Valley Grove Baptist ministers in Venezuela

A 25-member mission team from Valley Grove Baptist Church traveled to Maracaibo, Venezuela June 8 -15 to partner with It Took a Miracle (ITAM) Ministries. Team members ministered in a school for the deaf, an intermediate school, and to families living in and around the city dumpsite during the week. In addition to working with children and sharing the gospel in surrounding communities, the team broke ground for a school site to ensure that education will come to the children of the dump area, bringing hope to their families. According to Valley Grove pastor, Dr. Bobby Tucker, “We had the great opportunity of seeing over 500 people, including one translator, accept Christ during the week.” Five members were part of a hiking team journeying through the Andes Mountains on the outskirts of Pueblo Nuevo. This area had never before been visited by North Americans or Christian missionaries. The team initiated the first steps in creating a relationship with the mountain people by presenting gifts and supplies. “Our lives are forever changed by what God allowed us to experience in Maracaibo,” Tucker stated, “The team has been awakened to the urgency of sharing the gospel in our own community as well.” Members of the team included Melanie Mitchell, Connie Hill, Rhonda and Lauren McClain, Dickie and Jeanette Bush, Doreen and Clayton Crouse, Kathy, Melissa, and Amanda Singleton, Vicky and Karie Thomas, Dr. Steve and Kristen Johnston, Johnnie Cowden, Lindsey Powell, Jennifer Spaulding, Phil Johnson, Jenny Flemming, Erin Story, Kim Spangler, Tom Cunningham, Dr. Chad Rittenhouse, and Dr. Bobby Tucker.