Tom Gilmer: June 2017 Prayer Letter

Dear Friends of Zion:

Thank you for continuing to pray and give to make our work possible.

Even though I am unable to resume a normal schedule as yet, I now work from my office at home. The LORD sends opportunities for me to witness, give consultation and counsel. For example, our water filter had a problem and needed technical assistance. The owner of the firm where it was bought, a friend of Pastor Marcos, had installed it himself. He was suffering with cancer. Pastor Marcos had been witnessing to him and thought I might bring him to a decision. He listened but was not yet ready to trust CHRIST. When the problem with the filter arose, I called the company, thankful for another opportunity to speak to the owner about his soul. His secretary said, “He’s not here today; he’s receiving medical attention.” A day or two later, Pastor Marcos told me the man died the very day I called! But he had gone to church and, from all indications, had called on the LORD for salvation before he died.

In reviewing the history of recent church planting, it is fascinating to see how lives and ministries overlap and intertwine to bring new churches into existence. Such is the case of (1) the new church being built in Serra Azul, Igreja Batista Esperança (Hope Baptist), with the aid of eight small churches in the area, including Cajuru, the second church we founded and which is in a building program of its own. That group joined forces in 2012 and over the years has increased to sixteen churches, which includes our son-in-law Rom Ribeiro’s new church in Ribeirão Preto; and the church in Araras, whose pastor, Deo, we helped train and prepare for ministry with the goal of starting new churches. The building in Serra Azul will be dedicated on June 23. And Deo’s church has already accepted an invitation to lead the project of founding the next church in Porto Ferreira, sponsored by those sixteen churches. Also, (2) the new church that is developing in Guacuri under the leadership of missionary Sean Lunday and our son Harold Ralph with land that was donated for a church. Delays on the beginning of that church were not without reason so that something better would result, such as Deo’s call to the pastorate in Araras just as he and Harold Ralph were ready to move from Ingá and begin working in Guacuri. Enclosed you will find copies of Rom´s and Harold Ralph’s prayer letters giving details. In resumé, we network to build churches that network to build other churches! To GOD be the glory!

May GOD continue to bless you for contributing to our ministries, which contribute to other ministries, to keep the gospel message going forth as Jesus commanded in The Great Commission.

Yours for the Messiah,
Tom and Linda Gilmer

PRAISE:

1. Professions of faith: 1.
2. Churches progressing:  a) Guacuri (see Harold Ralph’s prayer letter), b)Serra Azul (see Rom Ribeiro’s prayer letter)
3. Tom now able to work from office at home.
4. Linda’s knees better after first infiltration.

PRAYER:

1. Salvation of Jews and Gentiles.
2. Ongoing projects (church planting, Bible study helps, media outlets, and warehouse for Bibles).
3. Tom’s recuperation from 2^nd spinal surgery.
4. Linda’s knees (treatment for arthritic condition).