Good Growth
A healthy church is a growing church. This is what we were teaching a supporting Filipino/American church at a retreat in May. We had no idea that God was about to give the church an unforgettable object lesson. We were explaining how church leaders must train others to do everything they do, if the church is to be healthy and grow. During the session break, one of the leaders had a sudden heart episode, and was rushed away in an ambulance. The pastor and an elder followed the ambulance to the hospital to care for him. As the session resumed, one of the men of the congregation spoke up, “Now I see the need to be trained in leadership, because in just a few minutes, three of the leaders of our church are gone from this retreat.”
Another Filipino fellowship in Birmingham asked us to help them when they experienced a division because of false teaching that crept into their group. They studied with us from Scripture how to recognize false teachers, and then asked us to continue to train them as we have available time. We thank God for a husband and wife team leading this group with God-centered hearts and new discernment.
The elementary tutoring program for underprivileged youth is expanding at Faith Bible Christian Church in Mangaldan, Philippines. Church members continue to run and fund this evangelistic opportunity, as well as feeding a meal to those who attend. They also reached out to the teen siblings of these students through a youth development seminar in June. These are all children whose parents meet weekly to study the Bible in the government sponsored program helping poor families in the Philippines.
Youth leader training also continued in June, with leaders from two churches joining together for the training workshops. From elders to youth, we challenge believers in each church to reproduce their faith and obedience for Christ into the next generation of believers.
Bad Growth
Not all growth is good. Joy’s younger sister, Faith, has been diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer, as well as thyroid cancer. Please pray with us for wisdom treating this, as well as quality time for Faith with her husband, Vaughn, and her seven children. David’s brother, John, has also been diagnosed with prostate cancer. His is a fast-growing cancer, but has not yet spread to bones or glands. As our families face life-threatening illness, we are reminded that each day is a precious gift from God.
New Growth
We are committed to using the time God has given to us to help Filipino churches grow and multiply, whether they are supporting churches in the U.S., or the churches entrusted to our care in the Philippines. We thank God for each of you who pray for us and financially support our ministry. We have seen new growth this summer, as another supporter joined us in this work. Your support and prayers are every bit as much an investment of your life, in growing these churches, as our own lives are. Thank you for serving with us!
Servants together, David, Joy & Weaver Family
Donations may be made here, at TEAM.org for David & Joy Weaver (Account 009312). Checks may be sent to TEAM, P.O. Box 1986 Grapevine, TX 76099-1986. Please note if you want your donation applied to the ministry van project.
Contact Info
Address: 2508 Dunmore Dr. Birmingham, AL 35226
email: [email protected]
Phone: (205) 401-1310
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