It has been a remarkable start of the year for the LAMB District Conference. As I look back at the first half of 2018, one word stands out: teamwork. The type of teamwork that is Spirit-led because members are willing to lay down personal agendas for increased impact.
Patrick Lencioni says, “Not finance. Not strategy. Not technology. It is teamwork that remains the ultimate competitive advantage, both because it is so powerful and so rare.”
Ecclesiastes 4:9 (NLT) reminds us that “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.”
I strongly believe that success is inevitable when teamwork is the desired place to start. The movement forward and continued success of our USMB vision and three core commitments are most visible when the rare sight of teamwork is prayed for, desired and exemplified. God is most glorified and most visible to the world when his people partner together for his one common mission: seek and save the lost.
USMB and its partner ministries have given the LAMB district a taste of the beauty of teamwork. The example of teamwork that has been demonstrated gives us an excellent model to follow. This year at “Edify,” our annual district conference, our USMB national director Don Morris and MB Foundation president Jon Wiebe came together to resource our churches with relevant and practical biblical teaching. The way they complemented each other and collaborated together is why USMB’s future story will be one of greater partnership.
As well, during a LEAD One event held earlier this year, national director Morris partnered with Randy Friesen and the MB Mission team with this one theme: Stay on mission. Hearing the oneness of the message from our national leaders brought greater clarity to the fact that we cannot enjoy success alone; we have to partner with one another.
Walking alongside each other allows us to see the task at hand and work toward that instead of focusing on our differences and the walls we create that decrease teamwork. The visible partnership/teamwork demonstrated by our national leaders should not just be recognized but primarily exemplified. The LAMB district is praying for this spirit of teamwork to overflow in an increased manner among us.
As well, we are grateful for the work that God is doing among the LAMB district churches in reaching out to our communities and saving the lost. In line with one of our three core commitments, we’ve seen an increased desire from some churches that are stepping outside of their comfort zones and being led by faith toward those that are marginalized or different.
Pastor Jesse Hernandez who pastors Iglesia Nueva Vida in Palmview, Texas, is reaching out to over 800 winter Texans every week during the fall and winter seasons at different RV parks in our community.
Pastor Jesse says, “It is amazing to see when someone who has already lived their better part of life finally comes to know Jesus.”
These evangelism efforts have led many to make first-time decisions for Christ, and a number of them are being encouraged to be baptized. God is moving among the LAMB churches, and we ask that you join with us in prayer to see many more come to know Jesus.
Aaron Hernandez is the Latin America District Conference (LAMB) minister. He and his wife, Alejandra, and their children live in La Grulla, Texas. Henandez is also pastor of Grace Point@Grulla and a daughter congregation, Grace Point@McAllen.
