Dear Praying Friends,
He sat in the lone chair at the front of the auditorium, while the four pastors and I sat in a semicircle in front of him. Our church folks sat in the auditorium watching the proceedings and praying for their beloved brother up front. This was the examination part of the ordination. Our church had voted to ordain Aristarco and these faithful pastors had come to help us. One after another asked doctrinal, philosophical and practical questions relating to the Holy
Scriptures, the ministry and his personal life and family.
Although he was nervous, I knew he would pass with flying colors. He has studied with me in our Bible Institute for seven years and has a deep understanding of God’s word, pure doctrine and biblical principles. After an hour and a half, the four pastors had come to the same conclusion that I had months before – Aristarco was ready to be ordained as a pastor. Our church had already voted unanimously to ordain him and these visiting pastors had
graciously helped us in this big step in the life of this man, his family and for our church here. We had a God honoring service later that day and the presence of the Lord was felt by all who attended. The dinner on the grounds was filled with fellowship, rejoicing and gratitude.
We don’t yet know if Pastor Aristarco will take over the church in Lagos, or if our church will help him establish a new Baptist church in another city. Our church is praying for God’s guidance in this major step and we ask that you join us in prayer for the Lord to be glorified as we seek to do His will.
Praising God for faithful men,
Mark Hale
graciously helped us in this big step in the life of this man, his family and for our church here. We had a God honoring service later that day and the presence of the Lord was felt by all who attended. The dinner on the grounds was filled with fellowship, rejoicing and gratitude.
We don’t yet know if Pastor Aristarco will take over the church in Lagos, or if our church will help him establish a new Baptist church in another city. Our church is praying for God’s guidance in this major step and we ask that you join us in prayer for the Lord to be glorified as we seek to do His will.
Praising God for faithful men,
Mark Hale
