"Dead. Eternal Life. Blood of Jesus."

“Dead. Eternal Life. Blood of Jesus.” Those were his last words. He spoke these few words on May 19 just before he went to see the very Lord Jesus who had shed his blood for him so that even in death, he would be alive forevermore!

His name was Daniel Ambati, or better known in his corner of India as Pastor Daniel. Pastor Daniel ministered faithfully in Chirala, South India. He started a local church and a ministry known as Global Ark. He raised 2 daughters and three sons who now all work for the Lord. They minister to the poor, to the orphans, to those who have never heard the Gospel, they distribute goods, they feed the hungry, they preach the Gospel in small villages, they hold crusades, they have a vision for a large orphanage to train up street children in the Lord.

In short, they live the Gospel day in and day. Most people in the world do not know anything about them, but the people in Chirala know them well! And they also know what God they serve - the Lord Jesus Christ!

Pastor Daniel is now with the Lord. His labors are over, and he knows more joy and life now than ever before. His labors are finished, but not his works! He invested his life in his church, in his ministry, and in his children, and therefore, the Gospel continues to progress and bear fruit!

“Dead. Eternal Life. Blood of Jesus.” That just about says it all, doesn’t it?

Politicians and Preachers "Misspeaking!"

In recent political news, the Attorney General of Connecticut Richard Blumenthal came under fire for making statements throughout his career about his service in Vietnam. As it turns out, he was never in Vietnam. Blumenthal’s response was that he “misspoke” about his service in Vietnam. He didn’t lie, mind you, he just misspoke. Ok, bottom line, he was either in Vietnam or he wasn’t in Vietnam! If he said he was and he really wasn’t, that’s a lie! Sad to say, but we’ve come to expect them in politics.

What’s even more sad to say is that “evangelistically speaking,” or stretching the truth, or exaggerating a little, and embellishing a little here or there finds its way into the pulpit from time to time. This is not a light issue. This is a matter of integrity. This is lying! This is sin in the worst of all places for sin to be, in the pulpit!

Liberty University has launched an investigation into Ergun Caner’s background. Caner, dean of Liberty’s seminary, has seen enrollment triple during his tenure, however, critics have raised questions about Caner’s testimony.

It appears that in some of his speaking engagements Caner has claimed to be raised in Turkey instead of Ohio, raised in a devoutly Muslim home instead of a nominally religious home, trained as a jihadist, and debated dozens of Muslims, one of whom says he has never met Caner.

Caner’s response was that he may have “misspoke” during his more than 20 years in the pulpit. Wait a minute. I’ve heard that before. Let’s see...where did I hear that? Oh, right, those were the same words Blumenthal used!

Now either Caner was raised in Turkey by devout Muslims or he was not! Either he was trained as a jihadist or he was not! Either he has debated every one of the Muslims he claims to have debated or he has not! Either he told the truth or he lied! Truth does not get fuzzy just because someone has been preaching for 20 years, does it? Preachers do not get a free pass for lying just because they have preached a long time, had success in numbers, and recruited a lot of students, do they?

It will be interesting to see what Liberty discovers and how they respond to this situation. It doesn’t appear that Caner will be exonerated, especially given his admission of misspeaking. However, if he is, great! I would much rather a preacher be proved a truth-teller than a liar!

If he is guilty of greatly embellishing his story, then the best course of action to take would be confession and repentance. And if truly guilty, it sure would look more authentic if he were to admit to any discretion before Liberty completes their investigation. Otherwise, it will appear that he had to admit his guilt instead of really wanting to set the record straight. I believe he will find more sympathy among his brothers if he just gets gut-level honest and asks for forgiveness, none of this “misspoke” stuff!

At the same time, if his statements are proven true - his critics need to openly apologize as well!

Bottom line though, lying is going to happen in politics, but it should not happen in the pulpit!

Fighter Verse - Psalm 119:32

Our Fighter Verse this week is Psalm 119:32 - I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart.

Obedience is a matter of the heart! Our allegiance to God’s will is directly connected to our affections for God! We run after the Lord when we are in love with the Lord!

To run after the commandments without a heart dripping in affections for Christ is shallow legalism. To run after the commandments without a heart for God is to run in our own strength, in our own might, in our own way. To run after God with a heart for God is to run in a way that pleases God!

