January, 2002

"GO therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
Matthew 28:19-20

This year I will be working closely with three men from our local church who live in the Mezquital settlement area: Carlos Alva, Ovideo L6pez and Carlos Padilla.  Last month we were discussing the ministry, thinking ahead to what the Lord would have us accomplish in 2002.  We talked about the need to evangelize new families, open more home church fellowships (at least two more by June) and to provide better pastoral care for everyone.  But we know that all our efforts will be in vain if we don't raise up disciples, believers who are committed to actively seeking God's will for every area of their lives and actively discipline others to do the same.  And we know that in order for that to happen, people have to clearly see that commitment in us, both as individuals and as the Body of Christ.

Carlos Alva, Ovidio López, Carlos Padilla and Mike (lft. to rt.)

With that goal before us, we have agreed to hold each other accountable as we strive to bring every area of our lives under the Lordship of Christ.  Each Wednesday evening we are meeting together to study the Word, pray and learn what it means to be transparent one with another.  Periodically, we will also meet as couples so that our wives can be a part of this discipling process.

The Padillas and the López were a part of the 16 week marriage encounter that Sandy and I led last year and the Alvas are participating in our second group.  This is tremendously important in helping us to see our marriages and families as an integral part of our being disciples of Jesus.  Sandy and I will be devoting a considerable amount of time to each couple as we continue to work on communication, finances, sex, raising our kids, etc.  And we anticipate that each of these couples will eventually lead their own marriage encounter groups.  It is an excellent way to evangelize non-Christian couples and to get believers plugged into a discipleship program.

Who are you discipling this year?  Let's pray that we all make it a priority in our lives!

SPECIAL THANKS to Dr. Jack Hutchinson, his wife, Aliza, and their family that came from Canada to spend their Christmas vacation helping with the dental needs in Casa Bernabe, the orphanage that VERBO began over 20 years ago.  They were a tremendous blessing and we look forward to them returning every year.

Your prayers are appreciated for:

• My father, Jack, has recuperated fairly well from his two carotid artery surgeries.  Pray for his salvation.
• Because of Sandy's trip to California and other ministry commitments the praise tape recording hasn't progressed much since November.  Pray for Sandy to not be frustrated and to leave this project in the Lord's hands.
• We have found a small condo for rent just a few blocks from the missionary school where David is studying.  It is also a lot closer to our local church and the Mezquital area and the rent is within our budget.  Pray that we can move by February 1st.

Have a blessed and fruitful 2002,

Dr. Mike Kadera