All week long during the BJU Missions Emphasis week, we shared about the need to consider church planting here in the United States – especially among the Hispanics. Many times students were shocked to learn of the statistics: There are 50.5 million Hispanics in the U.S. today (that’s more than the total population of Canada or more than the total population of Central America). The U.S. is the second largest Spanish-speaking country in the world (only Mexico has more Hispanics than the U.S.).
Several years ago, Herb purchased a CD entitled “Take Up Thy Cross” (a collection of songs emphasizing missions sung by John Zimmer). That CD greatly encouraged Herb as he was considering our move into missionary work with Hispanics. For years that CD has been a real favorite. This week at the BJU Missions Emphasis Week, John Zimmer, missionary to Palau, was the chapel speaker. Here Herb is telling the story to John Zimmer about how God used that CD to help lead us into our present ministry of reaching Hispanics. Isn’t it great how God uses each of us in His service – sometimes in ways we never imagined possible?
During the Missions Emphasis Week at BJU, we had a number of students ask about coming as interns to participate in a Spanish ministry. Crystal Taft (shown here talking to Adela Marquez) plans to come visit the Marquez family and their ministry in Phoenix, AZ this coming January. We believe this might be the beginning of many students coming to participate in a Hispanic ministry and seek the Lord’s will for their future.
Here is a look at part of our display table at Bob Jones University during the Missions Emphasis Week, October 17-21. This was a great week to challenge students to step out in faith and serve Christ in the mission field right here in America!
There was rarely time for any of us to sit down during the Missions Emphasis Week at BJU. We were busy listening intently (as shown here by Alberto and Adela Marquez) and eagerly sharing about opportunities to serve Christ.
During the BJU Missions Emphasis Week, we were kept busy answering questions about our ministries. We were excited about the response of many students who were especially interested in reaching Hispanics here in the states. We had about 50 students sign up to receive further information about Hispanic ministries with BCP.
During October 16-21, the Alberto Marquez family (one of our BCP Hispanic missionaries) teamed up with us at the Missions Emphasis Week at Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC. They lived in our fifth-wheel trailer while we stayed in campus housing for the week. Together we manned our BCP booth and were able to talk to many students about the possibility of serving the Lord through BCP ministries. It was a great week of ministry! (This picture was actually taken at the very end of the week . . . so we look pretty good in spite of standing our feet for a long time!)
On Tuesday, September 27, Orlando and Debbie Collazo were approved to be missionaries with Baptist Church Planters. Orlando and Debbie, both Puerto Ricans, served for 12 years at Iglesia Bautista Evangelical in Philadelphia, PA. After completion of seminary training in May 2012 at Calvary Baptist Theological Seminary in Lansdale, PA, the Collazos plan to start a Hispanic Baptist church in Lorain, Ohio.