God works in our hearts and we then get to work for God!

Deuteronomy 6:5 - the Greatest Commandment - You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.

How do we arrive at this heart-level love toward God that moves us toward God? Deuteronomy 30:6 - And the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.

Having trouble keeping the commands? Look to the heart, not to your self-determination. Pray for God to work on your heart. It is then you will be free to live for him radically!

For Future Generations - Church the Way God Intended

This past Sunday our fellowship studied the third lesson in our series “For Future Generations.” We learned that not only do we desire to pass along opportunity and sincere faith, but we also desire to pass along a healthy church to the coming generation.

There are many differences between a true NT church and a church that is nothing more than a shell of Christian religion. For example, an empty church proclaims sermons void of Scripture that are mere self-help, motivational, morality speeches, songs become void of biblical theology and become man-centered, and prayers voiced to something or someone out there somewhere. NT churches proclaim sermons deeply rooted in the Bible, songs lyrically theologically rich, and prayers pleading with God for mercy. Also, empty churches make secondary matters such as programs, organizations, styles of music and clothing, whereas NT churches focus on the primary issues of doctrine, Christian living, moral conviction, etc.

So how does a church pursue a healthy model. We took a brief overview of Mark Dever’s 9 Marks of a Healthy Church by using texts in Acts to demonstrate that these key principles were part of the very first church.

1. Expository Preaching: (Acts 2:14-36) Explaining and applying a passage of Scripture so that the point of the text is the point of the sermon.
2. Biblical Theology: (Acts 2:36) Holding to foundational truths as a guide in forming right thoughts in scriptural interpretation. “By His Grace - For His Glory”
3. The Gospel: (Acts 2:22-24, 31-33, 37-41) Affirming, Embracing, Teaching, and Proclaiming the true Gospel message as recorded in Scripture. (1) God is holy, (2) Man is sinful and destined for judgment, (3) Salvation is only found in the person and work of Jesus Christ, and (4) the means of obtaining God’s salvation is through repentance from sin and faith in Christ.
4. Biblical Conversion: (Acts 2:47) Every element of conversion is an act of God’s grace. Faith - Eph 2:8, Repentance - Acts 5:31, 11:18, the New Birth - John 3:3
5. Biblical Evangelism: (Acts 2:37-41) Honestly communicating all the points of the biblical Gospel to those who are unsaved.
6. Biblical Church Membership: (Acts 2:42-47) Coming together to worship the Lord Jesus Christ as a family committed to one another for accountability and growth in the Lord.
7. Biblical Church Discipline: (Acts 5:1-11) Lovingly confronting a brother in sin for the purpose of restoration for the sake of his soul, the purity and witness of the church, and the advancement of the Gospel.
8. Discipleship and Growth: (Acts 2:42) Living out the Christian life in a community of faith.
9. Biblical Church Leadership: (Acts 6:1-6, 14:23) God’s design for his church is for a group of men to serve the physical needs of the church who are called deacons and a group of men to oversee the spiritual needs of the church who are called elders or pastors.

Again, why do we pursue such a lifelong goal? First and foremost, for the glory of God. EPh 3:21 says, “to him be glory in the church.” We believe that the more our church reflects the NT model, the more the Lord is glorified in our church! Second, we do so for Future Generations. When our children read the NT texts on the church, we want them to say, “That sounds like my church!” We don’t want them to say, “I’ve never seen that before!”

GCR Reflections

I really appreciate the effort. There are some good statements, reminders, and exhortations in the document. In the end, however, I’m left wondering what it will accomplish? The following are my thoughts as I read through the 26 page document.

