2022
A Statement on Roe vs. Wade from Pastor Messer
A few weeks ago, Lisa and I were invited to dinner with several women in our church that are ministering to pregnant women who are in need of and who are seeking help. The focus of their ministry is to help the women decide to keep their babies by providing a support system that comes alongside and provides physical, emotional, logistical, and spiritual support through their pregnancies.
At that dinner, they shared with me their own stories of terminating pregnancies when they were younger and how they have carried shame, guilt, and grief with them for years. Truthfully, it was some of the most powerful conversation that I have had in my life as we listened to their stories. God’s grace was evident in their lives, both in the way that they are dealing with the grief and guilt of past choices, and the way that they have used their path as a platform to help others.
That experience has been helpful as we processed the news from last month’s ruling from the US Supreme Court regarding Roe v. Wade, which removes the federal constitutional right to abortion and returns abortion laws to the individual states. This is a monumental decision, one that we have prayed for and waited for, for almost 50 years. There is still much work to be done to further protect the lives of the unborn and to encourage a pro-life ethic for every single person, both born and unborn.
It is clear from both scripture and science that unborn babies are human lives. At the heart of the abortion debate is the reality that we are all made in the image of God. Because we are made in the image of God, attacking the unborn is as assault on God. This is supported in scripture in the book of Genesis (Genesis 1:26-27). Scripture is also clear that life developing in the womb is a life fashioned in his image (Psalm 139:13-16). The taking of a human life is egregious, it is the greatest evil against humanity.
I agree with Dr. Tony Evans who says that maybe, by God’s grace, once we as a nation stop shedding innocent blood, it may lead to a decrease in violent crime in our nation. (Tony Evans on Twitter: "https://t.co/dKY7g88onE" / Twitter). My prayer is that this might lead to a spiritual awakening and revival in our nation.
It is a core belief for us as Christians and as a church that all people, including those in the womb, are made in the image of God. We are called by God to care for the poor, vulnerable, marginalized, and displaced people. We are not going to start doing that, we already do through so many ministries of mercy. This article by Bruce Ashford emphasizes the responsibility of the church in regard to the pro-life issue. (The Single Greatest Cause of our Time: Building a Whole-Life, Pro-Life Ethic – BruceAshford.net)
This is a great time to live out our mission of helping everyday people experience an extraordinary life with God. In light of the recent ruling, it has encouraged me to lead our church to deepen our efforts to support the ministry of the Trinity Rescue Mission where we care for the homeless and addicted. In fact, this week a partner church threw a baby shower for some of the ladies in our shelter who are expecting children. We are going to come alongside the ladies in our church that are already working with people who are in crisis over pregnancies through the ministry of Embrace Grace. We recently had discussions about further involvement with the Baptist Children’s Home here in Jacksonville, we have engaged with a ministry involved in foster care (Isaiah1:17), and we will further engage with local crisis pregnancy centers that need help and support.
This is a moment in time where we must stand with courage and conviction for what we believe is a fundamental human right, the right to life. We must do so with compassion and the realization that the church is for broken and hurting people. We must be a church that welcomes those that are dealing with difficult decisions and who are wounded by their past choices.
The world is filled with brokenness and in need of redemption. Every problem in life finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the hope of the world, and he is the hope for every person. If you or anyone you know has been impacted by a decision to terminate a pregnancy, please know that there is help and healing for you. We have people in our church who would be glad to talk with you and walk this journey with you to help you find grace, healing, and hope for your life.
Every person in our church can be involved in pro-life activity.
- Pray for the will of God to be done in the laws that will be passed in states that protect the life of all people.
- Get involved in efforts with organizations that are actively trying to make a difference in helping women and children.
- Support the church financially as we seek to partner with gospel centered and pro-life causes that are making a difference in the lives of people.
2022
How To Walk With God
Genesis, a book people often view as “boring” or “irrelevant,” is filled with many chapters explaining the lineage or genealogies leading to Christ and our Christian faith. John Phillips, a noted Bible teacher, said that “Genealogies tell you that people matter to God, he keeps records of our lives and our deaths, and he has a book somewhere with all our names in it (Book of Life).” While you can search through much of Genesis and find the genealogies of many Old Testament greats, the genealogy of a few still puzzle us. In this lesson, we will focus on such a person-Enoch.
