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MCC has been blessed to have Mike Brazie serve us for 30 years. He has led as an elder, an adult Sunday School teacher, Bible study leader, VBS volunteer and just about everything else in-between. He has served with the Gideon's ministry for 25 years, throughout New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas, and has worked with Gideons in Colombia, Cuba, and Madagascar. He was on the convention committee for the International Gideon Convention in 2010 and also this summer, working with Gideons from all over the world. This is what Mike has to say about sharing the gospel:

I’ve been asked how I typically share the gospel with people I meet. The actual presentation I use depends on the person and situation, but I try to turn the conversation to spiritual things, and then have the person read gospel verses. I just let God speak to the person through His Word. 

For example, someone may say it is a lovely day, and I might respond by saying it is the day God made. I then start asking questions to lead to an opportunity to get them in the Word. Some questions I might use are:  Do you have any kind of spiritual beliefs?  To you, who is Jesus Christ? Do you believe in heaven and hell? If you were to die today do you know where you would go? If what you believe is wrong, would you want to know? 

If their answer is negative or they resist, I stop and pray that God will use the seed planted to work on their heart. But if they continue to answer, I ask if they would read a few Bible verses out loud for me and tell me what they mean to them. I use the verses in the back of our Gideon Personal Workers Testament, which are: John 3:16 and Romans 5:8 on God’s love; Romans 3:23 and Romans 3:10 on our sins; Romans 6:23, John 1:12, and I Corinthians 15:3-4 on God’s remedy for sin; and Revelation 3:20 and Romans 10:13 on salvation is available to everyone. 

I don’t argue or question their answers to my questions, it doesn’t matter – the objective is to get them to agree to read the Bible verses. Pastor Frank has described it as leading other people to share the gospel with themselves. It takes away anything really offensive because you aren’t telling them anything, you are just asking questions and letting them hear God themselves. The Holy Spirit does all the heavy lifting. 

If I get them through all the verses I then ask if they want to have Jesus as their Lord and Savior, have all their sins forgiven, and know they will spend eternity in heaven with God. If they say no, I leave it at that. But if they say yes, I will lead them in the sinner’s prayer and encourage them to find a Bible-oriented church to attend. If they live close to us, I will invite them to come to Mountain Christian Church.

And if I can’t even get started with a person, I will just give them a Personal Worker’s Testament and ask them to at least read inside the back cover (which has the gospel verses), and then pray God will use it to lead them to His Son.

If you want to do this but don’t want to become a Gideon, you can be a Friend of Gideons and buy the same Testaments but without our Gideon logo.

In January, I embarked on a month-long trip to South Africa with the Fellows program by Impact 360 Institution. Fellows is a nine-month experience in which I learned about worldview, defending my faith, and what it means to be a Christian in modern-day culture, among other topics.

One aspect of Fellows is going international for one month in Brazil or South Africa. The purpose and title of this trip was not a typical mission trip; it was referred to as an international immersion trip. A journey in which the purpose is to see God's creation and people elsewhere. Through this, I got to work with a nonprofit called Living Hope.

My team worked with Living Hope the whole time we were in the country and got to experience and see how the kingdom of God works in different cultures. Living Hope nonprofit has many developed programs in which my team got to work together and dive into the work Living Hope does every week.

One of my favorite programs we worked with was the rehab center. The rehab center is where addicts, murderers, and alcoholics come and hear the Word of God and get to hear from their brothers and sisters who are going through similar trials. The rehab center was a very impactful experience. I sat next to a murderer and talked to a recovering alcoholic, and shook hands with a drug dealer. I heard their stories and how God brought them out of darkness. I learned that what they had done was not their identity, for that was now in Christ.

The other parts of Living Hope are farming, elderly care, nursing in close communities, and working with kids. Every part of Living Hope was so unique to see. I got to experience so much in the short time I was there. The Lord grew me significantly, and I loved serving the people there. I learned a lot in Cape Town and would love to return at some point in my life. I learned about abiding in and with Christ through the people in South Africa, and on my team, I learned how to rest and lean on Him.

I loved my time there and learned so much. I am so lucky to have been able to go, and I cannot wait for God's next thing for me.

Thank you for supporting “The Great Jungle Journey” VBS!

We had 93 children attend at least once during the week. Half of the kids were not from MCC, and 8% didn't list a home church. The Gideons handed out 106 Testaments, and at least one girl had never read the Bible before. They were loved on by 115 volunteers. And raised over $1,562 for hearing aids for 11-year-old Dayana in Bolivia!

The pictures from the week are precious. The sweet faces of the children and of the volunteers brought tears to my eyes. I am SO PROUD of our volunteers.

We started each day with corny jokes and learned new songs and dances. We watched live drama productions and ate fun and colorful snacks that supported the daily lesson. We got our wiggles out in games before using our hands to reinforce the lesson in crafts. We even saw volcanos explode! We learned that sharing the Good News can be done far away as well as in our own community, and we heard our daily lessons from a new guest teacher each day. We had 15 tour guides, plus a multitude of helpers leading the kids and building relationships with them.

At our closing ceremony Friday evening, many families joined us to sing and dance, enjoy the drama team one more time, watch the slideshow from the week, and hear the gospel from “Jungle Jim”.  Then we had cookies and talked. So many people just enjoyed visiting with one another. It was beautiful to see the community created by a week of VBS.

