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The Bill Baker Family—Serving Christ ThroughSpanish American Evangelism

3135 Forney Lane, El Paso, TX 79935Volume No. 6 June 1987 Number 1

Dear Friends of the Baker Family,

How wonderful it is to be able to write to you our friends and supporters and share the marvelous things which God is doing throughthis ministry as a result of your cooperation with us. We thank Godfor friends who continually lift up this ministry in their prayers to Him.

This is beginning to be an excellent year for Spanish AmericanEvangelism. Tract production is nearing the three-quarters of a millionmark for 1987. Paper is on hand for approximately 500,000 more tracts.With the Lord's help, we should reach two million pieces of SpanishChristian literature by the end of the year. We have already passed lastyears totals for both production and distribution!

In addition to increased literature production, we recently sent thecamera-ready pages to College Press for two books in Spanish. Thiswill bring the total to four titles in which we have cooperated with College Press for production in Spanish. A total of 5,000 copies ofDiscipling for Jesus by Bus Wiseman have been printed here and puton hold until we can get the funds together for binding.

In April we completed enlarged versions of the charts which areincluded in the Spanish edition of Bro. Frank Winder's book. That

They May Be Won. They are available in a set of eight graphs. Becausewe are now bringing in people from several different denominationalbackgrounds, I have found them to be very useful on the wall in theSpanish adult sunday school classroom at Logan Heights ChristianChurch. They were the most requested items at the Mexican NationalMen's Meeting in Saltillo at the end of April.

I thank all of you who prayed concerning my planned trip intoCentral America during March. I am not sure how many of you mighthave been praying because the trip had to be made without me! I camedown with the flu the day before the group left. Spanish AmericanEvangelism put together 8,000 New Tfestaments and about 50,000 tractsfor the trip and then I had to turn the materials over to the men whowere to accompany me. Even though I didn't make it physically, myspirit was with Ron Cochran, Gordon Clifford, Fred Briggs and LarryWeaver as they travelled south with the Gospel. Both Ron and Gordonare veteran missionaries and I am sure that the materials were in goodhands. Please continue to pray for the influence of Spanish AmericanEvangelism in Central America. We have just had the opportunity toprovide 1,000 New Testaments for distribution in Nicaragua. As theLord leads, we are trying to do what we can to share "Gospel Bullets"in that strife-ridden part of the world.

It is often difficult to express our thanks to those of you who havehelped with the production of Christian literature in Spanish. Perhapsthe best way for me to express my gratitude is to quote from a letterwe recently received from a man near Mexico City:

"We are praying in our church for your ministry, and wegive thanks to God for the strength you give by providingus materials for the distribution of the Gospel."

Spanish American Evangelism is co-sponsoring a missions orientedCaribbean cruise with El Paso School of Missions on October 8-15,1988. Plans include a lecturship series with Knofel Staton on boardthe ship and the opportunity the carry New Testaments and otherliterature ashore for the use of local missionaries. If you are interested,please write us and we will provide more details.

Work is progressing at Logan Heights Christian Church. We stilldo not have a full-time preacher (even though we have made the callto Brother Barry Pettit from Cadiz, Ohio—please pray for his coming).I have been doing most of the Spanish preaching and teaching. Wehad a high of 65 in attendance on Resurrection Sunday and have beenaveraging between 35 and 40 for the past month. Most of the growthhas been from Spanish-speaking people who live in the immediateneighborhood. Many of them are from denominational backgroundsand it is refreshing to see them get excited about a church which places

an emphasis on the Bible as the final authority. People are starved forsolid Bible teaching and seem to soak up God's word like a spongewhen it is presented in love.

In addition to the growth at LHCC, we are still in need of a tablesaw for remodeling the church. We plan to use some of our unneededclassroom space for a parsonage when a minister accepts the call. Inaddition to that work, there are several items of furniture which needto be made for SAE. If you know of a saw (either table or radial arm)which might be donated or reasonable purchased, please let us know.

The family is growing and continues to be healthy. For this we praiseGod as He continues to show us that He is in control and does meetall of our needs as they come due. Billy took a trip with his high schoolorchestra to San Francisco in early May. The two orchestras fromEastwood High School took top honors in the competition. Barbarais continuing to improve on the piano. She was student of the monthrecently and was greatly improved in her recital this year over last year.Frances played the piano at the school PTA meeting recently. She didgood but the "pressure" caused her to cry after it was over—'stagefright" mostly. Caleb is ready for school but school is not ready forhim. Rosa has been doing some substitute teaching. It has helped tomeet some of the expenses of everyday living. She also enjoys it asa change of pace once in a while.

