Mike Patterson: January 2014 Prayer Letter

Mike and Becky…Family Report 2014

The year just past has been blessed beyond measure.  It has also been a time of trial and suffering.  Flooding and mudslides wiped out entire villages in Guerrero.  Mountain churches vanished and pastors and their members were left homeless.  We have established a fund for the bare necessities of food and water and have begun receiving funds to help them rebuild.  Our plans are to be in Tlapa as quickly, after the January Conference, as possible.

January Conference

Future of the Mission

In June, I had a massive heart attack.  I am weakened, but recovering.  It became clear that it was time to turn over the leadership of the mission to proven men.  By a unanimous vote of the Executive and Advisory Committees, Dr. Bill Patterson is being installed as the President and Steve Volante as the General Director.  In the 18 years I have led the mission it has grown from eight families to well over 100 that now receive our help.  All praise is His!  We have no plans to retire, but by shifting this burden to these Godly younger men I will be free to do what I do best and the mission will flourish.

Christian School in Tlapa

Our Children

Our kids are all active in His service.  In June we had a family reunion with all five and their families in Texas.  Bill and Marcy have now circled the globe 18 times with his Bible Translation and consultation work.  Now in Mongolia, they have also established an English church and Bible Institute.  Bobby, a software consultant, teaches Sunday school in their Kansas City church.  John Gibson and Joy have established the Shalom Baptist Church in Queens, NY, and are reaching both Jews and Gentiles.  Jennifer helps with the music of Worth Baptist Church and Allison, a nurse, will be marrying Jeremy Anderson, an assistant pastor, in Memphis, TN on March 22.

Conference Ministry

My special joy is helping churches with Faith Promise and Family Conferences worldwide.  I will continue until God calls me home.

The Tlapa Children’s Homes

The work in Tlapa continues with our Lord’s anointing.  We now have more children than ever before.  The new Christian School has been blessed beyond measure.  Becky and I plan to spend our time in Mexico training a new generation of servants for the Lord.

Becky’s first class in new Tlapa class facility

In His love,
Mike Patterson

PS:  Becky is the consummate help meet and the love of my life.  During my recent illnesses she has poured her loving service on me with abandon.  My book, My People, has been delayed in final editing, but should soon be out.  A chapter is included in this booklet.