The Sunday after VBS my heart was filled as I looked around the sanctuary and saw the familiar faces of the volunteers that worked together all week. Memories were made, friendships were formed, and relationships grew stronger.

The week of Vacation Bible School is so much more than construction paper and chaos. I have heard many stories about people who attended church for the first time because of VBS. And many accepted Christ because of VBS. 

Isaiah 55:10-11 says, “As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire, and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”

I am proud of the VBS program that we have built up over the years, but not because it’s our program. The VBS program at MCC is God’s VBS and it is meant to teach kids about Him.  

I will be stepping down from the co-coordinator role next year because Micah and I plan to enjoy his retirement next summer. The VBS team will need administrative assistance. If you enjoy spreadsheets or completing To Do lists or thinking ahead logistically, then let Cruz know that you might like to join the VBS Team. (Actually working with the kids is optional; so don’t let that scare you off.) You will have an eternal impact. 

We are continuing our series on getting to know your church leaders a little bit better. Read along to learn more about Micah Barker, who serves on our Deacon Council. 

Where were you born, and do you still consider that home, or somewhere else?

I was born in Albuquerque, NM. I moved to the East Mountains when I was 13 years old.

What did you want to be when you grew up – and is that still a dream?

I wanted to be a soldier in the Army and then a law enforcement officer. I have done both and am still trying to grow up.

What or who was your earliest spiritual influence?

Mrs. Wever. She was my Sunday School teacher at Mesa Baptist Church.

How and when did Christ call you to Himself?

In 1985 I accepted Christ after a Sunday School lesson and after further discussion about that lesson with my parents.

What is a scripture you often read or share with others?

The words of Paul the Apostle: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

What is a special answered prayer you’ve received from the Lord?

The Lord has blessed me with a beautiful wife and amazing children.

What is a blessing and what is a challenge in serving as a deacon?

Blessing: Getting to know people at our church better and work with them. Challenge: Learning to delegate tasks and ask for help.

What are your hobbies and how did you get into them?

Hunting, hiking, mountain biking and camping. I have always loved outdoor activities. If some of those activities happen to keep me in decent physical condition and occasionally put meat in the freezer, then that is a bonus.

What is your favorite family tradition?

Christmas Eve dinner in Old Town of Albuquerque.

How do you enjoy spending a day off?

Early morning hike or bike followed by working on a project at home, then finishing the day on the back porch with a cold drink till the sun goes down.

What is the perfect meal?

Elk or deer steak from the grill, ranch beans, salad, biscuits and a cold beer.

Who or what never fails to make you laugh?

My dog Daisy cracks me up almost daily. Even when she is bad I can't help but laugh at her once I'm done being irritated.

We asked Nicole: 

What is your favorite trait of Micah's?

Micah is good at maintaining relationships. He patiently listens to our teen daughters, puts a lot of thought into replying to texts and diligently returns phone calls. He is also really good at learning how to do things that need to be done – from repairing vehicles to replacing the bridge at the cabin.

What does Micah do that can always make you smile? 

Watching Micah play with our dog, Daisy, always makes me laugh.

It’s easy to agree with this lofty goal, but making it happen in the midst of our busy schedules can seem impossible! Thankfully, there’s a ministry giving us opportunities to serve the international community in simple, yet impactful ways. 

International Students, Inc. operates on college campuses throughout the United States and even internationally. According to their mission statement, ISI “exists to share Christ’s love with international students and to equip them for effective service in cooperation with the local church and others.” 

International Students, Inc. is thriving close to home at the University of New Mexico. Would you believe, UNM recommends that every international student connect with this Christ-centered ministry prior to their arrival? The value of the support ISI offers is undeniable!

Imagine you’re traveling alone to another country. You don’t know the language particularly well, and the culture is unfamiliar. Despite these challenges, you’ll need to assimilate quickly before your university classes begin. What a daunting endeavor! 

At the airport you are greeted, then welcomed into a home while you look for your own place. You are even offered donated furniture so you have fewer expenses to worry about as you get settled. 

Your new friends invite you to share meals, celebrate holidays and to experience local customs. Respectfully, you ask questions of each other and exchange ideas. 

These tangible expressions of Christ’s love, poured out over the course of your time studying abroad, would make quite a lasting impact! Especially as you return to your home country, a highly-educated leader in your field. 

Even for those of us who are not international students, ISI is invaluable because it breaks down into achievable steps that daunting goal of sharing Christ’s love with the nations:

Available during your lunch break to pick up a newcomer from the airport? ISI will put you to work! 

Willing to converse with someone practicing their English? ISI will invite you to the “English Corner” hosted at the Baptist Student Union. 

Got an extra seat at the table for holiday dinner? ISI will extend your invitation to students hoping to make relational connections. 

The first step to getting directly involved with International Students, Inc. is to check out isiabq.org. Contact director Joan Lasche and she’ll talk you through the steps to getting on their email list. Or, if that’s more than you’re able to tackle at the moment, be on the lookout for ways you can come alongside MCC’s Mission Team as we support ISI: 

Email mcc4missions@gmail.com if you’d like to donate furniture or household items to the cause. We’ll even pick up!

Drop off your food contribution at the church next time you hear the mission team is providing an ISI Welcome Meal. We’ll take care of the rest!  

You may choose to get involved with International Students, Inc. now, later, or not at all. Either way, I hope you’re excited to know that the Lord is working through this ministry. Thank you for lifting ISI in prayer!