1. Under “Reality: What is Holding us Back?” the conclusion is that the reduction of funds is indicative of a reduction in Great Commission commitment. It could be that churches are involved in other Great Commission efforts. It could be that churches are getting directly involved in missions and church planting and investing more of their resources there instead of indirectly through the convention. In other words, just because its not reported to the convention or sent through the convention, does not mean it is not taking place.
2. Under the same heading, the document uses the phrase “push back against lostness” here and in other places. I wish the committee would have chosen better language. We are not called to “push back against lostness.” We are called to live out the Gospel and share it with the lost around us. “Lostness” is too abstract. We are extending the Gospel to people, lost people, unreached people. We are not in a struggle against “lostness.”
3. My favorite statements are in “Back to Basics: A Theology for Great Commission Faithfulness.” The gospel message of salvation in Christ through his atoning death is clearly set forth.
4. However, the same section raises a question for me. Individual congregations are urged to reach their city, country, and world with the Gospel. As the document admits earlier, ministry requires money. So how are local congregations to go about reaching out with the Gospel by sending their funds to the convention?
5. Where’s the teeth? The bottom line is that there are no IMB, NAMB, State, or Associational personnel who are going to say, “My position could really be filled by the local church or incorporated into another position. It would be best for me to step out of convention life.” Neither will any of these organizations slash programs or promotions. The point is everyone involved believes in what he does.
6. Thumbs way up under “Component Four” where congregations are urged to be church-planting congregations!
7. However, right after that great exhortation, the document calls on NAMB to support the churches, then chastises NAMB for sending the majority of its funds to regions with the most churches! If they exist to support the churches so that the churches can plant churches in unreached, underserved areas, shouldn’t their resources be where most of our churches are?
8. Thumbs up on “Component Five.” Missions is no longer national or international. In our global world, those are quickly becoming the same thing in terms of methodology. The sooner we adjust to Muslims, atheists, Hindus, and Buddhists right in our American neighborhoods, the better evangelists we will be!
9. Thumbs up under “Challenges” as the document calls for authentic Christian living and godly families led by godly fathers!
10. However, when it comes to challenges for the churches, the challenge begins to be for the Task Force. They encourage local churches to strategically reach their mission field, then they encourage churches to intentionally work with associations, state conventions, and NAMB to accomplish it. It is clear that as more and more churches become intentional in their efforts to be missional, there is less and less of a role for associations, state conventions, and NAMB to play. The local church should be evangelizing their local fields, and when this happens, there is really not much for convention institutions to do.?.

Final Thoughts.

The document clearly states that the convention institutions are there only to serve the local congregations, however, it has been my experience that the local congregations end up serving the convention. The convention develops a program, promotes it, and then hands it over to the churches to accomplish it. That doesn’t sound like serving to me. That sounds like having churches work for the convention. As with the recent “Find It Here” campaign, interested callers were given convention numbers and cards were sent to convention institutions. Why were they not directed straight to the local church?

As churches in our convention continue to become healthy churches pursuing the NT model, the role of the convention institutions must change or they will continue to prove of no use to churches on the move. I see this as the real rising tension in the convention. What is the convention’s role when local churches begin to function properly?

Also, I want to state emphatically clear that I am a supporter of the CP and the SBC. I am a graduate of one of our fine theological institutions. I lead my church to support all of our convention institutions. I strongly support our offerings for IMB, NAMB, State, and Association. However, local pastors serving local congregations with unique mission fields, unique opportunities, and unique struggles are finding that they don’t need the convention as much as the convention needs them! When those churches are planting their own churches with their own people from their own resources and sending their own children to foreign fields, some through SBC and some through a vast array of other missions groups, what will be the need for the convention if its purpose is to serve congregations?

Answer. Keep building up our sound theological institutions which will faithfully train faithful pastors and missionaries! Placing well-equipped, spirit-filled ministers across the board in our churches and on the field is the greatest service to the churches the convention can make!

Fighter Verse - Psalm 119:29

The Fighter Verse for our fellowship this week is Psalm 119:29. “Put false ways far from me and graciously teach me your law.”

False ways are ever before us! We are influenced toward false ways from within and from without. Without careful scrutiny and scriptural adherence, our own fleshly thinking and opinions and thoughts will shift us away from truth and toward our own conception of truth. All day long, our eyes and ears are filled with glamorous, logical, rational reasoning for false ways! We need the grace of God to keep us from straying down the many paths and the many opportunities that could lead us astray!

We need the grace of God to patiently, consistently teach us the Word. Our eyes need to be opened to the truth. Our hearts need to be receptive to the truth. For only the Word of God is truth, and only the grace of God keeps us in the Word and on the right path.

Let us pray earnestly with the psalmist, “Put false ways far from me and graciously teach me your law,” and let’s follow up that prayer with sincere reading, reflecting, and meditating on the Treasure of the Word of God! For the putting away of false ways and the teaching of his law comes through the study of his Word!

