Are you interested in being a part of one of the most exciting events ever? If you have read many of these blog posts, you know of the exciting things in store for Caracas in January of 2008. If you haven't read them, I encourage you to do so to learn of the plans being laid out for a great evangelistic crusade in the city of Caracas, capital of Venezuela, home to over 6 million people, and only 39 Baptist churches! Caracas is the largest unevangelized city in South America. Yet the door is open and people are hungry to hear the Word of God. We have experienced this firsthand.
So, what do you do after you read the blogs and learn all there is to know about the Caracas Crusade? Hopefully God is leading you in at least one of three ways...
First of all, you can pray. Everyone can pray. You will find prayer requests throughout many of the postings on this blog. Many people come to us and say, "We can't go, we can't give, all we can do is pray." What they don't realize is that praying is the single most important thing they can do! Without prayer, none of this is possible. And believe me when I say that when we go down to Venezuela, we feel the prayers of the people back home. It is such an awesome feeling...I can't really describe it. So pray, pray, pray.
Second, perhaps you can give. We estimate this crusade costing close to $250,000. We have been handed the responsibility of raising almost all of this. The people of Caracas...the local churches and the national convention...are doing what they can, but basically they are a poor nation relying on our help. We believe God gives to us so that we can give back to Him. All we ask is that you pray about it and ask what God wants you to do, how much He wants you to give. Some of you have great resources from which you can give; others of you live on meager means but will feel led to give what you see as a small portion. Whether great or small, all gifts are precious and all gifts are worthy. And God will bless all givers, no matter the size of their gifts.
Third, maybe God wants you to go! Yes, go to Caracas in January to be a part of this massive effort in leading 25,000-30,000 people to Christ in a 4-day city-wide evangelistic crusade. Here is what you need to do: Contact us at venezuelavision@gmail.com and let us know you want to go with us. Or call us at the Vision Office at 325-657-2900 or 877-657-2939 and talk to one of our office volunteers. We will then send you a registration packet...we can e-mail it to you, snail mail it to you, or fax it to you. Cost for the trip is $1500.00. You will need to return pages 3 & 4 of the packet (with all your pertinent information) and $1000 as soon as possible. The remaining $500 will be due January 1, 2008. We encourage you to get your registration and first payment in as soon as possible in order that we can get airline reservations secured and begin the process of making all the other arrangements such as hotel reservations and trip insurance. Also, please make sure your passport is in order. If you do not have one, begin the process immediately...because of the new regulations, there are more people seeking passports, so it will take a little longer to get one. If you have any questions, call the office! If one of the volunteers cannot answer your questions, they will refer you to us, and we will be glad to talk with you!
Please pray about how God wants you involved in Caracas 2008. Many of you are already involved, and we praise God for you. Many of you have been praying continually, checking this blog daily, and encouraging us all along the way. You have given back to God a portion of what He has given you, and we are so grateful. Some of you are already signed up and ready to board that plane heading south in January. Praise the Lord! We love everyone of you!
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Vision Banquet
Many of you have been wondering how the Vision Banquet went...it went pretty well. We had a number of no-shows which was a little disappointing, but those who attended responded well in their financial commitments to the Crusade. We are still receiving commitments and offerings, so it is hard to give an actual accounting at this time. The banquet itself went quite well. The students of First Baptist served as our waitstaff, and we had a marvelous meal. Following the meal we had a program which included music by Julie Eustis (singing Ray Boltz' "Thank You"), a presentation to Buck Smith honoring him and Ila Mae for their years of service on the mission field in Venezuela, and a word from our keynote speaker, Dr. Richard Jackson, who challenged the group to follow the Great Commission and to be obedient as well as visionary. Larry Shotwell shared his testimony, a glimpse of his experience in Puerto Ayacucho in 2006, and asked the group to pray about how they could be involved in this effort. Kerry shared the vision for Caracas and Venezuela and we showed a video clip made in Caracas, a video invitation from the pastors and church leaders there, asking us to come be a part of the Evangelistic Crusade in January 2008. We also shared a power point presentation showing the work that had been done at the crusade in Puerto Ayacucho in 2006 as well as pictures of Caracas, all set to the words of Wayne Watson in "For Such a Time as This."
