What would Christmas be like without Christ?

February 2014

Mexico is a very religious country as Catholicism has ingrained in people’s minds the reality of a Christ and his immaculate birth. It was with surprise this year that I noticed that a good number of the big retailers did not put °FELIZ NAVIDAD° on their Christmas publicity. With the new slogan *ƒelices fiestas* (Happy Holidays), it is turning into a commercial selling program of gifts and parties without Christ. In the church this cannot happen.

With six churches and missions in our State that we pastor or oversee, there were a lot of parties and there were gifts as well. The focus though was the Christmas story that never gets old and the hope that it has given to mankind. We also focus on the giving and the fellowship, both that are biblical principals, which are promoted at the Christmas season. What a blessing it is to be able to fellowship and eat together. Sometimes I wish it were Christmas all year round.

December was not only a time of parties but also a time of prayer and evangelism. On the 14th of December we had, for our second year, a night of prayer and praise. Outdoors in the fair grounds, a group of musicians and singers that had been formed from several local churches in the city played and sang as we spent time to pray to the King of kings as we worshipped Him. I would love to say that we had over 100 pastors with their congregations present BUT that has not happened yet. It will one day and that day is not far off. In the mean while we had 6 pastors present with their congregation and we had a great time worshipping together.

Then on the 27th of December we once again joined together and participated in an evangelistic outreach in one of the main plazas of Tepic in front of the State government offices. Very unseasonal for Tepic, we had had one week of drizzle and cold weather but ½ an hour before the service started the rain stopped and not a drop of rain fell until after there service had ended. The double purpose of evangelism and of unity was fulfilled

As we have stepped into a new year we are focusing the teaching in the churches on two areas: One of the areas is discipling. Discipling is not only talking to people about Christ Jesus. It is making them part of ones life, sharing and mentoring them on a constant basis. Church growths comes though relationship and even though we are not part of this world we have to reach out to people that are trapped in the mire of this world´s system. The second area we are teaching is the need to become a giving people. Since Mexico has been a poorer country for so many years, the culture has made a people that are more prone to receive that to give. The Bible teaches us to become givers so that we can receive. The sowing always comes before the harvest. That is a law that our ministry has been based on for years as you can tell by our name. To change peoples mind set and culture is not easy but the Word of God that is sharper than any two-edged sword will get the job done as long as we keep the Word present. 

On the home front your prayers have blessed us. Philip now has the cast off his arm. He´s not ready to get back on his motorbike yet but he is getting his mobility and strength back. Lucy on the other hand as been back into hospital twice more and has had a total of 10 blood transfusions. She needs a special study of her intestinal track as the doctors´ still haven´t located the reason of her hemorrhaging. The Lord supplied the finances this week so that we can get this study done and thus be able to attack the situation with knowledge. Please keep Lucy especially in your prayers at this time.

Philip, Lucy, Simri & Vanessa Tolman 

Change of Address for Canadian Supporters

Dear Canadian supporters of Seedtime and Harvest Ministries:

Because of the changes in Revenue Canada, Shiloh Christian Center, as of the 1st of January of 2014 will no longer be able to receive donations for Seedtime and Harvest Ministries Inc. All the offerings sent in 2013 will be receipted by Shiloh Christian Center. Our New Missions Agency in Canada is:

Into All The World

5256 Victoria Ave.

Niagara Falls, ON  L2E 4E7

Tel 226-706-1701

e-mail:  office@iatw.ca

webpage: www.iatw.ca   

Please make all checks out to Into All The World and designate on a separate piece of paper the person the offering is being sent to, or in a case of a general offering, to Seedtime and Harvest Ministries. Thank you for your support of the ministry. 

Philip Tolman

Christmas Greetings to All

December 2013

I am so thankful that we don’t have to celebrate HAPPY HOLIDAYS since we live a real life with our Saviour who was born, died and resurrected to become our Lord and Saviour. The date of Christ’s birth is not what is important. What is important is that we celebrate this wonderful event that has transformed the world.

On the home front we have been able to keep ourselves busy.

We have taken the challenge to bring an evangelistic event to the plaza of every township in our State this year. Seeing that there 21 township in our State this has been a big job. Personally we have participated in 3 of these events as a church. They have been a great blessing for getting the church members off the benches and into the street where there is a world that needs Christ. We still have two more events to come. One on the 14^th of December in the city of Tepic and then on the 27^th we will be joining with churches throughout the whole State outside the governor’s palace in the city of Tepic.

In the month of November we were blessed to have the visit of a group from ANM to help us do some remodelling in our school kitchen and also to level the ground for the second half of our school basketball court. They were also a blessing as they shared in the churches and mingled with the different people that we have working with us. 

Not all things that happen are pleasant but we know that God works out all things for good. Lucy was in hospital for 3 days last month with a bacterial infection in her stomach. She received 6 units of blood and is now on antibiotics to try and eliminate the infection. Then Philip fell out of a tree while trimming the trees on the property. He broke his left arm and dislocated his wrist. He will now be 6 weeks without being able to ride his motorbike. As you can imagine our hospital bills were high and unexpected but we believe that all of the extra expenses will be covered.

