There’s a group of 15 believers in a remote village in south central Burma (or Myanmar) somewhere near the Irrawaddy Delta, who are quickly becoming some of my spiritual heroes. Unlike me, these men and women are consistently facing opposition as they seek to plant a gospel-centered church. Opposition for me is the weird look I occasionally get when mentioning I’m a pastor.

But listen to how my friend David describes this group of people:

Our church plant continues to meet on a regular basis, but with significant pressure from both local and religious leaders. At first, we had informal gatherings, but when [the authorities] see a pattern of our folks worshipping on Sunday morning and that our church planter is going from house to house, they accuse us of “changing their religion” and “creating problems” in their village. But the believers have all agreed and confess boldly that they have been changed by Jesus…

Western Christianity is much different than this; stories like this can sometimes be difficult to connect with. But there’s more. The cloud of oppression for this small group of believers changes their actual meetings. During worship, they sing softly. When they’re taking requests before their Heavenly Father, it’s barely above a whisper. Why? They don’t want to draw unnecessary attention resulting in targeted persecution. They live out a Christianity where that possibility is never far from their minds. The pastor of this small church spends each week encouraging these believers to hold fast in their faith. The current study diet: “to be strong in the Lord.”

That’s serious stuff. When we talk about church-planting difficulties in the States, we rarely see seminars on how to avoid arrest or suffer persecution for God’s glory. And yet, when you interact with David and this church, you find a group of people who are less aware of suffering than they are of the Savior. I want to be like that.

In Sovereign Grace, we’re thinking a lot about people like this group in south central Burma. We’re also thinking a lot about the 41% of the world’s population that still exists unreached by the gospel of Jesus Christ. And we need your help.

David is a pastor from Burma who graduated from our Pastors College. He’s got serious game when it comes to planting churches and a real heart to see the gospel preached in his home country. In fact, he is responsible for leading and directing a well-known church planting center, as well as a portion of the teaching. The guy never stops! Currently, David is looking to plant another church near the Irrawaddy Delta in a village largely unengaged and unreached by the gospel. As an inroad, he’s starting a preschool there. It’s crazy stuff, but we’re excited to partner with David to make it happen.

But there’s even more. We continue to look at other areas of the world where unreached people groups exist. We’re considering involvement with unreached Muslims in an African nation. We’re supporting translations work and other ministries that work on the front lines. There are also men related to these ventures that we’re considering for the Pastors College.

These are all exciting updates that appear to change on an almost daily basis. And each day, we’re reminded that what we need more than anything are your prayers. As you read this, a few Sovereign Grace pastors are visiting this small church in south central Burma to encourage the believers in their faith. Pray that God would use these men in mighty ways. Pray that more would be converted in this small village. Please pray for David. Pray that God would soften the hearts of those unengaged among the Karen people with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Pray for the selection of leaders for these churches. Pray that the gospel would go forth and many would be saved to the glory of God. Pray that we would play our part in Sovereign Grace Ministries and that every dollar spent would be multiplied so that God’s kingdom would expand.

May God bless the advancement of the gospel in Burma, North Africa, India, and among the unreached people groups beyond our borders!

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Dave Harvey leads international expansion and church planting for Sovereign Grace Ministries and is based in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania. For more information about the Sovereign Grace church-planting process, click here.

Cedric Moss was the senior pastor of Kingdom Life Church in Nassau, Bahamas long before he ever heard of Sovereign Grace Ministries. One day, wanting to better understand the gospel personally and to more passionately preach it to his church, Cedric searched online and stumbled upon Sovereign Grace Ministries. In 2004 Cedric attended our pastors conference as a visitor, hoping to observe from a distance.

In reflecting upon the trip Cedric says,

I was a pastor who was weary in the ministry and skeptical about church associations and networks, having been closely associated with a few and having given up on them. However, to my surprise, in Sovereign Grace I found men who were genuinely interested in me as a pastor, not the size of my church, or getting my church’s name on a list.

During our 2009 Pastors Conference, Cedric shared the rest of the story, which you can hear in this 16-minute recording:

Download MP3 (3.7 MB)

Hearing updates from various pastors was a personal highlight at our recent Pastors Conference. Over the next few days I will have the privilege to share these testimonies with you.

