The Wallace Family
Dear Pastors, Friends & Family, October 11, 2021
Things went well at Hope Baptist Church last week. There were a several first-time visitors in the church services. A baptism was held for a couple of newly saved ladies; Yenni (photos 1 & 2) and Dora (photos 3 & 4). Mary started music lessons for the church last Saturday and has a bit more than 20 students from Hope Baptist Church. She is teaching them voice, violin, guitar and piano. The younger children sang a special yesterday in church (photo 5). They all seem to really want to learn so they can use their God-given gifts in ministry in the church. Mary even gave a few of them a short review after church yesterday (photo 6).
During the week we go regularly to open-air markets and to the surrounding streets to witness, pass out tracts, and invite people to church. I stepped up into a store-front recently while at the market to pass out tracts while people passed by. Mary snapped a picture, and you can see that it is obviously a place where they sell fresh chicken, but notice how yellow the chickens are in Mexico (photo 7). Had Mary snapped a wider photo you would have seen at least 15 chickens hanging behind me. On Saturdays we always go out soul-winning, knocking doors and sharing the gospel. I snapped a picture of Mary and a lady in our church named Lorena, who is a big help in the church in many ways (photo 8). You can see the young man actually reading the gospel tract as they explained it. He didn't get saved, but the gospel seed was planted. Speaking of "plants," though we see much dirt, filth and other bad things created by man here in Mexico, I never get tired of seeing the beauty of God's creation in the very same place. Mary snapped a picture of a beautiful flowering tree which is called noche buena translated literally as "night good" meaning also Christmas Eve, but in the U.S. it is called the poinsettia, which is native to Mexico (photo 9).
Often my short Monday updates tend to be a bit long, but I can't help wanting to share with you all some of all that God is doing here. This week, however, I will keep in short. Thanks for your time and thank you for your prayers, support, emails/texts, and encouragement. We are ... "your servants for Jesus' sake." 2 Corinthians 4:5.
Dear Pastors, Friends & Family, October 11, 2021
Things went well at Hope Baptist Church last week. There were a several first-time visitors in the church services. A baptism was held for a couple of newly saved ladies; Yenni (photos 1 & 2) and Dora (photos 3 & 4). Mary started music lessons for the church last Saturday and has a bit more than 20 students from Hope Baptist Church. She is teaching them voice, violin, guitar and piano. The younger children sang a special yesterday in church (photo 5). They all seem to really want to learn so they can use their God-given gifts in ministry in the church. Mary even gave a few of them a short review after church yesterday (photo 6).
During the week we go regularly to open-air markets and to the surrounding streets to witness, pass out tracts, and invite people to church. I stepped up into a store-front recently while at the market to pass out tracts while people passed by. Mary snapped a picture, and you can see that it is obviously a place where they sell fresh chicken, but notice how yellow the chickens are in Mexico (photo 7). Had Mary snapped a wider photo you would have seen at least 15 chickens hanging behind me. On Saturdays we always go out soul-winning, knocking doors and sharing the gospel. I snapped a picture of Mary and a lady in our church named Lorena, who is a big help in the church in many ways (photo 8). You can see the young man actually reading the gospel tract as they explained it. He didn't get saved, but the gospel seed was planted. Speaking of "plants," though we see much dirt, filth and other bad things created by man here in Mexico, I never get tired of seeing the beauty of God's creation in the very same place. Mary snapped a picture of a beautiful flowering tree which is called noche buena translated literally as "night good" meaning also Christmas Eve, but in the U.S. it is called the poinsettia, which is native to Mexico (photo 9).
Often my short Monday updates tend to be a bit long, but I can't help wanting to share with you all some of all that God is doing here. This week, however, I will keep in short. Thanks for your time and thank you for your prayers, support, emails/texts, and encouragement. We are ... "your servants for Jesus' sake." 2 Corinthians 4:5.
Mark and Sabrina Holmes
Dear Praying Friends,
Miraculously, we are well on our way to pulling off six Pastors’ Conferences, three youth camps, and two seminary semesters in 2021. The fourth of our scheduled Soul-Winning & Leadership Conferences was successfully held during the second weekend of July. Our assistant pastor, a deacon, and Ms. Pat Hamburg joined my whole family and Missionary Evangelist Don Wattenbarger of Bibles Beyond Boundaries for the second-ever SWLC in Jos. Multiple pastors and staff members came together for the preaching services, teaching sessions, and an introductory meeting to plan a full-time institute for Hausa-speaking pastors and their members in the region.
Many of our supporters continue to ask about how the worldwide talk of vaccines and restrictions is affecting Nigeria. Thankfully, there have not been any new protocols, and the only major challenges to our ministry are some lingering effects of the changes to the school schedules from last year, which impacted the attendance at our three S.M.I.T.E.s this year. We were thrilled to resume the Student Missions Institute for Training in Evangelism in Ogbomoso, and I was honored to preach their first graduation during the first week of August. There were 86 students registered, and 14 young people received four-year completion certificates on the last evening of the five-day camp. It was our privilege to host Missionary Evangelist Denton Bell of International World Wide Evangelism to preach at both of our Abuja churches on the weekends before and after the 7th Port Harcourt S.M.I.T.E. Bro. Bell and I traveled together to Port Harcourt, where we both preached multiple times to the 58 young people who enrolled. Evangelist Tunde Ajayi conducted a Bible Club Blitz in Ibadan with several S.M.I.T.E. graduates during the week between the two camps. I will share the totals of the camps and the blitz after the conclusion of our Abuja institute in September, which we delayed because of our building project.
