Merry Christmas

God has enabled all that we have accomplished during our deputation travels and therefore to Him goes all the credit.  Just this week I noted that we have visited twenty-four churches and have an almost equal amount scheduled for the upcoming year.  Our support continues to jump up which places us at well over 17%.

This week begins a well needed break for us during the holidays.   On Monday Lorena and I fly out to Peru for Christmas to visit my father and stepmother (click here to view their missionary blog). I have not been back to Peru for almost five years and Lorena has never been there.  You can expect a little update from way down south where we will enjoy a little summer weather for a change.

Thank you again for your support and prayers for us.  We wish you all a Merry Christmas as you celebrate the coming of our Redeemer.  

 God's Word is sharper than a two-edged sword.

Lorena and teens from our home church.

 Pray for the Templetons in Spain

Lorena teaching a song.

Latin Americans in Spain

If we have been in your church to share of our excitement for ministry in Spain, then inevitability you will have heard us talk about the robust Latin America population in Spain.  Perhaps one of the statistics you heard me give was that there are 5.6 million immigrants in Spain, predominately from Latin America and North Africa (Operation World 2010 "Spain").  Due to this fact and a moderate evangelical background, 60% percent of evangelical churches in Spain are composed of Latin.  It came as a surprise for me to find Ecuadorians, Columbian, and even Peruvians in my father-in-law’s church.  

However, the European economic crisis shows a reverse emigration.  Only a few years ago Latin American’s sought job opportunities from tourism and construction here.  CNN recently released a news clip showing that not only are some of them returning to their native homes, but even some Spaniards are seeking job opportunities outside of Spain (click here to view news clip).  Many Latin Americans, nevertheless, have established permanent roots in Spain. 

As each one of us looks back we see more clearly the hand of God orchestrating events and experiences for His missional purposes.  Scott and Juli Fulk’s background in Peru and Ecuador as well as mine in Peru will be an advantage to the spread of the Gospel among those living in Spain.  None of these “advantages” came about of our own doing.  Rather, God in His undeserving kindness has enabled them in our lives for His proclamation and worship.

“Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.” (Isaiah 43:7)

Christian Ladies (70% Latin American)

Youth Leaders in a church in Salamanca

Latin America

Church Planting Movement

One of the most enriching aspects of deputation is the ability to see Christ at work in local churches.  We have now been in over twenty distinct churches, and in every case God is at work.  At times it is more subtle, while in other occasions it is quite obvious.  We are given a front row seat as we travel from church to church.  Perhaps our front row view is more like a roller coaster vista for we see both the up and down times for churches.  Some bodies of believers are searching for a pastor while others are being fed from God's Word in a systematic manner.  In every case, however, Christ is at work leading and growing His people in grace.

The more time we spend in local churches, the more our desire to be part of Christ’s work of grace in Spain strengthens.  Our passion is to facilitate a church planting movement in the Northwestern region of Spain.  One day, in perhaps the not so distant future, we will begin to see a body of Spanish believers with the desire to be discipled and to grow into a church. This church will have a "church-planting DNA ingrained in them from their inception" (Viral Church, Stezter & Bird p. 161).  Built into the DNA of any church ought to be the Gospel for it is at the heart beat of God for His worship and this compels multiplication.  Our desire is to lead believers through the systematic training of God's Word and enable them to rise up as leaders in their church.  We pray they will catch the vision of planting more churches for God’s glory.  We covet your prayers in this endeavor.

Leaders in a local church

Iglesia Evangélica Bautista de Tormes

Northwestern Region of Castilla y Leon

La Universidad de Salamanca

One of the oldest universities in Europe resides in Salamanca, Spain, and hosts more than 31,000 students each year.  The university boasts of being a “focal point of culture and learning” since its founding in 1218 A.D.   Many renowned men have come from La Universidad de Salamanca.  The famous author, Miguel de Cervantes, who wrote “Don Quixote," graduated from this university.  And if I might brag a little, Lorena received her degree from the University of Salamanca in 2009 with a B. A. in Occupational Therapy.  This center of academia remains a prestigious school for not only the Spanish but also for many foreign exchange students.  In fact, during our deputation we have met parents who have had children in this university. 

The university, more significantly, has also become a focal point for ministry.  One of our future coworkers, Jodi Harrison, has targeted this ministry.  Working under Campus Bible Fellowship of Baptist Mid-Missions, Jodi has determined to integrate herself into this academic world and culture so as to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  The Grupos Bíblicos Universitarios (Intervarsity Christian Fellowship in Spain) wrote an article figuring that of the 78,000 University students in this region approximately 50 know Christ as their Savior. That’s over 1,500 unsaved students for every one Christian student.

