Boyd Panorama
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LACC

Latin America Resource
and Training Center
 

Your Sent Ones
Rod and Sherry Boyd

How can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent?” (Romans 10:14-15)

We are nearly half way through our nine-month itineration time in the States. October and November were especially busy, participating in several missions conventions. December and January were much quieter. Conventions begin again in February. Even though we have all of our Sunday mornings scheduled, we are still available on most Sunday and Wednesday evenings for ministry.  Pastor, please email us at panorama@boyds.org if you'd like us to visit your church.

We have enjoyed reconnecting with our supporting churches, family and friends. It is such a privilege to be able to challenge churches to greater commitment to world missions. We met a young boy at church a couple of Sundays ago. Jayden instantly became a friend and we gave him a friendship bracelet and prayer card. We asked him to put our prayer card in his Bible and whenever he saw the bracelet or card to pray for us. His mother was standing nearby. We saw him later that day at a missions meeting. His mother told us that we made an impact on him and that he did exactly what we asked him to do.

Traditionally, in the churches in our movement, the figure of “missionary” has served to remind our churches of God’s love for our world and of our responsibility to go and make disciples of all nations. Not everyone is called to go and give a lifetime to this cause. But all can pray and give. The full passage from Romans 10 reads:

And that message is the very message about faith that we preach: If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved… For “Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.” But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!” (Romans 10:8-10, 13-15, NLT)

2015 Cumbre Planning in the Dominican RepublicBut God has called some to leave home and go to a foreign land. God helps these “sent ones” to reach people, plant churches and train leaders, all in the power of the Holy Spirit as incarnational ambassadors of God’s love. The strong and constant voice of missionaries that visit our churches reinforces the vital role that each local church has to send those whom God calls. Our system of itineration is effective specifically because of this dynamic. It is by our presence and pleading for help that the Holy Spirit prompts His people to respond. We are constantly being sent by faithful prayer and financial support! And God is constantly speaking to children like Jayden, and to youth and adults of all ages about giving their lives so that the whole world may know Him.

GetsemaniAs important as itineration is to maintain the missionary conscience in the local church, it is not the missionary’s primary ministry. We are field focused! Even now while in the States we continue to be fully engaged with our ministry in Panama. We are grateful for fellow missionaries Miguel and Maria Morales and missionary associates Randy and Lynne Forsyth who cover important responsibilities in our absence. Without these dear colleagues it would be impossible to move forward with important events and provide essential services to pastors and leaders in Panama and throughout Latin America. Thank you!

The Morales advance the important work of ministerial training. In addition to preparation for upcoming events, Miguel also directs the PROCEPA teacher certification program. National PROCEPA Seminars are scheduled for Panama, Chile (March), Nicaragua (April) and Argentina (June).

GetsemaniThe Forsyths continue to advance both school construction and development of the Latin America Resource and Training Center. They recently worked with a team from Florida to continue construction on the Getsemani Good Shepherd School (see photos). Many schools are completing the construction of needed classrooms that will be used when school starts in less than a month.

Our focus is now on our return to Panama. Pending all required clearances, our plan is to return to Panama on July 2nd. We are currently lacking $800.00 in monthly commitments that are required for us to reach our budget. This is down from $1,200.00 that we were lacking a couple of months ago. We’re grateful to churches and individuals that have stepped up to begin or increase their commitment. Please pray with us that additional churches and individuals will do the same. Would you consider helping? Please email us at Panorama@Boyds.org or complete the online commitment form.

Thank you for sending us!