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Musings of a Missionary.
(by Vivien Gatpandan)
...continued from Page 1
....Who do we serve?
Since 1987, MBTC has been serving the community
with it’s men’s Christian Discipling programs.
Since then, MBTC has expanded and now include
the Pajaro Rescue Mission, Pajaro Men’s Center,
Men’s Crisis Center, and as of May 22, 2007, the
new Freedom Women’s Center. Just like when man
landed in the moon, we are VERY EXCITED to have
our very first female student come in last
Thursday. We can’t wait to see what God will do
in the lives of the men and women at our
centers.
We serve men and women 18 & over who have
life-controlling issues who (a) chose to be in
the program to change, (b) someone wanted them
to change, or (c) the court mandated them to
Teen Challenge program. MBTC serves primarily
the Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Benito, and parts
of Santa Clara counties, although we do accept
students from other parts of the country. Teen
Challenge can best be described as an intense
spiritual boot camp with eternal benefits.
We live with, study with, work with, and grow in
Christ with men and women for a minimum of 13
months using methods developed through the years
since 1958. Monterey Bay Teen Challenge is just
one of over 170 centers in the US, 22 of which
are in California.
How do we do it?
MBTC is a 13-month minimum residential program.
Some take longer than that. Is that a bad thing?
No. Does God forgive? Yes. Does God give up on
us? No. MBTC is grace driven and we are there to
come alongside students in their walk with the
Lord, through the ups and downs of their walk.
As I glimpse at my engagement ring everyday --- I
can’t help but awe at God’s miracles. Who could
have ever imagined that Geno and Vivien would be
engaged, even serve in ministry together 3 years
later?
“To have faith is to be sure of the things we
hope for, to be certain of things we cannot see”
(Hebrews 11:1 TEV)
Sometimes, our past and present might look
bleak. But, lo and behold! As we walk in a
forest and see only trees, there is a clearing
out there somewhere, all you have to do is
believe and keep walking.
God loves YOU! He even sent His Son to die for
your sins and mine. There is hope in Jesus.
There is no condemnation for what you have done
in the past. Repent, believe, and sin no more.
Don’t wait for another New Year’s Resolution.
Don’t wait for another Lent. The time is NOW!
Accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour and let
Him be the captain of your life. He won’t lead
you astray.
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