September Update!

Praise be to our LORD Jesus Christ, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.

Ministry:

Graduates

This was a special month for La Finca de Esperanza. We had our first graduates that had gone through the whole program. Three men who completed the year-long discipleship program. For them, this was a huge milestone. A goal was set before them and through the strength of God's Spirit they were able to achieve it. These men have faced many moments in their life where they have battled disappointment. Where they failed to follow through with certain goals. Broken down to a point where the life they live now seemed to be an impossible reality. But through Jesus Christ we die to our old selves, and are raised as a new creation.

I have shared how the goal of our program is not simply for these men to stay sober, or to stand against temptations, but be ministers for the Kingdom of Heaven. These three men are able to grow in this vision as we are onboarding all of them as on-site leaders. This opportunity is to help them grow in leadership. To expand from not only being discipled, but to making disciples. The fullness of the Great Commission. Where these men are changed in new life with Jesus, and are raised up as leaders who can help others walk in the same freedom.

Certificates of Completion

We are so excited for the steps ahead. I have an overwhelming heart of gratitude for how God has moved within the lives of these men, and an expectancy for developing them as leaders for the Kingdom of Heaven. The gates of hell will not prevail. God is at work through His might and glorious power. He is restoring men unto Himself. Branches of the true vine. Branches that impact their families and community. I pray that in reading this, God gives you, if even just a glimpse, an understanding of the beauty this ministry contains.

May your prayers expand for these three men. They are stepping into a transitional season. A season where lies and temptations will be different. The enemy will try to dismiss the truths that they walk in. Please pray for perseverance. For strength and intimacy in Christ.

Encouragement:

I urge you to consider the grace that God has given us. I am currently reading "Cost of Discipleship" by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. He talks about cheap grace as opposed to costly grace. Cheap grace is forgiveness without repentance. Baptism without church discipline. Grace without discipleship. When the truth is that grace is inseparable from discipleship. The call of Jesus is to follow Him. Grace is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives man the only true life.

I urge you to reflect on the impact of discipleship in your life. Does the grace of God lead you to live a costly life? To lay down your life for the will of God? Does your life exemplify a walk of denying yourself, and living in radical obedience to God? Besides church attendance, do our lives look different than the lives of unbelievers? I pray that God reveals to you ways He is calling you deeper in the command to "follow me."

Partners:

Thank you for your support of the work being done here. I have a great desire for you to meet these men that have walked in new life. To experience the full beauty of how you are making an impact as the body of Christ. These are men we will be standing alongside as we worship Jesus in Heaven. I am so thankful for what the LORD is doing in the lives of these men, and I praise Him that He is the provider and sustainer of all.

Potential Partners:

The joy of this ministry is set before us! What a blessing it is to extend an invitation to be involved. There is a Spiritual blessing that is brought to the giver. Philippians 4:17, Paul writes, "Not that I am seeking a gift, but I am looking for the fruit that may be credited to your account." God is changing the lives of these men. He is reconciling families back together. Our invitation is for you to be play a role. Click here to get involved.

Peace be with you,

Samson