A Word from Our Pastor- Bro. Lynn Martin

Mon, 7 Nov 2011 18:15:55 -0600

Dear Pastors,

I have had the privilege of knowing Bro. Ethan Shields all of his life and of watching him grow up in his father's ministry in Mexico. Recently the Lord has allowed different circumstances into his life and through these has led him and his wife to join as members here at Ben's Ford Baptist Church. We are proud to inform you that we are now officially their sending church. We are excited to have them on board and to send them out to serve the Lord as missionaries. Our church family supports the Shields family and their ministry endeavors. We pray you do too. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Pastor Lynn Martin
Ben’s Ford Baptist Church
Bogalusa, LA

Jacob & Heather Shaver: Missionaries to Mexico

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 11:25:10 -0500

As we travel from church to church we meet many missionaries. It is such an encouragement to see the Lord send forth labourers into his harvest- one family in particular. Several months ago, we visited a church in Louisiana and met the Jacob Shaver family. He and his wife Heather, along with their three children- Judson (4), Micah (2), and Aurelia (4 months)- are answering God’s call to missions. Their burden? The unreached people of Mexico! They knew that their ministry would somehow necessitate the use of aviation in order to arrive in remote villages, but Jacob himself does not feel called to be a pilot. The Lord has led him more towards Bible translation work. What an encouragement to know we are not alone and that others too have the same heart for these lost people groups! Our families have been praying about the possibility of working together in the mountains of Hidalgo. We feel now that the Lord has intertwined out paths and we are making plans toward that end. Our goal is the same: to share the glorious Gospel of Christ with the unreached people groups in Mexico. We thank God for new friends and workers! Visit their website to learn more about this wonderful family- www.jacobshaver.com

Three Generations of Missions

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 22:41:07 -0500

In 1968 Ethan’s grandparents, Charles and Betty Lewis, answered God’s call and went as missionaries to La Mesa de las Tablas, a small village in the mountains of northeastern Mexico. They labored faithfully in the region until their health no longer allowed them to stay. It was to this same work that God called Ethan’s parents to help in 1979.

Rick and Robin Shields have been serving in the area of San Antonio de las Alazanas, Mexico for thirty years now. They are the founders of Banner of Faith Ministries Inc., the missionary fellowship of which we are a part. The seed Ethan’s grandparents left behind has grown and flourished into a great testimony for the glory of God. He has blessed this ministry with a Bible Institute, a Christian day school, El Faro Christian camp and conference center, and most importantly, multiple indigenous, self-supporting churches. Ethan’s three siblings, along with three “adopted” siblings, are all serving in Mexico as missionaries as well. Ethan’s family and the others that serve with Banner of Faith Ministries have dedicated their lives to being a beacon of truth in the darkest parts of Mexico.

Today we are privileged to take up the torch and send the light to the mountain regions surrounding Molango, Hidalgo, Mexico. We thank the Lord for our wonderful heritage and pray He would use us now to help bring souls out of darkness into His marvelous light.

Recommendation from Pastor Harold Gaddy

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 15:10:05 -0500

Dear Pastors,

It has been my great privilege to have known Bro. Ethan Shields for his entire life. Our church has had a wonderful opportunity to support the Shields family for almost the entire 30 years that they have served the Lord in Mexico. We also have closely followed the ministry of each of their four children of which Bro. Ethan is the youngest.

Without any question Bro. Ethan has the call of God upon his life. He has served the Lord faithfully under the guidance and instruction of his dear father, Bro. Rick Shields, a missionary to Mexico for over 30 years. Bro. Ethan has always had a genuine love for Christ and a deep desire to do the will of God whatever it might be or wherever it might take him.

This past year Bro. Ethan came to our church and presented the missionary aviation ministry into which God was leading him. After preaching and sharing with us the burden of his heart we were able to begin supporting Bro. Ethan and Mrs. Beth as they have answered the call of God. Bro. Ethan explained to us that through missionary aviation he will be able to take the gospel of Christ to the most remote villages of Mexico and maybe eventually, Central and South America. Additionally, Bro. Ethan was born in Mexico and speaks Spanish as fluently as a native Mexican. Surely this has only been part of the training God has given this dedicated young man in preparation for the work He wants him to do.

It is our prayer that God will lead you to also have a part in this tremendous ministry as this dear young couple take the gospel of Christ to some of the most needy people in this hemisphere. Bro. Ethan is doctrinally sound and preaches with enthusiasm and zeal in reaching souls for Christ. Please pray that God would direct you in helping Bro. Ethan and Mrs. Beth as they reach the people of Mexico for our dear Savior.

Sincerely in Christ,

Harold Gaddy, Pastor
Bible Baptist Church
Franklinton, LA 70438

Recommendation from Missionary Rick Shields

Sun, 21 Sep 2008 13:36:05 -0500

As founder and President of Banner of Faith Ministries, Inc. I was asked to write a recommendation for Ethan D. Shields. As his father, I know him better than any other man and it is with great honor and confidence that I can recommend Ethan for your prayerful consideration. He is compassionate, conscientious, consecrated to pious activities, concerned for souls, and committed to a life of faith no matter the consequences. A few who know Ethan well might bring up his strong-headiness; but I maintain that it is a needed quality for an independent “out-back” missionary. He not only has the God-given ability to pilot a plane, but also a tremendous affinity to mechanic in almost any situation. His favorite statement “Do the best you can with what you have” will stand him good as a pioneer missionary. Third, Ethan graduated from our 4-year Bible Institute and we know him be an able preacher, teacher and a fearless soul winner. I only wish we could find many others like him. My contact information follows. I will candidly answer any questions concerning the missionary capability of Ethan D. Shields.

Albert R. Shields, Missionary since 1979

Please feel free to contact me at:
Banner of Faith Ministries, Inc.
P.O. Box 2180
San Juan, TX 78589
Telephone: 956-358-3147
Fax: 956-702-3251
shieldsoffaith@awesomenet.net
Mexico: 011-521-844-102-4514