The Tierra Firme Church started the new year by spending the weekend (January 25-27) together. Tupac Alcauter and his family let us stay at their ranch near Tuxpan, Michoacan. We were blessed to have 45 people from the Tierra Firme congregation attend the retreat. It was a great time for living together in Christian community and growing together in God's mission.

 

As we began the new year, we wanted to provide a special time of missional equipping for the members so that we could be more prepared, both spiritually and strategically, for multiplying the congregation. Our hope is that God would transform us into effective servants in his kingdom.

 

Throughout each day we focused our attention on the greatness of God and his plan for the world. This included times of devotion, praise and prayer. Israel and Sean both facilitated equipping sessions that discussed a short and simple way of sharing the gospel from the book of Mark, which we entitled "Con Jesus se puede!" (With Jesus We Can!). Sean also facilitated a session that developed a Missional Bible Study will be used as a basis for intimate groups of 2 to 4 people. Jeni also worked with several of the youth to teach the kids' sessions. On Sunday morning we had a special extended time taking the Lord Supper together. Another highlight was on Saturday night when we spent the evening around the campfire singing and praising God under the starlit sky.

 

There were also 4 people who gave their lives to Christ in baptism during the retreat: Nabor and Nancy from San Andres Totoltepec, Elvia the daughter of Jaime and Joaquina, and Tonio the son of Luis and Luisa. It was powerful to see the Spirit at work among us! The entire weekend was reason for celebration.