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Brazil announced as the destination for Team Timothy 2007. It may seem early to be planning for a ministry that will take place in July 2007; however, former team members will testify to the fact that there never seems to be enough time to prepare! One reason for the early announcement is to enable potential team members to send in their applications well before the deadline of November 15. The team will fill up fast, even with a maximum of 16 members, and we like to notify applicants that have been accepted as soon as possible so they can get to work on raising funds, preparing for boot camp and working on field assignments. P o s t e r s , information and applications will be mailed to all BP churches. If you are interested or know anyone who might be, please alert them. You may also phone or write to PMU headquarters or access our website: presbyterianmissions.org. 70th Synod of the Bible Presbyterian Church The 70th Synod came to a close on August 8th. Resolutions passed by this Synod can be found on the BPC website: bpc.org. Next year the 71st Synod will be held at Grace Bible Presbyterian Church in Cape Canaveral, Florida. PMU Council Meeting Read about PMU’s Annual Council Meeting on the next page.

1650 Love Road Grand Island, New York 14072 Phone: 716-775-0442 Fax: 716-775-0442 Email: [email protected] www.presbyterianmissions.org

Declare His Glory!

S EPTEMBER 2006, #211

News to Know

Presbyterian Missionary Union

Team Timothy Bolivia Tackles Varied Ministry There is a special thrill in ministry when one returns to a place of labor for the Lord after some time to find that God’s people have continued to grow and prosper in their faith, and that the testimony of Christ has continued with vigor to much good effect in the lives of people. Such was the thrill that Team Timothy experienced in Bolivia this past July, especially those that had traveled there two years ago. The reunion with old friends was precious to us, as was seeing many new faces the Lord had brought to himself in the meantime. Pastor David Quisbert and Deacon Martin Irusta took very good care of us while we were there, making it possible for us to get “in gear” quickly so that our full ministry schedule could take place. After a day of rest when we arrived on Saturday, we spent Sunday joyfully employed in worship morning and evening. The Lord blessed the ministry of the Word by bringing a visitor to a saving knowledge of Christ that day! It gave us great joy in anticipating all that the Lord would do in the weeks to come.

The first week, our schedule was more or less like this: start the day off at 7:30 with morning Bible study with the church – it was very cold, but hearts were warm. Dr. Pine taught through Isaiah 40 in the morning sessions. After Bible study, we gathered for breakfast in

the upstairs office and readied ourselves for the day's work. At 10:30, our team taught music lessons in piano (taught by Susan Blizzard), violin (taught by Emily Blizzard), and guitar (taught by Eric Pastorek). These lessons were well-attended, and the students really seemed to appreciate the teaching, which also incorporated Bible principles of worship. There were others who came as well, and our games leader, Jason Huttinga, kept them occupied outside in the bright sunshine that is a constant here this time of year. Dr. George Gatis filled in wherever necessary during the day – his primary duties were preaching in the special evening evangelistic services which began later in the week, five in all during the course of our ministry. After lunch, and a rest, the team held a Vacation Bible School for children. The primary teachers were Susan and Emily Blizzard, assisted by Rita Gatis. The lessons were about the life of David, and we built in English training as well. For older young people and adults, we had separate classes in art and English. Eric Pastorek was our art teacher, and

Presbyterian Missionary Union is a non-profit missions agency associated with the Bible Presbyterian Church. Our purpose is to advance the cause of missions that are biblically based and practiced and to stand against any compromise of the saving gospel of Jesus Christ. PMU is directed by a Missions Council of Christian leaders who volunteer their time to guide the ministry. To learn more about missions opportunities through PMU, or to learn more about the BPC please contact us. The Missions Banner is published ten times a year and is mailed to interested individuals and churches. It seeks to promote the clear stand of the BPC by providing a biblical perspective on issues, fads, and theories in missions and church development. Editor: Len Pine

also taught biblical principles for the use of art in the life of the believer. The art students worked on projects in still life and perspective. Our adult English teacher was Mark Baldwin, who used his experiences in Cambodia to good advantage. He was able to use studies in the gospel of John to teach English and good doctrine at the same time. In the evenings, we typically gathered for dinner at the home of one of the church families, and then remained for worship together with the family and the church members who packed out every home. Mark was the main teacher for these family worship times, working through various sections of the book of Colossians. After the message, chairs were spread out and we all enjoyed a time of games with our Bolivian brethren. These less formal times of fellowship are perhaps the most precious times of all in the ministry here. We made our way home rejoicing about 10:30, looking forward to the next day of labor and fellowship. We praise the Lord for souls that were saved during the week, and for his strengthening as team members adjusted to the altitude and rigorous schedule. He kept us safe in our travels around the city and area (traffic is intense, and some of the roads seem nearly vertical!), and encouraged his people through the various ministries. We were able to join the church family in handing out over 8000 gospel tracts in just a short time on market day near the church. Drs. Pine and Gatis were able to visit with Bolivia’s Minister of Justice (the counterpart to our Attorney General) to encourage her to stand firm for Christ in her position. She is a new convert to Christ, and faces a very difficult political battle in the coming year as Bolivia rewrites its constitution. Dr. Pine conducted a choir seminar during the week, and the team held the first of three concerts during the ministry. The team sang in Spanish and Aymara, which truly blessed the believers there. There were ministry times in a deaf congregation, on the radio (twice), and seminars on church planting. The second week saw the team in similar ministries, working in different churches, holding seminars for men (Dr. Gatis) and women (Mrs. Gatis) on home issues, and participating in days of prayer, concerts, and radio ministry. The team was also able to do a little sight-seeing visiting the town of Coroico in the Jungas region (the mountains between the Andes and the jungle), and Lake Titikaka. We thank all who supported each team member, and the whole ministry, with prayer and finances. The Lord willing, we will be returning with Team Timothy again to Bolivia!

PMU Council Plans Future Ministries The PMU Missions Council held its annual meeting at the Family Life Center of the BPC of Grand Island, NY, on August 1. Council members from every BP presbytery gathered to discuss a very full agenda that addressed policies and personnel needs, the annual budget, field decisions, and vision for the coming year. Also present were foreign missionaries Mark Baldwin and Miriam F, and home missionaries Keith Fagerheim (Springville, NY), and Steve Brinegar (Zephyrhills, FL). Reports from all our fields were read and discussed; new fields were considered; travel plans approved; and new policies implemented. PMU’s current active foreign fields are Ch-na, Australia, Myanmar, Cambodia (pending Mark’s reappointment upon completion of his ordination), and our newest field, Bolivia. The island of Guam is being explored as a possible new field in the coming year. New policies approved included a provision for non-Bible Presbyterian believers of like faith and practice to participate on our PMU missions teams, and evaluation criteria for established and potential mission fields. We are grateful to the Lord for His blessings in the past year, and look forward to the continued growth of the ministry of PMU as He enables, and as God’s people support the work