TACUBA, El Salvador—Ozark Prairie Baptist Association has demonstrated that it is not necessary to have churches with large numbers to make a difference on mission in El Salvador.
Traveling with Mauricio Vargas, multicultural ministry director for the Concord Baptist Association and part-time Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) coordinator of the El Salvador partnership, Ozark Prairie Director of Missions Jim Albers took seven others from four churches Feb. 6-14 to minister at First Baptist Church here and also at First Chalchuapa. Albers was pleased with the outcome.
“Our little association is only 18 churches,” Albers said. “Sixteen of them run 90 or less in worship. Thirteen of them run 50 or less. God uses small churches and associations to prove how big He is.”
Three couples made the trip. They were: Robb Hodson, pastor, First Baptist Church, Lamar, and his wife, Denise; Ken and Lila Roller of Mt. Nebo Baptist Church, Lockwood; and Jimmie and Barbara Stewart of First Baptist Church, Paris. Marcia Pennell of Iantha Baptist Church also was on the team.
The four ladies were part of a sewing machine missionary strategy. They taught 43 of the local ladies how to use the machines.
“Every lady received a Bible study each day and made a bag or pillow case and put together a shirt,” Albers said.
The men concentrated on teaching local pastors and university students. They brought a total of $900 in books for this purpose, and they wound up teaching 25 pastors and university students from nine churches.
Albers and Ken Roller also spoke to junior and senior high school students in Tacuba. A total of nine classes with nearly 325 students heard the Gospel.
All of the men also took turns preaching a revival meeting during the evenings at First Tacuba.
“Our team experienced one of the most productive and successful journeys a team could ever encounter,” Albers said.
BY STAFF