Dear Parkway,
Once again it is time for a newsletter. Okay, actually I’m a month late, but that’s because things have been so hectic here! I pray all finds you well, and that God is continuing to bless your efforts in the community.
What with the holidays and family visits and kids getting out of school, I honestly cannot even remember November and December! There have been many fluctuations in attendance due to the holidays, but it has still been encouraging getting to know the family here better and allow God to work his word through our lives. I continue to be amazed at the faith of these “babes” in Christ – especially Mayela. Her husband has been sentenced to 30 years in prison, and she is left alone with three kids. Yet she probably has a firmer grip on the Lord than some senior saints! What a difference God can make in our outlook. What peace he brings to our lives!
Things are really heating up for Kevin and Alicia as they begin English classes in January. It turns out that we can continue using the original house to meet in for worship, and so far we have had enough money from our collections to pay the rent. So the English classes will be held there. We pray this has the multiple effect of teaching the people in the area English, teaching them the Bible, getting them familiar with the saints, and getting them familiar with the location of our place of worship. Please pray that God blesses this effort!
We are beginning a new series of studies about the church as recorded in the book of Acts. This covers the purpose for the church, how it was formed, the attitudes of the members, the organization, and many other basic facets of God’s kingdom which we feel will be helpful in developing mature Christian leaders for the community. Also, it has been obvious that most (if not all) of our members eagerly desire to meet in the morning instead of in the afternoon. This will be a welcome change in some respects (we will have more time to spend together and will make it easier on many who have to drive far to get to the place of worship) but will also be a greater burden on Kevin and I because Paul will be forced to stay at Eastwood (his supporting congregation). But I am confident that this is for the glory of God and will result in a greater harvest for his kingdom despite Kevin’s and my limited talents. More prayers needed on this as well.
I realize that it often seems easier to give money than to give time, but I ask that you continue donating your time in prayer for the efforts here. It seems that there are many who continue accepting everything we say as true, yet we do not see changes occurring in their lives (and in some cases, there is no repentance and death to sin in baptism). Please pray that the word will work powerfully through us, that we may boldly profess the gospel and convict others of sin. Pray also for Paul as he just lost his grandmother on Thursday, January 8th. Please continue praying for Mayela, her husband Fernando, and her friend Licha, as well as their families.
Congratulations to James and Jamie! May God bless his union in you and may your purpose in life be to glorify him together. We are so sorry we were unable to make the Christmas party and the wedding, but please know that the church in Parkway is in our hearts. In fact, this past Sunday the preacher at Montwood was teaching a class on Philippians, and this verse reminded me of Parkway:
“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:3-6
Praise God for our “partnership in the gospel!”
In Christian Love,
Lonnie Tapscott and Family