I will be in Nebraska during the first two weeks of June. If we canwork it out, Rosa and the three youngest children will also be withme. School is not out officially in El Paso until June 3rd. We will beworking with VBS programs in Minatare, Bayard and Omaha. Weshould be gone only 16 days and will be in four churches in additionto the VBS's.

We have told you of the growth in the Namiquipa, Chihuahua areaof Mexico. Brother Victor Terrazas just recently returned from anextended period of teaching in the community where the group fromPlatte Valley Bible College visited in early 1986. He informed me thatthe church is ready to become a "New Testament" congregation andthey are now looking for a preacher from the Christian Churches/Churches of Christ. Rosa and I would like to be able to personallyfollow up in this area as time becomes available. Do continue to prayfor the Lord's guidance.

Thank you for your continued prayers concerning our ministry withSpanish American Evangelism. We appreciate hearing from everyonewho writes to us. Many times we are strengthened and encouraged justbecause we know that someone is out there praying for us.

Special prayer needs:

1) TheCentral American political scene and the influence of literature

produced by Spanish American Evangelism in that area.2) The general fund of SAE.3) Ask God's blessing upon the thousand's of people who have received

a copy of His Word through the ministry of Spanish AmericanEvangelism.

4) Increased opportunities for the Gospel.5) The bi-lingual work of Logan Heights Christian Church. Remember

particularly the increased Spanish program and the need for a full-time minister.

6) Personal needs of the family.

Well, I better close for now. Your interest in Spanish AmericanEvangelism and our part in that ministry means a lot to us. Pleasecontinue to lift us up before the throne of God.

Yours for a Christian Spanish-reading world,

Bill Baker

Rosa, Billy, Barbie, Frances & Caleb

P.S. If you are planning to attend either the North American ChristianConvention or the National Missinary Convention, please look upSpanish American Evangelism in the "Latin American Plaza".

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OVENThe Bill Baker Family—Serving Christ Through

Spanish American Evangelism3135 Forney Lane, El Paso, TX 79935

Volume No. 6 December 1987

Dear Friends of the Baker Family,

"But when the time hadfully come, God sent hisSon, born ofa woman, born under the law, to redeemthose under the law, that we might receive the fullrights of sons." (Galatians 4:4 NIV)

While growing up in western Nebraska, it wasgenerally easy to get into the Christmas spirit becauseas the song goes, "It's beginning to look a lot likeChristmas." Christmas and snow and cold seemed to

go together in western Nebraska. Since moving to theMexican Border and working among the people"South of the Bordeif it has been hard to realize thatChristmas is coming because the weather has veryseldom co-operated.

This year was developing like many other ones inthe past. Last week we had 70°+ weather. We experienced a record high temperature on Friday andrecord lows on Monday and Tuesday, December 15thand 16. Saturday, December 12th found us distributingfliers and invitations door to door in the neighborhoodaround the church. Sunday morning there was about7 inches of snow on the ground, and by the time thestorm was over on Monday, a total of 22.5 inches hadofficially fallen in El Paso. In spite of the storm, twonew families were present for services as a direct resultof the literature distribution.

Number 2

A new record for El Paso!

for services as a direct result of the literature distribution.

Because of the snow we have changed the masthead a little for this newsletter.By means of the picture we would likeyou to meet another inember of the family—Henry! From top to bottom in the picture: Billy, Barbie Frances, Caleb andHenry. In the picture of Barbie, the yardstick was not cut off at the bottom-there was almost 15 inches of snow on the flat when that picture was taken. Well,so much for the weather, shall we get into news of the ministry of the Bakerfamily through Spanish American Evangelism.

This has been a good year at SAE even though we have lost two staff members.Barton Morse resigned mid-year in an effort to expand a financial consultingbusiness he had been working oh part-time. Alma Zuelli was married in Octoberand moved to Midland, TX, in order to be with her new husband. I have foundmyself in a different situation as a result of these leavings. Since February of1982,1 have been able to operate without any staff resignations. There had beenan increase of two staff members but no leavings. We have had a very stablerelationship during that time. Well, it*s time to look for replacements—two menhave made inquiries regarding printing positions. Because of the need to raiseliving-link support, it will take more dedication than just changing jobs. Pleasebe in prayer that the Lord will move in the heart of his servants to provide forthese ne^ in our ministry.

Rosa's father suffered a series of strokes and a heart attack in September. Welearned about it while returning from the National Missionary Convention inMemphis, TN._The trip was extendedTor^a few days as we made the side tripto Eagle Pass. Since that time, three trips have been made to visit him. For awhil^ it looked likehe would be called home at any time. He is now improving—still paralyzed on one side of his body, but is once again able to use his throat.Martin is in a rest home in Hondo, TX, about 120 miles from Eagle Pass. Thefamily is trying to get him moved to Uvalde, TX, 70 miles away. Rosa and Iboth ask for your prayers on his behalf. He raised 13 children in the Lord. TWoof his sons and two daughters are in full-time Christian service. His life has beena testimony to God—it is hard to see him in this condition—he will be far betteroff in the presence of our Lord.

