Mission Blog

August 2024 Missions Update

A word from your Missions Office

By HEITH MITCHELL

We are excited to see three new missionaries engaging their God given assignments of making Disciples within their community.

Kevin Williams has moved into Port Arthur with the help of Bethel Baptist Church.  He has started work with the school there assisting Spanish speakers.  Kevin is burdened to make disciples there in Port Arthur.  He, Amber his wife, and their children moved to the community from Mena Arkansas

Marvin Marina is a Venuezalan Immigrant who received Jesus and was discipled by Missionary Omar Pena in Plano.  Marvin and his wife Odalys are passionate disciple-makers.  Marvin has grown as a leader and surrendered to ministry.  He has taken over the young mission in Plano among immigrants.

Samuel Arellano is making disciples in New London.  He lives in Henderson and owns and operates a tire business there.  The business is his opportunity to share the gospel all day long.  Liberty Baptist Church in Henderson is the sending church for this new work.  Brother Thomas Monroe, pastor of Liberty, and Samuel are long-time friends and colaborers.  

Will you join me in prayer and support for your new missionaries!

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

PROJECT 2029
100 New Churches/10 years

  • That we see an aggressive multiplication movement of churches who make disciples, equip and release leaders, and start churches for the glory of God and the advancement of his Kingdom Mission
  • That each new mission begin with a plan to begin three new churches in their first 10 years
  • That pastors and churches of the association be encouraged and equipped to start new churches
  • That we connect, evaluate, identify and train new prospective church planters

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

A word from your missionaries:

Chris Mindi– Anchor Austin Mission in Leander  

  

chris.mindi@bmats.edu

Thank you for praying and supporting us in this God-sized vision and mission. We as Anchor Austin are doing well. Spiritually, our people are maturing in their understanding and faith in God. Continue to pray for healthy marriages and prioritizing God in all of our lives here in central Texas area. We have been able to see God work in one individual’s (VJ) life at Anchor Austin, a cultural Christian, brought up in a very nominal legalistic way of practicing Christianity from childhood. From the day that he started coming to our small group and community events and game nights, he started to know us and experience the genuine love in the church. We are seeing him be open to being baptized. Continue to pray for this gentleman. That he puts his faith truly on Christ and submit to him and be baptized soon.

Wonderful month at Anchor Austin Church. Every year we have a retreat, whole church we go away for the weekend. spend time as a community and be refreshed and renewed in our spirit to be effective disciples. this year, it was really powerful. Our theme was, ABIDE IN JESUS, focusing on John 15:4 and emphasis on Silence & Solitude in worshiping Our Lord in practicing these disciplines. blessed time to have church keep all the gadgets aside and BE in silence and worshiping him. . please continue to pray for Anchor Austin as we focus on slowing down and growing spiritually in God.

Prayer Needs:

1. Pray for the one (VJ) individual that is on a journey to putting his faith truly in Christ.

2. Pray for healthy marriages

3. Pray for Leadership in leading our people well.

4. Pray for a new start of our prayer team.

5. Pray for this upcoming fall season, as we are plan more outreach events.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Isaias Martinez – Conroe Mission 

isaiasmj1966@gmail.com

Our church is going normally. We continue in discipleship and ward meetings (OIKOS). The sisters held their Women’s Retreat together with the American sisters.

Prayer Needs:

Your prayers that we may have a place of our own in the future.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Haitao He– Free Salvation Bible Mission in Corpus Christi 

haitao.he@bmats.edu

This month we had several new friends come to our prayer fellowship and one of them had gone through a long journey of her career struggle to get to this point. The long time period of applying and not matching and the ups and downs and in-betweens finally got her to decide it was going to be her last attempt to apply for this position. If things did happen then she was going to choose another path and forfeit her efforts over a decade. I was touched to see how much people can bear when they have hope in their hearts to keep putting in countless efforts year after year. I appreciated God put the hope for the Gospel into my heart to keep me going and gave me this opportunity to hear of a story of long perseverance.

Prayer Needs:

Please pray that we will have more chances to serve our new friends coming to our prayer fellowship this month

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Jose Gil – Proyecto Misionero “Lidia” 

josedario.gil@gmail.com


The mission is going slowly and consistently on. One of the brothers who was certified in the “Taller de Multiplicación” may start a new cell in the house of his brother soon. That would be the 4th cell in our ministry. We are grateful.

Prayer Needs:

First at all, thanks to BMA for the support to fix my car. Please keep praying for me and my wife to keep the faith. Besides, please pray that my new book is well received and God’s name is glorified.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Jaime Garcia– Iglesia Bautista Nueva Vida Mission in Gilmer

Jaime.garcia2911@gmail.com

The young people are practicing praises with musical instruments, they have already learned two, they sang them in the service and it was very nice to listen to them. Thanks also to our brother teacher: José Rodríguez. in Tayler who has his time and talent to bless the Youth group of the Antioquia Church.

Prayer Needs:Let us pray for the Gladewater group and for our brother John, that his spouse will also get involved and be a blessing to the Souls of that small town.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________    

Rudy Villareal– Hometown Church Mission in Helotes 

rvillarreal1@gmail.com

We are developing a dedicated core that are excited to evangelize. Pray that the Lord will open doors and hearts as we share the Gospel with our neighbors.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Marvin Mirena– Mission Fully Restoring Hearts

mirenamarvin7@gmail.com

We have been praying, and sharing with people. My house always has people looking for a word, a prayer, we have advanced in terms of discipleship, and we have faced economic situations, but God has provided, we had baptisms, three people went down to the waters.

Prayer Needs:

For my family, the brothers of the congregation, my country Venezuela

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

Kyle Cheatham– Grace Church Jarrell Mission  

kyle@gracejarrell.com

Praise God with us for the salvation of a woman coming out of Catholicism and another woman coming out of Mormonism. We’ve invested in each of these women for about a year and it has been wonderful to watch the Father draw them to faith in Jesus. Also, praise God for the salvation of a young couple that have been with us for about six weeks. Three of these plan to be baptized in August.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for us as we partner some of our members with new believers. This will help these new believers grow and help our members take some steps into disciple-making.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Jose Torres– Tyler Hispanic Mission  

josetorres@gmail.com

Personally, I would like to see more numerical growth, but I see how God is manifesting Himself by creating a good atmosphere of fellowship among those of us who are part of the plantation. Little by little I see how the church’s vision of being what we need to be is being grasped and seeing how God adds to our group. People invite friends to their homes so that my spouse and I can minister to them. In the month of July we were invited by Jovita and Joseph to their home so that we could meet with a family to whom we ministered months ago when the spouse of a woman we have been discipling was murdered. The family wanted to see us and we were able to see how the Lord has helped them in the midst of this tragedy. The whole family thought they were atheists but little by little they are realizing that they do believe in God. Now we pray that they will soon receive the Lord Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of their lives. We also see more and more how despite not having a musical group, which I think would be excellent to have, we manage to have a worship service that glorifies the Lord because we are there people who meet for that specific purpose on Sundays. We celebrate the Lord’s Supper every first Sunday of the month and that has been a wonderful thing too. Now that the Sunday service is emphasized a little more because we do have the struggle with attending our groups at home but we continue to insist that it is there where we can grow more in the Lord. We insist and we do not give up on it because that will be what will keep us focused on the mission and vision.

Prayer Needs:

I ask for your prayers that the Lord will help us form a music ministry.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Tim Alba– The Bridge Mission in Seagoville 

timalba1986@gmail.com

We had multiple salvations in the past month. We have had multiple people engaged in ministries as well. It’s been exciting to see how God has used us this summer. We have our people engaged and serving in areas as we continue to push our members to get involved as much as possible. We have also seen whole families get saved this summer and our evangelism was fruitful through the month of July. The only problem we have is that we need a building. We run 30 to 40 on Sundays during our slow months and 50-60 when we are busy. I get the same question by members and visitors, when will I have a building? Truthfully I have no idea. With people not giving as much as they should and with the economy, I am not sure. This plant has much fruit and would explode into something bigger if I had the facilities. Just pray that God opens Doors. Thank you.

Prayer Needs:

Please pray that God opens doors for a building. Thank you.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Chris Driver– West Texas Multiplication Network/Texas Missionary Care 

cjdriver316@gmail.com

Howdy from West Texas! I can’t believe it but summer is almost over (calendar season not the heat!! lol). It has truly been an absolutely AMAZING summer of seeing God work and move and do things I couldn’t have possibly imagined! Our people continue to grow in their faith and God continues to bring new faces and new opportunities to minister and serve. We are especially excited about the new relationships we have developed with college students this summer that I am praying will finally open the doors to the college ministry I have prayed for and dreamt about! Please Please Please join us in prayer for the college ministry this fall! As always, thank you so much for all you do for us as missionaries and for the opportunity to serve our great and mighty God here in West Texas! It is such an honor to be part of the BMAT Missions team and one of your BMAT missionaries!

Prayer Needs:

An SPC college ministry this fall

A Church van

A new work in Sundown to develop

Jamie’s new job in Sundown

Open doors for the gospel

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Brad Holcomb– Redemption Hill Ft. Worth  

brad@redemptionhillfw.org

Reiterate VBS! It really energized our church regarding missions. Over 65 kids and several non-Christian neighbors are getting plugged into the church.

Prayer Needs:

Please pray that the Preach Christ conference we are hosting is helpful for those who attend and in turn helpful for congregations who sit under our preaching.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Kevin Williams– Port Arthur Mission  

mr.williamsp121@gmail.com

We have only been in Port Arthur for about a month and God has already allowed us to get to know a family here that we have been able to get to know and minister to in a time of great need. Isabel and Salvador have three boys, the youngest of them only a month old. Baby Rodrigo was born with Trisomy which is a genetic disorder that has caused some serious issues in his development. Soon after his birth, Rodrigo’s parents were given the terrible news that the prognosis was that their little baby boy would probably not live longer than a year. On top of this unimaginable situation that they are facing, they are also in the midst of financial struggles that came from them having to be away from work while they were in the hospital with their son.

We have been able to minister to their needs and build a relationship with this sweet family. In fact, due to the generosity of a BMA church that supports us, we were able to cover their rent and get them caught up. While we don’t know what lies ahead for them and little Rodrigo, God’s grace and favor have been evident in this little one’s life already. Last week, the hospice team made the decision to take him off his breathing machine feeling that he was ready to pass. However, God sustained him, and he is still here! Our prayer is that God would show His immeasurable power in Rodrigo’s life and that He would move in this family in a miraculous way! Would you join us in praying for this family and specifically for little Rodrigo?

Prayer Needs:

Please pray that God would keep us humble and sensitive to His leading.

July 2024 Missions Update

A word from your Missions Office

By HEITH MITCHELL

Your BMA of Texas Missions held their annual missionary retreat for the missionaries and their families June 16-19, 2024.  Over 100 gathered this year in San Marcos. It was an encouraging three days for your missionaries along with their wives and children. This is the only time missionary children are together in our schedule.

