September 2013
Dear Praying Friends,
His hands shook as he gripped the pulpit. You could see his legs shaking as he stood in
front of the congregation and answered question after question from the
assembled pastors. He had studied for
months in preparation for this day, but would he survive the terror that
gripped his heart?
In late August, it was my privilege to take part in
the ordination of Pastor Lenildo Monteiro. He has studied in our Bible
institute for the past few years and passed each class with the highest
marks. He did the same in his ordination
examination. In spite of his fear, he
answered each and every question with the authority of God’s Word. All could tell this dear brother had spent
time with the Lord and His Word. The
ordination council unanimously recommended to the church that they ordain him
to the gospel ministry and the church did just that the next day!
He is now pastoring a Baptist church about an hour and
a half away and we will continue to serve the Lord together here in southern
Portugal. Please pray for the growing
Bible institute ministry. It is vital
for this country to have men and women who know God and His Word and can
contend for the faith that is under attack from every direction. Our first class begins Sept. 12th
and we are praying for many more Lenildos to study with us and become faithful
pastors of Baptist churches here in Portugal and around the world.
Thank you for making this possible,
Mark Hale
Pastor Lenildo
The ordination council
