Listen Up, Look Up
(Excerpt from Chapter 4 – Befriend Who?)
As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,”….
Mark 1:16-17a NIV
In this walk of faith, we are wise to listen and look expectantly. If we learn anything from experiencing God’s presence, we learn not to miss what He’s saying to us.
The Mobile Register article is dated December 17, 1960. The Headline: Area Couple Aids in Establishing English-Speaking Church in Mendoza. I’m quoting excerpts from the article:
It seems that (Mr. and Mrs.) Britton were sent by the oil industry for which he is employed as a petroleum engineer, to Mendoza, Argentina, where he was soon joined by his wife, Jimmye. There the devoted couple used their opportunity to witness for God and to help the missionaries in Mendoza with their Christian work.
The church, the only English-speaking one in Mendoza, was established in April, 1959, with 15 charter members. The members met in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Britton for the first six weeks.
Now, a regular church building is under construction. This building will seat 200 people and will have Sunday school facilities and a pastor’s home. This church, the First Baptist Church of Lujan, has grown from 15 charter members to 40 members.
Mr. and Mrs. Britton explained that they did not know what facilities they would find available when they arrived in Argentina, but they thought that it was God’s will that they go there. They found their work and many experiences very inspirational, and it is without a doubt that their presence will be missed in the beautiful South American country.[i]
Mom and Dad answered the call. Somehow they knew it was “God’s will that they go there.” Answering the call doesn’t always mean going to places outside your country or surrendering your life as an international missionary. As lay missionaries during their years in Argentina, their call was to serve and support those who were already serving in missions. Perhaps your call is to serve and support your pastor and church staff or to disciple others in your workplace or church. The Lord prepares you for what He calls you to do. If you don’t know, rest assured He desires you to be “on mission” and soon.
I had saved the article for years, and my friends encouraged me to research the status of the church today. My sister and I searched the Internet and soon discovered some results that prove the work God called our parents to do was worth it. The First Baptist Church of Lujan’s history records specifically show the church was started by North Americans who had come to work in the oil industry, but had to leave before the church building was complete. These North Americans allowed services to be conducted in their home for the small congregation. Now approaching 700 members, it also has a biblical school and training center that prepares brothers in the faith. Thanks to God for the great things He has done!
7 “Area Couple Aids in Establishing English-Speaking Church in Mendoza,” Mobile Register, December. 17, 1960, 6-A.