This year, we celebrated Fuente de Vida Eterna Church in Tomball with Pastor Jaime Henriquez. This church has just come off of mission support. They have purchased a building in Tomball that formerly housed Carrell Street Baptist Church. Bro. Jaime shared an encouraging message and the testimony of the church with the other missionary families.  

We had times of singing, encouragement from the Word, prayer, sharing and challenge.  There was a lot of fellowship! Thank you for supporting your Texas missionaries like you do.  Also, thank you First, Blooming Grove College Ministry for providing children’s ministry for the retreat. Here are some pictures:

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

PROJECT 2029
100 New Churches/10 years

  • That we see an aggressive multiplication movement of churches who make disciples, equip and release leaders, and start churches for the glory of God and the advancement of his Kingdom Mission
  • That each new mission begin with a plan to begin three new churches in their first 10 years
  • That pastors and churches of the association be encouraged and equipped to start new churches
  • That we connect, evaluate, identify and train new prospective church planters

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

A word from your missionaries:

Jaime Garcia– Iglesia Bautista Nueva Vida Mission in Gilmer

Jaime.garcia2911@gmail.com

It was a very active month for everyone in the church. We had Vacation Bible School. Although we are few, we are well organized. I am very happy to have the support of my brothers. I believe that without their collaboration this and other activities would not be possible. I thank the churches and especially Antioch, Gilmer, where Michael Pool is the pastor, who support us a lot.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Chris Driver– West Texas Multiplication Network/Texas Missionary Care 

cjdriver316@gmail.com

Howdy from west Texas! WOW! WOW! WOW! What an amazing month we’ve had! It started with a wonderful time at our BMA West Texas Camp, staffed by Jason Prewitt, and the travel team from Daniel Springs Camp where two of our teens gave their lives to Christ. It ended with us hosting a mission team from O’Quinn, Pollok,  where we put on two one-day Vacation Bible Schools in two separate communities and a family fun night in a community hit hard by recent storms. We made many new contacts and officially emerged into our community, even being featured in the local newspaper. God blessed the efforts with 13 visitors this past Sunday. The O’Quinn mission team blessed our church more than they could ever know. It was such an amazing week that encouraged and lifted this planter’s heart and spirit. Church planting is awesome! As always, I can’t help but say thank you to the churches of the BMA of Texas for letting us be able to reach west Texas for Christ. We are so blessed!

Prayer Needs:

Please pray that God will provide a church van for us, provide open doors for the gospel in Levelland and its surrounding communities and help us to make connections at South Plains College.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Marvin Mirena– Mission Fully Restoring Hearts

mirenamarvin7@gmail.com

This month has been a blessing. We are meeting in my house. It is a challenge, but every week we see the hand of God. We have 20 frequent people attending. The space is small, but we have managed to accommodate those who attend. We have to be very discreet since they do not allow this type of meeting in the apartments. We are already organizing the baptisms this month.

Prayer Needs:

Please pray for my wife, who has been ill, God’s continued guidance on this path of planting a church, our children, Ezekiel and Joshua, a house that will better serve us in holding meetings and my finances, as we need a car.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Haitao He– Free Salvation Bible Mission in Corpus Christi 

haitao.he@bmats.edu

One member of our group plans to share her testimony in her workplace. The setting is that there is a time for people in the workplace to share their life experiences. The reason is another coworker just shared her bad experience about her previous church life and also she had not going to church for a few years. Then the member of our group had a burden to share her testimony about God’s grace in her life and she talked with us to have more peace and courage to tell her story. We are happily surprised and feel the Holy Spirit is working in people’s hearts to make them want to be a witness to God.

Prayer Needs:

Some of our group members are facing uncertainty about their jobs, please pray for God’s best arrangement for their future.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Brad Cauley– Cedar Park Mission

bwcauley@gmail.com

We are meeting many members of our new community and seeing leaders grow in their excitement and eagerness for God’s work through our church. We began meeting for church services in our home, sharing a meal, worshiping in the living room and walking through the Bible together before praying and being released on mission for the week. One Sunday, an unbeliever joined us and was caught up in the depths and beauty of God’s Word as we walked through Cain and Abel as they represent “works” and “faith.” She was really wrestling with this concept, and since English was her second language, we got to hear her brother explain things to her in her first language. It was beautiful to know the same truth we had just been moved by ourselves was now being explained in her language by a church member who was now practicing explaining the beautiful depths of the Bible to other people in other languages! May God continue to let the beauty and power of His gospel of grace be proclaimed by our people and savored by all who believe and receive it.

Prayer Needs:

Please pray that our leaders will continue to grow and that more people to be hungry to live lives completely given to Christ and His purposes.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________    

Aderemi Badru-

Light House Mission in Houston 

remibadru44hope@yahoo.com

Praise God we are making progress in empowering leaders as we eagerly look forward to our launch. We are praying that God will raise help and resources for us to be able to rent a new space for worship for the church which can enable us to have a proper children’s church. The hotel we are using is not convenient for us and the place we found requires us to pay for at least one year. We are grateful for the BMA churches and are trusting that we will be supported in moving into a new space for our church plant.

In addition, I am preparing to visit Nigeria in October both to visit family, do campus missions and strengthen new church plants in Nigeria. We are calling on churches to support the work we do in Nigeria, and support the upcoming outreach through giving. We need donations of shoes, clothing and other items that we can take to Nigeria on this mission. If anyone or any group is interested in joining this mission trip to Nigeria, you are welcome.

Prayer Needs:

Please pray for the upcoming mission trip to Nigeria and that God will send us help and resources to be able to rent a new space for the use of the church.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Kyle Cheatham– Grace Church Jarrell Mission  

kyle@gracejarrell.com

God recently led two families into our process for church membership. While having gospel-clarifying conversations with each of them, one adult needed and chose to soon be baptized and all four adults are continuing forward and will be voted in, Lord willing, at our next Member Meeting!

Prayer Needs:

Please pray that God will give me clarity as I seek to finalize some discipleship that will help potential elders grow into readiness and some that will help disciples grow into disciple-makers.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

Tim Alba– The Bridge Mission in Seagoville 

timalba1986@gmail.com

It has been really exciting this month so far. We had two big events this past weekend. Both a men’s event and a women’s event. Each event produced salvations and new families coming to our church. Our men’s event was bigger this time around. We took the men out to Tyler to shoot and fish with a message from God’s Word and barbecue. We made some amazing connections and saw men receive Jesus. We are continuing to walk the streets and are fervently sharing the Gospel with the lost. It has been amazing!

Prayer Needs:

Pray for me specifically that God continues to give me strength.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

June 2024 Missions Update

A word from your Missions Office

By HEITH MITCHELL

Like so many BMA of Texas Churches your Texas Missions is trying to navigate Liability and property insurance coverage. Our provider notified us of their decision not to renew us this month.  The pool of possible providers continues to shrink due to the weather that has caused claims at churches across Texas these last few years.  Pray for Texas Missions as we navigate this.  We have heard from many of you that you are dealing with rising costs or cancelations.  Pray that we can find help and resources that we can share with all BMA of Texas Churches.

I would also encourage you to pray for our annual Missionary Retreat for Texas Missionaries and their families.  Pray that this retreat is the encouragement your missionaries and their wives need.  The retreat is June 17-19 in San Marcus this year.  Missionaries need this break and opportunity to recharge.  They are under attack as they share Jesus and make disciples in their communities.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

PROJECT 2029
100 New Churches/10 years

  • That we see an aggressive multiplication movement of churches who make disciples, equip and release leaders, and start churches for the glory of God and the advancement of his Kingdom Mission
  • That each new mission begin with a plan to begin three new churches in their first 10 years
  • That pastors and churches of the association be encouraged and equipped to start new churches
  • That we connect, evaluate, identify and train new prospective church planters

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

A word from your missionaries:

Jose Gil – Proyecto Misionero “Lidia” 

josedario.gil@gmail.com

Teaching the relevance of baptism as a testimony of being a Jesus follower in one of the cells. Hopefully, a few will be baptized early in this summer. The house owner for the other cell received Jesus last weekend. Sharing life and time with new contacts, since we teach and share the insight of church not as a place to gather but as the family of God.

Prayer Needs:

Resources to dedicate more time to the people in cells.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Jaime Garcia– Iglesia Bautista Nueva Vida Mission in Gilmer

Jaime.garcia2911@gmail.com

First I want to share with joy what God is doing in His work, happy to participate in the youth ministry, I want to prepare a ministry that has vision and a commitment to God of integrity, young people are the future servants of God and in them I am investing my strength so that God’s work continues regardless of whether I am or not. A new family has arrived and we are helping them settle down with work and a home. I think it’s part of the ministry to help the community and the brothers and sisters in the mission. They start attending church and are happy to change their lives. Kennia, one of these people, has prayed the prayer of faith and agreed to follow Jesus, and all of us in the church rejoiced to hear that decision. On Sunday mornings we will have a discipleship follow-up.

Prayer Needs:

I am very grateful for your participation and your support both spiritually and financially, God is the one who takes care of his creation, and especially of his church, please help me with prayer for the activities we will have, I take care that the brothers get involved with love and gratitude, that we all continue in unity doing what has been entrusted to us directing souls to Christ. That he may be glorified.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Isaias Martinez – Conroe Mission 

isaiasmj1966@gmail.com

The status of the mission for the month is favorable. We receive a new family as members and leaders. The OIKOS continues working. We continue to disciple.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for us as we strive to have a place of our own.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Haitao He– Free Salvation Bible Mission in Corpus Christi 

haitao.he@bmats.edu

One member of our group plans to share her testimony in her workplace. The setting is that there is a time for people in the workplace to share their life experiences. The reason is another coworker just shared her bad experience about her previous church life and also she had not going to church for a few years. Then the member of our group had a burden to share her testimony about God’s grace in her life and she talked with us to have more peace and courage to tell her story. We are happily surprised and feel the Holy Spirit is working in people’s hearts to make them want to be a witness to God.

Prayer Needs:

Some of our group members are facing uncertainty about their jobs, please pray for God’s best arrangement for their future.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Jaime Henriquez– Fuente De Vida Eterna Mission in Tomball

dairyjeny@yahoo.com

We always greet all the churches in this great BMAT family and always give thanks for their prayers and financial support. Always praying for each of the churches and the missionaries. We are happy to share good news for God’s kingdom. This month we witnessed the salvation of one more soul, we delivered a discipleship diploma. The 5 cell groups are still strong and growing in the Lord. Two more people are being discipled and we will soon be celebrating baptisms. Keep praying for us that God will open doors and that the gospel message will reach the hearts of more people.

