Ministry in Peru continues while we are in the US

In March, while we were up in Iowa, the team in Peru was doing an evangelistic campaign and training pastors in evangelism. They were rained out one day but were given an hour on the radio to make up for it.  A ministry that heard the program is interested in providing radio transmitters if we will broadcast solid teaching for rural communities.

Attendees at open air evangelism look on as Jorge Ortiz presents the gospel

Missionary Vision

We analyzed the story presented in the Bible for our Bible conferences, and it profoundly affected how we view things.

Mike’s emergency eye surgeries for glaucoma have certainly put physical vision in the limelight. And we’re glad to report that his vision is stable in the right eye and his actually improved in his left eye. This has been a wonderful answer to prayer. As we start a new year another kind of vision has been on our minds. The vision of our ministry. Planning for another year of ministry is a good time to check on our ministry vision, and how it lines up with God’s vision. The source for all missionary work and vision is God’s vision as presented in the Bible. A few years ago we analyzed the story presented in the Bible for our Bible conferences, and it has profoundly affected how we view things. Reduced to its bare bones, the story of the Bible is this: The main character, God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) always existed. God created Man 1, the other major character, and installed him as governor of the earth. God maintained a friendship with His creation, visiting and talking with Man, every day. Both God and Man are compound characters--God is a trinity and Man a duality--man and woman. All through this story, we must understand God as a character and Man as a character, if we want to understand what happens and not be distracted by the details. There is another major character. God has an enemy, a rebellious creation named Satan. Satan is an angel, more powerful than Man, but his nature is corrupt and God has condemned him to eternal punishment for rebellion. This rebel entered into the earth in the form of a snake and enticed Man, Earth’s governor, into rebelling against God as well. Man’s nature became corrupted, and all of creation became corrupted with him.

That’s God’s vision. 

The corrupted version of Man stayed true to his original function of governing the earth, but the corrupted Earth resists his efforts. As his original mission becomes more corrupted, Man 1 becomes obsessed with power and control. Even his relationship with God is corrupted, and Man’s best efforts are unacceptable to God, corrupted as they are by sin. Because death is introduced to limit Man 1’s corruption, his character becomes more splintered, as people are born and die and cover the earth. God gives Man 1 several fixes that don’t fix his problem--a flood that wipes out most of the human race, the law given to the nation of Israel--these show Man 1 that his corruption has made it impossible for him to fix himself. Finally, God gives Man a fix that works--God Himself takes the form of Man in Jesus Christ, but with an uncorrupted nature. Man 1, in his crazy power madness, kills Jesus Christ. This is according to God’s plan because Christ’s innocent death pays the penalty for the act of rebellion against God. Those individual men who accept this payment and surrender to God’s control become part of a new character, Man 2, and are no longer condemned. Man 2 is the church, and is working against the clock, trying to incorporate as many individuals as possible into the church before time runs out and all humans are sent either to eternal glory with God or eternal punishment with Satan. That’s the missionary vision: incorporating as many individuals as possible into the church before time runs out.

