By Mark Lockhart

Many men have been credited with saying, "There's no limit to what you can do for God if you don't care who gets the credit." We may not know who first made the statement, but we certainly appreciate men of God who take the truth to heart. Through this article, it is our privilege to introduce you to a couple of men who persist toward this disposition.

It is not surprising that they are missionaries. Each has been blessed with a wife who is committed to the work of the Lord in a foreign land. Both are serving in the country of Honduras and together they have seen God accomplish works that are beyond their imagination.

Alan and Becky Jackson, along with their children, Joshua, Jacob and Jennifer, arrived in Honduras in 2004. Since that time they have started two churches that will soon be turned over to national pastors.

Not only have the Jacksons started two churches, but they have also worked with a children's ministry. There is great personal satisfaction and joy in caring for children who might otherwise be without hope. However, we doubt that one who cares for orphaned, abandoned or troubled children celebrates prestige. Gratefully, recognition is not the longing that motivates the Jacksons to sacrifice of themselves. Rather, it is that God would be glorified and made manifest to these children.

One young man presently in their home is William. He is twenty years old. William has surrendered to do the will of God and is leaning toward the idea that God wants him to be a preacher. Another young man who was in their home is Josué, (Joshua). Now twenty-four years old, he will soon be assisting Alan as they start a new church in Danli, a town of some fifty thousand inhabitants.

In addition, there is a group of believers in the town of Amapala that, including the surrounding areas, has a population of some five thousand. These believers have a small building where they meet and are pleading for a preacher to tend to the flock.

Jason and Cassy Tate, along with their children, Audrey and Jordan, arrived in Honduras in 2003. They started Light of the World Baptist Church in Ojojona. Two more children (Joey and Matthew) were born in Honduras. Not only has God blessed their family, but He continues to bless the ministry. One of those blessings came through a man who attends Light of the World Baptist Church. Ruben Zelaya is an electrician assigned to work for the President. However, he is paid by the military and therefore is not subject to dismissal each time the administration changes. Since 2007 this contact has afforded Brother Tate a tremendous opportunity of ministry with the Presidential Honor Guard.

The military had their promotion day on January 28, 2011. The captain overseeing the daytime activities of the Presidential Honor Guard was promoted to Commandant of the Honduran Navy. General Osorio, his boss, was promoted to General over all of Honduras' military forces. Both of these officers have at one time or another been in the services that are conducted each Thursday morning. The new officers continue to encourage the men to come to the services and have considered making it mandatory for all officers and soldiers under their command. Through this opportunity, Brother Tate has been able to preach, in a single session, to as many as two hundred military personnel assigned to the Presidential Honor Guard!

The Jacksons and the Tates also minister to each other. The Tate family arrived in Honduras just three months prior to the Jackson family. Cassy helped Becky find the things essential for their household. Jason states that the role of who helps whom has changed through the years and that Becky provides an invaluable source of information and wisdom for Cassy. The wives rely on each other for ideas for ladies' ministries, the training of Sunday school workers and homeschooling!

Alan and Jason have been of mutual help and encouragement one to another through simple physical presence, counsel, and at times, financial assistance. Although it is difficult to categorize all the ways these families assist and minister to each other, both summarize by saying their ministry partners are invaluable. Jason says Alan is a tremendous source of help, especially in the area of counsel, because of his years of experience in the ministry.

Their ministries are only separated by nine miles. The short distance facilitates cohesiveness between each distinctive ministry and affords them the possibility of collective ministry opportunities. At present, the two local works join together for baptism services. This is not only encouraging for the Tate and Jackson families but it is also edifying to the new believers. Alan and Jason administer and teach together at Faith Baptist Seminary. Eleven students attend evening classes. Five full-time students attend during the day. The ultimate goal is to train nationals to become pastors, to carry on the work and embark upon other needed ministries. Two students who have been training in Bible institute are soon to be ordained and installed as the pastors of the two churches Alan started. Furthermore, the missionaries have a vision of helping the full-time students with a work scholarship through individual farming projects. This ambition will require initial finances to start the program. Moreover, their dream includes building dormitories for the Bible institute students.

Their unified efforts have been of great value to both families. Through Brother Jackson, the Tate family is blessed with a housing situation that continues to be beneficial to the work they are trying to accomplish. Alan has been able to help with the responsibilities of the military ministry and they have been able to help one another during illness and furlough times.

Pictured are the men who have been training in the Bible institute and will soon be ordained. Jose Luis (left) will become the pastor in San Buena Ventura, the first church the Jackson family started in 2004. Dolvin (right) will be working with the church in Eucomupe, the second ministry started by the Jacksons.

It is far too often that godly men leave with their family to a foreign mission field without a ministry partner. However, an occasional few are blessed with friends who are steadfast servants willing to seek only that Jesus Christ be lifted up!

These two families have been faithful during the previous eight years. Yet, there remains a multitude to reach for Christ and so much more they desire to accomplish through discipleship and personal training. However, the work is more than one man or even two families can achieve alone. It is God's plan and their vision that others be involved in the work. Thank you for your partnership with these missionaries. We ask you once again to Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth labourers into his harvest (Matthew 9:38).

Saturday, May 18, 2013

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

James A & Kelly Jean Shelton -  PUERTO RICO
Chester & Violet Sheren -  HONDURAS
Andrew & Michelle Shinabery -  COSTA RICA