Prayer Needs:

I ask for your prayers for my mom as she has been diagnosed with Myelitis, a disease that attacks the nervous system and is paralyzed from the waist down.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________    

Brad Cauley– Cedar Park Mission

bwcauley@gmail.com

The Lord has answered your prayers and blessed us with a home whose back fence opened to the large community park – the heart of Cedar Park. We are now poised to build relationships and share the love and truth of Christ with our city. Our people continue to grow in their love and understanding of Christ and are eager to see more and more people know Him. Thank you for praying with us. We are eager to see Christ exalted and adored here…

Prayer Needs:

Please pray that the Lord directs us to his lost sheep and blesses our leaders with the passion and conviction for his mission. We ask for a favor with our city and to be able to connect with the needs the Lord wants us to meet there.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Tim Alba– The Bridge Mission in Seagoville 

timalba1986@gmail.com

We are doing great. I believe our church is in a transition. This has actually been a tough year for the church. While we have seen growth and progress in our people we have also seen low attendance on Sundays. It’s been up and down this year but I made a personal decision to never stop no matter how hard it gets and to push forward and share the Gospel no matter what happens. God gave me a project and I am fully committed to it no matter what happens. Faithfulness is important and I want to be faithful in what God has given me stewardship over.

Prayer Needs:

Continue to pray for our church and its future as we push through our challenges as a plant.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

Omar Pina, Sr.– Missions in Waxahachie/Dallas

Dual support with BMA of America

omarpina2005@gmail.com

The mission is mainly suffering of lack of full commitment to the great commission and the activities to fulfill God’s calling. We will continue equipping them and pray for fully committed disciple-makers of this generation.

Prayer Needs:

For wisdom as I try new ways of getting our people fully engaged in the work of the ministry.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Chris Mindi– Anchor Austin Mission in Leander    

chris.mindi@bmats.edu

Anchor Austin Mission is doing great. Committed members are growing in their spiritual journey. New people are being touched by the very people that are growing at Anchor Austin. God is transforming our communities one family at a time. Please continue to pray that God moves supernaturally here in central Texas especially in our communities and among our people. HARVEST is MORE, LABORERS are FEW. We are praying for more passionate Christians who are inspired and motivated to be fully obedient and follow God in fulfilling his mission to bring HOPE to individuals and families here in Georgetown and surrounding areas.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for Anchor Austin and its members as they grow in their faith and be outwardly focused church every moment.

Pray for our Annual retreat that’s coming up. This is a time when everyone at Anchor Austin slows down and spends time together as a community and as individuals who delight in God.

Learning to ‘BE’ with God before ‘DOING’ the work for God.

Pray especially for these names below for this month. Sumesh, Hollie, Nandu, Shreya & Rahul

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Rudy Villareal– Hometown Church Mission in Helotes 

rvillarreal1@gmail.com

We have started doing community BBQs once a month where we invite people out from the community for food, fellowship, and games. In our first one we were able to connect with a couple of families and hoping that we can continue to establish relationships through this avenue.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for us, there are people in our community that do not want us. They are very aggressively anti-Christian. Pray that we have an opportunity to love on them.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Aderemi Badru- Light House Mission in Houston 

remibadru44hope@yahoo.com

Praise God we are making progress in training leaders as we eagerly look forward to our launch. Nevertheless, we are praying that God will raise for us help and resources to be able to rent a new space for worship for the church which can enable us to have a proper children’s church. The hotel we are using is not convenient for us and the place we found requires us to find help to pay for at least one year. We are grateful for the BMA Churches but we are also trusting that you still can support us in moving into a new space for our church plant.

Prayer Needs:

Please pray for us that God will send us help and resources to be able to rent a new space for the use of the church.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Luis H. Perez – Planting in Kyle

luisperez6162@gmail.com

Well, we have had problems with people who say they have repented and believed in Christ, work with them for 7 or 8 months and they do not see fruit when they see that we do not agree and I call their attention, they go and talk to the members to cause division, Thank God the storm is abating and I can see that God is working in each of the members of Sovereign Grace, Pray for me This has caused my blood pressure to rise a lot and stress me, I ask for prayer for my father who is elderly and very sick (also a cause of my stress) but we keep going in the name of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Prayer Needs:

Spiritual Maturity for the Church

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Kyle Cheatham– Grace Church Jarrell Mission  

kyle@gracejarrell.com

We had a wonderful women’s event called “Bible & Brunch” where 34 ladies gathered together at the church for delicious food and great teaching. A man in our church handled all of the food and a couple of our young men served the ladies as an extra treat. One woman shared her testimony. I taught from Scripture on “Cheerful Giving” with our time, talents, treasures, touch, and the truth of God’s Word. A very special part is that we had ten women each record themselves reading a verse of Scripture from the main passage. Our worship leader made a terrific video with nature scenes and the ladies reading for the audio. The church was beautifully decorated with a sunflower theme and the ladies loved it. Jacklyn headed it up with the help of several ladies. I think it will be an annual event.

Prayer Needs:

Please pray for our new Location Team as we seek options for a larger place to gather in Jarrell. Our lease is up at the end of November.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Robert Lee– Harmony Baptist Church in Normangee Replant

bro.robert.f.lee@gmail.com

This past month has been busy. We watched our children finish Pre-K, first grade, and 4th grade. We also had the added surprise this month of one of our buildings suffering some minor damage from the neighbor’s shed burning down beside it! We are looking forward to the summer months and the opportunities to build new relationships in our community.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for opportunities for us to build relationships in our community over the summer months.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

May 2024 Missions Update

A word from your Missions Office

By HEITH MITCHELL

On May 3-4  the BMA hosted the annual Hispanic Men’s Conference at Daniel Springs Camp.  This conference has been going on for years but I don’t believe it has ever been this well attended.  There were over 150 men from 23 churches at the conference.  Elvis Garcia did a wonderful job putting it on.  The theme this year was Men of Conviction.  

The BMA is blessed with men of conviction who are examples of meekness.  These men played soccer, cut up, and took prayer, worship, and the word very seriously.  I like our BMA family.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

PROJECT 2029
100 New Churches/10 years

  • That we see an aggressive multiplication movement of churches who make disciples, equip and release leaders, and start churches for the glory of God and the advancement of his Kingdom Mission
  • That each new mission begin with a plan to begin three new churches in their first 10 years
  • That pastors and churches of the association be encouraged and equipped to start new churches
  • That we connect, evaluate, identify and train new prospective church planters

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

A word from your missionaries:

Israel Martinez– Redeemer Irving

imartinez@redeemerieving.org

Pray for our financial halts and stability we need help and the Lord to work miraculously.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Brad Holcomb– Redemption Hill Ft. Worth  

brad@redemptionhillfw.org

We are seeing more and more people evangelize to their neighbors. We are connecting with many neighborhood guests. In July we are hosting our first-ever Vacation Bible School. Our whole church is excited about the opportunities to bring the Gospel to our neighbors in this way. I would ask you all to pray for wisdom for our leadership and church regarding our ability and willingness to engage one another in hard conversations but to do so with love. We err on the side of non-confrontation and that can lead to underlying frustrations. We all desire and are committed to stepping into this space, but I do pray for wisdom.

Prayer Needs:

Family health (physical and spiritual), and that God would save these neighbors we’ve connected with recently.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Jose Gil – Proyecto Misionero “Lidia” 

josedario.gil@gmail.com
We have been training church members as cell leaders. Brother Heith Mitchell, BMA executive director, joined us and preached during the certification of volunteers to lead discipleship cells.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Jaime Garcia– Iglesia Bautista Nueva Vida Mission in Gilmer

Jaime.garcia2911@gmail.com

This month we planned the Children’s Day activity with great enthusiasm. I am very happy about the involvement of all the brothers, and some young people, who prepared games and helped with food. It was very fun and with the participation of some brothers who I did not imagine would help me. God is working in your hearts.

Prayer Needs:

Please pray a lot for the group of young people, who will be raising funds by doing various activities to be able to travel to the SOAR in Dallas. They are very excited and I hope they make it.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Haitao He– Free Salvation Bible Mission in Corpus Christi 

haitao.he@bmats.edu

This month we had a friend from a Hindu background. Before she came to the United States her mother made her promise not to eat any beef here. Now she is around several Christian friends and happily hangs out with them and even goes to their prayer meeting. Soon they will be talking about their belief, worldview, and purpose of life, etc. Christian life would be plain water and naturally flowing peacefully in a period of life until God sent someone to remind Christians that they had a great commission to fulfill. I love what happened with our group, it is a challenge to talk about faith and to do evangelical work and it is also a great opportunity for growing faith and skill.

Prayer Needs:

Pray that the Holy Spirit will fill our people to do evangelic work and be strengthened by this work.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________    

Jaime Henriquez– Fuente De Vida Eterna Mission in Tomball

dairyjeny@yahoo.com

Here is the Source of Eternal Life Baptist Church, things are moving forward, with some challenges and struggles but the work continues. This month we welcomed a new brother into the faith, two completed their discipleship studies, and we had a total of 10 first-time visitors. We are glad to be part of the work of the Lord and the family of BMAT churches. Thank you for your prayers and financial support always.

Prayer Needs:

Please I ask for your prayers for my mother who is sick in El Salvador. She has lost sensation from the waist down and cannot walk.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Tim Alba– The Bridge Mission in Seagoville 

timalba1986@gmail.com

We had been a little slow these past months. I felt as if nothing was working as far as plans and events we tried pushing on our congregation. I felt that even the leadership was a bit apprehensive. Through much encouraging and faithfulness we saw an opportunity to reach a few people this month. We saw three salvation this month and I am overjoyed with whatever God does through our little church. We don’t have a big congregation nor do we have all the bells and whistles but I know that uses us for His glory every month. We are pushing forward no matter the cost or sacrifice. May we continue to strive forward.

Prayer Needs:

Please continue to pray for our church each month and for God to continue to give us wisdom in our leadership.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

Kyle Cheatham– Grace Church Jarrell Mission  

kyle@gracejarrell.com

In our sermon series through Acts, I asked our people to write down where God was at work around, in, and through them. I was blown away with the replies! Here are a few of the 40 we received: “God has allowed me to understand the Word more in depth.” “God is at work in my life through Grace Jarrell. He is restoring broken relationships, strengthening my walk to serve Him in all that I do for Him, and to introduce Him to others.” “God is giving me opportunities to organically counsel others, leading me through the Scriptures so I can get very familiar with locating verses and memorizing them along the way.” “God is revealing more sin in my life.” “God… you have given me a new life!”

Prayer Needs:

Please pray for us to continue to reach—and strategically follow-up with—the unchurched of Jarrell. Pray that I continue on a recent trajectory change toward better health and fitness. Thank you!

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Peter Oyeniran – Planting in Mission Bend

peteroyeniran11@gmail.com

We thank God for the gathering of members. This month we have a family of three worshiped with us and trusting God to establish them.