The Happiness of Godly Sorrow

This past Sunday evening, our fellowship studied the second Beatitude, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” (Matt 5:4).

1. Godly Sorrow is NOT Unhappiness. It’s hard enough for the secular, unbelieving mind to imagine that humility and happiness can coexist, but sorrow and happiness? That just seems totally illogical! However, the believer’s happiness is not totally contained in this life, therefore, the events of this life cannot totally obliterate it. In addition, the believer, unlike the unbeliever, never faces great times of sorrow alone. This is never more evident than at the graveside.
2. The comfort, or blessing, of godly sorrow is found in spiritual truths that a believer knows and cherishes. First, that while the world around him may be in turmoil, God is sovereign and in control. Second, that while everything around him seems against him, God is good. Third, that while it seems as though it is him against the world, God is with him! A believer, then, enters into mourning from God’s perspective, not the world’s philosophy of life. Worldly wisdom and false religion labeled as “Christianity” teach that life can be lived as a fairly tale. True Christianity teaches this life is short and full of trouble. Worldly wisdom and false “Christianity” live in a dream world where if bad things happen to good people then either God is not all-powerful or not loving, for surely if he were loving and all-powerful he would not allow the horrible events to occur that occur every single day. True Christianity, however, knows that we live in a fallen world filled with fallen sinners, and the horrible is to be expected, its the times of ease and comfort that are the exception when everything and everyone around you is in sin!
3. The Believer’s Mourning and Joy. It seems odd to say, but a true believer actually has more to mourn over than an unbeliever! Mourning is actually a sign of true belief! A true believer will mourn over his own sin (2 Cor 7:5-11), the sin of brothers and sisters in Christ (1 Cor 5:1-2), the sins of his society (Isaiah 6), and the indifference to the Gospel (Rom 10:1) *these four areas noted from Daniel Doriani.

Psalm 126:5-6 says that those who sow in tears will reap in joy! Could it be that tears are the missing element in our fight against sin and our evangelism efforts? The question is not about the happiness in godly sorrow, the question is where is our godly sorrow?

We must seek the face of God to have the heart of God, to weep over sin, to weep over our church, to weep over our city, to weep over the lost, and when we weep, we will be comforted!

For Future Generations - A Long Line of Believers

In light of Mother’s Day and in sync with our May series “For Future Generations” our church studied Paul’s words to Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:3-14. We observed the following points.

1. Great Maternal Faith Matters Much! Timothy did not come from a long line of leavers, he came from a long line of believers! Paul describes the maternal faith and Timothy’s faith as “sincere.” A sincere faith is one where Christian talk is not void of Christian action. As with James 2, sincere faith knows that faith without works is dead! A sincere faith is one where Christian action is not void of heartfelt affections for Christ. As with Matthew 7, sincere faith knows that just doing good works is not salvation, it is in knowing Christ and Christ knowing you!
2. So what is the content of this sincere faith? We find the answer in vv8-12. First, salvation is by grace alone “not because of our works, but because of his own purpose and grace.” Second, salvation is by grace alone in Christ alone “Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” Third, salvation is by grace alone in Christ alone through faith alone “for I know whom I have believed.” Fourth, salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone as revealed in the Scripture alone “through the gospel,” “follow the pattern of sound words.” Fifth, salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone as revealed in the Scripture alone for the glory of God alone “not because of our works but because of his own purpose.” His purpose is revealed in Eph 1:5-6, 11-12, 13-14 to be “the praise of his glory.”
3. This sincere faith is lived out in specific ways. It is an ongoing personal faith in the person of Christ (v12). It is a sure confidence in the past, present, and future work of Christ (v12). A possession of such treasure that a willingness to suffer accompanies it (v12).
4. This sincere faith is pursued in specific ways. It is grounded in God’s Word (v13). It follows the example of Christ (v13). It is totally dependent upon the Holy Spirit (v14).

Timothy had a mother with this kind of faith. May our moms today possess this kind of faith. May the church display this kind of faith - for the glory of God and “For Future Generations!”