We appreciate your prayers as we continue to fulfill the calling that God has put on our lives. We don’t want to be unfaithful stewards who do only what they are told. We want to do more. Blessings in Jesus name.

Philip, Lucy, Simri & Vanessa Tolman 

P.S.-  Please note our new web page www.shmin.org

The Results of Stretching

September/ October 2013 Newsletter

In our last newsletter we mentioned that we were in the process of stretching our tent cords as we had felt that God was telling us to do so. Well the result is more work as growing takes work. Here are some of the doors that have been opened to us.

My daughter and son-in-law took the decision, as of the 31^st of August, to dedicate themselves to full time ministry. For the last years they have ministered on a part time basis with the praise team, in the youth ministry as well has pastoring in a small town church. As full time ministers they will be opening our 8^th church. We have the inauguration Saturday the 5^th of October. The church is being planted in a government housing project in the city of Tepic where the government has built over 10,000 homes for low-income families. There are no evangelical churches in the area to reach these people. Please pray for Agustin and Damara as they have taken this step of faith believing that the Lord will supply all of their physical needs.

In 2009 we started a small factory with only 2 workers to work on a food concept of guava sauce (like an apple sauce made from tropical guava fruit). In the following years we have worked on perfecting our products and opening a new market for selling these products in our spare time. This year we won a project with government financing to change our factory from a homemade product into an industrial project. This year we were GIVEN just over one million pesos ($85,000 dollars) to invest in the factory, for equipment and labor. The only thing that we need to do now is invest 40% more of our own money as a matching investment. Over the next 2 years we can ask for up to $500,000 dollars free if we can match our 40% extra each year. To be able to do this we are looking for two types of people. We need people who want to invest in the company and become partners. The second type of person we need are people who want to buy selling rights to our product for different areas in Canada and the USA. If you are interested in investing or you know someone that is, please contact us. 

Our third area of expansion is an evangelism project that we will be carried out in all our State of Nayarit and we are on the organizing committee. Our State is divided into 20 townships. In the months of October through December we will be holding an outdoor evangelism crusade in each of the townships and then on the 27^th of December we will be joining together with Christians from the whole State for an outdoor service and time of prayer in the State capital. The work is not only the crusades but also the programming of the different churches joining together to make this happen. The permits and that other logistics are also time consuming. The whole purpose of this event is to reach the lost and a benefit we will reap is more unity among the churches.

We appreciate your prayers as we continue to fulfill the calling that God has put on our lives. We don’t want to be unfaithful stewards who do only what they are told. We want to do more. Blessings in Jesus name.

Philip, Lucy, Simri & Vanessa Tolman 

PS Please note our new web page  www.shmin.org

Delight Yourself in the Lord

August 2013 Newsletter

Once again summer has come and we take advantage of its long days and warm nights to share the Good News. Actually we share it all the time but it is easier and more pleasant this time of year.

On the 4^th of July (which is not a holiday in Mexico) we held closing exercises for our school year 2012-2013. We had 7 graduating students this year. We have been blessed this last year to be able to install our new principal, who is one of our converts. After being converted she worked at the school as a school secretary. She then decided to go to university and get a degree. Six years have gone by and she now has her masters in psychology and has been a great asset to our schools. 

On the 19^th of August we return to classes and as of now we have a record conscription of students for our next school year. Our goal is not only a high academic quality of teaching but we want to install Christian values in our students as they study in a Christian atmosphere.

School was barely out and we were gearing up for a city wide Christian concert. Not all things go as we plan but even in our setbacks God is always there. We had rented a hall that seated over 4,000 people, looking for an attendance of over 3,000 believers. On the day of the concert we had just over 1,000 people show and we still had a fantastic time of praise and worship. What we were lacking was finances to cover the cost of the activity. Within two days of the activity we had received offerings for $14,000 dollars of the $40,000 that we needed to cover our expenses. We also know that the $26,000 that we still owe will be paid, as the Lord never leaves us short.

Now that we are just over half way through the year we continue to stretch ourselves towards the goals that we have set to complete this calendar year. In the church in the town of El Ahualamo we are building classrooms for children’s classes. The church in Xalisco finished paying off its loan for the two new classroom we added to the church. In all the churches we have seen growth as every week we have new people come in who are hungry for the Word. We still have the goal of planting a new church location before this year comes to an end and it will be accomplished. At the school we are programming to finish the other half of our outdoor basketball court.

Please keep us in your prayers as we continue to stretch the cords of our tents as we reach out to the lost. Also keep my dad, David Tolman, in your prayers as he is struggling to adapt to a widower's life after 60 years of marriage and ministry.  Thank you for all your prayers and your offerings that make all of this possible. Your monthly support is much needed.  Blessings in Jesus name.

