Prase the Name of Jesus!

God answers prayer! On December 13, 2008, the Directors of the Seminario Wesleyano de Venezuela met to discuss our financial future. We were aware of the looming crisis regarding money required to finish the updates to the property in order to house seminary in January, the pay-off on the property in February and the news just received from our primary operational donor that all operational funds would be stopped due to the economic crisis in the US.

We were against the wall! We had to have $15,000 to get ready for January seminary. We had to find $150,000 to pay off the property at the end of February ($350,000 initial purchase price). And we had to find additional sources for funding the operational cost of the seminary.

First, a source came forward to loan the Seminary $150,000 to pay off the property in Venezuela. Such financing is not possible in Venezuela and US lending institutions will not loan money for real estate there. We praise God for the trust placed in us through the issuance of this loan from some individuals.

However, we still faced the dilemma of what to do about January Seminary. We had used all our current resources to add a working water system on the property, electrical work, and other improvements. Beds, mattresses, kitchen equipment, pots and pans, tables and chairs, etc. would be required before we could welcome the class to the Seminary. This cost of $15,000 seemed to be a problem for which we had no solution.

After much discussion on December 13, the recognition came to us that we did not have the resources for January Seminary unless God intervened. So we covenanted together to place a “fleece” before God in the tradition of Gideon (Judges 6:36ff). The fleece was for God to provide the $15,000 if He wanted us to go ahead with Seminary in January. We also covenanted to spread the word to our friends and supporters of the work to see if they would help. If the money did not come, we would not have Seminary until we raised the money.

God spoke with thunder as $26,498.00 came in during the allotted time! We join with the Apostle Paul saying, “Unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end, Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21).”

Eugene Peterson says it this way in The Message: “God can do anything, you know – far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, His Spirit deeply and gently within us. Glory to God in the Church! Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus! Glory down all the generations! Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes!”

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!