It's About Time...

Yes, I know, it has been a while. It seems that this blog hasn't been as big as a priority as I would have liked. Well, here is what is happening as of late in our church plant...

• We are finally completing the remodeling project in the space we currently rent. When completed, we will have expanded the Sunday School classroom space, reorganized the office, and opened up a larger part of the sanctuary. It has been quite the project but we are excited with the new space and new growth of the church!
• This past Sunday I was officially named the senior pastor of our church plant. Yes, that name makes me sound a little older. Basically it means I am the lead missionary on the church plant here in Cúa and I am in charge of making sure we move forward with the church.
• I am trying to finalize the details for my civil marriage here in Venezuela. It has been quite the process and we continue to acquire more and more paperwork. The documentation process is quite strenuous and I hope to be married civilly soon so we can begin to solicit a visa for Elsa. The official church wedding date is August 1st. Please be in prayer for that.
• This past Wednesday I began to lead a study on the book of Acts during our midweek bible study/ leadership training group. I hope that we can implement the Apostle's method for church growth and expansion and that this study will be a catalyst to continue to reach the lost for Christ!! We have seen a jump in the attendance as of late and have been averaging 120+ on Sunday mornings! Praise God for the harvest! We have a few baptisms coming up this Sunday!
• We are also currently putting the finishing touches on curriculum and plans for the Bible Institute we hope to open in September. Please also pray for the details of the logistics that are required to open it. This is a huge step in our ability to plant 120 churches by the year 2020. We will be using this to raise up the future generation of leaders we hope to see planting here in Venezuela as well as abroad!

God Bless,
Matthew Johnson