Gearing up to go: Mike & Tammy Riggs in Peru

We've got plans!  And we're gearing up to go do them! View this email in your browser January 18, 2016 View this email in your browser The Riggs Report Plans This is the time of year for making plans, and especially in our case.  We are finalizing our plans for our next term on the field, and getting ready to go back to Peru in February! Many of you have already heard about our plan that we're calling 2020 Vision. We now have expanded that plan and added details.  Peru is a large and diverse country.  Like the United States, it is multicultural.  One big difference is that many of the ethnic and cultural groups are native to Peru.  Many Peruvians would identify themselves according to their region or tribe or language.  They would not identify themselves as Peruvians.  Any nationwide strategy to train leaders must adapt to different regional cultures. We are planning to establish regional training centers. Each one will have local ownership and its own distinct regional flavor. That's why we are calling this 2020 vision.  We want to see  20 Biblical training centers (Bible Colleges)  Established in 20 locations throughout Peru  By the year 2020. Peru is a country with significant challenges. It is a multicultural society.  Believers in one place may face the threat of Marxist and atheist philosophy.  Another church close by may struggle with witchcraft practiced in the church.  Yet we've determined to reach out across the regions.  We want to provide churches with leaders able to meet their local challenges. Our goal is to have the 20 Bible Colleges organized and operated by qualified Peruvians.  We plan to do this in two phases.  Phase 1 (2016-2017) we will set up the infrastructure of the ministry.  We will maintain and develop the existing training locations.  We will begin to teach a three year series of seminars in selected locations.  We also will be implementing a distance learning program via Skype, DVD, and webinars.  This program targets church leaders among the urban poor and the rural communities. This phase will need a lot of investment and recruiting. Phase 2 (2018-2019) we will expand the seminar ministry to new locations. As the initial seminar locations complete the conference series, some will become Bible Colleges.  There will be many more startup locations at that time.  Much less investment will be necessary. We'll be keeping you updated as we go along. Obviously there are a lot of needs for such a large project.  There are both prayer and financial needs. There will be obstacles to face. We'll be letting you know about those and our progress on those, too! Please pray: For God to help us through the many goodbyes necessary.  Partings are always difficult! That we are able to get flights at a good price on the day that we need. That we can take care of all financial and tax affairs before we leave. That a few niggling medical problems- a sore on Mike's leg and Tammy's aching neck--will get cleared up before we leave.   Mike and Tammy Riggs want to live in a world full of healthy, growing Christian churches that are centered in the Bible. As missionaries they've been featured as conference speakers and teachers throughout the country of Peru, giving them a lot of time traveling the mountain roads in buses. When they're not teaching in Bible Schools and seminaries or speaking in churches you can find them hanging out with their family in Peru or the United States, as God has blessed them with children and grandchildren who live in both countries, or rooting for The Ohio State Buckeyes. Their next ministry project — 2020 Vision, a plan to have 20 Bible Colleges operating in 20 cities in Peru by the year 2020 — is already gearing up and Phase 1 will be starting this year. You can find out more about how to participate in their ministry in Peru on the website riggsreport.org or at Facebook.com/missionarymike. The Gomez family (Miguel and Becky) have been accepted by World Outreach Ministries and you can now contribute to them directly at World Outreach Ministries. Select Gomez, Miguel and Becky. Donate Online for 2020 Vision>> Select Riggs, Mike and Tammy Share Tweet Forward Copyright © 2016 World Outreach Ministries, All rights reserved. You are getting this email because you signed up for our prayer updates at our missions table or told us you would like to receive our email updates. Our mailing address is: World Outreach Ministries P. O. Box B Marietta, GA 30061 Add us to your address book unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences

Plans

This is the time of year for making plans, and especially in our case.  We are finalizing our plans for our next term on the field, and getting ready to go back to Peru in February!

Many of you have already heard about our plan that we're calling 2020 Vision. We now have expanded that plan and added details.

Peru is a large and diverse country.  Like the United States, it is multicultural.  One big difference is that many of the ethnic and cultural groups are native to Peru.  Many Peruvians would identify themselves according to their region or tribe or language.  They would not identify themselves as Peruvians.  Any nationwide strategy to train leaders must adapt to different regional cultures. We are planning to establish regional training centers. Each one will have local ownership and its own distinct regional flavor.

That’s why we are calling this 2020 vision. We want to see 20 Biblical training centers – Bible Colleges - established in 20 locations throughout Peru by the year 2020.

Peru is a country with significant challenges. It is a multicultural society.  Believers in one place may face the threat of Marxist and atheist philosophy.  Another church close by may struggle with witchcraft practiced in the church.  Yet we’ve determined to reach out across the regions.  We want to provide churches with leaders able to meet their local challenges. Our goal is to have the 20 Bible Colleges organized and operated by qualified Peruvians.

We plan to do this in two phases.

Phase 1 (2016-2017) we will set up the infrastructure of the ministry.  We will maintain and develop the existing training locations.  We will begin to teach a three year series of seminars in selected locations.  In order to reach the urban poor and the rural communities, we also will be implementing a distance learning program via Skype, DVD webinars. This phase will need a lot of investment and recruiting.