Work at Logan Heights Christian Church is moving forward. During this monthwe have been able to merge two struggling Spanish ministries and are now inthe process of solidifying them into one stronger congregation. Brother SamuelGuzman and I have been negotiating for several months concerning this move.He has been considering relocating to the lower Rio Grande Valley of Ibxas anddid not want to leave his group without a minister. He felt that with just rentedfacilities, they would not be able to continue and would soon become scatteredsheep without a pastor. Neither congregation was in a position to pay a salaryfor a minister, but now we have made a commitment of $100per week for Samuelto serve as minister. It is my prayer that the Lord will convince Samuel to remainpast June (the date he would hke to make a move) and continue with LoganHeights Christian Church. This could be a tremendous encouragement andopportunity for further growth. It will also reduce some of the responsibilitywhich I have had during the past two years. Once again, thank you for your

prayers concerning the work at Logan Heights Christian Church. God is answeringthem! Please don't stop now!

At SAE the total count for tract production for 1987 has reached 973,200.I hope to complete approximately 100,000 more before the end of the year. Thepress was down last nfonth for a few weeks and because of that we have notyet reached the one million mark. In additon to tracts, we have received anddistributed approximately 50,000 New Ibstamenta during the past 16 months.If things go as planned, we should be able to distribute between 50 and 75 thousand New Ibstaments during 1988.

As I was writing this newsletter, a call came in from Ray Ewing of ChristianGospel Distributors in Monroe; Oregon. We have been purchasing New Testamentsthrough his organization as he is able to get a better price than we can fromthe publisher. Because his ministry is to raise funds for the purchase and distribution of New Testaments, he has been shipping us approximately 2 testamentsfor every one we are able to purchase. This is a blessing to us as well as to ChristianGospel Distributors and to the cause of Christ in the Spanish world.

Severalyears ago SAE was involved in a Bible correspondence course in Spanish.Because of several factors, we turned that portion of the ministry over to othersin order to concoitrate on the production and distribution of Spanish evangelisticmaterials. ^ have recently been approached by Brother Samuel Guzman to assisthim in the production and administration of a course. Samuel has been working with a course similar to the one which we will be printing for him for thepast 6 years. That course is no longer available to him, and because he issuingto do most of the work, SAE is happy to provide him with the printed materials.

During the last of January and the first of February we will be taking a groupof students from Platte Valley Bible College to the Mexico City area for a weekof literatine distribution and evangelism. Plans call for the shipping of 4,000New Tfestaments by rail for this effort in advance. Each New Tfestament will havea card of introduction concerning the correspondence course. Please be in prayerfor this effort both in regards to the impact of the week and the safety for thegroup as we are on the road.

In our last newsletter we mentioned the plans for a Caribbean cruise duringOctober 8-15, 1988.1 am enclosing with this newsletter a brochure which containsmore information about it. Please consider this trip as you plan your schedulefor 1988. If we get enough participants, we will be able to transportfreight freeseveral thousand New Testaments and evangelistic tracts to missionaries who arelocated at the various ports of call. In addition to this. Brother Knofel Statonwill provide a challenging series of lectures while on board the ship with thetheme, "Moving Missions into the 1990Y* If you are interested, please eithercontact me or call the toll free number listed in the brochure. It should proveto be an exciting week of learning and experiencing missions.

The family is in good health at the present time. Although we have made severaltrips to Eagle Pass because of Rosa's father's health during the past three months,we do hope to be able to spend a few days there during the Christmas schoolbreak—should the Lord provide the means to do so. Before I close, let me list

some of the special prayer needs for your convenience:

1) Martin Alejandro, Rosa's father.2) A new printer and an office secretary for Spanish American Evangelism.3) The general fund of SAB. The abilityto produceijiofeIj^rature in 1988

than was possible during 1987. ' - -4) Ask God's blessing upon the thousands of people who have received

a copy of His Word through the ministry of Spanish AmericanEvangelism.

5) Increased opportunities for the Gospel through an expanded programof New Testament distribution and the correspondence course.

6) The work of Logan Heights Christian Church. Remember particularlythe increased Spanish program and the recent merger of the two congregations into one.

7) Personal needs of the family.

It has been good to be able to visit with you in this way. Please feelfree to write and let us know how you are doing. You can use the enclosedenvelope to communicate with us. We do appreciate all of the notes andprayers which are offered in our behalf.

May God's richest blessings be upon you and yours during this specialseason of the year.

Sincerely in Christ,

Bill Baker

Rosa, Billy, Barbie, Frances and Caleb

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