Jared Zapata Family: The Stand Against Evil

Dear Reader,

Persecution, ridicule, and torture have been the consequences for many Christians who have dared to stand for the truth found in the pages of our Holy Bible. The many stories that flood from the history books of how Satan has targeted those who would try to make a difference in the world around them are heart touching and life motivating. Because we have the privilege to live in America where at this time we have the freedom to worship and serve God in our own way, we tend to easily lose sight of what was sacrificed and what it truly means to stand for right. Sadly, what our forefathers suffered could very well return as the world, as we know it, continues to become worse and against that which pertains to the one true God. As the Bible teaches Christians are continually putting on the whole armor of God as a defense to what Satan is putting forth. Within our travels, through what we have seen, and what we have heard Satan is using sin and people to tear apart churches and ministries that are producing and doing a great work for God. Churches who are taking a stand are being persecuted and betrayed by those who proclaimed to be loyal and many being forced to close their doors and members leave for what seems to be an easier road. We are seeing certain freedoms slowly being taken away, Christ being removed, and many different changes occurring with Christianity today! How it is so important that as Christians, together, we place upon ourselves the very armor and protection that the Lord has provided through His Word so that through all the is presently occurring and the persecution that is to come we might continue on for the Lord Jesus Christ.

July began within the state of New Mexico as we visited City Baptist Church and Iglesia Bautista Fuente De Luz within the city of Albuquerque. Monday, July 2^nd, we traveled on to Arizona where we would spend the rest of our time before returning back for Youth Revival at Parkside. Beginning on July the fourth and ending on July fifteenth, we had the privilege of visited Coronado Baptist Church, East Valley Baptist Church, Valley Baptist Church, Freeway Baptist Church, Casa Grande Baptist Church, and Iglesia Bautista De Sahuarita all within the cities of Tucson, Mesa, Phoenix, Casa Grande, and Sahuarita. What a great experience it was to meet these Arizona pastors and to witness firsthand the great work God was allowing them to do.

July sixteenth was a fourteen hour drive home as we were looking forward to visiting with our home church once again. On July eighteenth we dropped in on Trinity Baptist Church in Arlington, TX and were able to visit with our good friends, Bro. Mark, Mrs. Laura and Chelsea! Sunday, the twenty-second began Youth Revival and what a great revival it was! With many sessions of great preaching, excitement, evening services, and more our hearts were encouraged and rekindled to do more in God’s service. July twenty second was Gabriella’s first birthday and how excited we were to celebrate with family and friends! Time truly flies when watching your little ones grow!

To finish off the month of July, God allowed us to visit two churches pastored by the Ogdie brothers, Trinity Baptist Church of Wills Point and Woodland Hills Baptist Church of Tyler. What great services we had and a great time of fellowship as we were able to meet two men and churches on fire and serving God!

We pray that as we continue on in God’s will that He will give us the strength to shield ourselves from the evil of this world and allow us to do our part in reaching the world for Jesus Christ.