Phase 2 (2018-2019) we will expand the seminar ministry to new locations. Upon completion of the three year series, some of the initial seminar locations will become Bible Colleges. There will be many more startup locations at that time, but much less investment necessary.

We'll be keeping you updated as we go along. Obviously there are a lot of needs--both prayer needs and financial needs--for such a large project.  We'll be letting you know about those and our progress on those, too!

News from Mike & Tammy Riggs--Miguel & Becky's mission trip

November 2015 Gomez mission View this email in your browser The Riggs Report Pray for the Gomez Family Mission Trip Miguel, Becky, Abigail and Nicholas will be coming to the US on their mission trip this week.  They (and we) are so excited.  Even though Miguel and Becky have been married for 7 years this is the first time they have had the opportunity to come to the States.  Miguel, Abby, and Nicky will be seeing the States for the first time. They are in for some interesting experiences! They will be working with Elk Ridge Baptist Church and pastor Daniel McCabe in Stephenville, Texas for a year to start a Spanish-speaking ministry.  This also gives them the first chance they have had to share with U.S. churches about the church planting ministry that they are doing as full-time missionaries in Peru.   Prayer Requests: Tammy and I have learned through the years how very important prayer is to the whole process of Missions. We know that Missions work is plain impossible without sufficient prayer partners. And so, whenever a group or an individual is going out on a mission trip, no matter if it is a week or a career, it is so important there are people committing to pray regularly for them. Their home church in Peru has done this, and we would like to ask you to join us in praying for them.  Here are several specific areas for prayer. Pray that God will keep their family strong.  The stress of serving in another country is hard on relationships. Pray that they remember how special they are to one another.   Pray for their good health.  They will be exposed to new germs and different food.  The U.S. has its special health hazards: nearly everyone who comes here gains weight! Pray that God will keep them healthy so they can do their mission.   Pray for their financial needs. One of the heaviest burdens that a missionary carries is the burden of financial support.  While Elk Ridge will be taking care of their daily needs here, they will still have a few expenses in Peru and they really need to raise the support they need for the church plant in Lima, Peru when they return. And specifically right now they need for their trip – final and airport costs in Lima, money to cover a night's layover in Ft. Lauderdale, and 1 suitcase. Pray for good work relationships with all of the folks at Elk Ridge. Pray for good communications, love for one another, and a focus on serving the Lord.  Pray for clear words and boldness of speech. Pray for many opportunities to share the gospel, and favor with the Spanish speakers in the area. Pray for relationships that result spiritual growth. Pray for disciples that are able to carry on the ministry after Miguel and Becky go back to Peru.  Pray for how God will use you.  It might be to encourage. It might be to support. Maybe you are the next one He's sending! There will be many new and ongoing opportunities and needs for prayer as they serve the Lord this year. If you would like to be a part of their prayer support team – and I know how much that will mean to them! – please click here and fill out the form to receive their email prayer updates. I promise that they won't bury you in email! It would be great to have you on their team! In His peace, Mike Mike and Tammy Riggs teach in Bible schools and seminaries in Peru.  Their ministry team includes several Peruvian missionaries.   Miguel and Becky Gomez are highlighted in this letter.  Miguel is a Peruvian who has been working in church planting.  He is also our son-in-law.  Many of you know his wife, our daughter Becky. You can find out more about how to participate in their ministry in Peru at https://www.facebook.com/miguelangel.gomeznavarro.58. "specifically right now they need for their trip – final and airport costs in Lima, money to cover a night's layover in Ft. Lauderdale, and 1 suitcase."  Donate Online>> Select Riggs, Mike and Tammy then email so we designate the gift to the Gomez family Share Tweet Forward These prayer suggestions are based on the following terrific webpage: http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/10-prayers-for-missions-or-mission-trips/ Copyright © 2015 World Outreach Ministries, All rights reserved. You are getting this email because you signed up for our prayer updates at our missions table or told us you would like to receive our email updates. Our mailing address is: World Outreach Ministries P. O. Box B Marietta, GA 30061 Add us to your address book unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences