We just finished our first month at Bay Life and what a month it has been. God is blessing and you can read all about it. Also, I am still teaching two classes at Fariview and preaching in chapel at the college, so please pray for safety on the roads. Thank you for all your prayers and giving, it is evident that God is at work. Take care….Cletis and Tammy
November 2010
How long is this church going to be here?
That is a question we have been hearing a lot from residents in Bogue Village. Evidently many new churches are started in Jamaica that over time tend to fade away. Many of these churches did not ‘count the cost’ and found out that it is expensive and labor intensive to start a church. Others simply did not lay a proper foundation so that when the winds of adversity come the church structure crumbles. Of course, no one can guarantee that a church started is a church standing, but there are certain steps that can be taken that will help establish a church. At Bay Life we took over four months to survey the community and find out what the needs are. Door to door is hard work, but it does give you a feel for the area. We found certain ‘non-doctrinal’ issues that were keeping people from attending church. These ranged from length of the service to having to ‘dress up’ to attend. We also found some doctrinal opposition from those who do not believe in the Deity of Christ. All of these factors were considered in planting Bay Life.
Location, location, location. The three main factors in real estate also relate to church planting. Most Jamaicans have to walk to church or take a taxi, so the closer you are the better the chance of them attending. We chose a meeting place as close to the entrance to Bogue Village as possible and it has paid off. The more presence we establish in the community the better our opportunities to minister.
Money, Money, money! At last count it cost over $7,000.00 U.S. to start Bay Life Baptist. . Thank you to all of our friends and church families who gave sacrificially to ‘birth’ our church. Church planting doesn’t cost, it pays!! The initial investment will reap eternal reward. So, how will we know when Bay Life has ‘made it’ and will go on? First, when we can pay our bills on our own. Paying rent and supporting a Pastor will take a congregation of close to 100 here in Jamaica. Second, when we have land in the community and finally when we build our building. We have just begun, so pray for the stability and establishment of Christ’s Church here in Montego Bay- and thanks for all your help!!
Nickels, Numbers and Noses……..
We understand that it’s not all about ‘how many and how much’ but these do give us an indication of progress. We would never know how many if God had not included the numbers in Acts 2 or the Book of Numbers in the Old Testament. So, here is a summary of our first Month-
Average Attendance: 80 High Attendance 105
Average Offering: $12,600 JD or $151.00 USD
Number of Decisions: 7 salvation 3 rededication
Continue to pray that the Lord will add daily those who are being saved.
The next step…….
We have contacted a Jamaican realtor to look into land for Bay Life. Our realtor is a member of the mother church, Hillview Baptist, and will be searching in the next few months for available land in the Bogue Village area. It is vital that we stay within walking distance to this community and also important that we are on a main road. Pray with us that the land with be available and affordable. Also, mark April 2011 on your calendar as we plan to charter Bay Life as an Independent Baptist Church during this month. Bay Life is a baby right now but our prayer is that she will begin to toddle, then walk. then be a strong presence for Christ in the community.
On a personal note…..
Pray for our daughter Summer and her husband Shane Somers in Orlando as they proceed with the adoption process in the adoption of our grandson (Silas) from Ethiopia.