The last morning in Honduras on this trip–chillier than I remember any December graduation trips past, only 53 degrees. The area-wide worship service yesterday was inspiring and uplifting. I estimated attendance at 700 to 800. Given that there have been several other occasions when the local churches have been together during recent months, and that some churches therefore chose not to participate this year, I thought the attendance was excellent. Some congregations who maintained a normal schedule at their own building were nonetheless represented by leaders and members.
There are 22 congregations in the Tegucigalpa area and the church continues to grow and prosper as leaders are developed and appointed and new churches are planted. The work here, and in many other places in Latin America, is a wonderful success story. The experience in Honduras, and in Central America generally, parallels that of the U.S. “When there is a strong Christian school in an area, over a period of time the churches are strengthened and enabled to do more and more in kingdom service.”
This week 15 new graduates go forth from Baxter, added to a network of over 500 who serve and work with increased dedication, many in full-time ministry roles. The churches in Latin America are growing in number, spiritually, and in abilities as a result of the work at Baxter–not only in the residence program but in the hundreds of graduates from the CELO extension courses and the PEC weekend leadership training classes.
The story is not complete because it continues to unfold. You can learn more at the Baxter website: baxterinstitute.edu.