Professional Documents
Culture Documents
SpanislS
tJlmerican
Ed and Donna Weckerly were in Minnesota during July, working with various camps and VBS programs- Ed continues to do a lot of "leg
vSy
As is the custom at Spanish AmeNcan EvangeUsm, we reserve this space for news items of personal interest from the missionaries at
Marilyn Wood spent 5 weeks in Denver, Col orado, helping her sister, Nancy Roberts, and family during her recent bout with cancer. We are sad to report that Nancy died on Ju!y 2nd and was buried on July 6th. Our sympathy is ex
tended to the Roberts' and Wood' families.
Cvangelisi
VOLUME XXI
September, 1988
Number 2
as printer. Kathyis continuing to rent time on the typesetter as she continues in her own business, Faye'sFancy Faces. Bart wants to continue a rela tionship with SAE and has petitioned the board to become a trustee. Due to a badly slumping economy in Pampa, Texas, their son and daughter-in-law. Lynn and Shannon moved to Danbury, Connecticut In mid June. This makes
them well over 2,000 miles from El Paso. Lynn is working as a project manager for a construc tion firm and loving it a lot. It is an exciting new
world for them.
Marilyn is now looking forward to representing SAE at the National Missionary Convention in September At the Missionary Convention she will be holding a workshop and serving as organist during the evening sessions. {Rosa Baker will be the pianist.) The Baker Famliy has managed to put over
25,000 miles on their Suburban without a major breakdown. Please mark this on your calendar! They have just completed three Vacation Bible Schools during a two week period in Nebraska. After attending the Hispanic National Conven tion in Los Angeles, Bill was placed into service rebuilding his brother-in-law's car engine. The crankshaft had actually broken in two. Work at Logan Heights Christian Church is progress ing. There have been six baptisms since the first of the year After a study concerning baptism, two ladies from the church taught another group in town and within two weeks reported 14 baptisms.
Alma Zuelli represented the ministry of SAE at Guadalupe Christian Service Camp near Carlsbad, New Mexico, during the week of June
21st. Of the 21 decisions made during the week,
6 were from Eastside Christian Church here in
The Spanish American Evangelist is published by Spanish American Evangelism, Inc. Our
ministry is to foster and promote the spreading ofthe Gospel of Christ, in both Spanish and English.
Tothat end, the following missionaries are workingthrough witnessing, preaching, teaching, sharing,
part of this ministry since February, 1976. Several million tracts have been produced under his supervision. It is not easy to say good-bye, and his decision was not made lightly. A few excerpts from his resigna tion letter might express what is
hard for this editor: "In the 11
counseling, printing and writing; Bill & Rosa Baker, Raul & Maria Elena Martinez, Ed & Donna
Weckerly, Marilyn Wood and Alma Zuelli. Produced in the printing department of Spanish American Evangelism on equipment dedicated 10 the promotion of the Gospel of Christ among Spanish-reading people throughout the world.
Bill Baker Director & Editor
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
years that I have been a printer for SAE our support has never been what was necessary in order to provide a living and be able to put anything away for retirement. .. .It is necessary
(915) 592-9292
ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED
El Paso. Texas
Permit No. 2295
for each of us to be responsible to God, to ourselves and to ourfamilies. God gave us the ability to reason and I know that the best interest of my family is to be served by this resignation. I believe that the best interest of Spanish American Evangelismin the long runwill be served by this resignation also... .lam sure that what I am doing in the printshop could be done by any number of other capable people who can speak Spanish which would be an increased asset to the ministry." Barton is expanding a career with A.L. Williams in marketing financial services. However, his work has been curtailed for the next few months. While getting things ready for family camp at Mimbres Christian Camp, Bart fell and shattered his left leg just below the knee cap. As of this writing, he is still in the hospital and faces several months of therapy once he is released. Please be in prayer for them as we are.
