Church Plant:
– Growth of the prayer group and Bible study meetings
– Contacts through school
– Prepared contacts for the gospel
– People to be saved!
– Public meeting place
Dear Praying Friends,
This past June we started the process of writing and studying for a doctrinal statement for the start of our church. Today we finished it! There was much discussion and back and forth, however it was filled with unity from start to finish. It is so exciting to see how God helped us the past 15 weeks to form a doctrinal statement that we all agree with and wholeheartedly stand behind! I am excited to see what God will do in the next 15 weeks!
There was a real excitement today when we finished it up and at the same time an anticipation for church services. We even decided upon a name for our church, however we felt immediately the disappointment that we have no public meeting room for us to have Sunday services. Will you please pray with us for a place for public services? We still do not have Sunday church services. All of our Bible studies, prayer meetings, and kids clubs and other regular events take place in our living room.
On the family front, we are all recovering from sniffles and colds. However, we are doing well. The Snell’s have moved out of our basement and are settling into their new home. Luke is learning how to put together furniture, and build a kitchen. They are doing well. Please pray that they will pick up the language quickly.
Thank you for your active part in our ministry here and through your prayers helping to accomplish unity in the pursuit of truth!
For His Glory,
Mark and Leslie Boyd
Together with the Snell’s we have been memorizing 2 Corinthians 4. At the end of the chapter Paul writes, “For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day.” These two verses have been an encouragement to me. I will explain:
Evangelism. We have looking for ways to make inroads into our community and inviting them to an evangelistic Bible Study. So far, these efforts have not produced any fruit (yet). However, we have the opportunity to share the gospel with our neighbors in the process. We have also been looking for a location to have an evangelistic meeting in 2018 and so far, all the public meeting places in town either are booked or do not desire to have any religious meetings in the facilities. Please pray, as we creatively and patiently seek ways to reach out.
Building. We are still looking for a church building. Our people are very excited about the prospect of starting public services. We have received a few more no’s in the past weeks. Will you pray with us that God will open up the door and we would be able to rent a location soon. Most owners do not want a church in their facilities. I have a viewing tomorrow of a property that I asked about 6 months ago, and got a no.
Gospel opportunities. Despite all our unsuccessful “formal” tries to reach people, God is bringing people upon our path. I met ‘R’ while visiting one of our people in the hospital and connected with her and was able to share the gospel with her. Ever since she was released she has been attending Bible Study faithfully. Please pray that she will accept Christ as her savior. Just yesterday while at the fitness studio I had a long conversation about the meaning of life with the fitness studio owner. God is giving opportunities to share the truth in this dark community.
This Christmas we are going to make Christmas bags filled with cookies and a tract, and go caroling with the kids. Please pray that it will be well received and the tracts will be read.
Family. We are mostly healthy. The occasional sniffle, however we are staying on top of things. Sophia celebrated her 8th birthday, Tobias turned 4, and our kids are continuing to grow!
We are encouraged that God will build His Church in His time! And this encourages our inner man. We are so thankful for you as you support us and pray for our ministry. Thank you for your vital part!
For His Glory,
Mark and Leslie Boyd