To the glory of God...

The following portion of the May 2011 EMU Newsletter was especially encouraging to our extended family. God is working...

As Christians, we know the meaning behind [Bible] stories, and we know that the meaning has eternal and temporal significance not only for us but for unbelievers as well. We need to not only show forth lives that are pleasing to our neighbors, but to explain the reason for why others see in us what they see. And that is the purpose of missions: to make Christ known, to the glory of God...

[Jonatán Torres'] story exemplifies one whose goal was to glorify God, not only in life but in death, too. Just before midnight on April 20, Jona . . . took his last breath. He died surrounded by family and a few friends. Jona had fought cancer for several years but continued to be involved with his schooling and classmates at Bob Jones Academy. During that time, he gave his testimony before youth groups and church groups. Earlier this year his family even made a trip to Uruguay, the birth country of his father. While in Uruguay, Jona accepted the many invitations to speak in our EMU churches and elsewhere. His testimony of trust in God continues to be used among the youth and adults.

Jona’s father, who pastors a church in Greer, SC, is the son of Gilberto and Docila Torres. Gilberto was a pastor with EMU for almost forty years until he died of a heart attack in 2003. Jona’s mother was raised as an MK in Uruguay, and her parents still serve the Lord in that South American country. Three generations of Torres have preached the Gospel so far. At Jona’s funeral, part of the service was the playing of his testimony via DVD – one in English and another in Spanish. Even after his death, he was a witness to the glory of God.