Satanic Opposition Amid God’s Blessings

Evidence of God’s Power

Dear Friends,

We have completed the first quarter of 2021 and I am happy to report that our ministry registered almost 700 people who made professions of faith in Christ and at least 214 of those have followed Christ in baptism.

Baptism is a major step of obedience in the life of someone who lives in a restricted access nation. It is often the one event that brings persecution to the life of a new believer. It can mean being shunned, banished from the family, beaten, or even killed in extreme cases. 

Already in 2021 I have heard from people in places such as Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Bangladesh, Egypt, Pakistan, and other countries where new converts are being persecuted for their faith in Christ.

The Covid-inspired shutdowns have given the devil an open door to not only stop soul winning and church services, but also to increase the poverty and despair that most of the world was already facing.

Our people almost exclusively meet in small group house church type settings. All of a sudden those formats are monitored more closely than ever making it easier to shut down churches and imprison pastors. Just this week I heard of 7 of our men that were visited by the police in 2 different communist countries.  

Most countries do not have welfare, stimulus checks or unemployment benefits to provide help for those who were barely getting by even before the shutdowns. The sad truth is that our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world are struggling in ways we have no concept of in America. 

I am thankful that God is raising up individual churches, missionaries and ministries such as my co-worker Johnny Esposito to provide both physical and spiritual help to those who need it most. If you are looking for a source to help provide food, medicine and basic needs for the poor, along with a gospel presentation, I recommend Operation Samaritans Compassion through Brother Esposito and the Pacific Baptist Church of Long Beach, CA. This is an excellent place where churches and individuals can send love offerings to help during this very real crisis. Please let me know if you would like his contact information.

As a reminder that God and His work are not subject to governmental restrictions, I am happy to report that we are seeing one of our greatest ministry growth spurts. I have been praying that God would enable us to support at least 100 church planters and it looks as if we will reach that goal within the next few weeks. 

I am in the process of vetting new men in Vietnam, Bangladesh, Uganda, Mali and Myanmar at the moment. I anticipate adding as many as 20 men to our Barnabas1040 family next month. 

Please pray with me that the Lord will keep the momentum going as He opens more doors and gives us the ability to walk through those open doors. I am more excited about what God is doing today than at any time in my ministry.

In the words of the great Missionary William Cary, “The future is as bright as the promises of God.”

In closing, I want to request your help in praying for some urgent requests.

1. We are seeing persecution of pastors and members alike especially in Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos and Pakistan. Please pray for these men and women who are suffering for no other reason than their decision to follow Jesus. 
   
2. Please pray for wisdom as I attempt to vett the men that the Lord wants us to partner with in various restricted access nations. 
   
3. Please pray for safety and health as Gayle and I travel here in the USA presenting Barnabas1040 Missions. 
   
4. Please pray for the world to open up again. More than a year into the pandemic we still have missionaries that cannot get back to their countries as well as national ministries that are being greatly hampered by their inability to meet. 
   
5. Please pray for revival in America. I am very concerned by the apostasy and wickedness of our own country. We are in desperate need of the touch of God right here at home.

As always, I want to say a heartfelt thank you to all of those who pray and give to make this ministry possible. I am not exaggerating when I say that together we have seen God do much more than I could have ever imagined in these brief 6 years since launching this faith ministry. 

We will not fully understand this side of Heaven all the lives that we have had a part in touching by God’s amazing grace. Thank you for standing with us. We know that we could not do what we do without you!

Dwight & Gayle Tomlinson

Email: dtomlinsonlbc@gmail.com
USA Cell: (949) 880-9415