Kenny & Genny Burns
Missionary Update
February 1, 2007
Dear Missionary Support Team,
January was a good month for CELEBRATION CHURCH. The attendance averages for the month were: Cebuano Service (a.m.)—38; English Service (a.m.)—89; and English Service (p.m.)—161. These figures represent about 250 different people who attend worship services at the central location of the church each weekend. When we add to these figures the attendance of all of our satellite ministry locations throughout the city, the statistics reveal that we ministered to an average of 662 people each weekend during January, and 257 people prayed to receive our Lord! We continue to have first-time guests every weekend, and new ministry opportunities continue to confront us.
For example, on Saturday, January 28, 2007 a
high school student who attends CELEBRATION
CHURCH was given a counterfeit 500 pesos
bill. As a result of peer pressure exerted
by some other high school students, he
yielded to the temptation to attempt to make
a purchase with the counterfeit bill. The
convenience store employees contacted the
Philippine National Police, and Richard was
arrested and taken to jail. He spent three
days and two nights in a Davao City jail
until the attorney representing the
convenience store could be reached on Monday
and decided not to press charges. But as
the Scripture says, “We know that all
things work together for good to them that
love God, to them who are the called
according to his purpose” (Romans
8:28). Even though what Richard did was
wrong, God was able to use it for His glory
and give CELEBRATION CHURCH a new ministry
opportunity. By Sunday afternoon, Richard
had led three other juveniles in the jail to
Christ. Then some of our student ministers
began to hold Bible studies with Richard and
the three new believers and by midday Monday
when Richard was released, 23 juvenile
inmates had prayed to receive Christ. Our
student ministers were so excited about what
God did that they have now launched a “jail
ministry!”
We continue to provide food, clothing, and
basic medical and dental care to the
students and other young people who work in
the ministries of CELEBRATION CHURCH…as
funds are available. God gave us a
wonderful confirmation a few days ago that
this too is a worthwhile ministry. We are
in the process of having the teeth of a boy
whose name is Boots Beniga repaired. One of
his front teeth must have a root canal.
When most of his front teeth had been filled
and the root canal was underway, the
improvement in his smile could not be
overlooked. On the way home from one of his
dentist appointments, he said to Genny,
“Maam, thank you! Now I can minister with
confidence.” It cost $6 to have each of his
three teeth extracted, and $36 for the root
canal. But the price was well worth the
surge in his confidence, just because his
smile is so much more appealing as he
ministers to other young people!
I continue to teach two classes at General Baptist Bible College. The second semester is about half completed. Please pray that I will wisely invest in the lives of these students who will be the next generation’s leaders in our churches in the Republic of the Philippines!
We ask you to prayerfully consider the following ministry needs:
· Funding for an increase in the rent for CELEBRATION CHURCH because we need to rent more space for our Sunday evening English worship service. Designate your offering by writing CELEBRATION CHURCH on the memo line of your check.
· Funding to enable us to continue to provide food, clothing, and basic medical and dental care for our student ministers. Designate your offering by writing “Burns Benevolent Fund” on the memo line of your check.
· Funding to allow us to keep pace with the increase in expenses as the ministry God has given us continues to grow. Designate your offering by writing “Burns Ministry Fund” on the memo line of your check.
· Funding for Bibles to give to youth and adults who are being discipled in a growing number of satellite ministry locations throughout Davao City. Designate your offering by writing “Burns Ministry—Bibles” on the memo line of your check.
We will be in the U.S. on furlough during May, June, and July, 2007. We will travel on the weekends to share with as many churches as possible God’s blessings upon the ministry. If your church would like to schedule an appointment for a ministry presentation, email us at kennygennyburns@yahoo.com or correspond by mail before April 1, 2007 at General Baptist Mission, Attn. Kenny Burns, P.O. Box 80940, 8000 Davao City, Philippines; or after April 1, 2007 at Kenny Burns, 604 E. 4th Street, Rector, Arkansas 72461, U.S.A. After May 1, we can be reached by telephone at our home in Rector, Arkansas, at (870) 595-3322. We hope to hear from many of you!
Thanks again for your prayers and financial support. We are keenly aware that we could not be in Davao City in the service of our Master without you!
His for the Harvest,
Kenny & Genny Burns, Missionaries
Davao City, Republic of the Philippines