Time Passes By

 Dear Reader,

     Have you ever felt that time seems to go by so quickly? The days become shorter, weeks come and go, and years quickly fade? With many hours on the road and seeing a day turn into a night, it makes you think of how time goes by so rapidly and the importance of what you have been able to accomplish in that day. Perhaps your children come to mine as you watch them grow from day to day. Perhaps your dreams come to mind as you eagerly strive to accomplish them each passing day. Whatever the case may be, God has a special plan for each and every one of our lives, and if we do our best to live each day to serve Him, the end of the day will bring contentment and satisfaction beyond compare. Life is too short to live for me, live for God and blessed you will be.

After a great service Wednesday Night, we heading north towards Oklahoma and was able to stop off at home for a day. We got set for another trip away and were back on the road Friday afternoon heading to Baptist Heritage, in Jennings, Oklahoma, pastored by Pastor Mickey Ellis. What beautiful country side we began to pass as we entered into the Oklahoma territory. We arrived Friday night and were able to have dinner with the pastor and his kind family. Saturday morning, up for soulwinning as we went into the neighborhood and was given the opportunity to win a young girl to the Lord! Always a great joy to be able to see someone bow their head and ask Jesus into their heart. Sunday morning came quickly as Elyssa prepared to teach the children in Sunday school and I preached the Sunday school and service that morning. What a privilege it was to be able to preach once again and share what God had laid on my heart to those that attended that morning. For Sunday school I preached a sermon entitled "Dead  Flies = Dead Christians", as sermon on the subject of how what it takes to make a Christian fade away over time. As the perfume lost its beauty, fragrance, and purpose because of the dead fly, so do Christians lose their God's blessings, influence, and His will for our lives because of the world and our sin. After Elyssa and I sang four songs the service was underway. The sermon to follow, "Who So You See", was on the topic of what type of person do we see everytime we open our Bible, acting like a mirror in our lives. Just as a mirror reflects who we are, what we need to change, etc. so does the Bible reveal our sinful nature, who we really are, the areas we must grow in, the blessing we have, what we could be in the service of God, etc. Who do you see in the spiritual mirror called the Bible or do we make the mistake and, as the Bible says, go away forgetting what manner of man we are.   

   


 Dead Flies = Dead Christians                                     Who Do You See?                                                   

 

HIllcrest Bible Baptist Church, in Arkansas City, Kansas, was our church for Sunday night as we arrived early that afternoon ready to once again have an opportunity to present Reaching the Next Generation. As have the other pastors, Pastor McCullough made us feel right at home allowing us to stay in the missionary room their on property. Elyssa and I sang twice and were able to present our work, kicking off their missions conference that was taking place this week. The pastor asked me to preach and what an honor that was to be able to once again allow God to speak through me to my heart as well as to the hearts of the people in the congregation. I preached a sermon entitled "People, Nation, Language", emphasizing the importance of giving the Gospel to every Person we encounter throughout the day, the Nation in which we live in, and every Language representing the countries that surround us. Why should Satan use the world to infiltrate the filth they have to offer into other countries in a quick manner while Christians today fail to see the importance of zealous soulwinning? We must keep that fire alive. 

     God has really blessed us on these trips as we a

re given this opportunity to do what we have dreamed of doing, God's will for our lives. We thank each one of you for your prayer and support.

Living each day in God's will, is living each day in Happiness

Christ As Our Foundation

Dear Reader,

     With Christ as our foundation we take courage that nothing is impossible. As missionaries with a dream and a passion to see God's will fulfilled in their lives we continue to drive on with our feet firmly planted on the foundation that God has laid down for us. We hope to encourage all those who may read this post that anyone can do the expected but it takes faith in God to accomplish the unexpected.

