1. Taking us on for immediate financial support 2. Send in a one-time love gift 3. Allow me to present our ministry to you and your congregation

Transcription

1 ...The harvest truly is great but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest that He would send forth labourers into His harvest. Luke 10:2 Dear Pastor, My name is Christopher Hurst. My wife Ivy and I, along with our two children are excited that the Lord has called us to the mission field of the Philippines. We are sending you the included documents to introduce you to us and the ministry that the Lord is leading us to in reaching the Filipinos for Christ. Enclosed are our ministry brochure, doctrinal summary and a copy of our prayer card. We would count it a privilege to meet you and your church family and share the burden that God has placed on our hearts for the people of the Philippines. We will begin the first term of our ministry working alongside a veteran missionary. We look forward to church planting, evangelistic and medical outreaches, children s ministries, tract and Bible distribution, as well as other opportunities the Lord provides. In your consideration of our family s visit, we would like you to know that we are available and willing to serve in any way that we can be a blessing. If you would like any additional information about our ministry, we encourage you to visit our website at We appreciate your desire to reach the untold millions around the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Asia is a part of the world that appears to be an open window for the gospel at this time. The Philippines is definitely a field white already to harvest. Would you respond to the urgent need by: 1. Taking us on for immediate financial support 2. Send in a one-time love gift 3. Allow me to present our ministry to you and your congregation. Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. I realize we are all busy carrying on the work of the Lord, preparing for His return, but I look forward to hearing from you soon. Your Co-Laborers for Christ, Christopher Hurst The Christopher Hurst Family Taking the Truth to the Philippines

2 STATEMENT OF FAITH The Scripture We believe the Bible to be God s holy preserved words provided to man. We believe all the Holy Scriptures of both the Old and New Testaments to be the verbal, plenary inspired (2 Tim 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:21) words of God. The Bible is infallible (Mt. 5:18; Ps. 111:7) and inerrant in all areas (Jn. 17:17; Prov. 30:5). The Bible consisting of the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments is profitable, sufficient and is the final authority (James 1:22-25; Ps. 119:9; John 10:35) in all matters of belief and practice. God promised not only that His Word was sufficient but also that it would be eternally preserved; therefore we believe the Holy Scriptures have been providentially preserved (Ps. 12:6-7; Isa. 40:8; Mt. 5:18) for every generation in the original languages (Greek-TR/Hebrew-Masoretic) and that the Authorized Version (KJV) is an accurate English translation of the preserved Word of God. The One Triune God (Matthew 28:19; 1 John 5:7; John 14:10, 26) We believe in the deity, unity, and equality of one Triune God, eternally existing in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. These three are distinct in person and function but not authority or deity, each having the same nature, attributes, and perfections; each being equally worthy of our praise and obedience. This Triune God is the only true and living God; creator and sustainer of all things both visible and invisible. We believe that God has revealed Himself to man, desiring that man worship Him and be reconciled to Him through God the Son Jesus Christ. Creation (Genesis 1 & 2; Exodus 20:11; Isaiah 45:18; Hebrews 11:3) We believe God spoke the world into existence using no pre-existing materials. As the book of Hebrews states, the worlds were framed by the word of God. Isaiah tells us that God formed the earth and made it; he hath established it We believe God created the universe and all living things in six literal days resting on the seventh day. The Doctrine of Man (Gen 1:26-27; 2:16-17; 5:1; 9:6; Rom 5:12-19; 3:23; Ps. 51:5) We believe that man was created by a direct act of God in His own image. We believe Man, in Adam, was created with a free will and given dominion over all God s Creation. Adam, through a voluntary act of his free will, chose to sin by disobeying God at the Fall. Adam s willful act of disobedience passed his fallen nature, sin and its penalty of death (physical & spiritual) upon all mankind. We believe the primary purpose of man s existence in this world is to receive God s gift of salvation then serve and glorify Him as he is conformed to the image of Christ.

3 The Doctrine of Satan (Isa 14:12-15; I Peter 5:8; Rev 20:10) We believe that all Angels including Lucifer (Satan) were originally created perfect; however, Satan because of his pride rebelled and was cast out of heaven. He is the prince of the power of the air but does not possess the attributes of omniscience, omnipotence and omnipresence, as only God does. Satan is active today leading those angels who followed him, seeking to blind men to the gospel, tempt and deceive men to sin, and to hinder the work of God's servants. His destiny is eternal damnation in the Lake of Fire. The Doctrine of Salvation (John 3:16; 5:24; Romans 5:8; 6:23; 10:9-10; Ephesians 2:8-9) We believe that because of the Fall all men are sinners, guilty and condemned before God. God, by His mercy and grace, provided a way of salvation through Jesus Christ. Christ, the Son of God, came to earth, suffered and died in man s place. He rose three days later, providing provision for the sins of the world which is available to any person who by faith alone will receive it. Salvation cannot be lost and is God s method of restoring sinful men to a right relationship to Himself, on the basis of the finished work of Christ. The Doctrine of Last Things (1 Thes. 4:13-18; 1 Cor. 3:10-15; 15:51-52; Rev 20:1-11; 21:1-2) We believe the next event in fulfillment of prophecy is the pre-tribulation Rapture of the Church. Following that event will be a literal Seven Year Period of Tribulation. Christ will at that time (in heaven) judge the Saints at the Judgment Seat of Christ. At the end of the Great Tribulation Christ will return to establish His Millennial Kingdom, which will last a literal 1000 years and end with the Great White Throne Judgment. Satan as well as all unbelievers will be cast into the literal Lake of fire for all Eternity and God will create a New Heaven and a New Earth. The Church ( Matt 28:18-20; Acts 1:8, 2:41-47; Eph. 1:22-23, 2:20; 1 Cor 11:23-32; 1 Tim. 3:1-16) We believe the New Testament Church is a local body of regenerated baptized believers, voluntarily meeting together for the purpose of worship, edification, observing the ordinances, fellowship and service. The true mission of the church is the faithful witnessing of Christ to all men as we have opportunity in the local community and unto the uttermost parts of the earth. The two ordinances of the local church are baptism (by immersion) and the Lord s Supper. Both ordinances are symbolic of the work of Christ and have no saving merit. The two offices of the local church are pastor and deacon, whose qualifications and duties are clearly defined in the scriptures.

