July 15 to August 6, 2017, the Church of the Nazarene held Project Paul in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico. Project Paul is a missions development and church planting strategy. Thirty volunteer missionaries from 7 churches organized into 7 teams evangelized in 7 communities after their regular work.
The first stage of the project was April 7-9 when Pastor Manuel Molina from the Border Initiative led a training event.
The missionaries presented the gospel using the Evangecube, the Worldless Book, the plan of salvation, the evangeball and a children’s festival. After one week, the missionaries, along with members from the 7 participating churches, united to hold a service for testimonies and stories. The atmosphere was joyful as the participants reported that 200 people accepted Christ into their lives as Lord and Savior, and 8 people were reconciled to the Lord.
In the second week, alongside evangelism activities, the missionaries began to disciple new believers. The next weekend they met for a service where they reported that 101 people, including 48 adults, had begun the discipleship classes.
In the third week the teams continued evangelizing and discipling, and they held the first public services. They also began to hold services in homes that would be the new missions. On Sunday August 6, they held their third service. Pastors from each of the 7 participating churches, the superintendent of the Northeast District, David Diaz, and his wife, and missionary Stephen Sickel all attended the event. In that special time the participants shared the following results: 397 new believers between adults and young people, 41 children, and 109 people in discipleship classes.
The mission planters who lead each mission had a time of consecration. The received a guide to develop a preaching point into an organized church. Also, the planters committed to a plan of theological studies. The missionaries who participated were enthusiastic and committed to continue being part of the evangelistic team to reach their city.
Source: Pastor Manuel Molina Flores, Project Paul Coordinator, Border Initiative
