I traveled to Panama last month with three of our Pastors: Libia Gutierrez, Ivis Gutierrez, and Paul Waroe. Pastora Ivis’ daughter, Aliana, also came to serve as my translator. We are experiencing a lot of interest in the Covenant Brethren Church in that nation. We are grateful that God is providing a way to minister there. Paul and I visited Churches on Thursday, Friday, Monday, and Tuesday.
On Saturday and Sunday, we were joined by the others. Aliana is a great help to me as she has a gift for translating.
We were very busy, visiting Pastors to discuss our denomination. On Saturday, we met with Pastors representing eight Churches. Some had previously received our Statement of Faith, so I was there to answer any questions that they may have. We were well received, and the Pastors will pray with their congregations about a future with Covenant Brethren. We met at a Church that was centrally located, but some had traveled more than five hours to get there.
Later that evening, we went to our Church in Panama, Iglesia Evangelica Nuevo Comienzo. I was honored to preach and present the congregation with their certificate, officially bringing them into our denomination. This was an evening of celebration and worship. We gave thanks to God for bringing us together and for all that He is doing there. It was nice to see that the congregation had grown, and the Church building had been expanded. When we were there last April, we saw that there was no water at the Church. At the Southern Regional Conference, in my report to the delegates, I asked for prayer for the Church and that God would provide water for them. We received an anonymous gift to be used for a project to provide water. It was a blessing for me to present the needed funds and let them know that it was God who had moved and made this possible. The Congregation is hard at work on this project. Not only were they able to provide water, but there was also given a little more than was needed, so they are building bathrooms as well.
The next day, Sunday, I was to preach at another Church that was in another area of Panama, La Chorrera. Some of the Pastors that we met on Saturday were there along with others. There is great interest in the Covenant Brethren Church. We had a great time worshiping God and enjoying being together. This Church is in a neighborhood and has a powerful ministry to the people in that area.
On Monday, Paul and I traveled to Colon, where we visited a prison. At this point, I did not have a translator, so when I was asked to preach, I asked if anyone there could do this. One of the inmates, Carlos, had lived in North Carolina and had excellent English. So, he interpreted for me as we preached throughout the facility. I was thankful to bring the gospel message to men who have very little hope. The worship and prayer there were powerful. The love of God is tremendous.
I thank God for allowing Covenant Brethren Church to be used in His Hands.
Pastor Scott Kennick – CBC Executive Board
