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A Ministry of Covenant Reformed Church of Toronto in Partnership with Faith United Reformed Church of West Olive, Michigan

Visit to Panama – May 3-8, 2010

Panama City – There is no Reformed or Presbyterian church in Panama either in English or in Spanish. I have had the privilege of “connecting dots” of initiatives that have been discussed, but until now never really followed up on. During this visit I was able to meet with interested “English speaking” contacts in Panama City who are committed to establishing an English-speaking Presbyterian Church as well as a leadership training program. Their vision is to expand this into the Spanish speaking communities of Panama over time. This is a major undertaking, but MINTS has been asked to participate in the process of training church leaders. I met with a Presbyterian contact who flew down to Panama to discuss these plans with me. The plans are in the “infant stage” and the English portion of this plan will be coordinated by a new MINTS-English coordinator for Latin America and the Caribbean. It was a wonderful opportunity for me to have the privilege to be on the “ground floor” of starting this initiative which I anticipate being a part of, particularly as their Spanish-speaking ministry is developed.

La Chorrera Study Centre – This Centre has had several “starts” since my first contact with them in 2007. They have struggled with leadership continuity. However patient insistence on my part is producing fruit in this Centre that has now decided to “multiply” into two communities. I taught two courses, The Canon of the Holy Scriptures and Introduction to the Bible. This church is a doing some “theological soul-searching”. It was a thrilling experience to be interrupted time and again during the conference to answer theologically sensitive questions that they have been wrestling with as a church. They are looking to the MINTS training to help them in sorting out some of the theological issues related to the Doctrines of Grace and the role of the Holy Spirit in the ministry of the church. The church has a passion for missions and evangelism. They have established 7 preaching points from the “mother church’. I had an opportunity to preach at one of them in a village about two hours into the interior.

Visit to Nicaragua – May 8-17, 2010

Peniel Reformed Church - Rev. Isaac Vargas is the pastor of this Reformed church in Managua. They have struggled to finish the Hermeneutics [interpretation of Scripture--ed.] course I taught during the last visit with them. It was encouraging to meet with the students to encourage them to finish the course. It was also a blessing to hear the pastor preach and one of my other students (his elder) teach an excellent adult Sunday School class on the millennium. These two brothers have the potential of being good MINTS promoters in Nicaragua in time.

Puerto Cabezas – This Study Centre in the Miskitia (indigenous) region of Nicaragua is the most motivated and advanced Study Centres I am working with here in Central America. I have taught 15 courses here over the period of five years. I taught The Canon of the Holy Scriptures during this visit. Some students are struggling to finish courses received while others are completing the courses with enthusiasm. In November there will be a graduation for seven students, which is very exciting for this indigenous people group.

Prayer Items: In addition to the above brief ministry report, please pray for:

1) A new group which will be starting in San Marcos where I had the privilege of presenting MINTS.

2) Plans started on this trip for a MINTS Central American regional conference in Nicaragua in January, 2011

3) A new “preparation level” program of studies that I developed using MINTS courses for students who have not completed high school and those new to the faith who find the university level to be overwhelming.

4) The prison ministry as I was again unable to secure government permission to follow up on previous visits.

5) Continued funding needs as in the last several months the income has not covered the ministry expenses

In the Service of Christ,

Rev. Eric Pennings, Missionary, Covenant Reformed Church of Toronto

Miami International Seminary (MINTS) Central America Regional Coordinator

Canadian Donations:
Hispanic Christian Ministry
c/o Covenant Reformed Church
265 Albion Road,
Toronto, Ontario    M9W 3P1

US Donations:
Hispanic Christian Ministry
c/o Faith United Reformed Church
8270 120th Ave.
West Olive, Michigan   49460