Equipping Christian Leaders for Effective Work

February 27, 2014 • Honduras
Brad Phillips, country director in our Honduras office, presented the study tools to Dennis Villanueva Navarro.

Samaritan's Purse gives valuable tools to Honduran pastors who have hearts to serve others but limited resources

Twenty-one pastors in Honduras recently gathered for a day that will be remembered for God’s faithfulness.

These men have purpose. They believe God is calling them to serve Him. They feel His compassion for souls, and they desire to obey the call. But they have few resources to gain Biblical knowledge and understanding.

Help Train and Equip a Church LeaderMany live in remote areas that are difficult to access. Some earn less than $50 per month. They can hardly afford to purchase one Bible, let alone a collection of books like concordances and commentaries that are valuable resources for pastors around the world.

The men believe that it is God’s desire for them to have the tools and training to grow as church leaders, and trust that He will continue to provide what they need.

On this memorable day, God provided through Samaritan’s Purse.

Staff from our office in Honduras presented each of them with a pastoral library of study tools to help them in their work as pastors and to encourage them in their walk with Christ. Each mini-library included a concordance, a daily devotional, books on leadership, and works by respected Christian authors.

It was a joyous occasion for all involved.

Juan Claros was one of 20 pastors who received a small Christian library that will help give them the tools to disciple others.

Juan Claros was one of 20 pastors who received a small Christian library that will help give them the tools to disciple others.

“Thank you for remembering us brothers,” Pastor Roberto Chinchilla La Lima said. “Sometimes life as a pastor is lonely. He cannot tell his problems to many people, and that leaves us with no one to talk to. When you do this for us you show that someone is interested. Through you God is providing. You are a blessing to us.”

It seems like a simple gesture, but to these men it is evidence that God is faithful to equip his children for the work he calls them to do. It is a picture of the body of Christ working together.

Providing resources to this group of pastors is an example of how God allows Samaritan’s Purse to serve the Church worldwide. We mobilize faithful believers in dozens of countries to proclaim the Good News by offering evangelistic training and outreach tools including Bible instruction, and other resources. For a struggling pastor, a little support can make a big difference.

Dennis Villanueva Navarro was among the group that received the brand new books and instruction.

“Thank you for teaching us how to use a concordance,” he said. “I had already received some training, but the way you expressed it was much better, clearer.”

Pastor Juan Claros of Laguna Verde also was grateful for the material.

“Samaritan’s Purse is a blessing to us,” he said. “God bless them, and I pray that God will widen the work they do in Honduras and lead to more places around the world.”

Pastor Leonel Pineda was overwhelmed that the team brought the materials to his home.

Pastor Leonel Pineda was overwhelmed that the team brought the materials to his home.

Leonel Pineda, a pastor in La Isla Yojoa, couldn’t attend the meeting because he is in a wheelchair and couldn’t find transportation. Afterward, a few of our staff made a special trip to his home to deliver the gift.

As Pastor Pineda placed his hands on the books, tears welled in his eyes. He gazed at our ministry team like he could hardly believe the gift was for him.

Sometimes going out and making disciples looks like sharing the Gospel in hard-to-reach places. Sometimes it looks like giving biblical resources to a pastor in need. Through the ministry of equipping and training evangelists, the body of Christ is bringing love, grace, and the Gospel message to people in remote areas of Honduras and across the globe.

How beautiful upon the mountains 
are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings glad tidings of good things, who proclaims salvation, 
who says to Zion, ‘our God reigns!’” (Isaiah 52:7, NKJV)

SUPPORT
Train and Equip an Evangelist Many church leaders have a heart for sharing the Gospel but have never learned how to preach it with power and truth. Others need training to combat cults or spiritual warfare. For a gift of $35, we can offer advanced Bible classes for local pastors or supply evangelists with audio or video equipment so they can be lights in the darkness.

Evangelistic Tools & Training 013015
Suggested Gift: $35
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