4 Recommendations You would have a hard time finding people that have a greater servant s heart than this family. I have personally watched them give of themselves to serve in areas in which others might not be so eager to serve. It is with great confidence that I recommend to you the Hurst family to the Philippines. I believe that your church will be blessed by having them in... and that your missions dollars would be wisely spent in supporting this good family. Tate Throndson, Pastor Castleview Baptist Church, Castle Rock, Colorado The Hursts have served as teachers, soul winners, teen disciplers, Summer Bible School leaders and host to many in our church I can assure you that you will not be embarrassed by their presentation. They will prove to be Biblical in burden and doctrine. Grace Bible Baptist Church family is 100% behind this family as their sending Church! Rubin Ruffin, Pastor Grace Bible Baptist Church, Pensacola, Florida Visit to view complete recommendation letters & doctrinal summary. FAMILY CONTACT hurstfam4filipinos@gmail.com SENDING CHURCH Grace Bible Baptist Church Dr. Rubin Ruffin, Pastor 3445 Luke Street Pensacola, Florida (850) MISSION BOARD Baptist International Missions, Inc. P.O. Box 9215 Chattanooga, TN (423)

5 Testimonies Christopher I was born into a good family with caring parents but we rarely went to church as a family neither did we study the truths of God s Word. I knew of God, but it was not until I was 24 years of age that I realized my sinful state and my need of a Savior. After putting my faith and trust in Christ and His completed work on the cross, God provided me with a godly wife and two wonderful children. In November of 1999, the Lord began burdening my heart for the lost souls of the Filipino people. In March of 2000, I surrendered to serve in the mission field of the Philippines. After waiting on the Lord s timing, I began seminary in January of 2006 at Pensacola Theological Seminary. In May 2010, I graduated with a Master of Divinity degree. Following graduation our entire family went on a monthlong survey trip to the Philippines. The Lord provided numerous ministry opportunities and showed us several areas that have no Bible preaching churches. The Lord confirmed our call and showed us that the Philippines is a field white unto harvest. Many individuals are open to hearing the gospel message if someone will take the time to share the Truth of God s Word with them. Ivy I was born and raised in the Philippines in a Catholic family. I was taught to be good and to do good so that when I die I will go to heaven. At the age of 16, I realized that I needed a Savior and accepted Christ as my personal Savior. In 1993, I came to the United States as a nurse and later met my husband. We were both active in the church, but in March of 2000, when my husband surrendered for fulltime missions, I flatly refused to go back. I knew the difficulties of life in the Philippines and all the hardships I had endured to come to the United States. After four years of my husband and others praying, along with the Holy Spirit using the preaching of God s Word, I became obedient unto God and willing to follow and support my husband. We sold our house and moved to Pensacola, FL, in August The Lord was still working on me and it was a couple more years before I completely surrendered myself to His desire for our lives, including reaching the lost in the Philippines. Going back to the Philippines on our survey trip in June 2010 made me realize that God is calling for true committed laborers. Kaitlin I was saved at the age of six while attending Vacation Bible School. After the lesson, I knew that I was a lost sinner and prayed with my teacher to accept Christ as my Savior. When we moved to Pensacola several years later, I surrendered my life to whatever God has for me. In 2010, I accompanied my parents on a missions trip to the Philippines for the month of June. I had a great time and made many friends while we were there. I look forward to serving the Lord with my parents. Andrew One Sunday morning, the pastor was preaching on heaven and hell, and I realized that without Christ as my Savior I would eternally be separated from Him. I was five years old at the time, and I went forward wanting to be saved. My dad and another person went back to a room with me, and my father showed me from the Bible how I could personally know Jesus Christ as my Savior. I prayed and accepted Him there. While in the Philippines for a month, I had a great time ministering to and playing with the Filipino children. I am excited about going back to serve the Lord with my family. Field The Philippines is a land of great natural beauty, but spiritually it is consumed with deception, idolatry and superstition. The population is over 80% Catholic with other groups such as Muslims, Iglesia ni Christo, Jehovah s Witnesses as well as many more growing rapidly. With the percentage of Christians only making up about 7% of the 93 million who populate the Philippines, there is a tremendous need for true Bible preaching churches, as well as individuals who desire to train nationals. Goals Proclaiming the Gospel Children s and Youth Ministries Preparing Nationals for the Ministry Planting Independent Baptist Churches Ministry Experience Pastoral Intern with PCC local church internship program Grace Bible Baptist Church, Pensacola, FL Pensacola Theological Seminary Master of Divinity 2010 Summer Mission Trips: Preaching & Teaching Ivory Coast: June 2009 & Philippines: June 2010 Teaching Sunday School & Children s Church Master Club listeners & leader Prison Ministries Nursing Home & Rescue Mission ministries

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