An important figure in scripture, Enoch only appears briefly in four places in the Bible. His name means “walking with God” and is often linked to the idea of eschatology, or the part of theology concerned with death, judgment, and the final destiny of the soul and of humankind. Enoch’s story briefly mentions the rapture or second coming of Christ, and only Enoch and Elijah appear to have escaped physical death and went directly into the presence of God. You read that right, Enoch skipped death and was basically taken from Earth straight to heaven. No body found. Hebrews 11:5 states, “By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.” While that is no doubt a mind-boggling idea, it’s also important to focus on the rest of Enoch’s story. He demonstrated extreme faith and the meaning, importance, and secret to walking with God. Today, let’s dive in and learn to live a life like Enoch-a life that walks with God. (Alprazolam)
The Meaning of Walking with God
What does it mean to walk with God? Genesis 5:21-24 shows us the meaning of walking with God is to please God. To walk with God represents intimacy or communion with God. To walk with God is to be devoted to him. Remember, we were made to walk with God. Adam walked with God in the garden. Noah walked with God prior to building the ark. Even Jesus walked with God through all 33 years of his life on Earth.
But that’s not all.
Walking with God means to live in the presence of God. When you believe in your heart that you are accepted and approved by God, then you will experience a personal relationship with God in an amazing way that confirms that truth.
The Importance of Walking with God
Why is it important to walk with God? Genesis 5 shows us that walking with God:
- Protects us from God’s judgment
Enoch lived a life that was full and meaningful. Walking with God keeps your life from becoming an empty wasteland, but rather a life of intimacy and closeness with him. - Leaves a legacy of faith
Enoch was a father to Methuselah, a son who would also walk closely with God, following his father’s example. - Serves as a witness
Enoch was a witness of God’s grace to those who sought him and judgement to those who rejected him.
1 Genesis 5:21-24, Luke 3:37, Hebrews 11:5-6, and Jude v.14
The Secret to Walking with God
Now that we know the meaning of walking with God and the importance of it, how do we do it? What is the secret to walking with God? (clubdeportestolima.com.co) Enoch’s relationship shows us what Adam and Eve lost once removed from Eden. His relationship illustrates the sweetness in communing and fellowshipping with God. With such beauty and purity, is this something we can achieve? The answer is yes! Here’s the three-step process:
1. Repent of your sin
2. Receive forgiveness through Christ
3. Walk with God as he restores and redeems your life
While Step 1 and 2 are pretty straightforward ways to reconcile with God through the gospel, Step 3 is where we decide what kind of relationship we want with God. Step 3 is where we build intimacy with God through discipline and time. Here we have two options on how we want our relationship with God to look: works-based or grace-based. Spoiler alert-grace-based is better, but let’s discuss each so you understand why.
Works-based = Performance to gain God’s approval
In this relationship, you work to merit God’s favor. The problem with a works-based relationship is that you must keep working to gain approval. Enoch saw the secret of closeness with God when he discovered that he did not have to work for approval, but that approval from God was the result of what God had already done for him. Just like Christ, we are God’s beloved children, who he is well pleased with!
Grace-based = Gain acceptance through Christ’s sacrifice
In this relationship, our approval is not based on works, but Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. When you exercise faith in the cross, you please God and come into close fellowship with him – a fellowship based on truth and facts that cannot change and is not subject to feelings. One based on Jesus paying a debt in full that we owed, a payment erases our debt and frees us to have a relationship as beautiful and pure as the one Enoch had.
Summing It Up
We have learned a lot today. Let’s sum it all up in a few points:
- Walking with God means to please God and live in his presence.
- It is important to walk with God because it protects us from God’s judgment, leaves a legacy of faith, and serves as a witness.
- We can start our walk with God by repenting of our sin, receiving forgiveness through Christ, and walking with God as he restores and redeems our lives.
- We can either choose to have a works-based relationship with God based on performance to gain his approval or a grace-based one that gives us acceptance through Christ’s sacrifice.
- We decide which walk we want with God; will we choose to build up works or walk in grace?
2022
The Two Destinies
Sin, any thought or action that violates God’s standards, has the power to destroy you, your relationships, your family, and the world around you-if you allow it to. Defined as an “offense” or “shortcoming,” no human is beyond sin (or without it). Furthermore, this contagious idea of “big” versus “little” sin is ancient and rooted in a Pharisee-like, self-righteous mindset. In God’s eyes, sin is sin.
This lesson focuses on how sins affect us and our world. We will discover the need to live counter-culture to a world shaped by sin, and what we can do to overcome it.
