What Will Star be Doing in Honduras?
My ministry activities in Honduras will revolve around the core mission of Acts 2:42 Ministries International. Although the specific details are not confirmed at this time, the following discussion gives you an idea of the kinds of activities I plan to be involved with, according to the Holy Spirit’s guidance.
Bible Studies
I plan to lead Bible studies for women that will focus on enabling the students to learn to study the Bible effectively and to be able to teach others what they have learned. We will likely use the Secret Church materials prepared by The Church at Brook Hills. I envision holding a six-hour “Secret Church” session on a Friday night, using the Brook Hills materials. I expect we would then spend the next several Fridays examining the teaching in greater detail for one to two hours. The goal of these sessions will be to understand what the Bible says about the topic and develop confidence in talking to others about the topic from a Biblical viewpoint.
I will also start a Life Transformation Group with two other women and introduce the concept to at least two men. When my group adds a fourth woman, we will remain together only for a couple of weeks to ensure the new person understands how the group works. Then, we will split into two groups. Each group will then seek to add two more women and continue the process.
These are accountability and discipling groups that can be started by anyone and do not require a leader. Because the groups never get beyond four, they can meet most anywhere. Each group meets once a week to answer the accountability questions and determine the reading assignment for the coming week. If anyone did not complete the week’s reading, the same reading is done during the coming week. This is to be expected and welcomed. The repetition is a great opportunity for each one to see something in God’s Word that they missed the first time. Each person in the group also prays daily for the salvation of the same list of unbelievers. When one of them comes to Christ, she is removed from the list and is invited to join the group.
You can learn more about the Life Transformation Group concept in this video by Neil Cole.
I also anticipate either tutoring or conducting formal classes in English for small groups of Spanish-speaking Hondurans. We will study English during these classes, but our primary textbook will be the Bible. The goal will be to teach the students English and to encourage them to form Life Transformation Groups and/or participate in a weekly small group where they can share life with fellow believers.
For nonbelievers, we will pray that God will draw them to Jesus, who will not turn them away, and that they will repent of their sins, receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior, and follow Him the rest of their lives, starting with baptism. These new believers will then be brought into a Life Transformation Group for discipling and accountability.
And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. - 2 Timothy 2:2
Fellowship
I hope to facilitate one or more small groups of 6-10 people each. These groups will gather weekly to study the Bible and work together to show the love of Jesus to both their Christian brothers and sisters and their unbelieving neighbors and family members. We will endeavor to “be family” to each other. As we share life together, we will develop deep personal relationships based on our mutual love for our Savior.
We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us. – 1 Thessalonians 2:8
Breaking Bread
In this same small group, we will regularly share a relaxing time around the kitchen table. We will also encourage each other to assemble with the rest of our church family every Sunday to worship together as we partake of the Lord’s Supper.
“And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.’” -Luke 22:19-20
Prayer
Within our small group, we will also be regularly praying. We will pray on behalf of each member of the group, our friends and family who have needs, our Christian brothers and sisters around the world, our church leaders, and our government leaders.
We will be praying for God’s will to be done here, just as it is in heaven. There is no sickness in heaven, so we will pray for healing. There is no war in heaven, so we will pray for peace. There is no unrighteous anger in heaven, so we will pray for cool heads and self control. There are no dysfunctional families in heaven, so we will pray for restoration of families. Whatever a person’s need, we will pray for God’s will to be done as it is in heaven.
———-
These activities are all ideas that God has brought to my attention, but that doesn’t necessarily mean He wants me to engage in any of them immediately. Therefore, I will be praying and seeking God’s guidance for the proper timing, location, and participants before starting any of these activities.
I will serve at the direction of the church elders, as the Holy Spirit leads them. This may include activities not described above, such as helping with short-term mission teams, teaching computer classes, visiting hospital patients, or helping with new or existing church plants. The “bottom line” is that I will do whatever God wants me to do, wherever He leads me.
