The year 2004 begins a bright future for the Lord's work on San Andres Island, Colombia. The work began in 1989 with Brother Forero Batist James as minister. He worked there for many years and the church grew to approximately 30 members. West Huntsville supported him for all those years and continues to support him in retirement [due to bad health] in Panama.
In February 2004 the work there had its first organized evangelistic campaign and seven precious souls were added to the Lord's church. While on the island one of the assignments for Arnold Wright [elder] and Earl Weldon [Mission Director] was to locate a new facility to purchase for the church.
This task was accomplished and we are in the process of finalizing the deal [03/04]. This new facility, with a few modifications, will make an ideal location from which the church can work and glorify God, and it is spacious enough that the upstairs will become the new home for the preacher and his family.
Today, Brother Enrique Baldovino [graduate of Panama School of Preaching] serves as the new minister of the church. His wife Viviana is an asset to this work, and they have one son, Jorge [4 months]. They are a beautiful family and we are happy to be working together in this effort! Enrique could have been a very rich man today as a Colombian Soccer [football] player, we are told that he was recruited by many of the professional soccer teams but chose to preach the gospel instead. We are happy he did! he is something to behold as a preacher and soul-winner. We believe that the church is in good hands for a long time. We are happy they are on our team! Pray for them and us as this work is not an easy one. We thank Brother Lionel Cortez of Latin American Missions, Forrest Park Church of Christ, Valdosta, Georgia for recommending and assisting us in getting Enrique to San Andres`.
West Huntsville is looking forward to a long and fruitful work continuing on San Andres`. Our elders [Arnold Wright, Glenn Colley, and Mike Deasy] are committed to world evangelism, and so is the congregation.
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