Page TWo
September 1987
to find out what you believe and why. By knowing that, you will not be vulnerable as different people knock on you door. In the area of El Paso where I am working, we are experiencing considerable influence from the Jehovah's Witnesses. They are knocking on the doors of
the neighborhood where our church is located every week (several times a week in many instances). One of the tests for a cult is how it deals with the WHOSE FAITH DO YOU HAVE? Godness of Jesus. "This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every "Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in theflesh isfrom God, good? But even ifyou should sufferfor what is right, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God." (I John you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear; do not 4:2-3a NIV) Jesus made many claims that He was God during His ministry. be frightened. But in your hearts set apart Christ as Jesus was Godthe Jehovah's Witnesses teach that Jesus was the son of God Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to but not God. This is a very serious doctrinal mistake. Would you like a few everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope scriptures which you could share with these callers at your door? In order to deal with the divinity of Jesus easily, the first and last chapters that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak of Revelation have some profound verses. Revelation 1:8 "I am the Alpha maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty." That verseclearly states that the Lord God is also referred be ashamed of their slander." I Peter 3:13-16 NIV Have you ever experienced a knock at the door only to realize that it came to as the Alpha and the Omega. The following verse expands upon that, from a member of the Watchtower TVact and Bible Societythe Jehovah's Revelation 22:13, "I am the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, the Witnesses? You know from just a few moments of listening with them that Beginning and the End." Logically speaking then, God can be called any one their teaching is not consistent with what the entire Bible says, but you have of these three names. Let us now return to Revelation 1, at the last part of no answer for them. You stutter and stammer around and convey to them verse 17. "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last." Before sharing that you are not interested in what they have to say and finally get the door the next verse you might ask your Jehovah's Witness friend who is speaking closed to them. You lean up against the door and finally exclaim, ''Boy, I in verse 17. Logic demands that God is the answer to that question. Then you might read verse 18. "I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I really suffered for Jesus that time" Is that what Peter meant when he wrote, "But even if you should suffer am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades." Then for what is right, you are blessed."? Many times as Christians we feel that very lovingly ask the question, "When did God die?" I realize that these verses are very simplistic but they do clearly state that we are properly using the scripture in that instance along when misfortune might hit us whether it be car trouble or crop failure. Car trouble and crop Jesus came to earth as God in human form. People around the world are dying with their souls condemned to hell because of their false ideas concern failure happen to non-Christians as well as Christiansthat cannot be con strued as suffering for Jesus. By taking the verse out of context, we fail to ing God and His Son, Jesus Christ. They have not searched out for themselves see that it is tied to the following, "Always be prepared to give an answer what God's Word says. To be wrong in matters of salvation and God could to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." result in being wrong for eternity. We cannot rest upon what our parents or preachers or Sunday school Suffering for Jesus does not mean that we just sit back while someone makes a mockery of God's Word as he strives to twist the scripture in order to justify teachers have taught us. We must search out and know for ourselves what his particular doctrinal position. It means being willing to stand up for what we believe and why. Whose religion do you have? Is it yours or is it that of someone else? Having someone else's religion is not necessarily wrong you believe and defend it! As Christians, many times we rely on the faith of our parents or our minister provided that we have studied the scriptures to know for ourselves that what without really developing a faith for ourselves. We may become Christians is being taught is correct. "Now the Bereans were of more noble character because of our parents or a particular friend without making that faith ours than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness we live with another's faith. Under such a circumstance, it is impossible to and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true." defend our faith to those who would try to distort it. In this short column, Acts 17:11. Paul had by this time in his ministry established quite a name I do not want to try to give scriptures which would right every false doctrine as a leader in the church. His name or reputation was not enough for the presently being shoved down our throats by those who claim to have the only Bereans. Name and reputation is not enough for us today. Let us develop BB answer; that would be equally impossible. I hope to be able to encourage you our own faith even if it is the "faith of our fathers!'
Page Three
September 1987
Evangelist. These letters needed no translation because they were written in English. We hope that you appreciate the message which they bring.
Spanish American Evangelism:
I am enclosing $ to buy Spanish New Testaments and pray the Lord will bless it to your
ministry.
not have been betterfor this past week a new opera tion was commencing in Liquidambor and along the spine ofMontana de Escobales. In 1977 my son and I surveyed this remote area along its fringe, but we did not then have the opportunity to penetrate into mountain valleys and dense rain forests. Ten years later a mountain road enables mission teams an excellent jumping off place for the Gospel invasion of the area. I am very grateful to you and your Christian literature program for aiding us in getting New Testaments into the area along with our hut Bible studies. The first day into the area a school was located that is serving as a temporary base. The school built in 1983 with funds provided by the United States government. Overfifty students are currently enrolled and two teachers share the teaching responsibilities. Our method though is not
to use the school or the students in the distribu
period, the value of the Mexican peso decreased by 3800%. To put those figures in perspective
instead of a wage increase of 1250%, the average Mexican worker has experienced a 10% decrease
tion program but to go to each hut family person ally. We certainly have nothing against placing a copy of the New Testament or Bible with each boy and girl, but have made it a practice first to go the the head of the family where possible.
Thank you again for your help!