Making the Most of Motherhood

In 2001 I wrote a poem to honor my mother on Mother's Day titled "Making the Most of Motherhood." Today, I plan to share it with the mothers of my congregation. To read or print a copy, log on to www.sermonaudio.com/searchandsee and click on "eDocs." Enjoy - and for all mothers...Happy Mother's Day!

2010 T4G Reflections

It’s been a few weeks now since T4G, and I finally have the opportunity to sit quietly and share my thoughts. First let me say that T4G is by far my favorite conference. Most of my living heroes in the same room! Concentration in the Word and Doctrine, not in the latest hip methodology! Theologically-informed, lyric-driven worship! Sound God-centered theology!

I don’t attend T4G to get “pumped up.” I don’t attend T4G to acquire the latest cutting-edge, innovative strategies. I go to be fed, and I leave stuffed!

I can summarize my recent experience at T4G in three words.

1. Edification. I was built-up in the faith and in heart at T4G. First, it was a delight to share this event with some guys that I really love. My father, brother, and brother-in-law attended with me. I spent time with a few of my friends in ministry who I seldom have a chance to see. What really made my day though was that 6 men from our church attended with me! Second, the worship was spiritually-nourishing. Its an amazing thing to watch applause continually break out not because of loud rocking music, praise of talented performance, or appreciation of great vocals, but simply because the words which have been sung have moved people to praise the Lord! That was incredible! Third, I was taught from the Word. Particularly enriching to me were the sermons and panel discussions of John MacArthur and John Piper. Those men dwell in the Word, and you can tell it!
2. Direction. The theme of the conference was “The Unadjusted Gospel,” however, as with every conference, a few underlying themes appeared as well. One such theme was the unity of the church and how important it is to keep unity in diversity and not separate the congregation into different ages and gender and groups. The world’s system is “birds of a feather flock together,” but that’s not the picture of the NT church! The unmistakable unity in diversity of the NT church magnifies the Gospel! The Lord gently chided and directed me back to this crucial portrait of the church.
3. Conviction. Somewhere in Piper’s sermon about the sufficiency of Christ, singing “All I Have is Christ,” hearing Matt Chandler share about his cancer, listening to CJ Mahaney encourage preparation for suffering, hearing Matt pray for his children, Piper praying for Matt, and singing “It is Well,” the Lord opened up my heart and revealed to me that I have much labor in prayer and meditation before I can honestly say “All I Have is Christ!” It was a refreshing conviction. It was good to see the depths of my heart that is open and clear before the Lord at all times!

Looking forward to T4G 2012!

A Happy Humility: Matt 5:3

In our Sunday evening series, we studied Matthew 5:3, “A Happy Humility.” We made three observations.

1. Happiness and God-wrought, Godly Humility are NOT at Odds! The world would never reach this conclusion, and neither would we in our sinful, fallen state! The way of the flesh is to pursue fleshly desires, self-interest, and believe that happiness rest on a bed of pride. Nothing could be farther from the truth! It’s pride that says we are always right. It’s pride that causes us to lash out in anger when others disagree with us. It’s pride that moves us to always assume the negative in the actions and motivations of others. It’s pride that makes it so easy for us to assume our way is always God’s way! Happy humility is not the way of the world, but it is the way of godliness, the way of discipleship, the way of Christ! It is precisely the radical difference of happy humility that forces others to take notice! Not so much that believers are humble, but that they are joyful in their humility. That is too radical to not be noticed! There are only two possible explanations for such a life. Either we are insane or we have a treasure!
2. The Happiness of Godly Humility is Grounded in Eternal Realities. How can a believer be happy and humble? A believer’s fulfillment is not getting his way or his rights. A believer’s fulfillment is in what Christ has already given him, the Kingdom of Heaven! A believer’s life is not wrapped up in self, status, or what he can achieve. A believer’s life is wrapped up in Christ! A believer can see what the rich young ruler could not, namely, that what he has in Christ far surpasses whatever he might have in this life!
3. Who are the Happy Humble? It is clear by now that the Beatitudes are not so much prescribing behavior for believers as they are describing the behavior of believers. Believers are the happy humble because believers are the inheritors of the kingdom of heaven! Nothing is a happier, more humble occasion than coming to Christ. Repentance and faith require a lot of humility. One has to admit their insufficiency and his total dependence upon Christ! It is a happy, humble time! Then, a believer discovers in the Christian life that cross-centered living is really more joyful than me-centered living! It is really more blessed to give than to receive! FInally, as with every other Christian virtue, as saved sinners, we drift out of humility and into pride at times. It is then we become miserable until the Lord corrects us through the Word or the Spirit or fellow believers. We repent. We humble ourselves before the Lord, and we are joyful again!

