Venezuela Update 2-19-08

2/19/08

I met with Omar Pina and three of his key leaders in Valencia Tuesday 2-12-08 for most of the day. He is the National Coordinator for E3 Ministries. It stands for Evangelize, Equip and Establish. He is a very influential international leader. They have 50 state and regional coordinators around Vz. I spent two plus hours listening to what they are doing to fulfill the great commission. Then he stated we need help to really see the church multiplication that we desire. I was asked what methods would I use to teach church multiplication. I asked, ‘What methods did Jesus use?’ This led to a three hour discussion and Heaven came down. These guys have a whole fresh vision for how our Lord will complete the great commission. They committed to schedule a three day retreat for the four of them with IRod and I in May to continue the journey.

IRod, Nellia and I traveled to Porte Ordaz one of the largest cities in Vz Friday 2-15-08. We scheduled the trip and purchase the airfare with out having a definite meeting set up. We came to unity in prayer that our Lord was sending us to Porte Ordaz so we acted on our decision. The day after we purchased airfare we received two definite invitations. One was for a Saturday meeting with evangelical leaders from the area arranged by a long time friend of IRod. The second came together as a presentation to the Sunday morning gathering of the second largest evangelical church in Vz. We were asked to take the full service with about 1000 in attendance. The church building is a beautiful roof structure with no walls on a hill over looking the city and region. Nellia sang with her Heavenly voice. IRod and I shared what the Spirit gave us in the moment. The leaders asked us to change our travel plans and stay for the evening service. Sunday evening we addressed about 2900 people who were lifting the Savior above the city. It was a powerful service. They asked us to come back and spend some time with leaders. This is a cell based church with a far reaching radio station and ministry. They had a receiver/transmitter for IRod to take home with him. The idea is to receive the Christian programming from the Porte Ordaz based station and broadcast it in the region of the 3.5 million city of Valencia. We will try to schedule time with them in May on a return trip.

I returned Tuesday 2/19/08 to Boise. One of the great things of this trip is to have been able to spend almost every day of the four weeks with IRod who is the most gifted and dedicated apostolic church multiplier that I know.

Thanks for your powerful contribution of prayer. Your brother, gail.

Venezuela Update 2-13-08

2/13/08

We have had awesome meetings with Vz simple church advocates. Issrael Rodriquez has emerged as a powerful apostolically gifted simple church multiplier. He and I spent the day with Carlos Fuentes last Friday of the coastal area near CCS of Vargas. He is working with 12 new house churches. God is raising him up as an example for people to see in Vz.

We had a great lengthy meeting with Franklin Diaz of Valencia. He has come a long way to the good since September 2007. History was made at the annual convention of Vz Baptist last week. One of the house churches that Franklin works with was officially accepted into the convention. Never before have they accepted a church with no sponsoring church. The group has no building or designated pastor and is committed to multiplication. It was controversial but it passed. This is a huge indication of acceptance and validation of a new breed of churches. Vz Baptist also adopted a challenge statement for the year, “Back to Our Roots.” This indicates a strong desire to follow the pure patterns of the first century church. It reminds me of the great and popular statement of Robert Fitts, 'Return to Simplicity.' Friends, the walls are coming down in answer to your prayer.

IRod, Carlos Fuentes and I spent the day Monday with Edgar Pinto of the Guarenus area east of Caracas proper. He works with ten new house churches reaching to the coast east of the city of Caracas. Our Lord is raising him up as a Vz example as well. We went deeply into Kingdom vision together. Holy Spirit engulfed us. These guys are far more advanced in the Kingdom dynamics than I could have hoped for by this time. Their willingness to empower and release the little strongholds of Heaven is beyond belief.

Please pray for these key harvest workers…..Issrael Rodriquez of Valencia…….Carlos Fuentes of Vargas…….. Edgar Pinto of Guarenus……. Franklin Diaz of Valencia

You are a strategic part of God’s plan for the history of Venezuela. Your prayers carry the power of Heaven to earth. Thank you for giving to the Lord. Your brother, gail.