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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Chris Driver– West Texas Multiplication Network/Texas Missionary Care
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
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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.
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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.
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