The Testing of Our Faith

July 2025

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.  And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.  James 1:2-4

In this passage, James doesn’t mean rejoicing in trials and pain itself, but rather recognizing the potential, growth and good that can come from facing trials. The testing of faith leads to steadfastness, which in turn matures and completes us in Jesus Christ. I heard it said recently that “perseverance is greatly aided by perspective.” As followers of Christ perspective is a crucial attribute, so much so that even in controversy, difficulties, or setbacks, we can look to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

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In this summer edition of our newsletter Tia and I would like to share and focus on just two things for which your prayers and participation are greatly appreciated.

First An Opportunity: Rio de Dios Church, Bolivia. For two years now, Fernando and Sudkie Peredo have led their church in reaching their neighborhood community with the Gospel. The vision is to have a space to operate a feeding center for the children who often miss meals for a full day or more. Essential to this goal and other needs is that of purchasing the building that they currently meet in. They have raised much of the $50,000 needed, and now only $8,000 remains—but it must be raised by the end of September. They are working hard on this. We, too, are praying and asking for those who may be able and led to help in this need to please give through the Donate button on our home page (ReillysbyGrace.com). If you would like to donate another way, please email reilly.clr@gmail.com.  Thank you in advance and thank you to so many who have already helped so many other pastors in Latin America.  

Second, our ministry with Keystone Baptist Church. Please join us in prayer as we continue to do outreach to the more than 80,000 Latinos in the Dayton area. To meet the goal of planting a Spanish-speaking congregation into an existing church body, we prayerfully will begin Spanish language services on August 24.

With faith in Him,