Prayer Needs:

Father, let there be a revival through the outpouring of Your Spirit.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Abner Nunez– Planting in San Antonio   

elias1951@hotmail.com

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Isaias Martinez – Conroe Mission 

isaiasmj1966@gmail.com

The status of the mission for the month is favorable. We receive a new family as members and leaders. The OIKOS continues working. We continue to disciple.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for us as we strive to have a place of our own.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Brad Cauley– Cedar Park Mission

bwcauley@gmail.com

We continue to see our people hungry to grow in the Lord and to reach others with the Gospel. One of our leaders has a group of young believers and unbelievers who study the Bible and fellowship for 3 hours on Tuesday evenings. While they were studying James 3, one of the men suddenly realized his language was an issue, saying, “Oh, I think I need to stop cussing.” During their time together, he caught himself three times and didn’t cuss. The men were able to laugh and celebrate his growth and desire to honor the Lord with his words. Discipleship is happening as people spend time in the Word together with people who love and respect them.

Thank you for praying for us. We hope to move into the community at the end of the month if closing goes well on the 24th.

Prayer Needs:

Please pray that the Lord blesses our house closing (planned for May 24th) and for favor in our community and for the Lord to bring our neighbors and community to Christ.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Chris Driver– West Texas Multiplication Network/Texas Missionary Care 

cjdriver316@gmail.com

Howdy from West Texas! What a great month we had over here in the flatlands! It’s been windy and dirty but we are pushing through it and seeing God really moving in our church, especially in our men’s ministry. It’s no secret that my hearts greatest desire is to see God move in the hearts of men and to see those men begin to genuinely lead their families. And I feel like God is doing just that at Oasis! We keep seeing God bring and connect more and more men through our regular events like Saturday morning Men’s breakfast and guys night out. I can’t wait to see the fruit God will bear through these men in the months to come! Please pray for us as we press on! As always, thank you for all you do that makes it possible for us to be a part of what God’s doing out here in West Texas!!

Prayer Needs:

Church van

Upcoming mission team from O’Quinn BC

Leadership development

Connections at SPC and surrounding communities

Open doors for the gospel

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

April 2024 Missions Update

A word from your Missions Office

By HEITH MITCHELL

I am writing this article right after experiencing the eclipse beside each of you. Wow! What an experience! We were among a thousand-plus people watching it. Across the full eclipse, there was silence. Everyone was staring at the sky as one. This ended with a sudden burst of light and with shouting and clapping. It was a moment of awe that led me to worship.

My mind rushed to another moment that I anticipate and watch for beside each of you.  I long for the return of Christ. It is coming and we must be busy about His mission. Jesus ended His Commission with, “I am with you always, even till the end of the age.” We must be busy.  Your missionaries are busy sharing Jesus and making disciples. Last month, they reported 35 people who received the gift of salvation!

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

PROJECT 2029
100 New Churches/10 years

  • That we see an aggressive multiplication movement of churches who make disciples, equip and release leaders, and start churches for the glory of God and the advancement of his Kingdom Mission
  • That each new mission begin with a plan to begin three new churches in their first 10 years
  • That pastors and churches of the association be encouraged and equipped to start new churches
  • That we connect, evaluate, identify and train new prospective church planters

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

A word from your missionaries:

Jaime Garcia– Iglesia Bautista Nueva Vida Mission in Gilmer

Jaime.garcia2911@gmail.com

Senayda is a sister of the church and was previously Catholic. She has decided to accept Jesus and is one of the people who will be baptized. She gave her testimony of how she suffers criticism from her family but is firm in her faith in Christ. We are praying for her and her family so that everyone knows the truth and we hope that it is through the means that God uses.

Prayer Needs:

We are experiencing church growth and we need more workers. I am very zealous about our doctrine and prefer to take things slowly, but sometimes I am the one who has to do a lot of things. I want to start youth leadership and also a ladies’ group. Please help me pray for these needs. Thank you!

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Jose Gil – Proyecto Misionero “Lidia” 

With the BMA’s support, we had one fellowship time in the two cells. It was a blessing for the members and an opportunity to invite neighbors. As a result, one young couple joined the cell in Spring and one family opened his house in The Woodlands.

Prayer Needs:

  1. That the young couple in Spring accept Jesus to start the discipleship.
  2. That the family in The Woodlands interested in opening a new cell in their home will be blessed.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Haitao He– Free Salvation Bible Mission in Corpus Christi 

haitao.he@bmats.edu

One lady who came to our meeting many times before, recently had some setbacks with her IVF treatment. This is a difficult time and faith challenge for her and also for people who are new to the faith. Suffering is indeed a part of our lives and we need a strong affirmation of God’s love. “…but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:13-14). We are praying for her and providing what we can to support her emotionally. We are also learning to depend on God’s promise to face all bad news.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Shane Carter– Lamesa Mission

stumpofnavy@gmail.com 

I am heartbroken to report that we have lost some of the people that have been meeting with us to churches around us. We are growing nearer to the Lord with who is coming and we feel God at work in all of this.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Omar Pina, Sr.– Missions in Waxahachie/Dallas

Dual support with BMA of America

omarpina2005@gmail.com

We had to move the new church in Plano to a different location and we had a greater attendance even though we had the concern of losing some people.

Prayer Needs:

Please pray that we will have opportunities to train more leaders and partners to financially support our church planting projects.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________    

Brad Cauley– Cedar Park Mission

bwcauley@gmail.com

We had our first baptism connected to Redemption’s Table Church. On Good Friday, our friend Brandon celebrated his old life being put in the grave and His new life raised with Christ. What a joy to see people pass from death to life!

Prayer Needs:

Please pray for our move to Cedar Park which we hope will be in the next two months. The Lord may be opening a door for us in a special way. Please pray for His confirmation and blessing. Please continue to pray for leaders and for our community that relationships with unbelievers will continue to be nurtured and developed toward faith in Christ.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Aderemi Badru- Light House Mission in Houston 

remibadru44hope@yahoo.com

Praise God! We are making progress in training leaders as we eagerly look forward to our launch. Nevertheless, we are praying that God will raise for us help and resources to be able to rent a new space for worship and children’s church. The hotel we are using is not convenient for us and the place we found requires us to find pay at least one year. We are grateful for the support of the BMA churches and are trusting that you can support us in moving into a new space.

Prayer Needs:

Please pray for us that God will send us help and resources to be able to rent a new space for the use of the church.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

Robert Lee– Harmony Baptist Church in Normangee Replant

bro.robert.f.lee@gmail.com

This month has been great for our church. At the end of the month, we hosted a movie night for Good Friday for families with children. This was our first family movie night and I believe it was a success. We also had fun celebrating the resurrection of Christ as a church family that Sunday. I am looking forward to planning more things for our community in the months ahead to reach young families.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for us as the next couple of months are very busy months in our community.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Ciro Gonzalez– Rice Hispanic Mission 

cirogonzalez315@gmail.com

March 23 was a great advance as we mobilized 26 missionaries to the city of Rice. All focused on supporting the work and evangelizing from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., it was a unique moment with an evangelistic focus on everything. We had training, food delivery, mass evangelism, fellowship, personal evangelism and enjoyment for children and families. We reached 13 people for Christ, three who would like us to visit them. More than 20 people requested prayer, and more than 60 people heard gospel. May God get the glory from it! We have announced His Word and we will continue to do so, but we are very clear that growth is given by God.

 Prayer Needs:

Pray for the new converts, pray for those who are being discipled, and pray for me.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Chris Driver– West Texas Multiplication Network/Texas Missionary Care 

cjdriver316@gmail.com

Howdy from west Texas! It was another wonderful month out here on the South Plains that ended with an amazing Easter week. We had nearly 50 for our Good Friday communion service. It was a beautiful night focused on remembering our Passover Lamb. We are gearing up for a big June full of camp and hosting a mission team from O’Quinn, Pollok. We are so excited about what God continues to do. Thank you so much for your support and your prayers.

Prayer Needs:

A church van, open doors for the gospel and relationship connections at SPC and our surrounding communities

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Jaime Henriquez– Fuente De Vida Eterna Mission in Tomball

dairyjeny@yahoo.com

Blessings to all who make up the BMA of Texas family of churches. We always give thanks for your prayers and financial support. Here in our mission, everything moves forward with a firm and constant step. We are focused on evangelism, discipling converts, teaching them and building up the Lord’s church. This month, we had pecial Good Friday services with drama, specials and an evangelistic message. On Easter Sunday we also took the opportunity to bring the message of Jesus to people. We had a profession of faith from a young woman named Luz Mila who was searching for meaning in her life and had begun to get involved in the religion of Islam.We dedicated a baby, provided discipleship and had training for Sunday school teachers and leadership.

Prayer Needs:

For the lost, may your hearts be opened to be recipients of the precious gospel.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Jose Torres– Tyler Hispanic Mission  

josetorres@gmail.com

The long-awaited launch day has finally arrived. Although we did not obtain the desired result, I know that God is guiding this plantation. Everything is well organized and ready so that when the Lord adds people, they can connect to the work that God is doing with this small group of disciples willing to serve the Lord faithfully.

Prayer Needs:

I ask for prayers for my family that we always work for the Lord with devotion and never as an obligation.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Isaias Martinez – Conroe Mission 

isaiasmj1966@gmail.com

Prayer Needs:

Please pray that in the future we will have a place of our own.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Kyle Cheatham– Grace Church Jarrell Mission  

kyle@gracejarrell.com

We had a mini-VBS centered around “Elements of the Gospel” that had several kiddos and lots of volunteers. It went really well. One Sunday, we brought in Chris Driver to lead our church in Oikos training so that we would become more evangelistically intentional in our relationships. He did an outstanding job inspiring our people biblically to really see the field that God has given us and we are taking action. We gathered on the Thursday before Easter for a Christ-centered Seder led by our worship leaders. It was fantastic as 70 of us were led to worship in this unique, historic way. We had a wonderful Easter service with 126 present!

Prayer Needs:

Please pray that God provides a larger worship space in Jarrell for us, along with faith, wisdom and stewardship for it. There are so many people moving here who need Jesus.

March 2024 Missions Update

A word from your Missions Office

By HEITH MITCHELL

It is an exciting season in your Texas Missions. Your missionaries reported 35 salvations last month. They are all gearing up for Easter outreach and services. They need our prayers. We just finished up another successful audit and our staff is celebrating. You have a fine staff serving you in your Texas Missions. In 2023, 91 percent of your giving went to the mission field with only 9 percent being spent on the ministry. We are proud of this fact and thankful to God that he makes it possible. We try to be good stewards of the funds you invest.
One other thing we are excited about, we got to invest in pastors, staff and their wives at the Annual Pastors Conference this month. It is a joy to give back through the BMAT Church Connections Ministry. Todd West is doing a good job of leading this ministry. Todd planned a good conference but it was evident to all that God brought the details together into an event where we met with God. We were encouraged and equipped as we glorified God on both days. You should plan to be there next February.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

PROJECT 2029
100 New Churches/10 years

  • That we see an aggressive multiplication movement of churches who make disciples, equip and release leaders, and start churches for the glory of God and the advancement of his Kingdom Mission
  • That each new mission begin with a plan to begin three new churches in their first 10 years
  • That pastors and churches of the association be encouraged and equipped to start new churches
  • That we connect, evaluate, identify and train new prospective church planters

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

A word from your missionaries:

Isaias Martinez – Conroe Mission 

isaiasmj1966@gmail.com
The mission advances in a general sense. New families have joined. We have six oikos groups. New converts are being discipled.