Philip, Lucy, Simri & Vanessa Tolman 

PS- Please note our new e-mail address jptolman@yahoo.com

Death and Life

For everything there is a season, and a time for very purpose under heaven:

 a time to be born, and a time to die;

Tolman, Mary Elizabeth

May 5, 1932 - April 22, 2013

Entered her eternal rest with her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ on April 22, 2013 in Tepic, Nayarit, Mexico. Born Mary Elizabeth Devins in Aurora, Ontario, Canada, she was the beloved wife of John David Tolman with whom she celebrated 60 years of marriage on April 4, 2013

Cherished mother of Ruth (Tim) Kinzie, Nathan (Maria), Philip (Lucy), Mark (Cindy) and Stephen (Marcela). Grandmother of Beth, Stephanie, Rebecca, Courtney, Alex, Kira, Damara, Simri, Vanessa, Melissa, Malcolm, Elisa, Timothy and Peter. Great-grandmother of Damian, Ivy, Dasha and another baby (David Adiel) born on May 6 and whom she never saw. Loved by a large circle of extended family and friends.

Predeceased by her father, Dr. Clifford Devins (1948), mother, Dr. Audrey Devins (1990), and brothers William and John.

Elizabeth served with David in missions and pastoral work in South Africa (1954-1962), Canada and Mexico (1976 to present). Her passion and energy was evident in all she undertook as a wife, mother, teacher and servant of God. She continued to teach and minister until shortly before her death. She will be sorely missed and dearly remembered by the many people she touched in life.

                                                          _/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_

Born on May 6^th 2013 David Adiel Bizarron (Tolman), son of Agustin and Damara.

As you can see these last months have been a time of intense family involvement. We were honored to have been able to help my mother until the end and to tend to her needs. The churches, the schools and the ministry continued on through these trying times and we still walk in victory.

Thank you for all your letters of condolences and for your prayers. It is not easy to say good-bye forever. In this earthly body we will never see each other again but in heaven we will rejoice for eternity.

Please continue to pray for David as he is dealing with a new stage of life and also for ourselves as we help him walk through this new experience. Thank you for your prayers and your offerings that make all of this possible. Your monthly support is much needed.  Blessings in Jesus name.

Philip, Lucy, Simri & Vanessa Tolman 

Living the Life

March/April 2013

In the middle of February we hosted a citywide crusade in one of the city parks. Two of our speakers were Mariano y Micaela Ricache from Guatemala. What they shared with the hundreds of people that attended was a message that impacted my heart, They not only talked of a revival that took place in their town in Guatemala but they also shared that 25 years later the revival continues. Over 90% of their community is Christian. They have seen the bars and jails closed and stay closed. Every time that the enemy has tried to come in and destroy the work of God they have stood in the gap and used the authority that God has given them to overcome.

This is one of the goals that we have had in Mexico, to create a move of God that lasts. It is easy to gather a group together for a while but if that group is still with you 20 years later, the work has stood the test of time. These last month we have had to officiate 4 funeral for members of our church. As you all know these are not easy times for the family nor are they for the pastor. Sister Laura had a prolonged battle with cancer. We would have loved to see her healed but God had other plans. She and her family came into our church in 1989. Her son is now a minister in one of the local churches. It was our honor to preach her home going.

Brother Javier was born again in our fellowship in 1996. We married him in the church. He spent a time as a teacher at our Christian school. All of his family came to know the Lord under our ministry. The Lord saw fit to take him home in his late 50`s. The important part is that he made it to the end of the race.

Sister Amada was over 50 years old when she got saved. As a widow she could spend a lot of time sharing God`s love. She could hardly read or write but how she loved the Word. She graduated from our Bible School, maybe not with the highest grades, but definitely with the highest fervor to testify. God gave her over 20 years to be part of our fellowship and to share God`s love before he took her home. What a joy it was to be with her and talk about the Word of God.

The church is not about an organization nor about a building, it is about people. One young man whom I will call him Fred came to our school because he had been expelled from the public school and not because he was an A student. At his 14 years of age he was at a difficult time of life. He was invited to attend church by some of the youth and accepted. The transformation that has taken place in his life is incredible. In the nine months that he has been attending the church he doesn´t miss any activity and is always around to help. There are some time when he will be in church activities 4 and 5 times a week. He is learning to run the sound equipment at the church and he has become a full time disciple of Simri. As of now he is the only Christian in his family but the problems that he had before getting saved have all disappeared.. Stories like Fred`s help make the load lighter.

This month we are gearing up for our annual camps. Our youth camp we have Easter week and then the next week the children have their camp. Also the first week in February we started a new semester at our Bible School with 13 students in attendance. We continue with our goal to raise up ministers and leaders for the work of the Lord. 

Please continue to pray for Elizabeth as she has come to a point in her life where the doctors can do no more for her as the cancer has spread through her body. Only the Doctor of doctors can work in her now. Thank you for your prayers and your offerings that make all of this possible. Your monthly support is much needed.  Blessings in Jesus name.

Philip, Lucy, Simri & Vanessa Tolman