CHRISTmas is here!

“For unto us a child is born…unto us, a (THE) Son is given…” I love that verse, and song. One of our favorite memories around this time of year is singing that song in choir. What an incredible gift to the world Handel’s Messiah is…especially to those in God’s family. If you need a lift today, have a listen.

A few quick updates:
Our time at Frontier School of the Bible was very productive. We talked with many students throughout the week, connecting with several who are considering missions with Ethnos360. Some are planning to attend our training this coming fall, some in a year or two. We left very encouraged and challenged to stay the course and look forward to “coaching” those interested.

Following that week, I traveled to Ethnos360 Bible Institute (EBI) in WI. For two days, our Online Education team met to celebrate our 1st anniversary, review our progress, plan for the near future, and have some fun together axe throwing. Praise God we have about 70 students in our online, two-year Associate program, 11 in our one-year Certificate program, 77 others taking individual classes. Our promotional class on Mark had over 120 signed up. God is blessing us beyond what we could have imagined. All this in one year. Then on campus in WI we have over 200 students! PTL! We are trusting God for more students and praying that many will catch the vision for getting the Word of God to the unreached and continue on with Ethnos360. Your prayers are certainly appreciated.  

Being so close to Jackson, MI, I went over for a few days to catch up with some friends, give an update to our home church, Skiff Lake Bible and meet her new Pastor. It is so encouraging when you can sit down with folks you haven’t seen in 5 years and conversations flow naturally about God, His Word and what He is doing, both locally and globally. Skiff has always had an incredible global vision…praise God it is still alive! May the Lord expand Skiff’s influence under Pastor Jason’s leadership, in the Jackson area as well as around the world.

Exciting news arrived just this week that 6 families are making good progress in Mexico, being readied to move into people groups that are without a church or God’s Word. We know two of the families from our time at EBI in Michigan. How thankful we are that they will soon, Lord willing, be starting tribal language and culture study and on their way to planting a church and reaching the people with the Gospel in just a few more years. No doubt they are experiencing an array of emotions as they realize that what they have been training for for years will soon become their reality. We know they will appreciate our prayers.

We get news almost daily of newly reached people groups growing well in the Lord, becoming more grounded in the truth of God’s Word, even reaching out to other villages and language groups around them.

Joyous baptisms are taking place (2 min video here from PNG!) in areas that 99% of the world is unaware of. This will be the first Christmas that the Dem people will celebrate, having just learned of Jesus’ death and resurrection in May. Can you imagine?

Yes, God is continuing to do amazing things in the most remote parts of the earth. And yet…there are many still waiting to hear. Many, who have no idea of what they are missing, are dying and passing into a Christless eternity. Still others, who have seen the difference knowing Christ can make in neighboring groups, are asking, literally begging for someone to come and tell them what (really WHO) is making such a difference. Let’s continue to pray for laborers. Let’s continue to spread the word about what God is doing and challenge folks with getting involved to the extent they can. If we in the church don’t do it, who will?   

Praises:
Safety, good health and very encouraging times in our travels.
Good interactions with students and alumni, many moving toward missions. 
Family – we’re blessed to see all of them this holiday season. Thanks Lord!

Prayer requests:
Good friend expressing interest in the Gospel…for his salvation.
W people in West Africa…hearing the teaching for the first time.
Turu team (SE Asia) getting closer to being ready to teach.
Buket team (SE Asia) entering phase 3 (of 4) of language and culture study.

Thank you for taking valuable time to hear what God is up to through us and Ethnos360 folks. We count it an incredible privilege to report this kind of news and gladly proclaim it! The Baby born so long ago, who we celebrate and worship is actively working to see the Great Commission advance. Hallelujah! Merry Christmas! And best wishes for a 2022 filled with the fruit of His Spirit!

For those waiting to hear, 
Rex and Shirley

“But God commends His love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5.8