There were several who attended the banquet who expressed an interest in going to Caracas with us in January. This is exciting as we are down to the wire in getting people to commit to go. We are busy this week following up with everyone who has expressed an interest. Because there have been questions and comments on this subject, I will address it more in a separate post.
In the meantime, I ask that you continue to pray for the crusade, for the people of Caracas, for those of us who are in the directors' chairs, for the remainder of the funds needed, and for the people God will lead to be a part of our team.
There were several who attended the banquet who expressed an interest in going to Caracas with us in January. This is exciting as we are down to the wire in getting people to commit to go. We are busy this week following up with everyone who has expressed an interest. Because there have been questions and comments on this subject, I will address it more in a separate post.
In the meantime, I ask that you continue to pray for the crusade, for the people of Caracas, for those of us who are in the directors' chairs, for the remainder of the funds needed, and for the people God will lead to be a part of our team.
Friday, October 19, 2007
Gideon's Army in Caracas
Good Brothers and Sweet Sisters,
Thank you so much for praying. In answer to prayer God gave us the opportunity to speak to hundreds of evangelical Christians concerning little churches that multiply. Tony and Felicity Dale lead six hour training sessions in six different areas of Caracas for all who wanted to start house churches. Team members and Venezuelan leaders were incorporated into the training process. 300 were trained and commissioned into the harvest. There were reports of several churches being started since our brief visionary visit in June. In Puerto Ayacucho on the edge of the rain forest of the Amazons 85 were trained and commissioned. The meetings were so Spirit filled that it was said the mosquitoes were humming, ‘There is Power in the Blood.’ Please continue to pray as training opportunities continue to develop and we move toward the stadium crusade in Caracas January 24-27, 2008.
Your rejoicing brother,
Gail
Thank you so much for praying. In answer to prayer God gave us the opportunity to speak to hundreds of evangelical Christians concerning little churches that multiply. Tony and Felicity Dale lead six hour training sessions in six different areas of Caracas for all who wanted to start house churches. Team members and Venezuelan leaders were incorporated into the training process. 300 were trained and commissioned into the harvest. There were reports of several churches being started since our brief visionary visit in June. In Puerto Ayacucho on the edge of the rain forest of the Amazons 85 were trained and commissioned. The meetings were so Spirit filled that it was said the mosquitoes were humming, ‘There is Power in the Blood.’ Please continue to pray as training opportunities continue to develop and we move toward the stadium crusade in Caracas January 24-27, 2008.
Your rejoicing brother,
Gail
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Endurance and Encouragement
A new post is long overdue. We have been working feverishly on the fundraising banquet which will be this Saturday evening. We had hoped for 25 tables...we have 23. But we still have two days left! And we expect some to come who were not officially invited by a table host...friends from church who are interested in coming and supporting the crusade. So we are hoping for the best and leaving it all in God's hands. Pray with us for this...pray that God will have there the people He wants to participate and that everyone will make it a matter of prayer as to how much to give. I know, it's that ugly thing about asking people for money. But you know, I've learned that there are plenty of people out there who are willing to give of their resources to causes such as this, especially when they seek the Lord's guidance about it. Those who give of what has been given to them know that they will be blessed many times over. I'll try to post a report early next week, so be sure and check back and see how God blesses His vision!
Sometimes I look at all that needs to be done, both for the banquet and for the crusade and for the trip itself, and I just feel overwhelmed. How can we do this? It is an enormous task! But it is a task that we feel God has presented to us to do, so we go along, trying to follow His guidance and do what we can do. We just have to ask God to bless our inadequacies and blunders and send us good, mission-committed people to work with us who can share the vision God has given us.
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 15:5-6)
Buck is back from Caracas and arrangements are going well down there. His task is to enlist 50 teams of 2 people each to go with us and work with the local churches in Caracas. (Yes, this is a hint...if you are reading this and are interested in going or know someone who is, let us know as soon as possible!) Gail Graves has a brief report from Caracas as well about the house church training. (I'm at the Vision office this morning and cannot access his report...I'll post it after I get home.)
