Christ Lives Bible Church in Ecatepec celebrated the installation of their very first pastor, Pastor Francisco! He and his wife Adriana were prayed over and commissioned for their first pastorate as the first national pastor of Iglesia Biblica Cristo Vive. This church is now 12 years old and is still growing and maturing. Ecatepec is a suburb of 3 million people in the NE of Mexico City. For this special day, former NAB Mexico missionaries Royce and Sue Baron returned to join the congregation of the church that they had coplanted with Moises and Carolyn Ruiz. Angel and Leti also came as they were the first founding members of the church. Moises explained what an installation service is all about as it was the first time that the congregation had called a pastor. Angel and Royce both preached. At the end of the service, we enjoyed a taco potluck - yum! My new favorite tacos are filled with a cold nopal cactus salad. Surprisingly good. I also made a new friend on this Sunday - Sara, the little 7 yr old niece of my girlfriend Sandy. Sara couldn't believe that I actually know her Auntie Sandy. She happily chattered to me and I responded based on the few words that I caught as she sped along in Spanish, smiling the whole while.
Please remember Pastor Francisco and Adriana in your prayers. They have three young girls, one of whom had a new cast on her arm after slipping on their tiled stairs and breaking her arm. The church is located in a poor neighborhood and plan to pay Pastor Francisco $500 US dollars each month. His house rent is $200 and I am amazed at how they manage with just $300 each month for food and everything else they need. Also pray for Pastor Francisco's preaching skills. He has been attending a seminary in Mexico City to strengthen this weakness. His family have been involved in the church life for about 3 years so the congregation has all ready grown to love them for their wise and freely given pastoral counsel.
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