Prayer Needs:

Please pray for our family in Cuba, going through one of the most critical economic crises of these times.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Jose Gil – Proyecto Misionero “Lidia” 

josedario.gil@gmail.com
We are moving forward in teaching God’s Word. People are getting familiarized with basic doctrines. Sharing meals after every meeting is a joyful time. We are sharing as a family in God. The cell in Spring attended the sixteenth anniversary of Iglesia Bautista Getsemani. This cell is becoming a powerful reference in the vicinity of disciples. 

Prayer Needs:

Pray for robust leadership, wisdom to keep harmony in the cells. Also, pray as we plan a koinonia for the two cells during spring break week, and funds that will be needed.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Jaime Henriquez– Fuente De Vida Eterna Mission in Tomball

dairyjeny@yahoo.com

Here at the mission we continue working to enlarge the Kingdom of the Lord by sharing the gospel and edifying the saints. We have had visitors for the first time this month and we pray that they come to salvation. A couple who is being discipled and who both accepted Jesus as their Savior is in a complicated immigration situation because they are not married, so I cannot baptize them. The church is strong and healthy.

Prayer Needs:

Pray that new visitors come to the knowledge of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Rudy Villareal– Hometown Church Mission in Helotes 

rvillarreal1@gmail.com

We have an event coming on St. Patrick’s Day in which we are going to have food, games and fun. We have our members praying and working towards establishing new relationships.

Prayer Needs:

Please pray that we have around 30-50 people attend our event and that we have a good number returning on Easter.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Chris Driver– West Texas Multiplication Network/Texas Missionary Care 

cjdriver316@gmail.com

Howdy from west Texas! Another great month has come and gone out here on the Plains. It was a busy month full of a lot of ups and downs. Our folks, including me and my family, experienced a lot of sickness and medical issues. But God continues to be faithful and we continue to move forward. I really feel like we are on the verge of a major breakthrough at the college. Please continue to pray for us there. Thank you for all you continue to do for us. It’s truly an honor to be part of the BMA of Texas family.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for a breakthrough at SPC, upcoming events and that the Lord will provide a church van and a storage building as our children’s ministry continues to explode.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________    

Jaime Henriquez– Fuente De Vida Eterna Mission in Tomball

dairyjeny@yahoo.com

We continue to advance in the work that God has placed in our hands—evangelizing, discipling and serving. This month we gave two evangelism presentations and two are being discipled. Five cells meet in homes every Wednesday. The youth have their weekly meeting on Fridays while we adults learn about stewardship. This month’s Sunday services challenged us to be better in our priorities, in our relationships and in our testimony.

Prayer Needs:

Pray that God opens doors for us so that hearts are receptive to the message of the gospel.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Haitao He– Free Salvation Bible Mission in Corpus Christi 

haitao.he@bmats.edu

This month we have members who are facing some career changes and we pray the best for them. At the same time, we also pray for God to add to our number as some of our members with new jobs are moving on and relocating to another city. We are getting a deeper understanding that we are the branches and Christ is the Vine and that remaining in Him we have peace for life changes.  

Prayer Needs:

Pray that our new series of Bible studies in the Gospel of John would be a good spiritual formation for us.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

Omar Pina, Sr.– Missions in Waxahachie/Dallas

Dual support with BMA of America

omarpina2005@gmail.com

Our main struggle is to have people fully committed to the Lord and His work regardless of the time and efforts we made in equipping them.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Chris Mindi– Anchor Austin Mission in Leander    

chris.mindi@bmats.edu

Our mission is healthy. The church is doing well. We are slowly, steadily and simultaneously developing leaders. Even though it is not the only metric by which we measure the health of the church, it shows the commitment from the individual, when they own the vision and mission of the church, to start investing through their talents and treasure. God is the only one who is convicting each and every person with Anchor, Austin to be committed to seeing the big picture of what God is doing through this local church in making disciples who make disciples. As a leader who is leading this, it is a great encouragement to see the transformation of Christians wanting to be disciples and be on the mission.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for the launch on March 31, as we are getting ready for our Sunday worship services. Pray for gifted individuals to lead the congregation in worship through singing. Pray for us as leaders to lead the congregation with discernment, faithfully unto the Lord.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Robert Lee– Harmony Baptist Church in Normangee Replant

bro.robert.f.lee@gmail.com

This month has been a busy one for me. I have been working toward furthering my career as a bivocational pastor. That has consumed a lot of time over the past couple of months, but I am looking forward to once again having more time to devote to the work of ministry. We have been excited to see new members bringing others to hear the gospel, and are excited about an outreach event we are planning for later this month!

Prayer Needs:

Pray for our planned outreach event to build connections with new families in our community.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Tim Alba– The Bridge Mission in Seagoville 

timalba1986@gmail.com

So far we are right on task with our expectations this year. We had a huge blessing this year with an investor who gave a lump sum to our church. The amount was to cover rent for a whole year. We did not see this relationship coming, but God did. We are hoping to maintain that relationship through the year and see how things develop over time. We know that last year was a little rough in the tithe department and yet God showed up to pull the resources we did not have. We are hoping to one day do the same for others who are planting churches and be a blessing to people who may need assistance as well. We are more than humbled, and we know God will continue to do miracles as long as we are faithful.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for our leaders and that God continues to give us wisdom and open doors.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Kyle Cheatham– Grace Church Jarrell Mission  

kyle@gracejarrell.com

On Feb. 10, about 10 women of our church invested a few hours of a Saturday by visiting almost 60 local businesses that morning. They took them a bag of donut holes along with a nicely prepared bag of chocolates, church info and gospel tracts. Many of the ladies were able to pray with those with whom they left the treats.

Prayer Needs:

Please pray that God will lead us in equipping more men to serve in the role of elder.

February 2024 Missions Update

A word from your Missions Office

By HEITH MITCHELL

BMA Texas Missions hosted the second annual Young Intern Leadership Retreat in Lindale Jan. 18-20. It was a beneficial event. Larry Bickel, Todd West, Jerry Fulton, Brad Holcombe and I shared leadership equipping with these 12 young people. We sang, prayed, spent time in the Word and worked on ourselves while building relationships. We took a break and escaped a Tyler escape room in the middle of the retreat. We thank New Harmony for providing us with transportation.
These interns come from four BMA of Texas churches that are investing in their young people and equipping them as leaders.  Texas Missions is partnering in that equipping. They must be out of high school for at least a year with a burden to be in ministry leadership. We want to talk to your church about partnering in this program. God is faithfully raising and calling leaders!

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

PROJECT 2029
100 New Churches/10 years

  • That we see an aggressive multiplication movement of churches who make disciples, equip and release leaders, and start churches for the glory of God and the advancement of his Kingdom Mission
  • That each new mission begin with a plan to begin three new churches in their first 10 years
  • That pastors and churches of the association be encouraged and equipped to start new churches
  • That we connect, evaluate, identify and train new prospective church planters

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

A word from your missionaries:

Jose Gil – Proyecto Misionero “Lidia” 

josedario.gil@gmail.com
The apartment for the Spring cell caught fire. The host family is a very young couple, both of them being new believers. In addition to the apartment fire, hey have been through tough situations lately such as financial, health and transportation issues. Even through all of this, they told me that their confidence and hope remains in God. It was a touching moment and I thank God for the testimony of these disciples. 

Prayer Needs:

Gratitude: The host couple in Spring cell got a new place to live on the very same day of the fire.

Wisdom: I will lead a workshop on church’s cells for eight weeks.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Jaime Garcia– Iglesia Bautista Nueva Vida Mission in Gilmer

Jaime.garcia2911@gmail.com

This month a woman with many burdens told me about her problems and I led her to the feet of Christ. We have also been working with the annual agenda and with the different ministries where there is a lack of participation. We had our first church meeting and it was very good. 

Prayer Needs:

Please pray with me, for the leaders who I believe will be the future successors of ministry here at Gilmer.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Isaias Martinez – Conroe Mission 

isaiasmj1966@gmail.com
The church has moved forward. We have three new families. One of them started a new discipleship cell and that is our reason for being.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for new converts who are in discipleship.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Haitao He– Free Salvation Bible Mission in Corpus Christi 

haitao.he@bmats.edu

We had a great evening this month for a prayer meeting. A total of 17 people came and shared, laughed and prayed together. I loved to see people’s faces filled with joy and happiness as we finished the night and took a group picture. We got to know each other better by listening to each others’ stories, including the children. I sensed a pure affection for the collective life, as people go through life as believers and we have a connection with each other.

Prayer Needs:

Pray that we will have more people respond to our event in the coming months.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Omar Pina, Sr.– Missions in Waxahachie/Dallas

Dual support with BMA of America

omarpina2005@gmail.com

This month was focused on equipping members for evangelism and reaching more souls. It is a big challenge to get the church members involved in doing the work of the ministry. We won’t move to another stage until every attendee is involved in the ministry of reaching souls.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for more workers willing to serve unconditionally and funds to find a place to which we can move.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________    

Jaime Henriquez– Fuente De Vida Eterna Mission in Tomball

dairyjeny@yahoo.com

We continue to advance in the work that God has placed in our hands—evangelizing, discipling and serving. This month we gave two evangelism presentations and two are being discipled. Five cells meet in homes every Wednesday. The youth have their weekly meeting on Fridays while we adults learn about stewardship. This month’s Sunday services challenged us to be better in our priorities, in our relationships and in our testimony.

Prayer Needs:

Pray that God opens doors for us so that hearts are receptive to the message of the gospel.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Rudy Villareal– Hometown Church Mission in Helotes 

rvillarreal1@gmail.com

We are gaining momentum in our church plant and are planning a big community outreach event for St. Patrick’s Day. We are going to have bounce houses, pickleball, corn hole and food. Our goal is to reach 50 adults to share the gospel and get connected within our community.

Prayer Needs:

Please pray that our church plant continues to gain momentum and that we reach people for our event.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

Chris Driver– West Texas Multiplication Network/Texas Missionary Care 

cjdriver316@gmail.com

Howdy from west Texas! This year is off to a great start. We officially started Oasis Kids on Wednesday nights. Our new children’s director, Brooke, is doing a fabulous job and we had 19 kiddos this past week. Our monthly men’s breakfasts continue to grow. We have begun finalizing plans to host our first mission team from O’Quinn, Pollok in June. We are so excited about what God is doing. It’s going to be an amazing year. Thank you for all your support that allows us to do what God has called us to do out here in west Texas.