Time is getting short for enlisting folks to go with us. We have heard from the group at Colonial Heights in Kingsport, Tennesse, and there are about 6 from there who want to go...including our friend, Matt Dykes, whom we have gone with before. This will be added to the updated prayer list at the end of this post. We need PEOPLE to sign up to GO as QUICKLY as possible! So many have voiced an interest in going, but we have yet to get them to commit definitely.
Another prayer...the New Testaments. They have been shipped and are on their way. Pray that they get there in time, that all the paperwork is in order, and that a place is secured to store them until January. 50,000 New Testaments...that's a lot of boxes!
One more thing...pray for our good friend Tom Robuck who has been our liaison with the BGCT. Due to budget cuts, many jobs were eliminated (effective Oct. 31) at the BGCT, and Tom's job was one of those. We are not sure where that leaves us in working with the BGCT, but we DO know that this leaves Tom without a job and looking for answers at a crucial time in his life.
Time for a praise! Several people have already given substantially toward the crusade and we were able to send $38,500 as a deposit to secure the hotel in Caracas. I know this seems like a lot for a deposit, but they required half, and we are reserving the entire hotel with its apartment-style accommodations.
OK...the PRAYER LIST:
1) The Fundraising Banquet, Saturday, October 20, 7:00pm
2) The New Testaments
3) People to go with us in January
4) Tom Robuck and other employees whose jobs were eliminated at the BGCT
5) Still need assurance that we will be able to use the Baseball Stadium
6) Upcoming meeting in Atlanta on Nov 2 with Bill Cashion and the baseball players
7) Pray for Kerry and me and Buck as we continue to seek God's guidance on the planning; that He will give us strength and endurance.
Sometimes I look at all that needs to be done, both for the banquet and for the crusade and for the trip itself, and I just feel overwhelmed. How can we do this? It is an enormous task! But it is a task that we feel God has presented to us to do, so we go along, trying to follow His guidance and do what we can do. We just have to ask God to bless our inadequacies and blunders and send us good, mission-committed people to work with us who can share the vision God has given us.
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 15:5-6)
Buck is back from Caracas and arrangements are going well down there. His task is to enlist 50 teams of 2 people each to go with us and work with the local churches in Caracas. (Yes, this is a hint...if you are reading this and are interested in going or know someone who is, let us know as soon as possible!) Gail Graves has a brief report from Caracas as well about the house church training. (I'm at the Vision office this morning and cannot access his report...I'll post it after I get home.)
Time is getting short for enlisting folks to go with us. We have heard from the group at Colonial Heights in Kingsport, Tennesse, and there are about 6 from there who want to go...including our friend, Matt Dykes, whom we have gone with before. This will be added to the updated prayer list at the end of this post. We need PEOPLE to sign up to GO as QUICKLY as possible! So many have voiced an interest in going, but we have yet to get them to commit definitely.
Another prayer...the New Testaments. They have been shipped and are on their way. Pray that they get there in time, that all the paperwork is in order, and that a place is secured to store them until January. 50,000 New Testaments...that's a lot of boxes!
One more thing...pray for our good friend Tom Robuck who has been our liaison with the BGCT. Due to budget cuts, many jobs were eliminated (effective Oct. 31) at the BGCT, and Tom's job was one of those. We are not sure where that leaves us in working with the BGCT, but we DO know that this leaves Tom without a job and looking for answers at a crucial time in his life.
Time for a praise! Several people have already given substantially toward the crusade and we were able to send $38,500 as a deposit to secure the hotel in Caracas. I know this seems like a lot for a deposit, but they required half, and we are reserving the entire hotel with its apartment-style accommodations.
OK...the PRAYER LIST:
1) The Fundraising Banquet, Saturday, October 20, 7:00pm
2) The New Testaments
3) People to go with us in January
4) Tom Robuck and other employees whose jobs were eliminated at the BGCT
5) Still need assurance that we will be able to use the Baseball Stadium
6) Upcoming meeting in Atlanta on Nov 2 with Bill Cashion and the baseball players
7) Pray for Kerry and me and Buck as we continue to seek God's guidance on the planning; that He will give us strength and endurance.
Monday, October 1, 2007
Greater is He that is in me...
Praise the Lord, Oh my soul, and all that is within...Praise His Holy Name! God's mighty hand is apparent at every turn.
