Fellowship

In May we were able to minister to several churches in the Springfield, Missouri area. Each one expressing a desire to partner with us as they are able. We also had a great time of fellowship with other missionaries and pastors at the May fellowship meeting, and Ben had an opportunity to fill up the calendar a little more. We also had the opportunity to help Rose Hill Baptist Church with their first missions conference. What a blessing! June took us up to Minnesota where we had the opportunity to present our ministry at First Baptist church in Baxter, which is Rachelle’s parents’ sending church. We were able to thank them for the impact they’ve had in Rachelle’s life and gain valuable prayer partners. We praise the Lord for several other churches in Iowa and Wisconsin that are considering us for regular monthly support after sharing our ministry with them. We are praising the Lord that over 37% of our needed support has come in, another 10% has been promised and 100% of our airline tickets funds have been raised!

Pastors from some churches we presented at in June

Family

In June we were able to spend time with Rachelle’s family on both her father and mother’s sides through two family reunions. It was great to update family members on God’s leading in our life, enlist several more prayer partners and see them all together before we leave for Argentina, since we will probably not see them again for a long time. We know family time can be stressful with large get-togethers, but we are blessed with a great Godly heritage. It was such a joy to spend almost a full week with each side, seeing how God is working in everyone’s lives. We are so thankful Rachelle’s grandparents brought up their children to love God, which is a large reason why there are missionaries, pastors, and lay leaders throughout both sides of her family. It is one of the  reasons why Rachelle learned to love and serve God!

Courts and Embke Family reunions (both sides of Rachelle’s family)

Future

We are thankful for help in planning. Rachelle’s parents, Barry and Diane Courts, were on furlough during the month of June, which allowed us to spend time with them as well. They are excited about our deputation progress almost as much as we are. It was very helpful to sit down with them and ask particular questions that would help us prepare even more for ministry in Argentina. Once again, God used that to stir our hearts for the millions of Argentines who do not yet know Christ. God also provided enough funds for all our airline tickets needed for getting to the field. We can now start saving up for other start up costs we will incur. We will have a list of items and monies needed for that very soon!

Our family with Rachelle’s parents and brother, Mike

Click here to download: Prayer Letter- May Jun 2013

“You’re Not A Priest”

“You can’t read it on your own, you’re not a priest.” That was his family’s response when he expressed his desire to read the Bible while growing up. We met Argentine-born Victor, a member at a supporting church in Delaware. He shared with us the same story most Argentine Catholics could share. If they had access to a Bible, their religion does not allow them to read it. Only the priests supposedly can understand the scriptures. Victor was fortunate enough to come face to face with the Gospel message later in life here in the United States, and has led his family in following the Lord. But there are millions of Argentines who are being deceived by these false religions, blinding them from the truth of God’s Word. Would you take a moment to pray for the Gospel to spread in Argentina, that God would work in the hearts of lost souls before we even get there? Please pray with us we can get there as soon as possible!

Finding Opportunities in Nemo

 This past February, we found ourselves just north of Boston, in Burlington, MA. Blizzard Nemo also found itself there at the same time. Needless to say, we stayed inside for a couple of days. The church we were scheduled at Sunday morning had to cancel services, as many churches in the area did, so our time there seemed like a waste. However, while shoveling our van out of the snow, Ben had the opportunity to briefly witness to the hotel clerk on duty that day. He left him with a tract and pointed him to the church down the street (where we had been scheduled that Sunday morning). Please pray for Victor, that God’s Word would pierce his heart and change his life and eternity. We do not know God’s specific purposes in where He leads us, but we do know He uses us to share the Gospel with unbelievers and challenge believers wherever we go. Let us be faithful!

Christian Parenting

 Sometimes, as parents, we feel that nothing is getting through to our children. All the time we invest into them reading Bible stories, taking them to church (multiple times a week if we are in a mission conference!), having discussions about God, and even praying with them can sometimes seem to roll in one ear and out the other. That’s when we pray SOMETHING will stick; that some little Godly nugget of “wisdom” will point them to  Christ. If you feel like we do sometimes, don’t lose heart.

Remember, as we have to, that God is using you, as a Christian parent, to impact your precious children’s lives, whether you see it yet or not.