Sin Creates a World Without God
God hates sin. As such, he wants to distance himself from it. So, if we live in a world that glorifies sin over God, it creates a world without him. This action produces ideas of selfish individualism and corruption that only grace can redeem. To better understand sin, we have to understand its consequences.
A World Without God Focuses on (Selfish) Individualism
Genesis 4:9-15 starts with Cain facing God after killing his brother, Abel. In this conversation between God and Cain, we get a glimpse into what impact sin has on us personally and how that impacts the way we build relationships and form societies.
We learn that sin produces a world that is:
- Self-centered and only focuses on itself (v.9-15)
- Insensitive to others (v.13)
- Void of repentance (v.13-15)
These behaviors only push us to choose ourselves and our agenda over God or others; act out selfishly; and become unwilling to confront sin, repent, and find restoration in God.
A World Without God Corrupts Society
Genesis 4:16-24 shows us the far-reaching effects of Cain’s sin that impacted his lineage and the society. In this section, Cain leaves the presence of the Lord, begins a family, and makes a city-Canaan. In Canaan, they created animal farming (v.20), produced music and instruments (v.21), and developed innovative technology (v.22). Despite all of these positives, cultures with sin are never absent selfishness, greed, power, and ambition. We learn that sin produces an oppressive (v.19) and violent (v.23-24) world. We see these behaviors in Lamech, a descendant of Cain, who oppressed women through polygamy and killed others.
A World Without God Must Be Redeemed By Grace
Despite all the selfishness and corruption, Genesis 4:25-26 reassures us that in a place of loss and despair, God has a plan to restore us. In these last verses, Adam and Eve have a second child, Seth. After Seth’s birth, people began to call upon the name of the Lord. This shift shows the contrast between people who serve sin (as illustrated by Cain’s life) and those that serve God (as illustrated by Seth’s birth)-or the two destinies. (lowpricebud.co)
As we decide to serve God, we worship and live differently. We do this by realizing:
- We cannot live for ourselves
- The world is a gift from God
- We must worship God
- The grace of God shapes our lives
- We are the salt and light of the world
- We live for the honor and glory of God
Summing It Up
We have learned a lot today. Let’s sum it all up in a few points:
- Genesis 4 is not just the story of the history of man; it is also the contrast that exists in the clash of world views.
- One world view encourages us to make a name for ourselves by acquiring power, oppressing people, and taking from others what is best for ourselves.
- The other world view encourages us to seek God’s name by giving and serving others and looking to him as our source of grace and hope-a God who deserves our worship, honor, and glory.
- We decide which destiny we want to live out; will we choose to glorify sin or God?
2022
Oakleaf Groundbreaking
Trinity Baptist Church is pleased to announce on May 16, 2022, our Oakleaf campus broke ground to start building a new campus! Trinity Oakleaf, one of three Trinity locations in the Jacksonville area, is laying roots down at 710 Oakleaf Plantation Parkway in Orange Park, Florida. As many are aware, Trinity Oakleaf members faithfully congregated for the past seven years at the Enterprise Learning Academy’s school cafeteria waiting for the opportunity to build. We now can rejoice because the time is finally here!
Led by Campus Pastor Daniel Riddick and Connections Pastor Zac Hardy, Trinity Oakleaf will span over 16,500 square feet and include the following:
• Auditorium for 350 people
• Community plaza (with café seating and couches)
• Indoor playground
• Four multi-purpose rooms
• Six classrooms
• Outdoor field space
The indoor playground will be open to the public during the week and the meeting rooms and classrooms will serve as dedicated space for small groups and ministries (such as Trinity Kids). The outdoor field space will also serve as a venue for church gatherings and outreach events. This development project will include construction of a new parking lot with 186 spaces that will add to the existing parking already on the perimeter of the building site. Lastly, the building will sit on a lush property across eight acres, in the heart of the Oakleaf Plantation community.
The ground-breaking ceremony was attended by hundreds to celebrate this monumental milestone. “We sang, reflected on God’s provision, and conducted a shovel ceremony – afterwards we had inflatables and snow cones for kids and families,” said Pastor Daniel. “We are thrilled about the opportunity to have a permanent home for the ministry that will open up potential ministry opportunities during the week that we currently are unable to accommodate. More importantly, it will allow us to more than double in size—more people finding Christ is what it is all about!”
