Today is Independence Day in Costa Rica. Yesterday was God and
Country Sunday at Canaan MBC. Beginning at 6 o’clock last
evening the school children paraded with lanterns. Inside each
lantern was a candle (several catch fire every year). They were celebrating
the day when the news of the signing of the Declaration of
Independence in Guatemala was brought by a horseback rider with a
torch. Today it was celebrated with marching bands marking the step of
uniformed school children – each school trying to outdo the other.
Canaan Missionary Baptist Church of Heredia will declare its
independence September 27, 2008. She will be organized into an
independent, autonomous, sovereign New Testament Missionary Baptist
Church when her members covenant together with church
letters granted by Poplar Head Missionary Baptist
Church of Glennville, GA.
Then the new church will have her first business
meeting. They will elect an interim pastor and the
officers and teachers. They will vote to fellowship in
the American Baptist Association and the
ABA-Costa Rica. They will vote to use the ABA
Sunday School literature, and carry on any other necessary business.
Bro. Tommy Ray, pastor of the sponsoring church, will preach the
organizational sermon. Bro. Ray and Bro. Richard C. Arnheiter,
pastor of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church of Jesus, GA – the
co-sponsoring church – will both preach for the newly organized
church on Sunday. Bro. Walter R. Goulding, missionary pastor, will
translate.
He is scheduled for eye surgery Friday, October 3. Two surgeries in
his right eye saved it after retina detachment and cataract growth. A
cataract in his left eye will now be removed – trusting that good
eyesight will be restored.
The launch of a new church in San José is next on the agenda. He
feels that God has been preparing him for this time. The goal is to
reach those who are being targeted through the daily radio broadcast.
Some of these were exposed to the gospel in their childhood or youth
but are unchurched now. Others will be hearing the gospel for the
first time.
Please pray for this project.
Canaan MBC
Heredia, Costa Rica
August 2008 Averages
Sunday School. . . . . . . . 3 2
A.M. Worship.. . . . . . . . 4 6
P.M. Preaching. . . . . . . 2 0
Mid-week Service. . . . . . . 7
August 2008 Totals
First-time visitors. . . . . . . 8
Returning visitors . . . . . . 6
Professions of faith.. . . . . 2
Baptisms. . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
July 2008 Totals
Missions . . . . . . . . US$202
Building Fund .. . US$1949
