First Evan has the opportunity to build upon the legacy that we have with the Iglesias Cristianas Tlapanecas (ICT). Our relationship with ICT has exceeded 85 years, and our prayer is that it continues to grow and flourish! Together with Tlapaneco Indian Ministries (TIM - the US based ministry board), they are building the legacy of faithful discipleship into the next generation.
Each year, ICT hosts an annual conference between Palm Sunday and Easter. This year (March 28 – March 31), ICT is planning to have one of their largest gatherings ever with 800 to 900 Christian brothers/sisters in attendance. The theme of their conference is “Let’s Remain Steadfast in Healthy Doctrine.” Our funds will be a major source of encouragement and blessing to the churches as they gather for worship, fellowship, Bible teaching, and discipleship.
Our goal is to provide $20,000 to support the March gathering, which will help continue the Gospel work among the Tlapaneco people.
Where only idolatry ruled in the hearts of the people, NOW Christ rules in many hearts. Where people worshipped the rain god, NOW many worship the Lord Jesus Christ. Where one couple came to bring the news of redemption to the people of the mountains, NOW the people themselves bring the good news of redemption to those outside of Christ.
God has done a great work in and through First Evan among the Tlapaneco people of southern Mexico. In a miraculous series of events, in 1938 God led Mr. H.V. Lemley, to a people who had never been reached with the Gospel. A year later - on October 21, 1939 - Mr. Lemley married Mildred Lewis at First Evan and they headed to Mexico on their honeymoon. They walked for 10 days to a village and moved into a thatch-roofed, mud-floor hut. They would live and work in Mexico for the rest of their lives. First Evan has supported this Gospel ministry among the Tlapanecos continually ever since.
