No One Should Have Been Surprised
March 17, 2009 – 2:53 pmIt went from a “what if…,” to a dream, to a vision and finally to reality. I am talking about this year’s Hispanic Fly-In. But there was one big difference. It was not hosted by the Assemblies of God World Missions, but completely organized and conducted by the District Missions Department of the Gulf Latin American District. By all standards it was first class.
This Hispanic Fly-In was held at the Hilton Hotel in San Antonio, TX. There were 260 who attended the Friday evening banquet with missionary Rick Johnson as the speaker. The people gathered from across the country. There were district leaders from at least four other Latin districts. The enthusiasm could be felt from the very opening session. Pastors and church leaders gathered expecting to hear from God, and they did.
The leadership of the Gulf Latin American District is to be commended. Reverend Amos Garza, District Missions Director, led the way for the endeavor. Standing by his side was District superintendent, Reverend Gary Jones, and Reverend Freddy Vargas, district Secretary/Treasurer.
With all these elements in place you can see “no one should have been surprised” when those present gave in excess of $4,000 cash and faith promises of about $30,000 in monthly commitments to missionaries from the districts who were represented at the Fly-In. Above this, over $400.00 per month was committed to the Unsíon Network International Media Ministry.
Someone might ask “why would people spend their own money to attend this meeting and then commit so much to missions?” There can be only one reason. The Great Commission is still in place, and we have been commanded to either go, or to send those who do go!