I have just returned from Caracas where I met with Jacobo and several members of our team...Buck Smith, Tony & Felicity Dale, Gail Graves, and Sheryll & Deitra McCleery. Our goal was two-fold: 1) work out many details of the Crusade with Jacobo and 2) further train workers in the Church in the House effort.
Jacobo and I met for about 10 hours of intense discussions. Many areas needed to be "hammered" out. Much was accomplished. There was a great spirit of cooperation! Praise the Lord!
The training sessions were a great success! To accomplish God's purposes, we divided into 5 teams: 1) Tony Dale, 2) Felicity Dale, 3) Deitra & Sheryll McCleery, 4) Buck Smith, and 5) Gail Graves & Kerry Peacock (accompanied by Ladimiro). Reports were good. It was a long day, but we saw God work to encourage over 600 people in their participation in the Crusade. I truly believe that God is going to give us a great tremendous outpouring of His Spirit! The people of the churches are so receptive!
In the coming days, please continue to pray for the power of God's Spirit to go before us. We walk by faith. There are so many things that Satan is doing to try to prevent this effort. We claim the promise that "greater is He that is in me than he who is in the world!"
One area of particular need is still the financial area. We are planning a fundraising dinner on October 20 at First Baptist Church in San Angelo. We are asking God for $200,000 of commitments from that dinner. That will certainly not cover all the expenses, but it will be a start! Your prayers and support would be extremely welcome!
Also, we are planning a meeting in Atlanta on November 2 to gather our baseball players with the team including Dr. Bill Cashion. Part of our needs include video of the ballplayers that can be used in promotion of the crusade. This is crucial for a great turnout at the Crusade. Please pray!
Dr. Jackson and his team are working hard to insure that the 50,000 New Testaments will be there for distribution during the Crusade.
Director of Missions Ed Jump, Baptist General Convention of Texas liaison, Tom Robuck, and Buck Smith comprise the team that will be organizing pastors who want to go and lead revivals in the churches of Caracas in the beginning part of the week of the Crusade.
Come go with us! Share your resources! Pray for a great move of God!
Praise the Lord, Oh my soul!
Kerry
I have just returned from Caracas where I met with Jacobo and several members of our team...Buck Smith, Tony & Felicity Dale, Gail Graves, and Sheryll & Deitra McCleery. Our goal was two-fold: 1) work out many details of the Crusade with Jacobo and 2) further train workers in the Church in the House effort.
Jacobo and I met for about 10 hours of intense discussions. Many areas needed to be "hammered" out. Much was accomplished. There was a great spirit of cooperation! Praise the Lord!
The training sessions were a great success! To accomplish God's purposes, we divided into 5 teams: 1) Tony Dale, 2) Felicity Dale, 3) Deitra & Sheryll McCleery, 4) Buck Smith, and 5) Gail Graves & Kerry Peacock (accompanied by Ladimiro). Reports were good. It was a long day, but we saw God work to encourage over 600 people in their participation in the Crusade. I truly believe that God is going to give us a great tremendous outpouring of His Spirit! The people of the churches are so receptive!
In the coming days, please continue to pray for the power of God's Spirit to go before us. We walk by faith. There are so many things that Satan is doing to try to prevent this effort. We claim the promise that "greater is He that is in me than he who is in the world!"
One area of particular need is still the financial area. We are planning a fundraising dinner on October 20 at First Baptist Church in San Angelo. We are asking God for $200,000 of commitments from that dinner. That will certainly not cover all the expenses, but it will be a start! Your prayers and support would be extremely welcome!
Also, we are planning a meeting in Atlanta on November 2 to gather our baseball players with the team including Dr. Bill Cashion. Part of our needs include video of the ballplayers that can be used in promotion of the crusade. This is crucial for a great turnout at the Crusade. Please pray!
Dr. Jackson and his team are working hard to insure that the 50,000 New Testaments will be there for distribution during the Crusade.
Director of Missions Ed Jump, Baptist General Convention of Texas liaison, Tom Robuck, and Buck Smith comprise the team that will be organizing pastors who want to go and lead revivals in the churches of Caracas in the beginning part of the week of the Crusade.
Come go with us! Share your resources! Pray for a great move of God!
Praise the Lord, Oh my soul!
Kerry
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