January 2026 Report

Greetings in the lovely name of Jesus Christ, our Lord!

This is a brief update to keep you informed about what the Lord is doing in answer to your prayers and support. There is no way a ministry can be effective without prayer. Ministry effectiveness is not measured by how many attend the services or even by how large the offerings are. These are very poor indicators of what God does or does not do. Even the kind words shared with me after a sermon are not what I look for to see the hand of God. What you and I pray together to see is that God is made most of and His presence and power are manifested. This outcome cannot be planned, programmed, or produced. It is the sheer goodness of God displayed as He sees fit, but it is often demonstrated in answer to prayer. 

Here is what we have experienced ourselves and what others have shared with me about God's work. I began the new year in Santiago, Dominican Republic, with my friend and pastor, Bryan Elsey. This was my third visit in two years to Walking by Faith Baptist Church. The church holds a retreat every January, and since my first trip in January 2024, they have invited me back each year.

In early December, I had a video call with Pastor Kelvin Candelario and his associate, Gideon An, to talk about the upcoming conference. Just two days before, Bryan and I had discussed what we should preach during our trip. I told him I felt led to speak about walking in the Spirit, based on Galatians 5:16-17. During the call, I asked Pastor Kelvin if he had a topic in mind or if we should speak as we felt led. He immediately said he wanted us to focus on walking in the Spirit. At that moment, I knew God had something special in store for us.

Preaching at the retreat

 The Lord helped me expound on Galatians 5:16 through the end of the chapter. I could sense His help as could the audience. Even during two Q&A’s, there was evidence of God’s gracious presence and power. Let me share with you what Pastor Kelvin shared in his newsletter, which I received last week, a month after the meetings. 

We began the year with a church retreat in the mountains with the theme “Walking in the Spirit.” It was a powerful and refreshing time. We truly believe the Lord spoke to us, encouraged us deeply, and renewed our hunger for Him. Since then, we have been praying and fasting for revival, and we are convinced that God is doing something special in our midst.

One of the greatest answers to prayer has been seeing three families return who had been dispersed after a painful church split eight years ago. This has been a personal prayer of mine for many years, and seeing them walk through our doors again has brought deep healing and gratitude to our hearts.

We have seen joy restored, a renewed conviction of the Holy Spirit, and a greater sensitivity to the presence of God among the church. We have truly been greatly blessed. Additionally, we have been receiving new visitors every week, and throughout the entire month of January, we have had a full house every Sunday.

I love these reports because they come from those who were there, and you are able to hear them tell of our Lord’s wonderful works. 

Also, in January, I went from the Caribbean to the Canadian tundra. For a full week, I preached 14 times from Romans 8:26-39. It was a great week with dear friends. The Toronto Christ Gospel Church is an amazing group of first-generation Chinese immigrants with an energetic ministry to their countrymen, near and far. They have built an infrastructure that teaches Mandarin-speaking students the Bible, from Greek to biblical theology, from the Gospels to the Pauline Epistles. It is an amazing and awesome privilege for me to be associated with them. I love them dearly. 

February is a busy month for us with three preaching meetings in both Texas and Oklahoma. Please pray that I will be a humble and holy servant whom the Lord will be pleased to use. I pray that each one who reads this report will be moved upon by the Holy Spirit to love and serve Him who set His love upon you before time itself. O, may you know the love of God which passes knowledge and be filled with the fullness of God. 

Heartily yours,

Michael