When we are joyful, someone may say to us, “Things must be going your way” to which as believers we can reply, “No, things are going God’s way not my way, and that makes me very happy!”

New Orphan Home Under Construction

Global Ark is constructing a new orphan home that will accommodate 100 kids. Their desire is to teach these kids the Gospel along with meeting their other needs. I have attached a new photo of the building construction with Sudi, from Global Ark, standing beside it. If you are interested in helping Global Ark with this project, please contact us.

For Future Generations - God Has Given A Land

This past Lord’s Day I began a series with our congregation entitled “For Future Generations.” The thrust of the series is that we, the present generation, have a responsibility to those who come after us to pass along a faith much richer than the one we inherited. This is not the only reason we pursue God’s glory in all things, but it is an essential reason.

We began the series by examining Deut 6 because our congregation, much like the Israelites of Joshua’s generation, have an opportunity before us to possess a new land. Specific to us, we have an opportunity to expand our present property, which I believe will enable us to expand ministry possibilities in the future. The following are the points we observed.

1. God Had Promised a Land. The land had been God’s plan from the beginning back when he called Abraham in Gen 12. The land was not theirs, it was inhabited and possessed by others, when God made the promise. It remained God’s promise even though it took several generations to accomplish. So how do we know the opportunity before us is from God? It’s clear that the land was God’s promise for Israel. Can we be clear what his will is for us today. I believe we can if we (1) observe the hearts of God’s people (the people of Joshua’s day were ready to take the land), (2) observe the hearts of God’s leaders (God’s leaders always encouraged the people to go forward based on God’s promise), (3) and we must discern whether an “open door” will be an opportunity for Gospel ministry or a distraction from Gospel ministry.
2. Even Though It was God’s Promise, the People Still Had to Take Possession. God was going to bring them in because he had promised to do so, however, the means of bringing them in was going to be them going to war against the pagan inhabitants. They would have to act on faith, and they would have to overcome the opposition and obstacles they would surely face. Anytime a church makes a major move forward, there will be opposition and obstacles to overcome through faith and unity!
3. With the Land, Comes Great Blessings. Once occupied, the land would be filled with houses and vineyards and cities. But who would enjoy the fullness of these blessings? Not Joshua’s generation. Joshua’s generation would possess the land. The next generation would settle in it and enjoy the blessings of the steps the previous generation accomplished.
4. With the Land, Comes Great Responsibility. Joshua’s generation was warned to not forget God when they settled in the land. In an abundance of blessings, it is so easy to forget where those blessings come from and the purpose of those blessings. The blessings were from God and were meant to magnify his name and be utilized by Israel to be a blessing to the nations around them. Churches have the same mandate. We must enjoy blessings as straight from God’s hands and put them to their proper purpose, namely, magnifying Christ and the Gospel to the ends of the earth!
5. With the Land, Comes a Great Testimony. When their sons asked about God’s commands, the Israelites were to tell them how God moved in grace, delivered them from slavery in Egypt, and gave them a new home! The same is true for us. In the generation to come, we must tell them about the grace of God which delivered us from sin and provided multiple tools and opportunities to proclaim the Gospel!

What church has not had visionaries before them? Even new churches in their first generation of existence have been preceded by people of faith with great vision. Every generation is given the opportunity to do great things for God. We must continue the journey in faith, sacrifice, and unity, for the glory of God, and “For Future Generations!”

Support at Work in Myanmar!

Search And See just recently sent monetary support for Emmanuel Seminary in Myanmar. Pastor Joseph sent this reply. A former student and missionary, Josiah, has been preaching the Gospel in an unreached village. As a result, many have come to Christ and now meet for church in his home. Part of our support has helped Josiah on the field! Praise the Lord!

For 3,000 Josiah can construct a church building. If the Lord lays this upon your heart, please contact us. We would love to see this become a reality. Imagine a brand new church building in this newly reached village!