Honduran Pastors' Conference with Noah Hutchings, Larry Spargamino, Kenneth Hill, and Luis Vega

Noah Hutchings praying with one of the Pastors attending the Conference

Luis Vega and Larry Spargamino preaching

One of the Pastors from the Yoro Region's mountains

Pastors from the Yoro Region Mountains

(left to right) Larry Spargamino, Noah Hutchings, Jesus Mejia, and Kenneth Hill

The Rock of Salvation Church in El Progresso, Honduras, Central America was the site for the Southwest Radio Church Ministries Pastors' Conference the week of January 17, 2011. Speakers from the United States representing SWRC were its Pastor and President - Dr. Noah W. Hutchings, Vice-President - Dr. Kenneth C. Hill, and Associate Pastor and Editor - Dr. Larry Spargamino. Host Pastor was Jesus Mejia. The Coordinator of the Conference and Translator was the Latin American Director for Siloam International - Luis Vega.

Luis Vega and Kenneth Hill preaching at the conference

Luis Vega with Dr. Hutchings

Dr. Noah Hutchings with some local friends

You can find more information about the Southwest Radio Church Ministries at www.swrc.com

Happy New Year!

As the snows of winter have covered the landscape of much of the territory of the United States of America, we have celebrated the first advent of our Lord Jesus Christ. Now the attention of folks in the USA and around the world is turned to the new date on the calendar. The new year of 2011 in the year of our Lord Jesus Christ.

It is interesting to me that most of humankind do not realize that the date of our calendar is from the birth of our Lord. Each time the date is written or the calendar is consulted, you are acknowledging the birth of Jesus Christ and the impact that He has had, and is having, upon the world. That impact began when He created time, space, and all that we see in it. Of course that creative act included the creation of you, too. Christ's impact will be felt throughout eternity.

Christ Jesus is the reason for the new things, new people, new discoveries, and this new year.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17) These words from Scripture are very plain. If you are in Christ then you are a new creature.

You, as a follower of Christ, have become something totally different. You are a new creation. You have been changed from a sinner to a saint, from a vagabond seeking shelter from the difficulties of life to a child of God who is a home with the Heavenly Father and under His protection.

Further, all of the old things are gone, completely gone. And we have all things that are new. These new things in our life are without the stain of sin.

When we place our faith in Christ Jesus and follow Him, we are freed from the past and are become new creatures of God’s grace.

The old year has passed away, the new year is ours. In much the same concept, for the believer in Jesus Christ, the old is gone and the new is ours.

Enjoy the new life and the new year that God has given us through Jesus Christ!

The Manuel Ulloa Family

This is Geraldine with her Grandmother Flora.

The Manuel Ulloa Family

The Manuel Ulloa family at Christmas eve dinner in Santiago, Chile. One of the daughters, Geraldine, is missing from the photo because she was the photographer. The lady in the foreground in Manuel's Mother, Flora. Manuel is the Pastor of the First Independent Methodist Church of Santiago and serves as Vice-President of the association of fundamental independent Methodist churches of Chile. He is an accomplished musician as well as a dynamic preacher of the Gospel of Christ Jesus.

Merry CHRISTmas!

Best wishes to you and yours for a wonderful celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In the American vernacular - Merry Christmas. In my expression - a blessed First Advent commemoration. From the Word of God - good tidings of great joy!

Best Wishes for a Blessed First Advent Celebration

God’s Gift

Bible Reading: Matthew 1:18 - 25

Bible Text: Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. 2 Corinthians 9:15

The shepherds in the hills around Bethlehem were told the news by the angels. Mary and Joseph cared from the infant Christ in the stable. The shepherds visited and then left them rejoicing and telling everyone about the Christ Child. Mary kept all these things in her heart.

For many that is the story of Christmas. But it does not end there.

Christ Jesus, the very Son of Almighty God, was sent to this earth as a baby to become the perfect sacrifice for our sin. He came to die for you and for me so we could be forgiven and have a relationship with God the Father through God the Son, Jesus Christ.

In 2 Corinthians this is what the Apostle Paul was writing about when he gave thanks to God for the gift that was without comprehension. The greatest gift ever given is Christ Jesus.

Have you received the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ?

Hark, now hear the angels sing,
A newborn King today,
And man will live forevermore,

Because of Christmas day.

- Jester Joseph Hairston

News From Chile

Word has been received belatedly of the homegoing of one of the stalwart members of the First Independent Methodist Church of Santiago, Chile. Brother Humberto Riveros Irribarra passed into the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ on 10 October 2010. Brother Humberto was remembered as a friend and brother in Christ. Please pray for his family and for the church in Chile.