Prayer Needs:

New discipleship opportunities in sundown and Whitharral

New connections at SPC

Storage building

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Peter Oyeniran – Planting in Mission Bend

peteroyeniran11@gmail.com

We give God praise for helping us secure a place of worship at one of the daycare centers in southwest Houston. The team was able to gather for worship. Our challenge now is that we need some materials like speakers, a microphone, foldable chairs for worship and a children’s department. Could you help us with any of these needs?

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Tim Alba– The Bridge Mission in Seagoville 

timalba1986@gmail.com

Our church has been on track. We do have struggles like any church but we also have amazing stories to tell when it comes to God doing powerful things through our congregation and leadership. For one, our strongest ministry currently is our women’s ministry. We have seen multiple salvations and baptisms come through that ministry. These ladies have done an amazing job sharing Christ and promoting our plant through events and outreach. We have also been successful in going out on the streets and sharing the gospel in the summers at parks and street corners where there is a lot of traffic. The amount of people we have prayed for and shared the gospel with has been astounding. We have taken opportunities to share the gospel with people walking in front of our building and seen them receive Christ. We have also been successful at giving to our community and involving ourselves in city-wide events so we can promote our church. God has done amazing things this year. We are hoping to engage more people and challenge our congregation to new heights in their walk with Jesus.

Prayer Needs:

Please continue to pray for our plant and that God continues to use us in our community.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Chris Mindi– Anchor Austin Mission in Leander    

chris.mindi@bmats.edu

Anchor, Austin is growing in a sustainable, healthy way. These past few months have been a great blessing to the mission. We met new families in town who are Indian Christians. They share our vision of how God is leading Anchor, Austin in making disciples who make disciples. We have a young man who has been with us for a couple of years now, growing in the Lord and maturing in faith. God has blessed him in finding a fiance and now they both are getting married soon. As a church, we are blessed to invest in their journey. Another praise is that we were able to secure a facility to start our worship services. God is blessing us by preparing individuals to see what God is doing through Anchor, Austin and supporting it with their time, talents and treasure. www.anchoraustin.com

Prayer Needs:

Pray for the start of our Sunday worship services beginning this Easter Sunday.

Please pray for laborers, that God would send whom he is moving to come and join us in His mission in Georgetown.

Please pray for us as leaders in this mission to have timely wisdom in making decisions and challenging people to be missional.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Kyle Cheatham– Grace Church Jarrell Mission  

kyle@gracejarrell.com

God continues to move us forward on this mission! Two separate ladies have been attending our church for several months.. My wife and I have been meeting with each individually to dig into their current place spiritually. One is coming out of years as a Mormon. Both are hungry for God’s Word. One is either very close to saving faith, or else she is a baby Christian, and we are seeking to clarify with her and move her forward. The other woman is not a believer, but clearly seems to be being drawn to Jesus.

Prayer Needs:

Please pray for our church as we cast the vision for Oikos groups and events as we lead our people to be more intentional evangelistically as they build relationships with unchurched people.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Aderemi Badru- Light House Mission in Houston 

remibadru44hope@yahoo.com

We are grateful to God that the Lighthouse of Hope For All Nations is growing and leaders are being trained and identified. We are looking forward to our public launch March 24, but we desperately need to rent a bigger space so that we can have room for our children’s ministry. We are currently trusting God for the provision of funds to rent a space and to get some of the equipment that is needed.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for us that God will send us the help needed to rent a new space for worship as we look forward to our public launch, and also that God will give us wisdom to reach the unreached in our community.

January 2024 Missions Update

A word from your Missions Office

By HEITH MITCHELL

Happy New Year! We enter 2024 with anticipation that rests squarely on the goodness and faithfulness of God. It is a joy to serve God, our missionaries and each of you. We are fellow laborers in seeing the great commission carried out and God’s Kingdom advanced. Let me know how Texas Missions can serve your church.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

PROJECT 2029
100 New Churches/10 years

  • That we see an aggressive multiplication movement of churches who make disciples, equip and release leaders, and start churches for the glory of God and the advancement of his Kingdom Mission
  • That each new mission begin with a plan to begin three new churches in their first 10 years
  • That pastors and churches of the association be encouraged and equipped to start new churches
  • That we connect, evaluate, identify and train new prospective church planters

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

A word from your missionaries:

Brad Cauley– Cedar Park Mission

bwcauley@gmail.com

Rob has opened his home for our weekly Bible study bringing many new believers and some interested in the faith, including a childhood friend he’s known for over 30 years. In early December the three of us had lunch where his friend shared both his respect for Rob’s faith and his own concerns and problems with faith for the past 30 years. Those concerns began to break down as he watched his friend, Rob, walk through the death of Rob’s son, leading his family through the suffering and shining Christ through the darkest of valleys. As we three reflected on Christ’s faithfulness with not a dry eye at the table, this friend shared how amazing it was to think that “Someone like Him, could actually want someone like me.” This was the first time Rob heard clearly his friend’s faith in Christ, repentance of sin and surrender to the loving forgiveness of Christ. We are now walking through baptism scriptures leading to the day that Rob will have the privilege of baptizing the friend he’s ministered to for 30 years. How faithful is our God!

Prayer Needs:

Pray for the Lord to open doors for the gospel to touch lives in Cedar Park, for our family’s move to the community and for God to continue to pour out His Spirit on the new believers and leaders in our church.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Haitao He– Free Salvation Bible Mission in Corpus Christi 

haitao.he@bmats.edu

Thanksgiving is always a great time for me to celebrate God’s provision. This year, with all the ongoing events in between, we are uncertain about what we can celebrate. Many things come with a concern. We had a breakthrough on one project, and I have to say that God is faithful and He never delays. I am of little faith, yet still loved by God!

Prayer Needs:

Pray that God will increase the number of this ministry in the coming year of 2024 and that we will have a great start for the new year.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Jose Gil – Proyecto Misionero “Lidia” 

josedario.gil@gmail.com
A group of immigrants, mostly Venezuelans, asked to ignite biblical teaching. They live in the same neighborhood and just heard about Christ as Savior and Lord. I volunteered myself to help with this, having the vision of farming a cell in that community (Spring, a few minutes drive from the cell in The Woodlands). For the time being, we have had three meetings and I found this is a promising group to become a strong cell. The momentum of our ministry and the feedback from the contacted people lead us to foresee a cell-mode church.

Prayer Needs:

Please pray that we will have the faith to keep our minds free of fears and be enthusiastic about reaching new people.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Tim Alba– The Bridge Mission in Seagoville 

timalba1986@gmail.com

Our church so far has been on  track. We do have struggles like any church but we also have amazing stories to tell when it comes to God doing powerful things through our congregation and leadership. For one, our strongest ministry currently is our women’s ministry. We have seen multiple salvations and baptisms come through that ministry. These ladies have done an amazing job sharing Christ and promoting our plant through events and outreach. We have also been successful in going out on the streets and sharing the gospel in the summers at parks and street corners where there is a lot of traffic. The amount of people we have prayed for and shared the gospel with has been astounding. We have taken opportunities to share the gospel with people walking in front of our building and seen them receive Christ. We have also been successful at giving to our community and also involving ourselves in city-wide events so we can promote our church. God has done amazing things this year. We are hoping to engage more people and challenge our congregation to new heights in their walk with Jesus.

Prayer Needs:

Keep Larry Alba in your prayers. He just started treatment for his cancer. Thank you.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Chris Driver– West Texas Multiplication Network/Texas Missionary Care 

cjdriver316@gmail.com

Howdy from west Texas! What an amazing holiday season we had here at Oasis! From Thanksgiving for college students to Advent services to an amazing Christmas Eve Communion service, it was a truly special time for our church. And now we turn our attention to 2024 and the theme of “Refresh” where we will refocus on the basics of our faith and mission that God used to get us this far and trust He is going to use it to spur us to reach out even farther for His kingdom. We are praying for open doors in Sundown and here at the college and we truly believe God’s going to open those doors. As always, thank you so much for all your support and prayers that make it possible for us to be a part of what God is doing out here in west Texas. 2024…HERE WE COME!!

Prayer Needs:

Pray that God will open doors at SPC and Sundown, our leadership development, the adoption and implementation of new Missional Community rhythms and a storage shed so we can finish remodeling.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________    

Rudy Villareal– Hometown Church Mission in Helotes 

rvillarreal1@gmail.com

People who are attending are very actively inviting other people into their sphere of influence. One lady, named Marian, came to church for the first time in years. She gave up trying to find a church, because they all did not teach the Bible, as she has a Bible Church background. She was encouraged to know that we teach the Bible and take His Word very seriously.

Prayer Needs:

Pray that some of our new visitors over the holiday season will plug into our fellowship.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Shane Carter– Lamesa Mission

stumpofnavy@gmail.com 

We are steadily moving forward. We will be starting a Sunday morning meeting in January and have started a discipleship group on Sunday evenings. We are also beginning a discipleship Bible study at the police department on Tuesdays at noon in January.

Please continue to pray for open hearts and doors as God does his work in Lamesa.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for continued good health and for opportunities to spread the gospel in and around Lamesa.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

Aderemi Badru-

Light House Mission in Houston 

remibadru44hope@yahoo.com

God has been gracious to us by adding to us and helping us to train the people we have.

Prayer Needs:

At the moment, we need a space for worship that will be conducive for us to have children’s ministry. We currently meet at the hotel and our children use the gym for the kid’s church which is risky and at the same time difficult to manage because the people in the hotel can decide to use the gym at any time. In addition, with the growth we are experiencing, we surely need a better place. Please pray for the provision of funds and for us to be able to get the kind of space that will enable us to not just have a ministry for the adults but a place where we can have child care and kids ministry. Pray for provision for us to be able to get the equipment we need such as musical instruments and a public address system. God has been so gracious to us in the last year and we are seeing real commitments from those joining the church. Please pray that they will be established in Christ.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Peter Oyeniran – Planting in Mission Bend

peteroyeniran11@gmail.com

We give God praise for helping us have a formidable team. We are able to have a get-together with a family and they will hopefully join us as a team.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Bichitrananda Satpathy– International Baptist Mission, Fort Worth

bichitrananda31@gmail.com

I shared the gospel with two people during the holiday season. They patiently heard the gospel and were open to it. However, they are yet to surrender to Christ. Please pray that the Holy Spirit will move on their hearts so they may accept Christ as their Savior. Their names are Ansul and Jashbir Singh.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for God to bring people to our biweekly gathering, for God to raise leaders and for His direction in this year.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Isaias Martinez – Conroe Mission 

isaiasmj1966@gmail.com
The condition of the mission is favorable. Five people came to Christ during our Christmas service. We have welcomed two new families. We continue the discipleship and meetings of the oikos.