     My family and I set out for Richmond, TX excited for what God had in store for us! The day was Wednesday, September 21st, on our way to Heritage Baptist Church, pastored by Pastor Jeff Lockett, and anticipating yet another great opportunity to present the ministry that is dear to our hearts. As God saw us through some traffic as we pushed through the downtown area, we arrived safely at our destination. We pulled into the parking lot and were greeted by the Pastor and his wife. What a kind and welcome greeting we recieved as they introduced themselves and escorted us into the buildings. After getting set up we had the opportunity to meet their friendly members and was able to build many friendships among them. Service began with singing and prayer and soon after the pastor allowed us to begin our presentation. The people listened with encouraging smiles as I spoke of our dreams and desires for the the next generation. Elyssa and I then were able to sing with our guitars as we shared our hearts with those in the room. Preaching time was now on the order of service as the preacher had previously asked me to preach the service that night.

With the Lord's help, I had prepared a sermon entitled "Will You Cast the First Stone?".  A message that convicted my heart while preparing it and brings a lesson to surface that many could use in their daily lives.

    In John 8: 7 we see the story of a woman caught in sin and the Pharisees attempting to tempt Jesus, asking if stoning her would be the adequate punishment for your crime. The response was not one they expected as Jesus says these words, "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her". The Pharisees then seeing their own sinful nature could not bring themselves to condemn another for their sins. If we are not careful, without knowing it, we find ourselves casting the first stone. Perhaps not physically throwing stones at another sinner but, in a matter of speaking, when we turn from presenting the gospel or caring for another fellow human being due to their appearance, lifestyle, or first impression, we too are acting as these Pharisees of Jesus' day. We too are guilty as Christians for casting a stone of judgment on others

when we fail to realize that we too deserve Hell for our sins but for the grace of God we are on our way to Heaven. Will we be guilty of condemning someone to an eternity in Hell (casting that first stone) because of their appearance, first rejection, lifestyle, or reaction to us, or will we realize that we too were saved from a life of sin and could very well or possibly have been in the same position as many of the people we meet. As someone has done for us we too must hate the sin but love the sinner. Christ's love was shown in this story as well as His forgiveness. As undeserving as we may be, everyone deserves a chance to receive the love of God in their lives, and as Christians it is our duty to the messengers.

   My faithful fans, Elyssa and Gabriella,  were at my side as we ended the service and shook the hands of the members. We felt loved and cared for as we answered their questions and were encouraged by their enthusiasm to know more about our efforts.

   Gabriella is doing her part in touching many hearts in many of the churches we go to and has filled our lives with joy as she travels right along with us. She has filled our lives with entertainment and laughter as we enjoy every moment of her early stages of life. We are beginning to see how fast time does fly and how fast they do grow as we have seen so much change in her already. I look forward to her joining us on the platform, playing and singing along with us!  

We are now making our way to Oklahoma and Kansas to finish off the Month of September. Please continue to pray for us as we continue to give God our all in His service.