A recent article in an E! Paso newspaper reported that 5 years ago the minimum wage in Mexico was $280 (pesos) daily. Since the peso at that time was
To the Lord God be the praise and glory andfor the purpose that His Son be presented to these
people.
In Christian esteem,
Robert L. Pate
Ed. Note: The New Testaments mentioned above were
Ed. Note: The above letter shows one end of the Gospel
provided by Spanish American Evangelism through a joint effort with Christian Gospel Distributors of
Monroe, Oregon. They were part of a shipment of 8,000
New Testaments which were delivered to Central
Thank you very much for the boxes of New Testaments just received at the bodega being tem porarily used in Depto. de Francisco for the distribution of Christian literature in the eastern and southeastern part of Honduras and for Nicaragua. This is great! The time of arrival could
America in March of this year. Veteran missionaries Gordon Clifford and Ron Cochran made the trip along
with two interested church members from the United States. Bill Baker was scheduled to make the trip but
been using his tithe to send all the literature into Mexico. (SAE has covered the expense of mailing throughout the US and other parts of the world.) However, with the postage increase he will not be able to pay the entire costs. SAE will have to fill in part of the gap. In order to do this, we will either
have to reduce the tract and literature production
or increase the general operating funds. The general fund is currently experiencing a
decrease rather than an increase. In fact, giving to
tb<^ general fund dronoed from $3,500.00 a month
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ONE SHIPMENT
Pictured at right are eighteen boxes which were prepared for shipment in April. Five different
countries received literature as a
currently experiencing this same type of problem. Some people say it is a direct result of "Pearly
Gate" Our God is greater than the men who have used Him for personal gain. Please pray and con sider what you can do to help with the postage and
result:
Chile,
Colombia,
the
Despite lack of money and other problems, through the first of September over 200 requests
for literature have been taken care of with over
by surface mail and the bill still came to $326.98. Foreign postage is costing us approximately $1.10 per pound. Spanish American Evangelism does not charge for the evangelistic materials which are provided to missionaries, local preachers and church workers. We feel that if charges were made, some of the people who use our materials most effectively would not be able to afford such a purchase. It is the friends of SAE which make this ministry possible. Thank you for your help and prayers!
FINANCIAL REPORT1986
RECEIPTS: General Return on Investment New Testaments and Bibles
10,990.08
13.045.36 2,026.65
3,959.63
DesignatedMissionaries
Miscellaneous
Total
84,703.76
1,004.85
S165,092.96
quantity we have been able to purchase New Testaments for 50 to 60c a copy. Sometimes when retreat for 1987-1988. Hundreds of thousands of funds are available, special savings can be realized. In August of 1986 we received a notice from "snow-birds" leave the cold of winter behind and Christian Gospel Distributors (Ray and Hazel "retire" to South Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and Ewing) that the American Bible Society was doing California. a special printing of Spanish New Testaments for There is nothing wrong with becoming a "snow 35<t each. After talking with Ray, we were able to bird". However, a large percentage of church purchase 30,000 New Testaments for $10,000.00. members leave their obligation to Christ at home Because of the faithful support of many friends when they head south. If you would like to enjoy of SAE, funds were available and a substantial the mild winters of El Paso and provide a service savings were made. All of these Testaments have for the Lord, you might consider parking your been shipped to many different areas of Latin now motor home on our parking lot. (We can provide America and are being used to share God's word hook-ups.)
Last winter we were privileged to have Gene and Doris Hemphill from Mexico, Missouri, and Rilla Wiggins from Craig, Colorado. Much of their time was spent in collating and stapling tracts and preparing New Testaments for distribution. Why not consider spending some time this winter in El Paso? We can always use a few extra pairs
of hands. Please arrangements. contact us for further
in a troubled world.
DISBURSEMENTS:
$ 84,642.19
9,150.50
11,836.15
290.00
Postage
Utilities
Typesetter Payments
Insurance
Taxes
3,350.25
1,727.93
Payment on Property
Paid out for Bibles and New Testaments
1,913.57 15,197.60
10,798.00
Paper
Printing Expense
Typesetter Paper
8,410.85 4,078.45
1,017.83
2,828.87
4,334.97
5,110.06
617.02
1,800.00
400.00
1,976.50
$182,689.08
J 203.27
Since that shipment, an additional 19,000 Testaments have been received. We praise God for
Plus Receipts
Transferred from Savings
165,092.96
17,095.81
400.00
Operating loan
Total Available
Less Disbursements Sub Total
182,792.04
182.689.08
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