And when you despair (as we sometimes do) look at the little signs that show you some of it is “sticking”. These signs such as when our six year-old says, “Read just one more chapter please!” when we are reading a book about heaven; we look back in the van while on a trip and our two oldest children are  doing their devotions; our four year-old sings along with the words of Christian songs we listen to in the van; or our eight year-old prays, “Thank you for the privilege of going to Argentina to tell them about Jesus.” These little things make our days brighter. We know SOME things are sinking in, and God’s Word, whether in song or in written form, does not return void (Isaiah 55:11). It will change their lives, and we can’t wait to see that happen!

Download this prayer letter: Prayer Letter- Jan Feb 2013

The Power of the Word

One of the greatest things about deputation is the many opportunities to meet new people and coworkers in the ministry. Many of these new friends are a constant reminder of the awesome life-changing power of God’s Word.

Crossroads Ministries

We’ve had the recent pleasure of meeting a group of men from a local rescue mission while at a church in Virginia.  Scott, one of those men, shared with us his difficult journey to repentance, recovery and restoration. His excitement and praise to God were contagious!

While at another church in New Mexico, Tom shared his ten-year journey to God and away from alcohol. He is steadily growing, changing and influencing others to do the same. We thank God for these lives that have been delivered by the Gospel, but our hearts are ever more burdened for the millions of Argentines who have yet to hear this message of hope.

12,000 miles and counting…

We have just finished three months of full-time deputation, and been amazed at how God has provided and blessed.

With over twelve thousand miles on our van, we have now become experts at packing (which we now call “fitting,” “squeezing,” or “cramming”). We thank God for the continual safety as we drive from church to church. He shows us again and again that He is in control!

Ministering together with new friends.

Since our last prayer letter, we have another five churches who have committed to help us take the Gospel to the Argentine people. It is such an honor to be included among their missionary families, and to encourage these churches to continue faithfully praying and giving so that the Gospel will reach the unreached.

We also had the opportunity to get to know several veteran missionaries in some mission conferences, being encouraged by their faithfulness and resolve to do whatever it takes to reach and train others for the Gospel.

We cannot count how many new prayer partners we have behind us, but what an encouragement knowing there is an army of people going to the throne of grace on our behalf!

God’s handiwork

One word we want our children to use when looking back on deputation is “fun”. “Fun” is not the reason why we travel all over the country to churches, but it does make it easier on our children. While we, as adults, are called to be missionaries, our children are along for the ride. So, as much as possible, we want to make it enjoyable for them.

One way we do this is by finding sites (usually free or cheap) to  experience. Because of this we have seen many things in our beautiful country ranging from the Smithsonian Museums to Niagara Falls. As adults, our  favorites do tend to be the natural wonders of the United States. We love sharing these with our children, and they enjoy it also. It gives us extra moments to be in awe of our awesome God who formed the canyons, mountains, and waterfalls. Step outside and enjoy the magnificent world God has given us. It will remind you of God’s greatness! Psalm 19:1.

A few of our new ministry partners

Bones at Vistapointe Baptist Church

Kondrackis at Southside Baptist Church

Edwards at First Coast Baptist

Download our recent prayer letter: Prayer Letter- Sept Oct 2012

From the Foothills to the Mountains

God has taken our family on an incredible journey to get us where we are today.  We have been serving as mission interns at our home church, Cherry Street Baptist Church in Springfield Missouri under the ministry of Pastor Dennis Jennings.

We have learned so much by serving in various  areas of the church, including children and youth ministries, music and the Reformers Unanimous addiction ministry. We have been overjoyed to reach and serve people with the changing power of Jesus Christ.

However, we realize we have been journeying through the foothills just before the mountains.  God has been preparing us for BIGGER things.

This May, 2012, we will be going up for approval as Baptist Bible Fellowship missionaries to Argentina.  We will begin our deputation trail, and Lord willing be on the field as career missionaries in 2014.  Our goal is to establish local churches that will carry out the Great Commission and reach the people of Argentina for Christ.

This is such an awesome task we could never do it without His power and your prayers.  We appreciate your intercession for our family as we prepare for the journey ahead.  Please pray also that God would go before us and prepare the hearts of the Argentine people to receive the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

In Christ alone,

Ben for the Metzger Family

MetzgerstoArgentina.com

Ben@MetzgerstoArgentina.com

417.689.2932

“And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ,

and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;”- 2 Corinthians 5:18

Download the PDF: Spring 2012