DeLonn and Valerie Rance

LaDawn, Jorel and Shayla

Mobilizing the Church to the Mandate

and Equipping the Called

CELEBRATE WITH US

An Update from the Rances

During the past few months of intense activity, we have experienced several milestone events that underscore God’s grace and faithfulness. We would like to highlight a few of these events and invite you to celebrate with us.

April 19-24th, 2004: The Second Congress of “Together in Missions”

El Salvador served as host to the Second Congress of “Together in Missions” of the Assemblies of God of Spanish speaking Latin America. Approximately 800 missions leaders from 25 countries came together under the theme; “Anointed to Reach the Nations: From an Awakening to Commitment.”  God moved mightily during the gatherings. Many were called to missionary service and church leadership committed to sending the called. Only heaven will reveal the eternal results of this gathering, but from all indications, great numbers from many nations will be added to the Master’s roster. Since DeLonn is

secretary for the “Together in Missions,” we were heavily involved in all aspects of the event coordinating logistics, hosting international guests and participating in the program. We are convinced that all the hard work in “preparing the soil,” was more than compensated as the Spirit of God came upon those who gathered and gave the increase.

April 21st, 2004: The Dedication of The Missionary Training Center of the Assemblies of God of El Salvador, “CAMAD”

As a preclude to the Congress with grateful hearts, we celebrated the dedication of the CAMAD building. With construction phases one and two completed, and the second story final stage “roughed out,” national leaders and invited international guests gathered in a celebratory lunch. Thank you’s were extended to the many churches, teams and individuals from various nations that participated. Even though our missionary service is primarily one of missions mobilization and missionary training, we admit that we were greatly moved to see this

building become a reality as God worked through people from El Salvador, Ecuador and the United States. The sweat, blood and blisters were dissipated in the joy of seeing a concrete symbol of El Salvador’s commitment to reach the world become a reality. The building will not only serve as headquarters of the missions department of El Salvador, but as a regional missionary training center and host of the Institute of Islamic Studies for Latin America (DeLonn will serve as coordinator). Pray with us that the $100,000 that is still needed to retire debt and complete the project will be provided soon.

May 31rst 2004, Our 20th Anniversary of Missionary Service in El Salvador

Unbelievably, on May 31rst we celebrated twenty years of missionary service in El Salvador. It seems like yesterday that we disembarked from the plane with our one year old daughter, met brother Manuel Grande outside the airport and traveled

to the city of San Salvador. Space in this letter does not permit a proper review of God’s faithfulness during these years, but on least eight occasions God’s hand miraculously spared us from the enemy’s violence; we have experienced healing, supernatural provision, God’s exact timing; we have seen the Assemblies of God double in size and increase its outreach to the world with 50 Salvadoran missionaries serving in 14 countries. The Missions Department was birthed and has come to full maturity. The School of Theology at the Assemblies of God Christian University was inaugurated and continues to fully function, preparing God’s servants for his work. The dream that was the Missionary Training Center is a reality and more importantly the vision to see hundreds and thousands of Latin Americans mobilized in missions and pouring out in Pentecostal power around the world is happening. There are approximately 370 Spanish speaking missionaries from the Assemblies of God churches of Latin America serving in 53 countries of the world. To God be the Glory! We cannot wait to see what he will do in the next twenty years!!

June 3rd, 2004: Shayla Graduates from High School

It was with disbelief that we watched our youngest child, Shayla, walk across the stage to receive her high school diploma. Not because Shayla is not capable. She graduated with honors from the International School of San Salvador, a distinguished prep school which she attended throughout her high school years. Rather for us it was inconceivable that a child who was born yesterday, could now be this beautiful mature adult entering a new phase of life. Congratulations Shayla! Sorry, but you will always be our baby!

June 4th, 2004: Return to the United States for Deputation

In our next newsletter we will give you an update on our year of deputation. We are currently visiting the churches in the United States in order to be able to continue our missionary service. We request your prayers that we might serve as anointed catalysts to missionary involvement as we visit the churches

June 12th 2004: DeLonn is conferred with the degree of Doctor in Philosophy in Inter-cultural Studies by Fuller Theological Seminary.

DeLonn thought when he began the process of doctoral study back in 1998 that he would be able to finish the program in two years. Shows how smart he is! Six years later, after two major earthquakes and coordinating the reconstruction of approximately 95 church buildings, while continuing to manage his full time job as missionary in El Salvador and traveling throughout the Latin American region in missions mobilization and missionary training, all the academic hoops had been jumped through, two major surveys had been conducted, 300 responses were tabulated and interpreted, 21 in-depth interviews were conducted and analyzed, 700 pages where written and finally distilled into a 350 page dissertation entitled: “The Empowered Call: The

Activity of the Holy Spirit in Salvadoran Assemblies of God Missionaries,” the dissertation was defended and approved! On Thursday June 10th DeLonn was hooded with doctoral regalia by his mentor Dr. Charles Van Engen and was presented with the “Theology Award” from the faculty of the School of Inter-cultural Studies of Fuller Theological Seminary for his contributions to the research of a theological topic from a missionalogical perspective. On Saturday June 12th, DeLonn was awarded the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Inter-cultural Studies. As stated in the dissertation, the very fact that the work was concluded is a clear witness to the Spirit’s supernatural direction and empowerment! He is so worthy! If you would like an electronic copy of the dissertation, you are a glutton for punishment, but you are welcome to it. Just email us a request. In truth, the stories of the missionaries interviewed are inspiring. Upcoming issues:                                                                                  Prayer requests: Future opportunities and challenges.                                                         CELAD Guatemala News from the family                                                                                   Plan Basico                                                                                                                     Bethany                                                                                                                     Itineration

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