Trinity Oakleaf, launched in October 2014, is the second location for Trinity Baptist Church and recently celebrated seven years. “I have enjoyed seeing the unity this season in our church,” said Pastor Zac. “There are people in our church who have been dreaming of this for seven years alongside people in our church who have just begun the journey. We are all dreaming of seeing God finish this work in our church.”
Pastor Zac and Pastor Daniel hope that Trinity Oakleaf will continue to be an anchor in the community, one that God will use to reach and disciple the Oakleaf area. They expressed sincere gratitude to the church leadership and congregations across all Trinity campuses for their endless support to make this a reality. As they move forward, they ask for prayers that God would use this expansion to reach people and continue to provide financial provisions. “We have made a lot of progress toward meeting the financial need, but we still have more progress to make in order to fully fund the project,” said Pastor Daniel.
You can give to Multiply Mission HERE.
Trinity Oakleaf looks forward to having its first service on Easter 2023, so make sure to mark your calendars now! To stay in the loop on newest developments with Trinity Oakleaf, visit the website or follow us on Facebook at Trinity Baptist Church or on Instagram at TBCJax.
2022
The Need to Worship Together: Trinity Baptist Church
“Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.” – Acts 2:41-45
Imagine you were creating a recipe for the healthiest church ever – or maybe just since the days of Acts. What would you add to your ingredient list? What does a healthy church look like to you? Does it have a guiding mission, strategic goals, or both? Clarity about these factors is critical for a healthy church.
At Trinity Baptist Church, our mission is “Helping everyday people experience extraordinary life with God.” We accomplish this using the following strategies:
- Come Together in Worship
- Grow Together in Groups
- Serve Together in Ministry
- Go Together on Mission
A mission answers the “what” question while strategy answers the “how” question. Mission is what we are doing, strategy is how we do it. Strategy in church life is about a discipleship path, it includes where you go, and what you are called to do. As we move throughout the weeks, we are going to walk through each of the four strategies we use to achieve our mission. Our first strategy is rooted in worship and our need to do it together.
Defining Worship
To understand where we are today, we need to look back. Acts notes that the early church (first Christian community) was born out of a prayer meeting in the upper room and was brought to life supernaturally in a worship gathering where the Spirit of God came down. They committed themselves to living out their faith and devoted themselves to worship. They prioritized worshipping together and were deeply committed to it. Often misunderstood, worship is not asking for something from you, but rather something for you. If we fully commit to engaging in worship the way that the early church did, we could see radical transformation not only personally, but in a broadening and deepening of our relationships, unity in our church community, and an impacted city –– while God is still magnified throughout it all.
Given that, we must come together in worship, but why? Worship is centered on God’s word as a solid foundation (v. 41), forms a deep relationship between God and those we share the experience with (v.41), is built around the gospel celebration of baptism and communion (v.41), and is designed for spiritual communion with God (v.42).
The Wonder + Unity Factor
Now that we have defined worship, let’s dive a little deeper. As a human, we often feel we must have purpose to live our life to the fullest. As a unique creation by and for God, our worship is our offering. According to verses 43 and 44, engaging in worship with God inspires wonder and unity.
Wonder: Awe and Reverence
The people of Acts were blown away by the fact that they could really know God and see God moving. The God who demonstrates his love for you can and should be worshipped. By standing in a place of wonder and awe of God, we allow ourselves to value, love, and respect God. When we fail to worship, it is because we are not in awe or standing amazed in the presence of God for who he is and what kind of power he has shown.
Unity: Community with God, Community with Others
The idea of “together” and “all things common” referenced in Acts showed how they were being pulled toward communion with God and community with one another. The people were infused with a radical generosity toward others. They were giving, caring, and sharing at sacrificial levels because they had experienced radical grace from God.
The Secret Sauce (To Worshiping Together)
Yet, how is it possible to experience life transformation through a worship gathering? What’s the secret sauce? It starts with anticipating encounters with God (v.42) and celebrating the evidence of God (v.47).
Anticipation: Meet God with Worship
On the day of Pentecost, God came down accompanied by fire and wind. God has always demonstrated his willingness to come and meet with his people; think about Moses and the burning bush, Joshua before Jericho, and Elijah in the cave. These all serve as reminders that God comes to meet us, but we have to anticipate the encounter – by coming to God in worship.
