Spring said the church has hosted five different trips with around eight people each time, and during each one, people in Lima have made decisions for Christ.
“The folks from Morada are brothers and sisters in Christ and family,” Spring said. “I consider them as a part of my church just like they consider me part of their church. Pepe and Ariste are good friends and we always stay connected. That’s how it’s supposed to be. Peru has really fed me personally in my walk with Christ, and I love the people down there I get to serve with.”
To date, Morada de Dios has planted three churches – in San Juan de Lurigancho, Magdalena del Mar and Plaza San Martín. On the trip this summer, First Baptist worked with members from the Magdalena del Mar church plant, and the team saw more than 100 decisions for Christ.
Spring, who serves on the SBC Executive Committee and was elected chairman of the Committee on Missions and Ministry at the June EC meeting, said what First Baptist is doing is simply fulfilling the same Great Commission, just as every Southern Baptist church is called to do.
“From a church perspective, you are supposed to do your part in fulfilling the Great Commission,” he said.
“Peru is a place that God has put on our hearts to go to. It’s a measure of discipleship when people are willing to go, and there is nothing better to help you grow spiritually than to go. It brings you closer to God and closer to your church.
“Any church can do this, and as a pastor, the biggest joy I get is seeing God work in the people that go on the trips that are shepherding in a way that’s bigger than me. Churches should pray that God would put some area around the world on their heart, and then connect with the IMB and see how and when you could serve there.”
This article originally appeared here.
