GREG AND MARILYN SENTER
Mission to the World
Chile
Just prior to the recent devastating earthquake and tsunami in Chile, FPC's missionary partners Greg and Marilyn Senter sent us a wonderful update on their ministry, their family and life in the Latin American culture from Osorno, Chile. Osorno is located in the southern region of Chile and close to Concepcion, one of the hardest hit areas. We are happy to report that the Senters escaped personal injury and loss during the quake. Their time and support was given to the residents in their immediate area as well as in Concepcion. God truly watched over them. Their presence was a blessing to the people they helped.
The Senter's ministry is a blessed and busy one. Marilyn titled her summer update, A Ministry in Bloom. She writes, "it's taken a long time to figure out that it's not human effort that makes real ministry happen. Oh, we try to "seek first his kingdom" and make plans and contacts accordingly. But the Holy Spirit, often working graciously through our own failures, has taught us not to put our confidence in these things. And now we are enjoying a season of watching ministry in bloom."
One of the features in the Senter's ministry is Bible Studies. For the past year and a half Greg has conducted Bible Studies in Puerto Montt. His work has recently paid wonderful dividends with the start of regular monthly Sunday evening services there. Planting churches in and around Osorno is an ongoing goal of theirs. Marilyn has asked us to please include these meetings in your prayers, that the Lord will continue strengthening the core of believers.
Speaking of Bible Studies. Marilyn writes about "Super Mamas". That's right, Super Mamas. A unique group of young moms that study the Bible and strengthen each other through fellowship. Many of the church activities in this area take a summer break but the Super Mamas "needed" to study the Bible and continued right on during this traditional holiday period. Please pray for this group that they would take steps of faith according to the teachings of Christ they collectively have discovered in their study of Luke.
For some time now the Senters have prayed and worked toward their church no longer being classified as a "mission" church but as a full fledged church. This requires solid leadership, stability and growth. In December they ordained an elder and a deacon towards this goal and by the end of April will have full status as a Church. This is something Greg and Marilyn have prayed for since arriving in Osorno. We thank God for this milestone and pray that church leadership continues to come their way.
We are thankful to have a partnership with dedicated people like Greg and Marilyn. Continue to pray for them as they recover from the earthquake, grow the church in Osorno, build new churches, such as the one in Puerto Montt and lead Bible studies wherever they can.
Article by Larry Mercer
|