Celebrate the Grace of God
Worship is more than anticipation; it is also a celebration. The people in Acts were praising God in celebration of what they saw God doing. Worship helps you to resist the natural tendency of becoming self-absorbed and self-centered. Instead, it recenters your focus on the grace God extends to you each day.
Summing It Up
We have learned a lot today. Let’s sum it all up in a few, short points:
- As a unique creation by and for God, our worship is our offering.
- We should desire to become great worshippers, radiating wonder, unity, anticipation, and celebration of the amazing God we serve.
- “If we haven't learned to be worshipers, it doesn't really matter how well we do anything else.” – Erwin Lutzer
- We must devote ourselves to worshipping together¬¬––it is the key to building a church that brings hope and healing to our city and to growing as followers of Jesus.
- Remember, worship is not asking for something from you, but rather something for you.
- Worship will radically change you when it moves your mind (what you know) to your heart (how you feel) to your will (the decisions you make).
2022
Kaleidoscope Story
A kaleidoscope is probably one of the most fascinating toys you may own as a child. Seemingly pretty simple upon first glance (and lacking in the fun factor), as you lift it up to your eye you are surprised by what you see. Dazzling colors that cause your eyes to zigzag back and forth transporting you into a world full of beauty, joy, and child-like wonder.
The same can be said for the Kaleidoscope Program at Trinity Baptist Church. Kaleidoscope is our ministry for special needs children and their families that promote beauty, joy, and cater to child-like wonder. The program is committed to loving our special needs children and their families; teaching the word of God through pictures, stories, songs, and crafts; including our children in the E-Theatre as much as possible; and providing a safe and happy environment for our children to thrive. The program is only available at our Hammond Campus during the 10:45am service and is directed by Susanna Zekas.
Recently we were able to sit down with the parents of Savannah, one of our Kaleidoscope Kids. Here’s their story:
“We started bringing Savannah to Kaleidoscope special needs class when she was three years old. Like many children with special needs such as autism, we knew it would be difficult for her to be supported in the typical children’s environment at church. Without a ministry such as Kaleidoscope, we would have been unable to attend church or one [of us] would have to care for Savannah while the other came to church.
Savannah represents a true fulfillment of Kaleidoscope’s two-fold mission to (1) love and care for children while their families attend worship and (2) help the children engage in TrinityKids to the extent that they are able to do so. Savannah, strong in her own right, has conquered many challenges over the past eight years and has blossomed into a smart, beautiful preteen. (stylerecap.com) She needs almost no support in E-Theatre (children’s church), loves to do the motions during worship, and even participates in games!
Up until a couple years ago, Savannah (an only child) did not tolerate the large group well and remained in the classroom for all or most of her time at church. Now we are so excited that she eagerly attends E-Theatre, joins in the singing, and listens attentively. In small group time, Savannah enjoys crafts, painting, coloring, and watching her favorite DVD of old-school Sunday School songs (Father Abraham, anyone?). Some of her favorites are Frozen, the color blue, and “Mackeydonalds” (McDonald’s) – a reward she receives when she is good at church, which is every week these days! Overall, we truly enjoy being a blessing and encouragement to our other families who have children with special needs, simply by sharing our story and offering a kind word and smile. We enjoy volunteering in the Kaleidoscope classroom once a month and are so thankful that this family calls Trinity their church home.”
Interested in learning more about the Kaleidoscope Program or how you can get involved like Savanah’s parents to pour into our sweet children? We would love to have more volunteers to be able to help more families! Please visit https://tbc.org/kaleidoscope/ or reach out directly to the director, Susanna, at szekas.sz@gmail.com to get connected.
2021
Reaching Out with New Move-in Gifts - We’re thinking outside the BAG!
Andrew Carr, Outreach Director at the Hammond Campus, and Josh Evans, Oakleaf Connections Pastor, recently came together to develop a very creative method to reach and connect with people moving to our community. The ingenious idea was the creation of a “new move-in bag.” What better way to welcome new families to our area than with a thoughtful and useful gift? Research indicates that literally hundreds of families move to our area each year and the new home construction around us bears this out.
Beginning with our official Trinity logo gift bags (that was the easy part), the team explored many ideas to make a successful outreach tool. The result was to place a small potted succulent plant in the bag as a gift, as well as information about our church and a note of welcome to the community.
Assembly lines began putting together the bags, and the next step was creating a plan to distribute them. So, how did this unfold? Announcements during services invited our church family to participate by picking up gift bags to deliver to their new neighbors. Word was spread on social media. Trinity’s members were eager to participate, and bags were quickly picked up after church, far exceeding our expectations. Our people were so energized that multiple bags were taken, and our teams were pressed into producing more bags than were originally anticipated.