Among these men was Wolfgang Wegert, senior pastor of Arche Church in Hamburg, Germany. In his update, Wolfgang highlighted a recent trip by Dave Harvey, Jeff Purswell, and Pete Greasley to Hamburg as Sovereign Grace considers how to best serve the Arche Church and the region of central Europe.

But I was unprepared for the concluding words of Wolfgang’s update. The concluding words are the words of a humble man. And his update left me humbled and deeply affected.

With his son Christian providing translation, you can listen to Wolfgang’s complete ten-minute update here:

Download MP3 (2.4 MB)

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Related post: For more information about Wolfgang Wegert and the church in Germany, see this video, part of the 2008 Sovereign Grace Mission Presentation.

Welcome back to my interview with Gareth Lloyd, the senior pastor of Sovereign Grace Church in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales. Read part one of the interview here and part two here.

Gareth, what single bit of counsel has made the most significant difference in your leadership?

The experience of God’s work upon your own soul is the best qualification to lead others.

Where in ministry are you most regularly tempted to discouragement?

This is a tough one!

For many years I regularly experienced debilitating discouragement ministering in an atmosphere which was not grace centered but where believers were constantly heaping burdens on themselves and beating themselves up with guilt for their sin (myself included). I recently sat with a number of guys who are all ministering in that same environment and each one, in turn described how they were suffering the discouragement of ministry as though that were a natural part of the deal of being in ministry.

I am so grateful that for the past four years I have enjoyed being part of a new church plant where I have experienced and enjoyed a grace centered community. I get to do life with the most grateful, encouraging people I have ever known!

Do you exercise? If so, what do you do? If not, why not? (Please be specific.)

I play soccer for an hour once a week and over the last month have been spending an hour on a treadmill and cross trainer two days a week.

Currently, what sport do you like to play and/or watch?

I play soccer once a week as part of our local church outreach and also for the church team. (We are currently the UK Sovereign Grace Churches champions having beaten all the opposition!)

I watch soccer whenever I get opportunity on TV and watch one of local teams live with my sons a couple of times during the season. I also enjoy watching rugby.

What do you do for leisure?

I love listening to music, walking with Angela and the children and watching movies.

If you were not in ministry, what occupational path would you have chosen?

I spent some years prior to ministry in property management and before being encouraged to consider ministry was training towards teaching.

Thank you, Gareth!

Welcome back to my interview with Gareth Lloyd, senior pastor of Sovereign Grace Church in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales. Read part one of the interview here.

Gareth, if you could study under any theologian in church history (excluding those men in Scripture), who would it be and why?

Jonathan Edwards just because he is the theologian I have spent most time reading of late! I love his grand vision of God and his desire that God be known not only with the mind but experienced (loved and enjoyed) in the heart.

What single piece of counsel (or constructive criticism) has most improved your preaching?

Don’t leave the scaffolding up when you get to the pulpit—the scaffolding is for the study alone! In other words, don’t bore a congregation with all the detail of your exegetical work, however fascinating it has been to you.

What books on preaching, or examples of it, have you found most influential in your own preaching?

The Supremacy of God in Preaching by John Piper.

Preaching the Whole Bible as Christian Scripture by Graeme Goldsworthy

Examples: Tim Keller because of his gospel-centredness and his consistent awareness of the unbeliever every time he preaches.

John Piper because of his elevation of the glory of God.

You C.J., because of the permeation of grace in all of your preaching and your ability to help the believer connect the dots from the gospel to life.

What single bit of counsel has made the most significant difference in your effective use of time?

This has been an area where I believe I have been weak, always being busy but often falling due to poor planning and prioritizing. I have recently been helped and provoked by the Sovereign Grace Leadership Podcast on the subject of “The Pastor and His Time.” The encouragement to set aside 30–60 minutes on a Monday to plan priorities according to my roles has been beneficial.

Join me next time for the third and final portion of my interview with Gareth Lloyd.

Meet Gareth Lloyd.

