"What challenging times! Wherever we look—locally, nationally, or internationally—we see problems, on many levels. Yes, in our own lives, as we walk with Christ, we see renewal, change, and blessing. But, things are spinning out of control in the largely unsaved world as it walks its own way, without Jesus," writes SIM Member Ted Paschke. He and his wife Cecilia have been working at the Rio Grande Bible Institute (RGBI) in Edinburg, Texas since November 2007.

Their work at RGBI allows them to utilize their theological training and their passion for Christian mission, for encouraging and equipping students to engage the world around them with the Gospel of Jesus.

"The students at RGBI come from 15 Spanish-speaking countries. Many of them aim to be pastors in Spanish-speaking ministries, or to be foreign missionaries in places like India," says Ted. "A key goal here at the Bible Institute is educating our students about world missions. As part of that, we hold a missionary conference each January. It helps students know missionaries still need to go to other parts of the world, how they themselves might become missionaries, and then helps them seriously consider doing so. So … multiplication … the strategy is to 'multiply' ourselves."

The theme for the three-day January 2009 missionary conference was "Changing missions, an unchanging Gospel." The RGBI students are thrilled at how God has been mobilizing Latin Americans for mission, and they have caught the vision and passion for taking the Gospel back to their own countries as well as into the "uttermost parts."

Even outside of Ted's responsibilities with RGBI, he is purposeful about sharing the gospel wherever he goes. In late 2008, he led five college-age students to Jesus after speaking at a church conference. This year four elderly people who "winter" in Texas received Christ after he spoke at a Sunday service, and a hotel maid came to Christ in CA as a result of his passion and commitment to share his faith.

Although Ted's role with RGBI is changing from lecturing to developing and writing new materials for correspondence classes for those who cannot attend courses at the campus, the goal of his work will remain the same ... "Through our missionary ministry here, we wish to help launch many new missionaries into a world desperately needing Christ."

Contact Ted and Cecilia about how you can become a part of their vital ministry

Pray

• That God would continue to call RGBI students into world mission work.
• That God will encourage, and use students who have already graduated and are in the ministry.
• For continued financial support for the Paschke's ministry ... for new people and/or churches to help support their ministry financially.
• Praise God for six new believers. In January and February, they led 6 people to receive Christ. Pray they grow in their faith.
• For God to use their outreach. Ted shares Christ with folks in stores, by phone, while buying groceries, etc.
• For the students’ inner lives—that God would shape their thoughts, attitudes, speech, and behavior.
• For God's help as Ted develops correspondence courses for the Spanish-speaking world