Sims

MARCH - APRIL 2026
DEAR PASTOR AND BRETHREN,
Greetings. We are happy to report that the Lord has allowed us to take an one month furlough to spend 
time with our family and sending church, Empire Baptist Temple. This is my first time to be back in the 
USA since arriving in Bohol Island 8 years ago. Life and the ministry have many ups and downs. Things 
often don’t go as we anticipate. I’m glad that God’s ways are higher than our ways. The Christian life is 
about being willing to adjust our plans to fulfill the LORD’S PLAN in our lives. We have missed our 
family and our church, so we are grateful for this short break from the ministry.

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We were able to attend church services at Empire Baptist Temple for about 3 weeks. It was great to reconnect with our church family. While there, Pastor McCandless allowed me to preach several times 
and give an update on the ministry in Bohol. Hopefully, we left behind a renewed vision and burden for missions. 

 

Our only complaint from our time there, was the weather. It was my first time to see snow in 8 years. It reminded both my wife and I of how much we hate South Dakota winters! We will be happy to get back home to the Philippines and get warmed up. 

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Three of our children along with their spouses and 11 of our grandchildren are a faithful active part of our home church.“Children’s children are the crown of old men…” Proverbs 17:6. Though separated from our family much of the time, it is one our greatest blessings to see them continue to love the Lord and serve 
Him. Many of our older grandchildren have a solid testimony of salvation and a couple of our grandsons believe that the Lord has called them to preach. Amen. 

After our time in Sioux Falls, the final few days of our trip have been finished up in Salt Lake City, Utah. As I am writing this prayer letter, we are spending our last day with our daughter and son-in-law and 
their three children. A few years back our son-in-law, Nolan Ruby, surrendered to the ministry. He has been here for over 5 years faithfully planting Wasatch Front Baptist Church. The ministry is going great. A young growing church is always exciting to see. The greatest need in the USA and around the world is more Baptist churches boldly proclaiming the Gospel. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth…” Romans 1:16

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Bro. Jerecho and his wife have been overseeing the ministry in Bohol in our absence. “Wherefore, my 
beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence.” 
Philippians 2:12. Praise the Lord for some faithful members in Tagbilaran city who have been helping 
with the day to day responsibilities and with the church services. We are very proud of them. It has been 
another important step in their training and spiritual growth. 
In His Service,