Gareth, who is 37 years old, is the senior pastor of Sovereign Grace Church in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales. He graduated from the Evangelical Theological College of Wales with a B.A. in Theological Studies. Gareth and his wife, Angela, have been married for 18 years and have seven children.

Gareth, thanks for your time! Please describe for us your morning devotions. What time do you wake up in the morning? How much time do you spend reading, meditating, praying, etc.? What are you presently reading?

I wake at 6:30. While Angela is caring for our newborn baby and toddler I get ready with four of our other children for an hour and a half drive to school. The outbound journey is spent mostly listening to and singing along to worship songs and on my home journey each day I listen to a sermon usually connected to one of the books I am currently reading in my devotions. At present I am using the Robert Roberts daily reading plan.

Of late, I have been reading through the book of Numbers and I have been listening to some messages by Iain Duguid. When I get home I usually spend approximately an hour reading and praying before launching into my work for the day.

I usually change my devotional reading plan each year. In the past I have used the Robert Murray McCheyne Reading Plan along with D.A. Carson’s notes. Last year I took just three Bible books for the year and worked through them slowly asking the usual questions as I read: What did the writer want the original reader to know? What significance does this have for us today? What difference is that going to make?

I try to pray through the Scriptures that I am reading, pursuing fellowship and intimacy with God before praying for family, the local church and the town of Merthyr.

What book(s) are you currently reading in these three categories: (a) for your soul, (b) for pastoral ministry, or (c) for personal enjoyment?

I’m not sure I have been as clear as to categorize them in this way! I guess there is something of an overlap between categories in the books I am currently reading:

Religious Affections by Jonathan Edwards.

Preaching the Whole Bible as Christian Scripture: The Application of Biblical Theology to Expository Preaching by Graeme Goldsworthy.

Daniel Rowland and the Great Evangelical Awakening in Wales by Eifion Evans.

George Whitfield: The Life and Time of the Great Evangelist in the 18th Century Revival by Arnold Dallimore.

John Wesley by Iain Murray.

Since the beginning of the year I have been planted in the early 18th century for much of my reading and am finding it a most exhilarating experience!

These are the books that I am reading through in a progressive, consistent manner. There are many more that I will dip into and skim through from time to time.

Apart from Scripture, what book do you most frequently re-read and why?

The Memoirs of Jonathan Edwards. It consistently stirs in me a passion to pursue holiness and experiential Christianity.

Jerry Bridges, The Discipline of Grace. This book has helped me with my inclination to drift back into legalism. It is a great reminder to me of the implications of the gospel of grace.

C.J. Mahaney, Humility. Likewise, I have a horrible inclination to make me, myself, and I the object of my attention.

When you finish a book, what system have you developed in order to remember and reference that book in the future?

I really need to be more systematic in order to retain more of what I read. However, I always read with a pen, underlining and making notes in my books. I then skim through the book after reading and jot down highlights in a personal notebook.

Join me next time for part two of my interview with my friend Gareth Lloyd.

Welcome to the third and final part of our interview with Carlos Contreras (Juárez, Mexico). Read part one here and part two here.

Carlos, what single piece of counsel (or constructive criticism) has most improved your preaching?

The following great quote from George Whitefield’s journal entry of March 26, 1739 has remained with me through the years and reminded me of what really is happening as I preach and serve and what my only reward should be:

At eight I hastened to Weaver’s Hall, in Temple Street, which was procured me, because the Society rooms were too little. I was almost faint before I could get in through the crowd, but God enabled me to speak with freedom, and was with us of a truth. I believe there might be a thousand hearers. Well may the Devil and his servants rage horribly; their kingdom is in danger.

After I had done, I went to a Christian house, where many waited for me. At my return home, my Master paid me my wages: for my soul was filled with an intenseness of love, and I knew what it is not only to have righteousness and peace, but joy in the Holy Ghost. This is my continual food.

What books on preaching, or examples of it, have you found most influential in your own preaching?

I would list the following books: Between Two Worlds by John Stott, The Sacred Anointing by Tony Sargent, An All-Round Ministry by C.H. Spurgeon and George Whitefield’s Journals from Banner of Truth.