                                                      Love in Christ,

                                                             Jared, Elyssa, and Gabriella Zapata

Our Weekend 9/18

Dear Reader,
    There are many roads that one can choose in his life; however, it is making the right choice that is important. The Lord has a way of showing each and everyone of us that He can use us in a great way if we only let him. My family and I were given this opportunity as we continued on our road of deputation, soulwinning, presenting our work, preaching, and seeing many hearts touched by His Word.
     Friday we prepared for the weekend ahead, and were ready to see some people saved the next morning. Saturday morning we drove down to North Houston Baptist Church, pastored by Pastor Campa in Houston, TX. What a great turn out as the people gathered to kick off their fall program and push for lost souls! Excitment was high as each cheered for their teams and were challenged by Pastor Campa to do all they could to see someone saved that morning. We had the privilege to go with Rene Campa, the pastors son, his wife, and many young people who had the same excitment as we did to reach someone at home. The apartments showed no sign of life as we entered into the gate and began to knock doors. Within a few minutes kids were buzzing around us, excited, and anxious to hear what we had to say. I was able to gather many around and was able to see 10 young people accept Christ into their hearts adding to the 4 souls won on Tuesday. There was not greater joy than to hear their young voices praying for Jesus to come into their hearts and save them, knowing that from this point on they were on their way to Heaven through their faith in God alone. After soulwinning we were able to spend some quality time with Rene and Sarah Campa and soon left to be in the church scheduled for that night.
      Iglesia Bautista Horeb, pastored by Pastor Santana in Huntsville, TX was our church for Saturday night as we pulled up into the parking lot of a beautiful church in the country. We were able to present our work, sing, and soon preached a sermon that God had laid on my heart, "Fading Christians". The Lord did a great work as five adults raised their hands surrendering their lives to God and a little boy accepted Christ in his heart. The altar was filled and many decisions were made.
      Sunday morning brought us back to Pastor Campa's church, North Houston Baptist Church, where I was able to preach to all the teenagers for Sunday school, a sermon entitled "What Time is It". Ten young people surrendered to Christ as the Lord spoke through me on the subject of teenagers wanting to spead up time when it comes to their lives.
      Sunday morning service began as everyone gathered in the auditorium and the rondalla sang after a few announcements. Soon after, we were up,  to present the ministry of Reaching the Next Generation, singing, and then preaching. There were many tears and the altar filled as I ended the sermon, "It's Not Too Late", giving a charge for salvation as well as service to God. Praise the Lord for His moving in that service!
      We went on to be in Pastor Salazar's Church, Glenwood Baptist Church in Deer Park, TX for their night service. After we set up our table service began and I was able preach, "What Sets Us Apart", a sermon on the subject of Christians being set apart from the world. The service went very well as the Lord encouraged all of our hearts.
      We ask that you continue to keep us in your prayers and we continue on in many other churches in the next few months. Pray that many will see our desire and that the Lord will move in their hearts to bring our ministry on as part of their supported mission work.
      Faith, is what we are building our lives around, knowing that God will supply all our needs if we continue in His will.
                                                                              Love in Christ,
                                                                                      Zapata Family

Past Two Weeks

Dear Reader,

     Alot has occurred in the past few months that has opened our eyes to a whole new world of the ministry. After graduation in May, the beginning stages of what I felt was God's will for my life became a reality. The deputational trail had begun, and we set out, determined to hit the road as hard as we could. God has allowed many doors to open and many pastors have graciously allowed my family and I to come and present what we know God has for our lives. Elyssa, my dear and precious wife, has been strong and a great help, encouraging me and seeing to my needs. Although not able to travel in the begining with me with the expecting of our new baby, she has been there in every way, sacrificing much.

Within the last three months, God has allowed us to be in 20 different churches, see 52 people saved, and over 50 people surrendering their lives to God under the preaching opportunites that He provided for me. It is truly amazing how God works in so many ways, ways that at times, seem impossible.  Nothing greater than to follow God's will with your life and reap the results and blessing of that decision.

In admist my dream of serving God as a missionary, yet another miracle took place as our little daughter, Gabriella Ivelisse Zapata, was born, July 22, 2011. What feelings of love and joy come flowing in as I look into her eyes and can not help but think at what can be done through her life for God in the future.

     As of the June - July, we have been to Baytown, La Porte, Amarillo, Mesquite, Pilot Point, Edinburg, Roma, Tenaha, Nacogdoches, Mission, Flower Mound, and Freeport. We began the month of September in Durant, Oklahoma, Westside Baptist Church, under Pastor Phillip Winn. What a great privilege it was to be able to be a part of his service on Wednesday Night, September 7th. Our travels then took us to Huntsville, TX, Grace Baptist Church, under Pastor David Beaty. Was a fantastic opportunity to be in their services for the Sunday of 9/11, a day that America will never forget, as we were able to be a part of a service of memory and prayer for America and all that it holds. Wednesday, September 14th, brought us to Corpus Christi, TX, New Hope Independent Baptist Church, under Pastor Chuck Brushe where God allowed us another wonderful opportunity to present our work and for me to preach. The Lord did a great work, as many raised their hands making decisions and then soon after, filled the altar in prayer. We would like to extend a special thank you to East River Baptist Church, in New Caney, under Pastor Hoots, who have allowed us to stay on property while in the area and have truly been a blessing to my family.

     We will be in the Houston area for the next week and then on to Oklahoma and Kansas. Please keep us in your prayers as we continue to travel as a family and strive to raise the support needed to begin our work, Reaching the Next Generation, in not only the Philippines but in many other countries to follow.

                                                                            

                                          Love in Christ,

                                                       Jared, Elyssa, and Gabriella Zapata