Manuela and her husband, Manuel, visited deaf church with a friend about 10 years ago. They were both deaf and in their 50s. They had raised two sons and were looking forward to being grandparents. With chin-length black hair, honest eyes, and a pleasant, straight smile, Manuela made me feel at ease.

The local church is vital to God’s plan—in fact, it is His design. Because of its importance, those who pastor God’s people in local congregations are also vital. Indeed, pastors are a gift to God’s church (Ephesians 4:11).

In recent months, our church has been profoundly impacted by the story of a young woman named Ana. She was invited once to church by Jessica, one of our dedicated young adult leaders. Ana attended our services a few times but was hesitant to fully surrender her life to the Lord. Her focus was primarily on her personal interests and her small online shop, which served as her main source of income. 

While we know that no amount of fasting, prayer, or good works will help them attain salvation, we are praying that God would use this time to work in their hearts to seek the truth of the Gospel.

So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?”

Am I capable of doing the task to which God has called me? Am I prepared enough? Do I have the necessary ability? Will I fail in my mission?

Perhaps many of us have asked ourselves these questions as we embark on a new ministry or task in Christian service and/or in the secular work force. We trust God, but doubts enter as to our ability to carry out that which God has given us to do.

At just one year and seven months old, Gabrielle has already faced significant health challenges. His mother, Dalvani Maria Silva, shared the heartbreaking story of how her son, once healthy, experienced a severe asthmatic crisis at nine months old that led to his current condition.

We recently celebrated the baptisms of two more followers of Christ. They were baptized on a rainy, yet joyful, Saturday afternoon. During the Sunday morning worship service the next day, the church was able to watch the videos and celebrate with our brother and sister in Christ.

A mother of eight and her 8-year-old daughter Marylin formed the duo that God used to give Judy, their youngest family member, the belief that she was born for a specific purpose. Judy Sirmons, Global Faith Mission Agency missionary to France for 53 years, was a direct answer to prayer for Marylin. When Marylin--already a believer at 8--learned that Santa Claus was not real, she wondered if perhaps Jesus didn’t really exist either. In childlike faith and unbeknownst to anyone, she asked God to send her a baby sister if He really did exist. The “obstacle” to this request was that Marylin’s mother had been warned not to have more children as it would endanger both her and the baby’s life.