“We really didn’t have to sell this,”
explains Josh. “It didn’t take a lot of convincing because our people, our church family, are passionate about outreach. It was encouraging to see everyone excited to get involved.”
In the short span of a few weeks, over 300 gift bags have been distributed. Many receiving the gift bags have called to say thanks and to ask for information about our church. Andrew and Josh believe this will result in further interest over the coming months, and that the effect will be long term as families settle in and look for a church home or perhaps have a need.
“Success is not really in the numbers.”
In terms of numbers, this campaign appears successful. However, the greatest success might be seeing so many people in our church engaged in connecting with those outside our church. Andrew sums it up this way,
“Success is not really how many bags were distributed, but it’s God’s people stepping up, stepping out, to show the love of Jesus to our community. We’d love to see everyone in our church mobilized as the hands and feet of Jesus so that those we encounter will say, ‘Wow, those people really care’.”
2021
UPDATE: Missions Giving impacts Togo, West Africa
Earlier this year, we shared that our missionary partners in Togo, West Africa reported dire circumstances in the area due to the outbreak of COVID-19. Travel and roadways were shut down between villages resulting in the breakdown of the supply chain while the cost of food skyrocketed.
Due to the generosity of people like you donating to the COVID-19 Relief Fund, Trinity Baptist Church was able to send emergency aid that was used to purchase 38 bags of corn, each weighing 100 pounds. After months of struggling to find and obtain food, this was welcomed as nothing short of a miracle to the people of Togo.
Pictured above is Mouda. He is widely known and carries great influence in the area because he is a voodoo-practicing witch doctor. Living directly across from one of the churches planted by our missionary team, Mouda watches all that goes on. He is revered as a powerful leader but even he could not produce food for those who looked to him.
The man pictured above in the mask is Jean, a member of the church across the street from Mouda. Jean gave him some of his own money and one of those huge bags of corn. These gifts, although seemingly small to us, brought Mouda to tears as he said that he never imagined that a church would be so generous. Seizing a tender moment, Jean was able to share the gospel with him. Mouda has now heard and felt the gospel due to the generosity of God’s people who were willing to give to World Missions. What a victory for the cause of Jesus Christ!
Not only are we participating in giving, especially in these crucial times, but donors also continue to be the hands and feet of Jesus. The willingness and generosity of people just like you is impacting the lives of those in need all over the world and claiming souls for the eternal kingdom of God.
If you would like to be a part of making a difference by giving to World Missions, donations can be made at https://tbc.org/give/
2020
Jimmy and Shelley Dinsmore Missionaries to Guatemala
According to their own words, Jimmy and Shelley both knew as children they would be missionaries; it was just understood. They met According to their own words, Jimmy and Shelley both knew as children they would be missionaries; it was just understood. They met at Trinity Baptist College, married and prepared for their next step in God’s plan. Shelley is a product of Trinity Baptist Church and the daughter of Steve and Kaye Carswell, faithful members here for many years. Trinity is the Dinsmores’ sending church, so it can be seen how integral Trinity is in partnering with Jimmy and Shelley as they bring the message of God to the people of Guatemala.
Jimmy and Shelley have been in Guatemala since August of 2006. They are parents to twin boys, Jonah and Silas, daughter, Eden, and the youngest, Titus.
In addition to planting churches in their hometown of Peten, the Dinsmores have been given the vision of establishing a Pastor’s Institute to meet multiple needs in this area. The institute features a 3-year program for the purpose of training national Christian men to become self-sustaining pastors. The program further calls for the graduates to go throughout the country planting new churches. The current goal is to train 150 pastors for 150 villages over the next 10 years.
Committing to 3 years at the institute can be a daunting challenge for these student pastors. They use their personal resources plus borrowed funds just for passage to arrive at the institute. Like missionaries, they leave behind their climate, culture and families, as well as jobs, to attend the studies that will eventually prepare them for pastoring and church planting. Unreached villages are almost always hostile to the gospel as the graduates go from a structured environment to less than friendly under-developed backwoods settlements.
Currently, the Pastor’s Institute is dealing with a major situation due to the rainy season, Hurricane Eta and poor drainage.
