Spotlight On
Missions
Send offerings to BMA Missions
P.O. Box 878 • Conway, AR 72033-0878
501.455.4977 • www.bmamissions.org
Michel & Ruth Poirier • Quebec/Haiti/Africa
The situation in Africa is not getting much better. Our church in Cameroon has been taking in refuge families who fled from the north in order to save what’s left of their families. When they arrived, they had nothing except what they had on their backs. We were able, through love gifts that came in, to send $450 to help carry the burden of the church’s needs.
Even during this time of struggle, the church is flourishing in fellowship and spiritual growth. The Bible lesson through Facebook is the only source of spiritual education the leaders are getting. I praise the Lord for Pastor Serge Leclerc, who took over our work in Ste. Marie and, with my assistance, directs the spiritual development of these Christians.
The country is in great need of clean water. It is something we take for granted, but it is a luxury for those who have no resources. For some, it is a daily struggle to get the clean drinking water they need to survive. Those who live in the small villages have to walk miles to get water that is of poor quality. The condition is bad, and prayer and action are needed. Six months ago, Water for Christ sent a dozen water filters for some families and for the church. It was a great blessing, and the people are praising God for it.
We are very busy with the care of our churches in Haiti, Africa and Canada. The Lord is good, even during this pandemic. Lack of fellowship has brought down the spiritual morale in our churches, especially in Quebec, Canada where government regulations keep us from getting together in groups larger than 25 and limits fellowship after church services. In other words, when the last “amen” is given at the close of the service, everybody must go home.
The restriction is a heavy weight on our people but, praise the Lord, two Sundays ago a lady gave her life to the Lord and started Bible lessons with Ruth. Another man started Bible study with one of our men in the church. Even in these difficult times, we are being blessed by the Lord!
Two people were saved in Onaville, Haiti last week, and we were able to help with food distribution there. Medical attention was also given to one of our young teens who has been hospitalized for 26 days, waiting for an operation. We also sent $3,400 to help with needs in two of our churches there.
God is always good to us. During this Christmas season, let’s keep in mind those who are less fortunate. May God bless you and yours during this special time of year. (ostervald@axion.ca)
BMA of Arkansas State Missions
Missionaries
Michael Hight, Hispanic Coordinator, ; (501) 326-0198
Ruben Isturiz, Misión Ebenezer, West Little Rock: (501) 707-5388
Carter Pearce, Grace, Green Forest; (870) 688-7412
Juan Carlos Posadas, Misión Creciendo en Cristo, NLR; (501) 712-8752
Jim Tollison, Mustard Seed, Cain; (870) 370-3938
Chad White, Connection Point, Brookland; (870) 243-4683
Darrin Smith, Life Journey, Fort Smith; (479)-763-8909
Johnny Shew, Faith Chapel, Flippin; (870) 421-1984
Clinton Morris, Northwest Arkansas; (870) 316-1519
Office Location: 10712 Interstate 30 • Little Rock, AR 72209
(501) 565-4601 • E-Mail: bmaofarkfrontdesk@gmail.com
Mailing Address: PO Box 195514, Little Rock, AR 72219
Director’s Email: arstamis@comcast.net
www.bmaofarkansas.com
Facebook.com/ArkansasMissions
Paul White
Executive Director
Forgiveness in Real Time
This is the season to remember God’s love for us, He demonstrated His love by sending His Son to pay our sin debt. Often, we have heard the line “I owed a debt I could not pay, and He (Jesus) paid a debt He did not owe.” Have you given much thought to that aspect of God’s love and concern for us?
In my lifetime I have experienced it in a very real sense. We were poor, like most everyone in those days. It was normal to have an account at the local mercantile store (early day Walmart plus some) where you could charge items like food, pick sacks, plow points, a new pair of pants or shoes and feed until crop time or payday, and then you would come in and settle your debt.
There was a house full of us, and if a man ever needed an account it was my dad. While we never had what people call the better things in life, we had each other and love. I seriously do not believe I ever went to bed hungry. Our father cared enough for us that, while we had no idea how he did it, we were partakers of his care. Much the same way we, as His children, are beneficiaries of God’s care and provision.
I was privileged to experience a father’s love and care in a very special way. As a young boy, my friend and I decided we were going camping and that we needed some supplies. No problem, I said to my friend I know what I will do, so we marched into the old store in Brookland and begin to gather what we wanted — bread, bologna, chips, drinks, candy. Once it was all gathered on the counter, the clerk asked us, “How do you want to pay for this?” I remember I said, “Just put it on my father’s account.”
Life was good and all went great until the weekend came and it was time for dad to go pay last week’s bill and charge yet another. While doing so, dad found out that I had charged some things on his account. He not only paid what he owed, but he paid the debt I had made. Why? Because he was a loving father, and he actually paid a debt I made but could not pay. He did for me what I could not do for myself. Does that sound like anyone you know?
May we be conscious that God did not come to make us rich or famous, but to save us by paying that sin debt we could not pay. Like the song that says, “I was guilty with nothing to say, and they were coming to take me away, when a voice from Heaven was heard that said let him go take me instead.” May His love for us motivate us to live for Him.