Prayer Needs:

Please pray that in the future we may have a place of our own.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Kyle Cheatham– Grace Church Jarrell Mission  

kyle@gracejarrell.com

December was a time for our first Christmas Eve gathering as well as a successful New Year’s Eve outreach. As we approach our one year birthday as a church, God continues to draw people to Himself and to us. We long to see more people come to faith in Christ. We are seeing genuine worship, fellowship and discipleship, but not the salvations that we hope to see. It may just be about God’s timing as we continue to faithfully sow gospel seeds in personal conversations and corporate worship.

Prayer Needs:

Please pray over these five goals we have for 2024: 1. To see lost people come to lifelong faith in Jesus Christ. 2. To expand our worship leader position into a larger position where he oversees worship, tech, web, and communications. 3. To go from two to four elders. 4. To launch three discipleship groves of 3-6 people and complete writing the material by year end as we go. 5. To add three more fellowship groups. 6. To relocate to a larger space.

November 2023 Missions Update

A word from your Missions Office

By HEITH MITCHELL

Exciting things are happening in our BMA family among our Spanish-speaking churches. We are seeing growth and health among these churches. You are currently supporting 14 Spanish-speaking missions. There are currently 24 established BMA churches among us. Some of these churches have recently joined us but some have been around 40 years. These churches are faithful and inspiring among us.
  Around Houston, there has been a long and faithful fellowship of BMA churches made up of Centro de Vida network churches, churches started by Arnulfo Maldonado and current BMA of Texas efforts. Arnulfo worked to expand and strengthen this fellowship around the BMA of Texas. Elvis Garcia, your current BMA of Texas Missions Hispanic coordinator, continues to serve these churches and strengthen their fellowship.
We are excited about what God has done in 2023. A new BMA Association of Hispanic churches is forming in San Antonio with six churches involved. A new BMA Association of Hispanic Churches in the Dallas/Fort Worth Area has formed with seven churches. A new BMA Association of Hispanic Churches in east Texas has formed with six churches involved. These fellowships have been formed and organized like our other local associations. They are working together and have elected officers.
Elvis is leading a cohort training 13 young leaders from these churches right now. There are some wonderful future leaders in this group. Last year, at the annual Texas Hispanic Men’s Conference, seven men surrendered to the ministry. Elvis is steadily hearing from Spanish-speaking churches wanting to discuss fellowship with the BMA. We are praising the Lord that he is using us to do our part in reaching the millions of Hispanic people in Texas.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

PROJECT 2029
100 New Churches/10 years

  • That we see an aggressive multiplication movement of churches who make disciples, equip and release leaders, and start churches for the glory of God and the advancement of his Kingdom Mission
  • That each new mission begin with a plan to begin three new churches in their first 10 years
  • That pastors and churches of the association be encouraged and equipped to start new churches
  • That we connect, evaluate, identify and train new prospective church planters

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

A word from your missionaries:

Jaime Garcia– Iglesia Bautista Nueva Vida Mission in Gilmer

Jaime.garcia2911@gmail.com

I am happy for God’s answer to prayers and their results, thanks to God and you. We continue with the mission even with all the tests that abound. We will continue preaching the glorious Gospel of Jesus. Believing that God is opening doors.

Prayer Needs:

Please continue praying for us, my family and the brothers now that we begin the directive and leadership. We need God to give us direction so that together we can plan all the affairs of our congregation.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Haitao He– Free Salvation Bible Mission in Corpus Christi 

haitao.he@bmats.edu

Thanksgiving is always a great time for me to celebrate God’s provision. This year, with all the ongoing events in between, we are uncertain about what we can celebrate. Many things come with a concern. We had a breakthrough on one project, and I have to say that God is faithful and He never delays. I am of little faith, yet still loved by God!

Prayer Needs:

Pray that we will develop a relationship with new people we met from Thanksgiving events, and pray that God will be with us when we share the Gospel with them.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Isaias Martinez – Conroe Mission

isaiasmj1966@gmail.com
It was an immense blessing and privilege to participate in the BMA of Texas Annual Meeting. Once again, we feel like part of a big family. Thank you BMA!

Prayer Needs:

Please pray that in the future we will have a place of our own.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Rudy Villareal– Hometown Church Mission in Helotes 

rvillarreal1@gmail.com

We passed out Bibles and shared the gospel at our Town’s Christmas Market Days event. Our kids were excited and took the initiative to distribute Bibles with us. They were better at it than me! My son told me, “That people are more willing to take a Bible from a kid than an adult, Dad!” I think he is right, but praise God that His Word got into the hands of many people.

Prayer Needs:

Please pray that in this upcoming caroling event to our neighborhoods we encounter people with soft hearts ready to receive the gospel with gladness. Pray that we are light and salt to our city. Thank You for your ongoing support.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Robert Lee– Harmony Baptist Church in Normangee Replant

bro.robert.f.lee@gmail.com

Coming out of this Thanksgiving and entering the Christmas season, we are so thankful for the good things happening at Harmony.  We are excited about inviting our community to our Christmas cookie and cocoa fellowship this month and hope to use that time as an opportunity to build more relationships with people in our community.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for us to continue building more relationships in our community during the Christmas season.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________    

Chris Mindi– Anchor Austin Mission in Leander    

chris.mindi@bmats.edu

Put Off, Put On

Jeremiah 6:1–7:29; Colossians 3:1–17; Proverbs 12:1–28

We often hear that being a good Christian means not doing bad stuff. This statement is true—but not exhaustive. In Colossians 3, Paul says, “Therefore put to death what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustful passion, evil desire, and greediness, which is idolatry” (Col. 3:5). He then lists other inappropriate behaviors: “anger, rage, wickedness, slander, abusive language” (Col. 3:8). And he also lists new behaviors we need to “put on,” like “affection, compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience” (Col. 3:12).

From this we can gather that, as Christians, our lives should look different. But is there more to this command than certain behaviors?

We’re not supposed to put on new behaviors simply so that we can have polished, admirable lives. Colossians 3 opens with a statement: “Therefore if you have been raised together with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is” (Col. 3:1). Believers identify with Christ—just like we’ve died with Him, we’ve also been raised with Him. He is life for us. And one day, we will be reunited with Him, and we’ll reflect Him perfectly.

All of Paul’s teaching rests on this truth. And all of our actions should reflect this new life we have in Christ. We shouldn’t continue in the old behaviors that used to be common to us (Col. 3:7). We are changing into His likeness. “You have taken off the old man together with his deeds, and have put on the new man that is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of the one who created him” (Col. 3:9–10).

Avoiding certain behaviors is part of being a Christian, but it’s hardly just that. It’s about a new life built completely on the foundation of Christ’s life-giving work. We should forgive one another because He forgave us (Col. 3:13). We should love each other and strive for unity because He loved us and united us to Him (Col. 3:14). We should strive for peace with one another because Christ has conquered chaos (Col. 3:15). The message of Christ and our new life in Him should help us encourage and challenge each other as believers (Col. 3:16).

Does your life reflect this new life? How can you turn from simply avoiding bad behavior to seeking new life in Him?

Prayer Needs:

Pray for us at Anchor, Austin, that we as leaders depend on God for His timely wisdom in making decisions with humility.

Pray for Georgetown, Texas as we plan to start worship services soon in the new year.

Pray especially for the Indian community in north Austin for God to move his spirit both in Christians and Hindus to be open about missional living and for Hindus, willing to listen to the truth.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Brad Holcomb– Redemption Hill Ft. Worth

brad@redemptionhillfw.org

“Cynicism looks reality in the face, calls it phony, and prides itself on its insight as it pulls back. Thanksgiving looks reality in the face and rejoices at God’s care. It replaces a bitter spirit with a generous one.” – Paul Miller, A Praying Life

Prayer Needs:

Pray for the health of family and wisdom in preparation for a series called, “Jesus and Culture” that I will be preaching through in January.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

Chris Driver– West Texas Multiplication Network/Texas Missionary Care 

cjdriver316@gmail.com

Howdy from west Texas! It never fails that when God begins to love them the enemy begins to move against Him. It’s happened to us in many ways this month but God has proven Himself faithful through all the sickness and difficulties our church family have been enduring. We have several very overwhelming conditions that need God’s mighty hand and we are trusting His promise that He will see us through and use it all for our good and His glory! We definitely need your prayers and continually give thanks for your love and generosity to us! As always, we are so blessed to be part of the BMA of Texas Family!

Prayer Needs:

Health of members

New contacts in college and surrounding communities

Open doors for the gospel

Storage building

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Jaime Henriquez– Fuente De Vida Eterna Mission in Tomball

dairyjeny@yahoo.com

We salute all the churches of the BMA of Texas family, and we thank you for your prayers and financial support. Here in Houston, we continue working to enlarge the Kingdom of God through evangelizing, discipling, and serving. We continued with our cell method, five cells meet during the week in different areas of the city, and this month we were together celebrating Thanksgiving. During this time we had the opportunity to share the gospel with many non-believing friends, we are discipling three people. God continues to work among us.

Prayer Needs:

May God touch hearts and people be saved.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Kyle Cheatham– Grace Church Jarrell Mission  

kyle@gracejarrell.com

Thank you for the way that your support of the BMA extends to support of our church plant. Your prayers and generous giving have brought a new church into existence and a light is shining in Jarrell, Texas.

Prayer Needs:

Please pray for our church to continue to reach the lost of the Jarrell area. Please pray that we find a larger space to meet when the time is right and that if necessary, we can get out of our current lease.

July 2023 Missions Update

A word from your Missions Office

By HEITH MITCHELL

Two of our BMA of Texas Missionaries came out of the Nigeria Baptist Convention, which is a large Baptist Denomination in Nigeria.  They began with the SBC but are independent and have 12,000 churches.  They have an annual fellowship of pastors in the US and Canada who have come out from them.  

This year, New Harmony Baptist Church in Tyler hosted their fellowship conference and I had the pleasure of speaking and fellowshipping with them.  We treated them to some Texas BBQ.  

I am thankful for their investment in bringing the gospel to Texas among Nigerian immigrants.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

PROJECT 2029
100 New Churches/10 years

  • That we see an aggressive multiplication movement of churches who make disciples, equip and release leaders, and start churches for the glory of God and the advancement of his Kingdom Mission
  • That each new mission begin with a plan to begin three new churches in their first 10 years
  • That pastors and churches of the association be encouraged and equipped to start new churches
  • That we connect, evaluate, identify and train new prospective church planters

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

A word from your missionaries:

Rudy Villareal– Hometown Church Mission in Helotes 

rvillarreal1@gmail.com

We have a website and a new logo! Please pray that the LORD continues to work in the hearts and minds of those in this community. There are many people deceived by other teachers tickling their itching ears. Many Churches around us are teaching another Gospel, whether it is a name-it-claim-it, cheap grace, or legalism. We have built partnerships with other Baptist Churches here that preach the Gospel and pray that people believe in Jesus for salvation alone.

