February 2023: Ministry Snapshot
Every February, Valentine’s Day reminds us of the importance of celebrating those we love. But, as believers, we acknowledge that every month and every day is a time to be thankful for the love of God, and the incredible gift He has given us in His Son, Jesus! Therefore, we love because He first loved us! (1 John 4:19).
Our prayer as we serve, equip, and evangelize this year, is that we would—above all—carry with us the love of Christ, in all we do and say. That His love would compel us. That His love would transform and transcend cultural barriers. That His love would rule and reign here on earth, and in our hearts, just as it does in Heaven!
We want to share some praises and a prayer request with you:
Praise Report
We are praising the Lord for our fruitful time in Central Minnesota. It could not have gone better! We recorded multiple promo pieces (radio and video), spoke in two local churches, and held several affinity meetings:
- A Steering Committee Kick-Off Dinner
- A Leaders Brunch
- Community Leaders Meeting
- A Prayer and Praise Event where Nic Gonzales (from the group Salvador) and his wife Jaci Velasquez led our worship time. They did a phenomenal job, and we were so blessed and honored to have them with us.
The Spirit of God is at work in Central Minnesota! There is a rising excitement and anticipation for August 11&12. And we are encouraged by the stories of impact we are already hearing. A local Minnesotan said, at the end of one of our meetings together: “Wow! [Before this Festival] we had no idea of the tremendous needs right here in our own city. August can’t come soon enough!”
Prayer Request
Bayron and Gerardo from our Spanish world team will be in Oregon at the end of this month meeting with local Spanish pastors, as another step in building relationships for Celebrate Central Oregon this July 15. Please pray for favor and unity!
THIS COULD BE THE YEAR!
We love the Scripture, Psalm 37:23 (NLT): “The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.”
What a sensational reminder!
The future is always uncertain for all of us, but when we lean in and trust the Lord to guide us, He promises to direct and illuminate our path! Our team is ready and resolved to follow our Father’s leading, one step at a time, in this exciting year of ministry ahead.
Would you please prayerfully consider partnering with us as we reach Central Oregon, Central Minnesota, and Cusco, Peru?
We are energized, expectant, and equipped to reach many with the Gospel in 2023. And, are convinced that this could be the year we present Jesus Christ to more people than ever before… with YOUR help!
God is mighty enough to light your path this year!
Listen as Mike shares an encouraging devotional to offer inspiration for this New Year!
Looking Back on 2022 with Gratitude and Looking Ahead to 2023 with Hope!
Thank you, partner and friend, for investing in the furtherance of the Gospel internationally and domestically in 2022. Our hearts are overflowing with GRATITUDE!
As we gaze toward 2023… we are brimming with HOPE! In the midst of life’s hardships and heartaches, may we remember our God is always faithful, forever good, and we can trust Him fully!
Santiago Final Report!
Watch this video to witness the profound IMPACT we had as we partnered together—December 2-3, 2022—in practicing and proclaiming the life-changing message of the Lord Jesus Christ… in Santiago, Dominican Republic!
LIVE FROM THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC! (EN VIVO)
Join our exclusive online broadcast of Festival Por La Vida – Live from the Dominican Republic!
Serve Teams Visit Schools in Puerto Plata
Our Serve Teams are busy ministering in schools today. The response to the skits and messages of the Gospel has been amazing!
News from the Dominican Republic!
Watch the video to hear the exciting news from Mike!
We are on the ground in the Dominican Republic and so much is happening! Thank you for continuing to pray for our teams and for those who will be moved by God to make a decision for Jesus!
7 Days Out: Santiago, Dominican Republic
Just 7 more days to go before our festival in Santiago, Dominican Republic!
Please continue praying for our team and especially for those who will hear the Good News for the first time!
15 Days Out: Santiago, Dominican Republic!
We are only 15 days out from our festival in Santiago, Dominican Republic!
Thank you for your prayers for our team and especially for those who will hear the Good News for the first time. Great days are ahead!
30 Days Out: Our Santiago Prayer List
God is ready to move mightily!
Two and a half years, and two postponements later (due to pandemic travel restrictions), eager anticipation has summited for our Santiago, Dominican Republic Festival. It’s finally ‘Go-Time’! In 25 days, our Serve Team heads to Santiago to minister to the Dominican people through the dedication of a freshwater well, school outreaches, and free medical clinics. Then, 30 days from today marks the first night of our two-day festival! God is ready to move mightily amongst the Dominicans, and the hope of our heart is to join HIM in reaching THEM!