Lorena and I had the chance to spend a few days with Jodi while in the New England area and to hear of her excitement for the joy of the Gospel in the University of Salamanca.  We are eager to one day work with Jodi for the glory of God in Spain.  Check out her website at www.salamancaforchrist.com or send her an email at jodiharrison81@yahoo.com. 

Lorena on Graduation Day

Jodi Harrison

Living Stone Baptist Church

In all of our updates we have failed to tell you of perhaps the most important aspect of our ministry.  We could not accomplish or even begin the deputation process if it were not for Living Stone Baptist Church in Quakertown, Pennsylvania, our home church.  Living Stone has more than simply affirmed our call into full time ministry and service for Christ in Spain.  They have enabled it and encouraged it!

Living Stone’s history begins nine years ago when the idea for planting a church came up at First Baptist Church of Perkaise, Pennsylvania.  The idea developed into a reality in January 2003, when they held their first worship service in a building adjacent to First Baptist.  Tim Vander Stel was appointed as the pastor of this fledgling church and has served there since.  Approximately sixty members uprooted themselves from the comforts of a familiar church and rooted themselves in a new church plant. 

Lorena and I have an excellent example to imitate as we seek to multiply by church planting in Spain.  Pastor Tim has been a mentor, a leaer, and a shepherd to us.  We are grateful to God for a church and leadership that has affirmed God’s leading in our lives and has enabled us to seek other partnerships for the joy of the Gospel in Spain.  Acts 13 cannot be overlooked as Living Stone Baptist Church has done much like the church in Antioch did for Paul and Barnabas.  “Then after fasting and praying they laid hands on them and sent them off.” (Acts 13:3)

Quebec, Canada

Bonjour  from Quebec, Canada.  We have been here visiting family and speaking in their church just outside Quebec City.  It is the first time I have had to be translated.  Not that I am always easily understood in English!  As a young people, we always were the ones doing the translating for pastors or friends that came to visit us in Peru or Spain, but now I needed my brother-in-law, Benoit, to translate into French. 

Being here reminded us of Spain.  In many ways Quebec and Spain resemble each other…cobblestones, quaint shops, and even a castle. But what stood out the most was their spiritual state.  Believers here in Quebec quickly understood when I said the Spanish are like Catholic atheists.  For in Quebec people claim Catholicism but practically God does not exist to them.  Our hearts are knit together understanding the need for the joy of the Gospel in both Quebec and Spain. 

We also wanted to share with you two pieces of good news.  First, our teammates, Scott and Juli, welcomed Dominic Joel into the world last Tuesday morning.  He weighed 6 pounds and measured 19 ½ inches.  The second piece of good news is that our support jumped this week from 11% to 13.5%.  Every time it jumps it puts us closer to Spain and makes us just a bit more excited.  Thank you for partnering in praying with us.

Deputation is a daunting task, but..."to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever an ever. Amen." Eph. 3:20, 21

Faith Baptist Church

During three years of my college experience at Northland International University, I and several other students piled into a car and drove three and half hours to Faith Baptist Church in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.  Every weekend Pastor Steinmetz and his wife poured themselves into us students.  When the time came for me to prepare my first message, it was he that I ran to for help.  We sat in his office for over an hour combing through my sermon outline.  In fact my very first message preached in a church was here at Faith Baptist. 

Fast forward five years. I have come back to Wisconsin Rapids for the purpose of preaching and sharing our vision for ministry in Spain.  Several new faces now sit in the pews.  Pastor Steinmetz still greets everyone as they funnel towards the exit after the service.  No one can escape him as he stands at the door.  Not much has seemed to change except that men and women are growing.  God has used Pastor Steinmetz’s investment in his member’s lives to grow them closer to Himself.

I am typing this out as we drive back to Pennsylvania on our sixteen hour trek back home, and I have plenty of time to reflect on the events of the weekend.  I realize how Faith Baptist and Pastor Steinmetz have continued investing in our lives. I echo Paul’s words with Faith Baptist Church in mind.  “I thank my God in every remembrance of you” (Phil. 1:3). 

Prayer Requests:
      1.  Scheduling church meetings for the next year.
      2.    Continued financial support from churches and individuals.
      3.   Safety as we travel many miles