LEGACY is all about PEOPLE (part 4)

LEGACY is all about PEOPLE (part 4)

As mentioned in last week's blog, LEGACY had its humble beginnings shorty after resigning from Living Word Church (LWC) in Irving, Texas in 2004. During our LWC pastorate we met Eduardo Ribeiro, a young man from Brazil and a student at Christ For The Nations (CFNI) in Dallas. Eduardo came to LWC by invitation to a missions conference we were hosting. Each night he came to the conference, but Lynda noticed Eduardo would come early to shower and change his clothing. She suspected he was living in his car, and followed him to his vehicle...she soon discovered her suspicions were correct.
Upon this discovery, Lynda said, "Eduardo, you are now our son. You will live with us." The fun commenced for Eduardo did not know many of our American customs, including how to play kick ball: he ran to third base, first. In a good way, both he and our five teenagers tormented one another during early morning routines and birthdays.
During that season of almost 2 years, Eduardo had a vision; neither of us knew that one day he would be an important part of the vision's fulfillment. He saw our ministry like a nest from which others would go and return.
Today, Apostle Eduardo Ribeiro has been happily married to Priscila for 16 years. They have two daughters: Joy (age 12) and Mel (age 10). They returned to Brazil in 2009 to plant MegaVida Church (Great Life Church). It began with a small number and now, 10 years later, the church has more than 170 members and FIRE SCHOOL, a ministry-training center!
In addition, Eduardo has become a sought-after interpreter; he has interpreted for German Crusade Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke and Nigerian Pastor and Philanthropist T. B. Joshua, as well Christian Educators.
LEGACY is elated that the relationship with the Ribeiro family continues to this day. Brazil has been tremendously blessed by their ministry. LEGACY is all about PEOPLE!
Next week's blog will contain more relationship stories!

www.legacyofworship.com

LEGACY is all about PEOPLE (part 3)

LEGACY is all about PEOPLE (part 3)

LEGACY, as the name of our ministry, had its humble beginning in early 2004. Bill and Lynda had just resigned as senior pastors of Living Word Church in Irving, Texas, USA. It was a very rough transition from being a pastor to throwing ourselves into full-time missions work, but the call was abundantly clear. Bill and Lynda have been involved in missions from 1978 to the present. By the way, we are still pastors - we pastor the pastors!

While at LWC, Bill and Lynda had the honor of providing ongoing care and prayer for Earl Kellum, a missionary to Latin America for more than 50 years. As the news got out that Bill was Earl's pastor, opportunities to travel to Spanish-speaking nations began to open up. It was an unexpected but most welcomed surprise! This remains an open door to this day, even though Bro. Kellum has gone on to heaven. We celebrate his life and legacy!

Bill and Lynda have conducted conferences, seminars and revival meetings in Mexico, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua since 2000, because of Earl Kellum.

It was at the Costa Rican conference that Bill met Gonzalo and Olivia Vega, senior pastors of Centro Cristiano Calacoaya in North Mexico City. Though the years, Bill and Lynda have been regular guest ministers and conference speakers at CCC. LEGACY has many great friends in this church, including Harim and Claudia Nabi! One of our greatest joys is to watch their children grow up because of the long-term relationship! We are blessed!

Javier and Lucia Flores, another missionary couple based out of LWC, were also in Mexico. Brother Bill visited them the first time in 1999. This relationship was ongoing until 2007, when Javier went to heaven with trips once or twice each year.

Perhaps you are beginning to see how important RELATIONSHIP and PEOPLE are to LEGACY. More simply stated, ministry does not happen without RELATIONSHIP. Bill and Lynda have yet to make big money, but they are among the most wealthy in the world when it comes to RELATIONSHIP. Thank you for being our family!

There are two pictures below: the 1st is of Earl Kellum (the first in the front row- left to right); the 2nd is of Javier Flores. 

The journey continues next week, when LEGACY introduces to you our relationship in Brazil! Thank you for taking a moment to read this blog and mentioning our name as you pray! We will do the same. God bless you!

LEGACY is all about PEOPLE (part 2)

LEGACY is all about PEOPLE (part 2)

Going to nations by revelation is our approach to missions; Kenya was expected, as you know by reading last week's blog, but traveling to the Republic of Burundi was not. We went to both of these countries in 2011 for the first time.

Frank B. Msambya, a Daystar University Alumni as mentioned in last week's blog, was visiting some of the Burundian alumni in 2010. While on the return flight to Kenya, Frank heard these words: "Bill and Lynda are to go to Burundi while in Africa". After some prayer, the answer was "YES"; after all, at times, God will speak through your trusted friends.

Upon arriving at the Bujumbura Int'l Airport we were met with Senator Liberat and her husband; both were devout believers. The next morning the choir director for the First Lady was knocking at the door. And that afternoon, the protestant chaplain for the Army and Police Force was sitting in our living room. All-in-all, we met several senators and members of parliament; but we were unprepared for the two biggest surprises. 

On Friday before our departure, we were sitting in the State House of Burundi. Dr. Albert Nasasagare Deputy Chief of Staff walked into the waiting room, stating, "I have 10 minutes only. How may I help you?" Two hours later were still chatting about the goodness of God! To close out time together, Dr. Albert apologized on behalf of the president or not being able to meet with us. We understood and left our gift for the president on the table. As we turned to leave, with raised excitement Dr. Albert said, "Wait, if you don't mind getting your hands dirty, the president will be serving at a community development project tomorrow at 8 am. Meet us there and I'll make sure you have 4 hours with the president." And it happened! We had no idea the wide door God was opening for us. We hosted the president and his entourage in Dallas in the fall of 2011, too.

Legacy returned to Burundi in 2016 to conduct 2 Peace and Reconciliation Conferences. We will go to Burundi again this July. Relationships with governmental officials has only continued to grow over the years. In addition, God has used us as a prophetic voice. 

As we partner with our home church, The Kings House of McAlaster, OK, a preschool will be built for the Batwa village of Mwendo in the fall of 2019. It will also be the first fully operational school among the Pgymies. We praise God for what He is doing in Burundi! Below is a photo of Brother Bill working outdoors with the Honorable His Excellency President Pierre Nkurunziza. Asante sana (thank you) for following our story! Next week's blog will explore the second on our list: "LEGACY is all about..." God bless you!