Santiago Prayer List:
Please join us in prayer for these specific needs, straight from our VP of International Operations, Bayron Lechuga:
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- Strength and health for the entire MSI Team.
- For more churches and pastors to join, with a passion to reach their city for Jesus!
- For the Lord’s favor with the governing authorities; that they will help us with every logistical need in order to pull off this outreach!
- For good weather on both nights of the Festival.
- For a historic harvest of souls on December 2&3!
Thank you for partnering with us in prayer! We are excited and expectant for all that is to come!
Encouraged by GRACE!
When we think of mass evangelism—and its enduring presence as one of the most effective ways to spread the Gospel message to lost souls—we think of the acronym G-R-A-C-E, as it reminds us of the following:
God alone changes hearts! Our job is to simply participate by delivering the truth of the Good News, humbly and lovingly, leaving the rest up to the Holy Spirit.
Re-evangelize every generation. A new generation is constantly coming of age—each one needs an opportunity to hear, believe, and receive the free gift of salvation.
Ask Him. We have unlimited, uninterrupted access to the Creator of the universe.
Crowds draw a crowd. A key component of our ministry is ‘Festivals.’ Many unbelieving individuals may not be willing to step foot into a church building, but they will come to an event to receive free clothing, food, medical care, or to attend a concert.
“Evangelism is just one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread.” -D.T. Niles. Your story has purpose and power… share it!
Everything hinges on the G-R-A-C-E of God! May you and I be found faithful to ‘practice and proclaim the life-changing message of the Lord Jesus Christ,’ until every individual has had the opportunity to receive the gift of His perfect, matchless GRACE!
Touching Lives… Domestically and Internationally!
We want to share a quick recap from our most recent events where our team witnessed, first-hand, the Lord’s faithful goodness, steadfast presence, and matchless grace, actively at work:
- We spoke at two of our supporting churches last month—one in Maple Valley, Washington and one in Albany, Oregon—where 7 individuals accepted Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior!
- We held our first-ever conference for Pastors Kids in Santiago, and 652 people attended! It was the largest of its kind in the history of the country!
- Our team also recently hosted a Marriage Conference in Santiago, where 450 couples gathered to be encouraged and uplifted!
It is our goal—through the power of the Holy Spirit—to equip and encourage others, and to rescue those who desperately live in hopelessness, shame, and un-forgiveness. Because of YOU, we are able to touch lives domestically, and internationally, day after day, month after month, year after year!
Not just for what you do, but for who you are… THANK YOU!!
Our prayer of blessing over you today is 1 Peter 5:10: “May the God of all GRACE… restore you, and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”
– The MSI Team
Tijuana Report
Our border outreach in Tijuana, Mexico was absolutely incredible! The Lord allowed us to minister to 619 pastors and leaders from local and surrounding cities! We are so grateful for the spiritual ‘fruit’ which will continue to ripen for years to come in the lives of many in Tijuana, those still destitute at the border, and beyond.
LOOKING AHEAD
The Lord has given us more invitations than ever, so we want to share some big highlights from our ministry calendar with you:
- International Festival: Santiago, Dominican Republic – December 2022
- U.S. Celebration: Brownsville, Texas – March 2023
- ‘Expolit’ Global Conference: Miami, Florida – May 2023
- U.S. Celebration: Bend, Oregon – July 2023
- U.S. Celebration: Central Minnesota – August 2023
- International Festival: Cusco, Peru – Fall 2023
Cultivating Hope in Tijuana, Mexico – April 2, 2022
Words cannot express our burden over the immigration crisis at the border of Mexico and the United States. Spend some time watching the evening news, or do a quick Google search, and the statistics, video footage, pictures and stories are absolutely heartbreaking. One city in particular has caught our attention: Tijuana, Mexico.
Did You Know?
- Located only 15 miles from San Diego, CA, Tijuana is the most visited border city in the world (with an estimated 70+ million people going annually).
- In 2020, it was considered the city with the highest murder rate per capita of any city in Mexico.
- According to ABC News, in May 2021, the number of immigrants crossing the U.S. southern border was higher than it’s been in two decades.
- Thousands are currently held up in migrant camps on the Tijuana, Mexico/San Diego, California border with little to no water, food, or access to basic care and services.
This crisis is bigger than any of us. However, on April 2, our team has the opportunity to make a strategic impact— through hosting a conference for pastors and leaders in Tijuana. We are expecting more than 800 leaders from all over northern Mexico.
Our goal is simple: invest in the local Church. Why? In order to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up. So, we will ‘train the trainers!’ Our team will be speaking on multiple key topics including increasing and expanding discipleship, confidently sharing your faith, and loving and serving the community effectively.