Also in August, we celebrated the arrival of the first of four new missionaries, all coming fully in the next twelve months, who will work with us in some way as they get set up in Nigeria. Garan and Anneliese Patrick, serving with Baptist International Missions Incorporated, will be ministering alongside Pastor Adewale Adesina at Grace & Glory Baptist Church, while working with our college students and getting experience in various other ministries. Already, they’ve secured an apartment, purchased a vehicle, and processed necessary documents for becoming residents of Abuja.
The Truth Baptist Church property has taken on a new look, as pillars were added and a foundation was poured for the second floor of the Providence Baptist College & Seminary dormitory. Information about the project can be found at fbmi.org/mpg/holmes, and we covet your prayers, as more funds are needed for the walls and roofing. Simultaneous to that, we are continuing the development of our City of Refuge project, working towards the completion of the property fencing and a kitchen and toilet building.
Believing God,
Mark Holmes, written 13 September 2021
WhatsApp +1.228.209.4625
Dear Praying Friends,
Miraculously, we are well on our way to pulling off six Pastors’ Conferences, three youth camps, and two seminary semesters in 2021. The fourth of our scheduled Soul-Winning & Leadership Conferences was successfully held during the second weekend of July. Our assistant pastor, a deacon, and Ms. Pat Hamburg joined my whole family and Missionary Evangelist Don Wattenbarger of Bibles Beyond Boundaries for the second-ever SWLC in Jos. Multiple pastors and staff members came together for the preaching services, teaching sessions, and an introductory meeting to plan a full-time institute for Hausa-speaking pastors and their members in the region.
Many of our supporters continue to ask about how the worldwide talk of vaccines and restrictions is affecting Nigeria. Thankfully, there have not been any new protocols, and the only major challenges to our ministry are some lingering effects of the changes to the school schedules from last year, which impacted the attendance at our three S.M.I.T.E.s this year. We were thrilled to resume the Student Missions Institute for Training in Evangelism in Ogbomoso, and I was honored to preach their first graduation during the first week of August. There were 86 students registered, and 14 young people received four-year completion certificates on the last evening of the five-day camp. It was our privilege to host Missionary Evangelist Denton Bell of International World Wide Evangelism to preach at both of our Abuja churches on the weekends before and after the 7th Port Harcourt S.M.I.T.E. Bro. Bell and I traveled together to Port Harcourt, where we both preached multiple times to the 58 young people who enrolled. Evangelist Tunde Ajayi conducted a Bible Club Blitz in Ibadan with several S.M.I.T.E. graduates during the week between the two camps. I will share the totals of the camps and the blitz after the conclusion of our Abuja institute in September, which we delayed because of our building project.
Also in August, we celebrated the arrival of the first of four new missionaries, all coming fully in the next twelve months, who will work with us in some way as they get set up in Nigeria. Garan and Anneliese Patrick, serving with Baptist International Missions Incorporated, will be ministering alongside Pastor Adewale Adesina at Grace & Glory Baptist Church, while working with our college students and getting experience in various other ministries. Already, they’ve secured an apartment, purchased a vehicle, and processed necessary documents for becoming residents of Abuja.
The Truth Baptist Church property has taken on a new look, as pillars were added and a foundation was poured for the second floor of the Providence Baptist College & Seminary dormitory. Information about the project can be found at fbmi.org/mpg/holmes, and we covet your prayers, as more funds are needed for the walls and roofing. Simultaneous to that, we are continuing the development of our City of Refuge project, working towards the completion of the property fencing and a kitchen and toilet building.
Believing God,
Mark Holmes, written 13 September 2021
WhatsApp +1.228.209.4625
Mark Tolson
Unexpected Furlough | Mental And Spiritual Health Furlough
Pastors, partners, and praying friends—we are announcing an unexpected furlough for mental and spiritual health reasons. After recent happenings, we feel we should return to the States for a time of healing and seeking reconciliation in broken relationships.
Over the last several years, our family has faced much trauma in the ministry. Our ministry in China has faced persecution from Chinese authorities, and around two years ago, our family was forced to leave China unexpectedly and unpreparedly set up in a new country. Then the pandemic came. These things take a significant toll on a family, especially children.
Our family has also found the addition of recent events to be incredibly triggering. Before the season mentioned above, our family experienced much hurt working alongside other missionary families in China. While we believed we had experienced reconciliation in those relationships, with all that's currently happening, we have come to realize that there is still a great deal of hurt that remains from that time in our lives. We believe that this hurt and these unreconciled relationships are hindering us from ministering to our fullest extent here on the field. It has caused anxiety and physical health problems. We know that it would be unwise and unhealthy spiritually to continue without first seeking true reconciliation. Thus, we plan to do so with the help of the godly pastors in our lives. We have no plans to make a private matter public or embarrass those involved but will do everything we can to seek reconciliation and forgiveness from anyone we may have hurt.
