October Nebaj Conference...

Last week I went to Nebaj with Jonathan and Angel. We got there Sunday evening and returned Thursday morning. Hermano Cesar Soto and Hermano Beto from Retaluleu met us there and helped us in the work. Hermano Soto preached three nights and stirred the people to seek after Christ and not His miracles and benefits... Although the attendance was not what I had hoped, we had 21 on Tuesday evening. During the day I had planned to teach classes in Bible doctrine. However, those that had said they would attend, didn't. But Tuesday Tomas came and sat through the class on Repentance and Faith, Security of Salvation, and 15 Means God uses to Keep us in the Faith. After the first class, I asked him if he wanted to be saved and he said "yes." PTL! Probably the most exciting time, and perhaps the most productive, was in the park. I preached open air three times and Brother Soto preached once. The crowd was very receptive to the message and seemed to be attentive as well. One day Jonathan and Beto went into the Catholic church and began witnessing to the people inside. Jonathan said there were people crawling around on their hands and knees inside apparently trying to pay for their sins or earn salvation. Beto witnessed to a lady that prayed for salvation and then told him, "I don't know why I came here." Apparently, the Holy Spirit drew here there to hear the message of grace. One evening after the service, we were eating in a literal "hole-in-the-wall" restaurant. This restaurant is about 12' x 15' in size and is open to the street in the front where the owner stands and cooks the meals just outside the restaurant. Suddenly, someone that we didn't know pulled up in front of the restaurant on that very narrow road in a fairly fancy car and tried to get my attention. It was raining out and there was the usual noise inside and I couldn't tell what he was trying to tell me. Finally he opened his car door and stepped out into the rain and stated a bit louder, "I paid for your meals." I felt bad that this man had to get wet to tell me that after he had made such a kind gesture. A day or two later while we were singing to try to draw a crowd together, Jonathan pointed to a man on the outskirts of the crowd and said, "That is the man who paid for our meals the other night." So when we were done singing brother Soto began preaching and I went to thank this man and find out who he was. He asked me if I knew who he was and I told him I did. Apparently, he is a pentecostal preacher and was in a hurry that night. He was interested in joining together and doing social outreaches. However, I tried to politely tell him we have enough to do within our own circle of Baptist churches. When he asked again, I stated more bluntly that we usually do not hook up with other denominations because they believe differently than us. I told him for instance that we believe that Salvation is eternal and that we can't lose it. I told him that we also believe that tongues and prophets were for only a specific time and purpose during the first century and that now that the foundation is finished (the apostles) and we have "that which is perfect" (the Bible), we no longer need tongues nor prophets or apostles for additional revealed truth. He said that he was familiar with Baptist doctrine of which I was a bit surprised. I got his name and number in order to possibly contact him in the future since he seemed open to discussing Bible truth. Please pray for this man, Gerson Fuentes (pr. Herson).