Prayer Needs:

Please pray for boldness and open doors to share the Gospel with all of San Antonio!

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Brad Cauley– Cedar Park Mission

bwcauley@gmail.com

We felt the Lord give us a name for His church we’re planting – Redemption’s Table. As a house church network, the table is a special place, both for family meals of belonging, but for deep conversations in the living room where we meet as a family. As the early church was taking their meals together gladly and daily, this had a rich meaning for us as a family of Christ-follows to remember that our mission flows from our belonging. Even in creation God made us first in His image – be embody His character and nature as well as enjoy the deepest intimacy of our lives with Him, our Creator – and second to rule. Our actions flow from our identity, our purpose from our belonging. In Christ we are the household of God being built together as a spiritual dwelling of God, so the “table” part came pretty quickly.

It was the first word that eluded us for a while… “King’s table?” “Christ’s table?” “Shepherd’s table?” Finally we were worshiping with a friend’s house church network and the other word that has been so rich in our experience with Christ came through. For all of us who have been redeemed, His name as Redeemer sings of His transforming work in us, taking us from worthless to priceless by His redeeming work on the Christ, the forgiveness of our sins. The filth and guilt paid in full gives us a freedom to follow Him as He restores the image of God in us again and allows us to join Him as He does the work in the lives of others. So in the midst of worship, after having hands laid on us as we were prayed over, the two names came together – Redemption’s Table.

When the prodigal son finally woke up, came to himself, realized the depths of his own stupidity in choosing life outside of dad’s house, the emptiness of the world and its false promises, he purposed to get as close to his father as he possibly could. He knew he could never have sonship again, he had blown that, wasted and defiled the sacred gift, he was no longer worthy of that honor. He knew he would only plead the clean the toilets of dad’s servants, and even then knew it would be great mercy if his father let him back on the property. But as his father ran to him and covered his head with kisses, as he told his father about his unworthiness and tried to plead for a servant’s position, his father didn’t even let him finish. A robe, a ring, sandals. That day, that very same day, the son was brought to his father’s table as his son, feasting in his father’s joy and abundance and love. That’s our story. Undeserving, no right to expect this underserved privilege, yet our Father’s salvation, purchased for us by our older brother’s blood, has made a place for us, not just in His kingdom, not just saved from hell, it has made a place for us at the table in the Father’s house as His sons and daughters. “Indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son, Christ Jesus.” Everything we are and everything we do as Christ’s people flows from this one central reality – we are His because He saved us. That’s why we serve, that’s why we preach, share Jesus, labor in His flelds for harvest, and battle the enemy at every point as we follow Christ in seeking and saving the lost and raising His people to maturity all for His glory and His renown. Thank you, Father, for the wonder of a seat at redemption’s table with our name on it.

Prayer Needs:

Thank you for your prayers and support!

Please ask the Lord to clarify which house and neighborhood for our move in the next 9 months. Please pray for provision to make the move as He directs.

We are seeking key leaders as shepherds. Please pray the Lord directs us in this process.

We seek God’s blessing on our witness of Him in the Cedar Park area, including connections with city leaders both civil and social.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Robert Lee– Harmony Baptist Church in Normangee Replant

bro.robert.f.lee@gmail.com

We have made some big changes this month at Harmony. As part of our plan going forward, we have worked toward creating a more welcoming environment for new visitors. The same Sunday we began these changes, we also celebrated a baptism! Isn’t God good!

Prayer Needs:

Pray for upcoming ministry opportunities we are working to develop right now.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Fidel Torres– Cristo Vive Mission in Denton 

fidtol@msn.com

In chapter 34 of the Book of Ezekiel, God reproaches the leaders of Israel, whom he compares to shepherds of sheep, for not doing what God expected of them.

In his rebuke, Ezekiel, through the Holy Spirit, specifies to these evil leaders what God expected of them.

Ten things that every leader, shepherd of sheep should know, and the list is this:

Go, Search, Find, Gather, Rescue, Feed, Bring Back, Bandage, Strengthen and Do Justice.

These marks of ministry, Jesus, the Good Shepherd, characterized him when was here on earth. These are so important that they can be applied to every missionary that God sends.

Considering people as sheep, and becoming their shepherd, and giving each one of these caring characteristics, is part of what our Loving Shepherd expects of each one of us. Let us pray that it be so.

Prayer Needs:

May God give us grace with our new neighbors, and may we be able to contact many Hispanic neighbors who live in the area. That we have very good health that we recover from the great fatigue that we have after the move.

May the heat subside, so we can work better when we’re outside.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Tim Alba– The Bridge Mission in Seagoville 

timalba1986@gmail.com

I know many planters have expressed discouragement in the past. This is part of the struggle we will continue to go through in the future. God does not promise us a struggle free mission. Jesus never embraced that idea. Instead Jesus knew suffering was a big part of doing great things for God. So much that Jesus knew His death would end in suffering. We have to embrace suffering as part of the growing process or we will always feel discouraged. It’s not always pretty being a church planter but it’s well worth it when you see people get saved and baptized. You know that all your efforts and suffering was worth seeing people gained to the Kingdom of God. Eternity is bigger than your suffering. Embrace the mission. It’s worth it!

Prayer Needs:

Pray for two people Frank is going into surgery this week and getting a bone marrow transplant. Also pray for a young lady named Arianna. She is deeply confused about her Gender. We are helping understand what God says about male and female. We are continuing to minister to her.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Jaime Henriquez– Fuente De Vida Eterna Mission in Tomball

dairyjeny@yahoo.com

We greet with great affection each of the churches that are part of the BMAT, we are happy to communicate that we are seeing the hand of God move in our church, this is something of what happened this July. We had 4 professions of faith, Victoria Perla, Rubí manzanares, Omaet oviedo and Fanny G. gave their lives to Jesus, our brother Real Manzanares decided to follow Jesus in the baptism, We celebrated our anniversary with an attendance of 87 on Sunday 23 and we carried out the biblical vacation schools where 2 children gave their lives to Jesus. We give glory to God for what he is doing in our midst and to each of the churches that pray and financially support this ministry, God bless you!!

Prayer Needs:

We ask for your prayers for Sister Delmy Cruz who recently lost her baby and for Sofia, a girl who is in the hospital with an inoperable tumor in her brain. (Translated with Google Translate)

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Chris Driver– West Texas Multiplication Network/Texas Missionary Care

cjdriver316@gmail.com

Howdy from West Texas! Wow! Just WOW! We know God is so good all the time but then there are times when His goodness just overwhelms us in special ways! That’s definitely what He did this past month at oasis! We had the amazing privilege to celebrate 8 baptisms in front of friends and family, some of which weren’t believers! We stirred the waters with 5 men from 3 generations of one family, 2 sisters (one was saved just a week before), and my mom! WOW! Just WOW! And then we finished off the month with an outreach partnership serving the cosmetology students at SPC and made great connections for the fall semester so we can open up for them during the week! WOW! Just WOW! As always, thank you for allowing us to be a part of what God is doing here in West Texas!

Prayer Needs:

Open doors for the gospel

New connections at SPC

Fall outreach to SPC students

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Abner Nunez– Planting in San Antonio   

elias1951@hotmail.com

Sometimes there are days that we wake up discouraged, we see that our work is not yielding. Other times things like they improve, In any case we must continue praying and working, asking God to help us and give us understanding.

Prayer Needs:

For health, because I can bring my girlfriend Gladys Salinas from Venezuela. It would be very helpful for my ministry. For me to get a better 2nd job. (Translated with Google Translate)

Haitao He– Free Salvation Bible Mission in Corpus Christi 

haitao.he@bmats.edu

I see families moving in and out in our street this summer and I felt excited because I have a chance to meet some new neighbors and reach out to them. Sometimes I looked back to the short period of time ever since I moved into this neighborhood the names I had remembered and they had moved out now. If I am not seeing myself as a missionary I probably would not have talked to them and gotten to know them. Thanks be to God that he made me on this mission.

 Prayer Needs:

Pray that we can find a public space nearby to host events for our community.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Kyle Cheatham– Grace Church Jarrell Mission  

kyle@gracejarrell.com

July was an exciting month as we transitioned to live music for worship on Sundays; continued our sermon series through Acts; had our first Member Meeting where 90% of our members came together along with twelve others considering joining; had a church-wide fellowship at a local spot called The Granary; hosted a Women’s Iced Tea Party; and replaced our banner with a wonderful sign for our church.

Prayer Needs:

Please pray for our people to continue to proactively engage others during the week with what we call S.U.N.L.I.G.H.T. interactions. Pray for a member who is prayerfully considering launching a weekly time for our 7-12th graders. This would be so great for their discipleship and for our retention of families with youth.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Isaias Martinez – Conroe Mission 

isaiasmj1966@gmail.com
Thank you, dear brothers, for supporting us in the establishment of the Kingdom of God, both in this great country and in our country of origin Cuba.

Prayer Needs:

Please pray for the people of Cuba, subjected to one of the most aggravating social crises in their history, and especially for the Christian people on that island. (Translated with Google Translate) 

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Shane Carter– Lamesa Mission

stumpofnavy@gmail.com 

School is right around the corner, I pray that we remember it is all Jesus and not just about school activities. Jesus deserves our full attention not our after thoughts. I only say this because I have put the wrong value on sports in the past. It is really about who you trust more.

Prayer Needs:

The lost and our kids.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Jaime Garcia– Iglesia Bautista Nueva Vida Mission in Gilmer

Jaime.garcia2911@gmail.com

Happy for the opportunity to serve Christ and also to be part of this team of churches with vision and love for souls, I believe that you really have that desire to reach souls for Christ, blessings in abundance for all of you.

Prayer Needs:

Please help me with prayers for the new families that are visiting the church, also for my new stage in this phase 2 where as a mission we are working for the stable as a church associated with BMA (Translated with Google Translate)

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Ciro Gonzalez– Rice Hispanic Mission 

cirogonzalez315@gmail.com

On July 12th we did our first prayer cell meeting, as I am almost 4 months into Rice as a BMA planter, and there was a special reason to celebrate, we are halfway through the discipleship up to that point. We met at the home of a disciple called Queen and family, we made a banquet and we enjoyed all together, there they took advantage of knowing each other since they had only heard for me from some of them, 13 adults and 7 children was the assistance we had and we rejoiced, we prayed, I challenged them to continue seeking God and exorte each of the men to take position of heads in the home to guide all their families on the right path, in Santodad y Amor, we took advantage of praying for the families present and for all the families of Rice, it was an incredible time and blessing. (Translated with Google Translate)

 Prayer Needs:

Pray for Rice’s families.

Let us pray for the children.

Pray for me that God will give me wisdom and guidance to open our church in Rice.