Our Mission Path
Serving God in Ecuador
The Evening Light
It will happen in one day—a day known to the Lord—not in the day or the night, but in the evening there will be light. Moreover, on that day living waters will flow out from Jerusalem, half of them to the eastern sea and half of them to the western sea; it will happen both in summer and in winter.
Zechariah 14:7-8
You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill cannot be hidden. People do not light a lamp and put it under a basket but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good deeds and give honor to your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:15-16
I’ll Follow With Rejoicing
But he brought his people out like a flock;
he led them like sheep through the wilderness.
He guided them safely, so they were unafraid;
but the sea engulfed their enemies.
Psalm 78:52-53
Charles Wesley Naylor was born in southern Ohio in the year 1874. He grow up in the hills of Ohio and West Virginia where he was raised by his grandparents. At the age of nineteen he “saw the church” and became a part of the Church of God movement. He was injured in 1908 in Florida while moving timbers from under a meeting tent. He suffered a dislocated kidney and other internal injuries. Then a year later he was in a bus accident that left him an invalid for the rest of his life. His injuries did not stop him from contributing to the Great Commission of Jesus Christ. From his bed of infirmity he become a prolific writer. He redeemed his time by writing eight books, many articles, pamphlets and a regular column for the Gospel Trumpet magazine. The hymns and gospel songs he wrote are a masters class in practical doctrine.
The poetic words of his hymn I’ll Follow With Rejoicing show the doctrinal truth that we follow the One with eternity in His hand. We don’t need to know what the future holds because we follow the One who holds the future!
When we look forward into an uncertain future we often see impassable obstacles in our way. But when we follow Christ closely eventually we look back on the impassable and see the clear path He lead us through.
The future lies unseen ahead,
It holds I know not what;
But still I know I need not dread,
For Jesus faileth not.
Refrain:
I’ll follow Him with rejoicing,
With rejoicing, rejoicing;
I know He safely will lead me
To my eternal home.
Doth He not know what I shall meet
Upon life’s rugged way?
Will He not guide my halting feet,
Lest from the path I stray?
No matter how things look to me,
Nor if they threaten sore;
I know my way prepared shall be,
For Christ leads on before.
-C.W. Naylor
May we see Christ clearly so that we may follow Him closely.
With love,
The Downing Family
Disciple! Vision Q&A
Friends, this Q&A was first published in July of 2020.
Friends, here is a Q&A from last week’s class from the Disciple! series. Thank you for all who watched it and for all who submitted questions.
The Downing Family
Disciple! Vision
Friends, this post was first published in July of 2020.
Everything is online these days, and our Seminary program is no exception. This is the English version of a class we will be offering our students in South America. Vision is the first in the series Disciple! We will post a new class available each Wednesday. If you have need of the Spanish version of this teaching please contact us and you can join us for online seminary this year.
Here is an audio only podcast of Disciple! Vision.
Here is the video of this class.
If you would like a copy of the Book Disciple! Please click here.
With love,
The Downing Family
His Yoke Is Easy
Friends, this post was first published in June of 2019.
I’ve found my Lord and He is mine,
He won me by His love;
I’ll serve Him all my years of time,
And dwell with Him above.Refrain:
His yoke is easy, His burden is light,
I’ve found it so, I’ve found it so;
His service is my sweetest delight,
His blessings ever flow.No other Lord but Christ I know,
I walk with Him alone;
His streams of love forever flow,
Within my heart His throne. [Refrain]He’s dearer to my heart than life,
He found me lost in sin;
He calmed the sea of inward strife,
And bade me come to Him. [Refrain]My flesh recoiled before the cross,
And Satan whispered there,
“Thy gain will not repay the loss,
His yoke is hard to bear.” [Refrain]I’ve tried the road of sin and found,
Its prospects all deceive;
I’ve proved the Lord, and joys abound,More than I could believe. [Refrain]
D.S. Warner
Love, 
The Downing Family
Missions And Relationships
Friends, this post was first published in July of2019.
What does a missionary heart look like? Listen to this interview with Rev. Bob Burns and find out!
Love, 
The Downing Family
Hot Culture, Cold Culture
Do you know the difference between a hot culture and a cold culture? We invite you to listen to this cultural insight to find out!
With much love,
The Downings
Friend we would love for you to click here and read about our mission!
Prayer
Every step in the progress of missions is directly traceable to prayer.
A.T. Pierson
In Acts chapter six the Apostles had to choose Between a very important ministry and the ministry of prayer, they chose prayer along with the ministry of the Word. They realized that even the best ministry should not rob time away from prayer.
We often approach the Divine in prayer and think our prayers will surely change Him. But in reality when we spend time before the Throne Room of Grace our prayers change us.
Every great leap forward on the mission field is due to prayer. God is still active in the lives of his children. Let us not neglect time spent with our Heavenly Father. Approach God in prayer, ask what you will, listen to His leading and obey Him.
May we be a praying people. May our lives display prayer’s indelible mark!
Love, The Downings
Go Ye Into All The World
With much love,
Back To The Original Path
There are no closed doors to the gospel – provided that, once you get inside, you don’t care if you ever come out.
Brother Andrew
There are no countries closed to the Gospel of Christ. On its face that sentiment doesn’t seem to reflect reality. Many countries have outlawed Christian belief and witness. Many missionary organizations will not send missionaries into unsafe situations. Some missionaries are willing to “die before they go” but they have difficulty navigating the modern paths into missionary service.
For those who are called into closed countries what is their best path? Their best path is the original path blazed by Paul the Apostle. They should be called by God, set apart by the Holy Spirit and sent by their local church who knows and loves them.
For all of our modern advancement the best paths are always the paths blazed by the original movement of Christ!
May we follow Christ regardless of the personal consequence. May we not ignore the original path blazed by the Church.
Love, The Downings