This is Harder Than I thought it Would Be

Cirilo, Katia, Michael and Ivan Mendoza.
New pastoral family of the GNC.

Benjamin & Stephany (engaged) share their vision for
the new mission that they and the GNC are beginning in
Los Sauces-Chitre

In missions courses during college back in the 70´s we were taught the biblical method of beginning new churches, developing leaders and then moving on to new ministries, to begin the process again.  I well remember when we installed a Panamanian pastor in the work in Parita.  It was difficult to let go.  In January of 2006 when we dedicated the church building in Chitré, there was excitement, growth, frequent baptisms and long work days.  The same is true today of the work.  Not much has changed.  However, one very big and noticeable change is the leadership.  We now have a mission committee that works hard every week in the opening of two new missions that our church is sponsoring.  Yesterday, Sunday, November 6th, marked a life changing point for several of us at the church.  During the business meeting after the morning service the members voted for two very important steps.  First, they voted to receive Cirilo and Katia Mendoza and their two small boys as pastoral family.  Cirilo and Katia will both graduate from our FWB Seminary in Chame in December.  In the same meeting the church voted to begin the process of purchasing a house in Los Sauces where two more seminary graduates from our church are beginning one of the missions I mentioned previously.  As I spoke to the members of these two steps, my emotions were uncontrollable.  I wept, for joy and sadness.  Joy because of the tremendously huge sense of gratitude and praise that I offer to God for allowing Brenda and me to be a part of this part of His great plan.  I wept for sadness because with a Panamanian pastor, this marks the end of this particular relationship that we will enjoy with this group of people.  Our relationship will be different as someone else steps in to take the leadership.  I am incredibly pleased with both these decisions and steps of faith.  However, I sense that we are not leaving a job as we step aside from the leadership of the church, rather we are releasing what has become a part of our very lives. Brenda and I have great peace in knowing that the Good News Church is a great congregation with great leadership.  We are overwhelmed with a Spirit given satisfaction in knowing that this church whose vision is "To be a church that has a vision of planting new churches in Panama and the rest of the world where the gospel of Jesus Christ is not being proclaimed", will continue to be a part of who they are.  God Bless the Good News Church is our prayer.