Other than Spurgeon’s sermons I would say reading Martyn Lloyd Jones’ has impacted me the most.

But I would say I am most indebted to Jeff Purswell and Mike Bullmore for the privilege of sitting under their teaching on this subject and to you for I have had the joy of hearing you preach probably over a hundred times. Thanks for that, C.J.!

What single bit of counsel has made the most significant difference in your effective use of time?

Focus your efforts on results not activity.

What single bit of counsel has made the most significant difference in your leadership?

Leadership is a gift from God and so we must prove faithful in leading. This thought helps me to not shrink back under significant challenges, to not fall into the temptation to pride, to better identify new leaders and to be careful to lead with love.

Where in ministry are you most regularly tempted to discouragement?

When I become aware that a member of our church has fallen into some significant sin. I am then tempted to wonder if we are doing our jobs correctly or if the church is in some way failing. However, I am only discouraged when I forget the doctrine of sin and the wonderful faithfulness of Christ towards his Treasured Possession.

Do you exercise? If so, what do you do? If not, why not? (Please be specific.)

Yes I exercise regularly. I go to the spinning gym or ride my bike about 7–8 hours a week.

Currently, what sport do you like to play and/or watch?

I enjoy cycling (both mountain biking and road) and am able to take significant rides with my buddies from the church.

I also enjoy watching most sports except hockey (big men chasing and hitting this little puck around), Nascar (cars going really fast many times around a loop?) and golf (which like bowling I don’t consider a sport, sorry!).

What do you do for leisure?

Skiing, gardening (I am so secure in my masculinity I even included this), Dominoes and cooking on the grill.

If you were not in ministry, what occupational path would you have chosen?

For 10 years I was in the industrial construction business; if for any reason I need to retire from full-time ministry, I would love to be able to go back and build homes for people.

Thank you, my friend!

Welcome back to our interview with Carlos Contreras (Juárez, Mexico). Read part one of the interview here.

Carlos, please describe your morning devotions. What time do you wake up in the morning? How much time do you spend reading, meditating, praying, etc.? What are you presently reading?

I usually wake up at around 6:15 a.m. but since I am not a morning person I usually exercise or shower first while listening to a great sermon on one of the podcasts I am subscribed to. Then I spend between 30 to 45 minutes reading my Bible and praying. Every morning I read a Psalm to start my devotions and pray through it. Then I read a section of Scripture which currently would be in the gospels. I finish with a time of intercession.

What book(s) are you currently reading in these three categories: (a) for your soul, (b) for pastoral ministry, or (c) for personal enjoyment?

For my soul I have greatly enjoyed Because He Loves Me by Elyse M. Fitzpatrick (I believe next to your book and Jerry Bridges’ The Gospel for Real Life it’s one of the best resources on living the gospel centered life).

For pastoral ministry I am currently reading The Reason for God by Tim Keller (an excellent help in understanding what people may be thinking as we attempt to reach them) and Jesus Ascended by Gerrit Scott Dawson (I was very interested in some of his thoughts by a couple of quotes that Elyse includes in her book).

I have enjoyed for years reading good contemporary Latin American literature (it also helps me to preserve my Spanish since most of my reading is in English) and I also enjoy classical Russian literature.

Apart from Scripture, what book do you most frequently re-read and why?

Here are my all-time favorites:

Knowing God by J.I. Packer, because it pointed me to the majesty of God by a man who knows God.

The Cross of Christ by Stott, because it first introduced me to the meaning of the cross. This book changed my life; it helped me understand the gospel.

The Life of God in the Soul of Man by Henry Scougal, because it helped stir true passion and desire for God.

Sin and Temptation by John Owen. Amazingly this was one of the most liberating books I have ever read. It truly is an indispensable tool in dealing with sin.

Holiness by Grace by Bryan Chapell. This book helped me a great deal to understand growing in holiness without falling into legalism.

Lost in the Middle by Paul Tripp. I believe this has been the best book I have read on grace and biblical counseling, maybe because I read it when I was in my forties and was facing some significant regrets.

