Who heals us from all our diseases. Your prayers for our health and safety are important to us.
We are looking forward to our Christmas program this year. It is a play called The Lamb of Bethlehem, and the Gospel will be preached at both performances. We pray that, as in the past, many will be saved as a result.
In January, we will be celebrating our church’s 8th anniversary. God has blessed us as we have reached out to a city that is quickly growing in population. We trust 2019 will be another great year, should the Lord tarry.
You will probably receive this letter close to Christmas. Thank you for your gifts and prayers over this last year that have enabled me and our team to see so many saved, baptized, and growing in the Lord. While we miss our family and friends back in the USA, we are blessed to be sent by you to bring good news to this land, much like our Saviour did when He left Heaven to bring salvation to a lost world.
May God bless your holiday season and give you a fruitful and blessed New Year!
Thankful and rejoicing,
Scott Christiansen
