Thank You Calvary Laguna!

Hello All,

Just a quick note of thanks to Calvary Laguna's Wednesday Night Crowd. It was a really good night to be there. I was particularly moved early on in the evening with the warmth of the members of the staff and the band, who helped us get our kids to their respective classes. Thank you.

After the message, I must have talked with 6 people who were really stirred by the Lord to think again about where they fit in with regard to the concept of global missions and entering into the heart of God's main agenda on the Earth.

All in all, it was a really refreshing night to be a part of, and I hope that I will get a chance to see this group again. For now, it is on to Calvary Chapel of Claremont this weekend. I had a great lunch with Pastor Marco and his right hand man, Dennis today. Pastor Marco, as I have said before, was a major influence and encouragement to me, back when I was just putting thoughts together about Spain. It will be a privilege to serve alongside of him on Sunday.

Along those lines, please be praying for us as we look toward Sunday. We desire to minister and bless the congregation there in Claremont and we ask that you would remember us toward that end. OH, AND DON'T FORGET TO PRAY FOR THOSE VISAS!

Blessings To The Friends Of Spain,
Frank Sanchez

Single-Minded

Hello All,

First things first, there is no update on our visa situation. Please continue to pray that the Lord's will would be done regarding the visas for Lela and the children. We have been keeping ourselves busy, though the middle of the day can sometimes be a little long. That being said, we are doing our best to redeem the time that the Lord has seen fit to give to us.

However, that still does not allow us to re-enter fully into what is our call. We are not presently able to do that which God has called us to do. In the interim, time and distance keep us from our mission. Even so, the goal of reaching the Spanish people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ must remain the priority in our minds.

This post actually came to my mind as a result of a provocative series of events, culminating in a conversation I had with a friend yesterday at the gym. Since I have been home, I have become very cognizant of various movements within Christianity here at home. Some people on this side have been converting Christians to their theological bents. On this side, there is a group emerging that wants to cast off old traditional models of worship. And in between are billions of Christians being tugged at and attracted by both sides, almost competing for souls.

I admit to being stirred in my Spirit, both to righteous (and sometimes "not-so-righteous") indignation and jealousy. Anger at anyone who would attempt to derail someone's faith and jealousy at wanting to be part of the most hip, most cool church of the moment.

I staggered at both of these thoughts until I recalled the words of Jesus to the Apostle Peter in the gospel of John. The time is post resurrection, the location is the sea of Galilee, and the occasion is the restoration of Peter to ministry. It's the famous, "Feed and Tend My Sheep" speech. But then, Jesus goes on to tell Peter that he will die in a way that would bring glory to God. It's at this moment when Peter asks a question, not about himself, but about John, the beloved disciple.

John 21:21 : "Peter, seeing him (John), said to Jesus, 'But Lord, what about this man?'"

I note that he put his eyes upon John, his fellow disciple. Something in us always wants to see if what the other guy is doing is better or greater. Some commentators see this as a desire to work together in friendship. Perhaps. I have always, because of the response of the Lord, believed with the other set of commentators, who see this in the light of a competitive spirit. "Well, what's he going to do for you since I am going to be doing this!" Really there is no way to tell. The important thing is what Jesus says to Peter next.

John 21:22 : "Jesus said to him, 'If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? YOU FOLLOW ME.'" (Emphasis mine)

If that church or group of churches will never relent and always attempt to win converts to their cause, what is that to you? You follow me! If that church is attracting a young age group of the disenfranchised and disillusioned, what is that to you? You follow me!

There is so much freedom in this line of thought. I can only be what God has created me to be. I can waste my time wishing I was somebody else, or even wishing that somebody else did not exist, but everytime that I succumb to this, I lose sight of my goal, my call. When my eyes turn to the other disciple, I lose sight of the Lord whom we are both called to follow!

God is calling you to a life of significance. If you have not found your call, pray today, get it soon and follow the Lord in it with all your being! Turn neither to the right or to the left. Be single-minded.

On a final note, please be praying as we head to Calvary Laguna tonight to minister. Pray the Lord's annointing on us as we share the vision that the Lord has given us.

Blessings To The Friends Of Spain,
Frank Sanchez

Another Laguna Update!

Hello All,

Ok, prayer alert BACK ON! I got a call from Pastor Chris yesterday asking me to come and speak next Wednesday August 9th for the Calvary Laguna Wednesday night service. Praise the Lord for another opportunity to share what the Lord is doing in Spain.

Blessings To The Friends Of Spain,
Frank Sanchez

An Update For This Weekend...

Hello All,

For those who receive the Spain Chain or have read it here on the site over the last day or so, you may have noticed that I anticipated speaking at Calvary Laguna this weekend. Just after that was posted, I got a call from Pastor Chris Norman, informing me that he will not be out of town after all. So, I will not be speaking at Calvary Laguna this weekend, so the prayer alert is off for this week! Lord willing, we will be able to hook up with Calvary Laguna sometime in the near future.

And, we continue to wait, pray that our visas will come in. Every phone call gives us a ray of hope, only to be dashed when it's not the consulate! It's really not that traumatic, but we do hope to hear from them sooner than later. A member of our Spain Team (the group of people who were "in" on this from the very beginning) mentioned that the last time we called for a fast that my visa came in. Perhaps we need to do that again soon!

Thanks for praying and waiting with us. It is appreciated.

Blessings To The Friends Of Spain,
Frank Sanchez