The Logo for Obreros Unidos para Cosechar A.C. (the Civil Association of the ministry – Laborers United in the Harvest)
The following blog is directed to the Canadian supporters of Voice in the Wilderness Ministries. Pastor Fred Erb asked me if I felt that it would be okay if he were to include a short message in a blog. Of course, I am happy to do so.
Although the particulars of the information presented is specific for the Canadian friends of the ministry, the needs are general, and fairly large. As such, I (Steven), personally want to state that the need for a thrust in taking care of some final financial needs, and in finishing strong, is not limited to the Canadians specifically addressed in Fred’s enclosed blog.
For those of you who may not know who Pastor Erb is; he pastors Listowel Community Church which is the Canadian covering for the work of Voice in the Wilderness Ministries. As such, Fred, and the board of directors of LCC are very closely involved in the work that Theresa and I have been doing in Mexico. Also, as all of the Canadian donated funds which maintain the ministry pass through LCC they have needed to be critically concerned with the financial aspects of the ministry as well. As a Church Body they have also borne the financial burden (and sometimes debt) of the work in Mexico as ministry expenses have at times surpassed giving.
So, again, although the particulars of the following blog will be directed to Canadians, the needs presented by Fred are equally urgent for American givers as well. The truth, simply stated, is that the financial needs of the work are higher than the giving at present. We are deeply thankful to those who have been faithfully giving for the cause of the ministry over the years. We are humbled and blessed. But, as we continue to hand over everything to national leaders we need to ensure that we also fulfil the financial commitments which we have made.
Enough said on my part. I now turn the rest of the blog over to Pastor Fred Erb.
The Logo for the Instituto Biblico Luz de las Naciones (Light of the Nations Bible Institute)
Steven
______________________________________
Pastor Erb writes:
We stand amazed at how God is working to bring the details together for Steven and Theresa as they hand over the ministry to the national leaders with whom they have laboured for so many years. Over the past several years sometimes it has seemed as though God was not bringing answers to the prayers for this transition. At other times it felt as if He was testing our faith and not bringing answers quickly in order to see if we would endure, and if the work would indeed progress and the vision be fulfilled.
But God is faithful, and He has answered our prayers. He is showing that He does work everything together for our good. In this we rejoice.
However, currently, Voice in the Wilderness Ministries is also finding itself in arrears as a ministry. As the pastor of Listowel Community Church which covers the work of Steven and Theresa both spiritually and legally, I would like to express our desire to see their current ministry financial crisis met as they transition the work to national leadership.
The Logo for the Casa del Obrero Centro de Entrenamiento (the Missionary Training Center – the House of the Laborer)
For the Canadian friends of the ministry who have an interest in joining in this effort, or who have been supporters of the work of Voice in the Wilderness Ministries over the years, I would like to ask you to prayerfully consider the following request:
Listowel Community Church, its board of directors, and the Canadian friends of VitW Ministries are seeking to raise $5,000 dollars by the end of March in order to help Steven and Theresa complete several major projects at the Casa del Obrero Missionary Training Center farm before they leave for Texas to begin the next phase of their ministry on the 1st of May. The completion of these particular unfinished aspects of the farm will make the transition over to national leadership more seamless, and will ensure that there are minimal loose ends left undone.
If you feel it in your heart to give towards this financial need in order to assist the work of Steven and Theresa and Voice in the Wilderness Ministries as they transition it over to our national Mexican brothers and sisters, then please join us in this effort. We are grateful, and thank you for whatever gift you are able to give.
As is always the case, in order to receive an income-tax deductible receipt please make all cheques payable to Listowel Community Church. Please do not place any personal names onto the cheque, but write “Voice in the Wilderness Ministries”, or simply “VitW” in the memo line. For tax receipting purposes all cheques need to be sent to:
Listowel Community Church,
156 Halstead Ave. N.,
Listowel, Ontario, N4W 3C4
Thank you again for your faithfulness over the many years, and for your love for the people of Mexico.
Sincerely,
Pastor Fred Erb
Listowel Community Church