Subject to frequent flooding, the student housing units and church building are riddled with water damage. Poor drainage has resulted in the need to rebuild the houses, all of which have been affected. Getting this situation under control is especially critical since January 19, 2021 will start a new educational year with new students arriving, and housing must be ready by then.
Plans are in place to fix the drainage problems, repairing the parking lot and replacing wooden housing supports with concrete columns which will last much longer and hopefully alleviate future water damage.
Jimmy and Shelley state: “By fixing these houses, the students won’t have to worry about their books and shoes being ruined if it rains too hard during their preparation time here. We don’t try to change their culture by building something beyond what they are accustomed to, but we do want to build it well.”
A construction project of this scale does not come without a large price tag, especially in an area where construction supplies are difficult to obtain. Many of the students themselves are willing and eager to handle much of the labor. The Dinsmores are in the processing of raising funds for this much-needed reconstruction event but need assistance. As a sending and giving church, Trinity Baptist Church has provided them with additional funds to go toward their present need. This is fulfilling our mission to give to worldwide ministry in a very real way. Celebrate with us the incredible work that we as a church are helping to accomplish, not only in Guatemala, but around the world.
If you would like to participate in giving to this and other worldwide ministries, you can go to tbc.org/give and check World Mission Giving under the Choose a Fund tab.
We look forward to hearing of the successful completion of construction work needed at the Bible Institute in Guatemala and pray for Jimmy and Shelley Dinsmore as they continue to lift the name of Jesus in this far away and foreign land.
2020
Josh Freeman is Headed to Togo, West Africa!
The distance between Bradenton, Florida and Togo, West Africa is 5,540 miles. It’s a trip Josh Freeman has made before. However, his most recent journey to his new home ended dramatically in a way Josh, or no one, could have anticipated.
This is his story…
Josh Freeman grew up as the son of a pastor, but his early ambition was not to enter the ministry. Instead, his interest was in pursuing collegiate soccer. That decision is the unusual catalyst that brought him to Trinity Baptist College. After assimilation into college life, his studies and relationships impressed upon him that full time ministry was what God had planned for him, although he did not know in what capacity. He became attached to youth ministry and ultimately to leadership positions within the church.
When Trinity’s Oakleaf campus launched, Josh was on the original transition team working with the student ministry, all the while seeking what direction God would guide him. Around this time, Josh met missionary J. J. Alderman, a Trinity Baptist College graduate, already on the mission field serving the people of Togo. Through many discussions with J. J., the counsel of others and much prayer, it was impressed upon Josh that Togo was where he was supposed to be. A country of poverty, ancient rituals, but one full of people who have not yet been reached with the gospel.
The next few years were busy with learning a new culture, working with a new team and learning a new language. The team Josh was part of developed specific programs for church planting (establishing new churches) adapting ministries for children and creating intern programs. Things were coming together!
Josh flew those 5,540 miles earlier this year to begin his new life and ministry in Togo.
He found a house, settled in and then the unexpected happened. Twenty-eight days into his eagerly anticipated ministry, the doors that had been thrown open were now closed as the pandemic COVID-19 forced him to evacuate back to the United States. Though naturally disappointed, Josh used the time back in the states to continue sharpening his French language skills, and further planning for his eventual return to Togo. At this writing, he will be making the flights back to his “new” home on October 21st.
Josh realizes much good can come of this set-back: “We know that we are walking into a different Togo. The Lord has continued to move despite all the setbacks to ministry. One of the most exciting things is that even though brick-and-mortar churches and gatherings of more than fifteen have been closed since March, there are two micro-churches that have been started!”
Josh plans to hit the ground running and will be focusing on working with local Togolese pastors in planting churches where none have been before. He will utilize his knowledge and skill in soccer to reach the youth of Togo and build relationships in a country known for their love of African football.
If you are wondering how you can help, to actually be part of this far-reaching ministry, here are some suggestions:
- Prayer, of course, for…
- Josh embracing life in a different culture.
- His team during this transition.
- God to continue to provide financially.
- Souls to be saved, and disciples made.
Trinity Baptist Church sponsors Josh and other missionaries like him on a monthly basis, enabling them to continue spreading the gospel all over the world. Because of the generosity of ordinary people, an extraordinary work is being accomplished. With your help, we can continue to ensure our missionaries are supported and encouraged.
Here is a link to join with us in giving: https://tbc.org/give/
You can follow Josh’s journey at his website www.joshuajfreeman.com for his newsletter and blog.