When you finish a book, what system have you developed in order to remember and reference that book in the future?

I always use a yellow highlighter and because of that have been able to remember pretty closely the location of a particular quote.

If you could study under any theologian in church history (excluding those men in Scripture), who would it be and why?

I love to imagine I could be admitted to the T4G Seminary and study under the men that have influenced my life the most: Mahaney, Dever, Piper, MacArthur, Sproul, Mohler and Duncan and hope they could have as guest teachers Packer, Stott, Grudem, Carson, Bridges, Bullmore, and Purswell. What more could I ask?

Join us next time for the third and final part of the interview with Carlos.

Across from the border city of El Paso, Texas, sits the city of Juárez, Mexico. If you are current with the news, you probably know that Juárez has become a violent front line in the war on drugs. Between January 2008 and March 2009, almost 2,000 drug-related murders have taken place in the city as a war rages that involves the drug cartels, local police, and Mexico’s military.

Recently Time Magazine said Juárez “may be the western hemisphere’s most dangerous town” and “certainly the hardest hit by Mexico’s drug-war terror.” * 

Ministering in the city of Juárez is my friend and (extra)ordinary pastor, Carlos Contreras.

Carlos, who is 50 years old, has attended his local church for 30 years, and has served on staff for the last 18 years (11 as senior pastor). He and his wife, Kena, have been married for 26 years and have four children.

Carlos, I appreciate your taking time to answer these questions. First, I want to ask about the escalating violence in Juárez. Describe for us what is happening in your city and how the current situation affects your church and ministry.

I never imagined that we would have to lead our congregation through something like this. The three largest drug cartels in México are warring for control of our city. There are other sites in México with similar battles, but the unique situation of Juárez has made our streets the site of some of the most violent and gruesome incidents in the nation.

In addition to this, over 100 law enforcement officials have lost their lives, many of them because they had become part of a cartel but many others as they carried out their duties. The suspicion of corruption and the threat of violence has produced massive layoffs and resignations of police officers. This weakening of the law enforcement bodies has contributed in the unleashing of a severe crime wave that has exposed regular citizens to armed robbery, carjacking and kidnapping. If you add to this the subsequent financial crisis that has made our city No. 1 in the nation in loss of jobs, then you get a pretty nasty scenario.

This crisis of violence and crime has produced a very high level of fear, anxiety and hopelessness in our city and has tempted many in the church to fall into those sins. So by God’s grace we have had to use every opportunity to teach and remind people of the truth of God’s sovereignty and care. And we have seen much growth in learning to trust God like never before.

Since we couldn’t trust our government to protect or deliver us from all of this, we have had to learn to REALLY trust God for our well-being, and it has been wonderful! The church has grown, both in numbers and in maturity. As a church we are very aware and grateful for all the good fruit God has produced in our lives as a result of this crisis and we are joyfully anticipating much more of his grace.

My personal challenge has been to learn to carry the burden of concern for the well-being of our folks and our city. My love for the folks in the church has grown much as I have prayed for them and carried them in my heart all these months. But also, I have seen a new love for the city and nation develop in my heart and the heart of many others.

God is awakening a stronger burden to see our nation turn to Christ that has made us bolder in proclaiming the gospel to the authorities, our neighbors and city as a whole. Like never before this crisis has opened many doors to the gospel, and I pray that as a church we will prove faithful in taking advantage of this new opportunity to see the gospel advanced.

Thank you for this update, my friend. And thank you for your example of faithfulness to the gospel and your love for the local church!

Join us next time as we ask Carlos about his spiritual disciplines, his favorite books, and his reading.

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* Tim Padgett, “Juarez: Running the Most Dangerous City in the Americas,” Time Magazine, March 27, 2009. 

Each year, Sovereign Grace Ministries presents a short documentary highlighting a few of the activities in our family of churches. This year, we produced three shorter films to highlight our Pastors College, our ministry among international churches, and our church-planting activities in the United States.
 
Our second documentary in the 2008 Mission Presentation features Covenant Life Church in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, which was planted by two Pastors College students five years ago and is now planting another church in Addis. View the film here.