From Our Missionaries
Connection Point, Brookland: Chad White writes, “It was a good week at Connection Point. We finished collecting gifts for our Angel Trees and delivered eight huge bags full of clothes and gifts for children to the school. We also collected food for a family in our area who has taken in some boys that needed a home. We also collected Christmas gifts for a family in our community who is struggling this season. On top of that, we began collecting filled stockings for a classroom of students from one of the poorer school systems near us. God has richly blessed us, and we are humbled to be able to bless others in His name.
“Sunday, our numbers were a little lower than normal, but we enjoyed a great service. Please continue to pray for the work here in Brookland as we continue to share the gospel of Jesus with our community.”
The Mustard Seed, Cain: Jim Tollison writes, “We had a great day at the mission Sunday and had a pretty good crowd, including some visitors. We enjoyed our annual holiday meal, combining Christmas and Thanksgiving celebrations.
“Our walkway project is now complete. It has already been a special blessing to us with the recent rains.
“Becky is working hard to put together our youth Christmas program. A couple of our mothers are also helping. “We have about 20 young folks who are participating in this special program and practices are being held at every opportunity.
“I want to thank all who are continuing to support this work in so many ways. We would not be this far along without your support. Please remember to pray for those we are sharing the gospel with.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to those who have suffered the loss of loved ones from this horrific pandemic.”
Misión Creciendo en Cristo (Growing in Christ), North Little Rock: Juan Carlos Posadas writes, “Two weeks ago, I had a virtual meeting with Gregory Pilewski, the new superintendent of the North Little Rock School District. We discussed the challenges that Hispanic students face in schools. Mr. Pilewski showed a lot of interest, to the extent that he decided to visit us on Sunday.
He had the opportunity to meet our congregation and to hear the gospel. After the meeting, when he said goodbye, he told me that when his wife moves to North Little Rock, he would return to visit us with her. It will be another good opportunity to share the gospel. Mr. Pilewski authorized the donation of 30 worktables for students who have contact with our church through the food distribution program and who are receiving virtual classes. His team is looking for donors of beds for eight students who sleep on the floor.
He has asked me to be part of his advisory group. It seems this will be a long-term relationship for the benefit of the North Little Rock community, especially the Hispanic one. I thank God for the opportunity of service that He provides to His church.
“During the past week, we donated Christmas decorations to the North Little Rock School District and North Heights Recreation Center. Both institutions were very grateful. We thank God for their provision through City Serve, allowing us to create good relationships with institutions serving the community. Thanks for your prayers.”
Grace, Green Forest: Carter Pearce writes, “This weekend has been wonderful in Green Forest. We had a kids’ reading Friday night for which we had 16 in person and another 9 join by Zoom. Saturday morning was the Green Forest Christmas parade where we were able to serve hot beverages and open our building to the community. We had several come in to view our Christmas decorations and hear about our mission in Carroll County.
“On Saturday, our men and older boys went to the firing range and enjoyed some male bonding.
“After services on Sunday, we celebrated a birthday with a party for our new three-year-old. Everything we do is focused on showing the love of Christ to our community. Whether joining together to read stories about Christmas, serving hot beverages, spending time together as brothers in Christ, worshipping in traditional fashion or celebrating birthdays together, we are truly focused on growing together.”
Ebenezer, West Little Rock: Ruben Isturiz writes, “Last Sunday, we restarted our worship services in the temple after two weeks of streaming online. Half were present and the other half were online since we still have people in quarantine. We participated in the Lord’s Supper. We were grateful that we still have a faithful group that, despite the pandemic, we have the desire to congregate. Only God can, in the middle of COVID-19, establish us as a church. I am grateful for Geronimo, who visited us this Sunday in search of a place to worship.
“Keep praying for the Berean Groups (cells) because we had to close them again because of the positive cases of COVID-19. Only online groups are meeting. We had to put two groups online — those that live in Chile and those that live in Colombia. I led the group from Chile last Friday. There were eight of us and it was a great blessing. The question that I left them to analyze until the next meeting is, ‘Are you a sheep of Jesus?’ Everyone in that group is a non-believer. Pray that they will make their decision for Christ. It is wonderful that Ebenezer, being a mission, is doing missionary work in Chile, Colombia and Venezuela. To God be the glory!”
Faith Chapel, Flippin: Johnny Shew writes, “It was a very sad week here. We lost two longtime friends/acquaintances — one, age 60, a man of God, to COVID-19; and one, age 59, to a pulmonary embolism. I’m sure one is with Jesus now, but I’m not sure about the other. It reinforces to me why we do what we do. We never know when it will be our time, so we must be ready.
“To show the love of Jesus means to tell others about Him so they can be ready too. In my message this week, I talked about missing opportunities to share Jesus; I have missed too many. We all are busy, we are all dealing with COVID-19 and we all have so many legitimate excuses. I’m just so tired of making excuses. Pray for us please as we try to reach the lost for Jesus and pray for them.”