Dearly beloved in Christ, as the sun traces its arc across the heavens and the year 2025 finds its midpoint, we pause to lift our hearts in gratitude, beholding the manifold blessings our gracious Lord has woven into the tapestry of our ministry. In the verdant fields of Ecuador, where the Church of God flourishes as a tender vine under the Gardener’s care, we stand in awe of the Spirit’s work among us. The past six months have been a season of abundant harvest, a testament to the faithful labor of those who, like the sower in the parable, have cast seeds of truth upon fertile ground (Matthew 13:3-9). Let us, with reverent joy, recount the victories won for the Kingdom, for “the Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy” (Psalm 126:3).
The Seminary: A Forge for Faithful Leaders
In the heart of Ecuador, our seminary stands as a beacon of light, a forge where the Lord is shaping vessels for His glory. Through monthly gatherings, where hearts and minds unite in pursuit of divine wisdom, and through conferences that resound with the thunder of truth, we are nurturing leaders who will bear the mantle of Christ’s mission into the future. These gatherings are more than mere meetings; they are sacred convocations, where the Word is opened, and the Spirit moves, calling forth men and women to “preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season” (2 Timothy 4:2). This year, we have witnessed the blossoming of souls who, like Timothy of old, are being equipped to “do the work of an evangelist” (2 Timothy 4:5). The recent mission journey to Perú, a sojourn of faith and service, has further tempered these leaders, forging bonds of fellowship and igniting a vision for the Great Commission that will echo beyond our borders. As iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17), so these endeavors are shaping a generation to lead with courage and compassion, ready to shepherd God’s flock through the tempests of a changing world.
The Website Ministry: A Voice to the Nations
Our digital sanctuary, the website of Our Mission Path, has become a wellspring of encouragement, a lighthouse guiding souls back to the eternal truths of our faith. In this age of fleeting distractions, where the world clamors for attention, the Lord has granted us a platform to speak into the culture that sent us forth. The two most popular posts of this year, “Ordo Amoris” and “Witchcraft and Santería,” have drawn thousands seekers to our virtual hearth, their hearts stirred by the Spirit’s gentle whisper. The former, a meditation on the order of love as ordained by our Creator, has resonated deeply, reminding us to love God above all and our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-39). The latter, a bold proclamation against the shadows of spiritual deception, has illuminated the path to truth for those ensnared by falsehood. Through the reach of search engines and the vibrant communities of X and Facebook, these messages have reached far and wide, a testament to the promise that “the word of God is not bound” (2 Timothy 2:9). Let us rejoice, for the Lord is using these humble offerings to call His people to deeper devotion and discernment.
The Writing Ministry: Words That Kindle Hearts
The pen, wielded in the service of the Gospel, has become a flame in the hands of our brother Timothy Downing, whose writing ministry continues to bear fruit for the Kingdom. According to the records of Amazon, the book Disciple! has captured the hearts of many, its pages a clarion call to walk in the footsteps of our Savior, who said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). Close behind is The Logos of Leadership, a work that marries the wisdom of scripture with the art of guiding God’s people, offering a beacon for those called to lead with humility and grace. In the Spanish-speaking world, El Divino Arte de la Conversación and El Espíritu Inextinguible have kindled fires of faith, their words a balm to souls yearning for connection and a spark to those seeking revival. These books, like lamps on a stand, give light to all in the house (Matthew 5:15), and we give thanks that the Lord has anointed this ministry to proclaim His truth across languages and cultures.
The Farm: A New Vineyard for Ministry
In His boundless providence, the Lord has entrusted us with a farm, a fertile field where new seeds of ministry will be sown. This land, a gift of grace, stands as a canvas upon which the Spirit will paint new works of service and worship. As the prophet Isaiah declared, “The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus” (Isaiah 35:1). We envision this farm as a place of refuge and renewal, where the weary may find rest, the hungry may be fed, and the seeking may encounter the living God. It is a sacred trust, a stewardship that calls us to cultivate not only the soil but the souls of those who will gather there. With prayer and labor, we will transform this land into a vineyard for the Lord, where His people may “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8).
A Call to Persevere in Hope
Beloved, as we stand at this midpoint of 2025, let us lift our eyes to the hills, from whence comes our help (Psalm 121:1). The victories we celebrate are but a foretaste of the glory that awaits, for “he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6). The seminary, the website, the written word, and the new farm are threads in the grand tapestry of God’s redemptive plan, each a testament to His faithfulness. Yet, we are called not to rest in these triumphs but to press forward, to “run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1). Let us continue to nurture leaders, proclaim truth, and cultivate new ground, ever trusting in the One who is “able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20). May our hearts be ever fixed on Christ, our hope and our salvation, as we journey together toward the day when every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that He is Lord (Philippians 2:10-11). To Him be the glory forever. Amen.
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