Although challenging, I believe this to be a necessary step. Romans 8:28 tells us, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." We love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength and are trying to show that in all areas of our lives.
As a note to our supporting churches, because this furlough is for mental and spiritual health, we are not planning on traveling to churches, preaching, or giving ministry updates; our goal is to heal our family so that, Lord willing, we can return to the field at the appointed time. Because of the children's schooling, we plan this furlough to be eight months, from October until May. Would you mind praying for us during this time of healing?
Ministry Update | China and Taiwan
China: Updates about the three pastors we are continuing to help support and train in China: Pastor Charles said they have been running in the twenties and told me how church members are growing spiritually. Pastor Lebron recently updated that they are running in the teens and his desire is to launch a second church plant soon, Lord willing. Pastor Mark's church plant/bible study is running in the single digits as he works to see more spiritual growth in the few coming and striving to preach the gospel to unbelievers in his city.
Taiwan: We have been thankful to be meeting in person this month. We have been running in the teens, including my family, on Sunday morning since we resumed in-person services. Some have not returned after two months or so of online services. Pray for this church plant as we transition out of our role for our upcoming unexpected furlough. We were also thankful to visit the work God is doing through John and Alisha Walz in Kaohsiung City. Pray for them as they continue to help young men build spiritually healthy churches.
Thank you!
We labor abundantly by the grace of God and for the glory of God—the One who loves us more than we ever dreamed, even though we are more sinful than we ever imagined. Furthermore, we don't travel on this amazing journey without the help of God's people. Thank you for giving, praying, following, serving, and being a part of our "China Ministry" team. We are especially fond of you! Let us continue pressing forward toward the mark and keep fighting the good fight. May we strive every day to know Jesus, be happy in Him, and make Him known!
In His Joyful Service,
Mark
Unexpected Furlough | Mental And Spiritual Health Furlough
Pastors, partners, and praying friends—we are announcing an unexpected furlough for mental and spiritual health reasons. After recent happenings, we feel we should return to the States for a time of healing and seeking reconciliation in broken relationships.
Over the last several years, our family has faced much trauma in the ministry. Our ministry in China has faced persecution from Chinese authorities, and around two years ago, our family was forced to leave China unexpectedly and unpreparedly set up in a new country. Then the pandemic came. These things take a significant toll on a family, especially children.
Our family has also found the addition of recent events to be incredibly triggering. Before the season mentioned above, our family experienced much hurt working alongside other missionary families in China. While we believed we had experienced reconciliation in those relationships, with all that's currently happening, we have come to realize that there is still a great deal of hurt that remains from that time in our lives. We believe that this hurt and these unreconciled relationships are hindering us from ministering to our fullest extent here on the field. It has caused anxiety and physical health problems. We know that it would be unwise and unhealthy spiritually to continue without first seeking true reconciliation. Thus, we plan to do so with the help of the godly pastors in our lives. We have no plans to make a private matter public or embarrass those involved but will do everything we can to seek reconciliation and forgiveness from anyone we may have hurt.
Although challenging, I believe this to be a necessary step. Romans 8:28 tells us, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." We love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength and are trying to show that in all areas of our lives.
As a note to our supporting churches, because this furlough is for mental and spiritual health, we are not planning on traveling to churches, preaching, or giving ministry updates; our goal is to heal our family so that, Lord willing, we can return to the field at the appointed time. Because of the children's schooling, we plan this furlough to be eight months, from October until May. Would you mind praying for us during this time of healing?
Ministry Update | China and Taiwan
China: Updates about the three pastors we are continuing to help support and train in China: Pastor Charles said they have been running in the twenties and told me how church members are growing spiritually. Pastor Lebron recently updated that they are running in the teens and his desire is to launch a second church plant soon, Lord willing. Pastor Mark's church plant/bible study is running in the single digits as he works to see more spiritual growth in the few coming and striving to preach the gospel to unbelievers in his city.
Taiwan: We have been thankful to be meeting in person this month. We have been running in the teens, including my family, on Sunday morning since we resumed in-person services. Some have not returned after two months or so of online services. Pray for this church plant as we transition out of our role for our upcoming unexpected furlough. We were also thankful to visit the work God is doing through John and Alisha Walz in Kaohsiung City. Pray for them as they continue to help young men build spiritually healthy churches.
Thank you!
We labor abundantly by the grace of God and for the glory of God—the One who loves us more than we ever dreamed, even though we are more sinful than we ever imagined. Furthermore, we don't travel on this amazing journey without the help of God's people. Thank you for giving, praying, following, serving, and being a part of our "China Ministry" team. We are especially fond of you! Let us continue pressing forward toward the mark and keep fighting the good fight. May we strive every day to know Jesus, be happy in Him, and make Him known!
In His Joyful Service,
Mark
