Trusting in the Finished Work of Christ
“I knew that Jesus had died on the cross,” Stanley told missionary Aaron Luse. “But I just never knew the reason. … Now that I understand, I can no longer believe in rituals. It is not my works, but the death of Jesus, His death and resurrection.”
The Church Grows
Aaron listened with a smile as Stanley spoke to him after months of Bible teaching from Genesis through the Gospels culminated with Christ’s ascension.
“He was just one of the men I have talked to since the gospel message was presented in detail,” Aaron explains. “Others, too, are giving testimony of their faith in Christ’s work on their behalf.”
Not Without Struggle
But not all the Patpatars have believed, and something else is stirring alongside the new believers: opposition. Some who have not believed are discussing how they can use power and pressure to force these new believers to return to the old ways.
Aaron is reminded of his baby daughter’s time in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit. “She wasn’t strong enough to be on her own,” Aaron remembers. “She needed extra love, care and help to begin her new life.”
That’s the kind of spiritual care that Aaron plans on exercising to nurture and protect these young Patpatar believers. “We have the goal, not only to see people saved, but to present them mature in Christ,” Aaron said.
“What an honor for us to be part of a growing family of Patpatar believers,” he added.