[1]

Late night studies in the WORD.

THE TORCHMinistry Updates June 2015 Contact Info:

ANGELO VELIS770-403-6260

velisangelo@gmail.com

thetorch-urbanministries.org

ROMANS 11:36For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

Guatemala Happenings:On our last trip in May we held a

Pastors Conference. From previous visits

it was noticeable and saddening to see

how much legalism, tradition and cultural

attitudes had penetrated into the

preaching.

All of the pastors in this region are

laymen, (no education in Theological

studies), and most dont even have a 6th

grade education.

But they love God and accepted the

call to preach. Unfortunately this mountain

region is a bit neglected (due to distance)

from resources and people to help them.

Santiago, our contact pastor, admits how

for 20 years theyve been left to their own.

They rejoiced at the offer of a training

conference. We held two sessions in two

regions to cover all the pastors, about 20

in total.

We chose Galatians. The epistle where

Paul confronts the false teachers, and false

doctrine penetrating the church; ie: adding

works to Christs atoning sacrifice.

Almost everyone is infected,

prohibiting clothing, entertainment, foods.

Controlling and manipulation, with a

dictator style of authority. Unknowingly

preaching commandments rather than

grace.

During the Conference, the Bible came

alive before our eyes, as men wept to hear

about their errors.

GLOBAL & LOCAL

MISSIONS

URBAN MINISTRIES

[2]

Others rejoiced to find freedom and

worship in Spirit, not traditions. Some even

got angry, suggesting we promoted

liberalism. Religious leaders in Jerusalem

also got angry with Jesus. Are you

suggesting we dont have to keep the

law? The Truth is: we cannot keep it apart

from Christ. He kept it for us, and fulfilled

the righteous requirement of the law, so we

can exchange our sin for His

righteousness.

Free from the law to worship in

newness of the Spirit. (Romans 7:6)

It was AWESOME! To see their faces

shine and hearts fill with love and hope.

Learning to preach the Good News:

Salvation by the loving grace of GOD,

apart from the law!

Other LOCAL Updates:Time flies! Yet another school year

passes and reminds us how fast things

move and our little ones grow up. God has

blessed us with ten years of outreach in

North Georgia. Evangelism, community

development, discipleship, church plants

and mercy ministries are just some of the

fruit of Gods grace upon His children.

Children ministries have been

consistent and many more boys continue

to come. Thanks to our male volunteers

that faithfully show up and participate in

soccer. This is particularly important

because male leadership among urban

communities is lacking. Our boys need role

models of faithful men that exemplify a

father figure.

Jonathan and Rosie Rosario, our

resident missionaries at Baker & Glover

neighborhood have been diligent in leading

Wildfire, our middle school youth program.

(In spite of just having their third baby!)

Their consistent involvement in the lives of

these young people is critical at a time

where they are battling identity issues and

peer pressure at its highest.

The world presses upon them an

image that is impossible to achieve and

questions everything they hear from the

word of God. Statistics show the dwindling

and declining trend in young adults to

accept the teachings of Christianity. As we

all know, its a total attack on our faith.

Please pray for our children.

SHINE HIS LIGHT!

[3]

For a year weve had the privilege to

pastor the small Hispanic congregation at

Good News at Noon. (a local mercy

ministry) We attend Monday, Wednesday

and now Sunday service.

The congregants shared that it had

been years since they had a consistent

pastor to lead them.

It is with joy and humility that we give

thanks to the Lord for the opportunity to

preach and teach the gospel of grace

every week to a humble group who is

growing in love with Jesus.

There were five people when we

arrived, now we sometimes fill the small

room to capacity. (which can be around 35)

We also just celebrated our first baptisms!

Please PRAY, there are thousands of

urban dwellers that have yet to hear the

good news of Gods forgiveness. Pray that

God would draw more people to himself

and we would have a part in winning more

souls!

Cristian just graduated from High

School! Weve known him for a couple of

years.

His family came to America when he

was 4 years old, the oldest of five children

in a poor, but humble working family. One

of few whos parents are together. A family

not devoid of challenges and

trials. Last year was

particularly hard and

emotional, and it almost

destroyed the family.

Through intervention and

counsel, they have received

help and God truly has

brought hope in to their

midst.

Cristian was lured to the

local gangs in Middle School and looked

like he was going after the life in a hard

way. The love of teachers and people who

cared, drew him back from that walk, into

sports and church. Where he has been

faithful since.

We minister to hundreds of families

and young people, but once in a while,

God raises and sets apart a peculiar

individual: This year it was Cristian.

Nine years ago it was Jonathan

Rosario. (Who is now a disciple and bi-

vocational minister with The Torch) Early in

our relationship with Jonathan he was

down and out and experiencing many

trials, but God healed and blessed him.

At that time we were able to raise

donors to purchase him a car, and now

that hes been favored and blessed by the

Lord and ready to

upgrade cars, he was moved, to do unto

others as had been done unto him.

Jonathan enlisted donors, to help

paint and restore his car, and at a

graduation party, Cristian received a dream

that seemed impossible for the average

urban teenager...His first car!

Our prayer is that many of you would

be inspired and consider doing the same in

the life of a needy person. A hand-up not

a hand-out! Give a young person a

chance to get on their feet early in life. A

Sunday school class, two or three friends

or just a single family could do this. I pray

you will.

May the Lord bless and keep you!

-The Velis family

PHILIPPIANS 4:9What you have learned and received and heard and seen in mepractice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

PRAYER NEEDS:

* For our familys faithfulness in the

mission and ministry locally and

globally that God is unfolding before

us. That we would continue to trust

and depend on His provision and

leading. For our prayer lives to grow

even deeper

* For hearts and workers to join the harvest.

* For our summer programs and camps.

* Please pray for Guatemala and these pastors. That God will grant them light, Spirit filling, and understanding. So that they can grow in the knowledge and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ!

*We also need Spanish NIV bibles.

Their versions are old Spanish (Spain)

language bibles that are too difficult to

understand. You can donate funds via

Paypal or check, or send bibles to us:

6828 Old Whelchel Road

Dahlonega, GA 30533

Cristian (L) & Jonathan (m) with a new car

surprise!