Our Latest Assignment-IBMM
In January 2011, we became part of the team of IBMM (Inter-America Bible Media Ministry) based in Durant, Florida. Working from the former STAR Ministries location, we are preparing, casting, and videotaping Bible School classes that will be used in Spanish speaking countries when attending a Bible School is not possible or when no qualified professor is available to teach the course at the local Bible School. We are providing resources that will enable the preparation and training of pastors, missionaries, and lay leaders in countries in the Latin America and the Caribbean area. Tommy is busy outlining the courses, preparing the scripts for the production phase of the process. After the classes are recorded, they are edited and made available for use by all Bible Schools in the Spanish speaking world. Knowing the importance of Bible training for successful, long-term, productive ministry, we are working to assure that all our pastors have the opportunity to acquire the tools and instruction needed to fulfill the call God has placed on their lives.
The Harris Family
Last prayer card that included Aaron and Kimberly taken in 2002.
Watch the following presentation to see some pictures of our ministry in the Dominican Republic and with IBMM.
Dominican Republic (1999-2010)
While home from Uruguay for deputation in September 1998, Hurricane Georges passed across the island of Hispanola damaging or destroying many churches in the Dominican Republic. In early 1999, we were called upon to consider transferring from Uruguay to go to the DR to assist in the rebuilding of those churches. After much prayer, we arrived on the island and began helping in the reconstruction process. The missionary team at that time in the DR consisted of: Gayle and Nancy Grisbee, Dan and Therese Irizarry, Greg and Kim Roane, Nelson and Rennae deFreitas, Mitch and Debbie Martinez, Virgilio and Marsha Fortin, Dale and Patti Coad. We joined a wonderful team of missionaries and with the help of many US Maps construction teams, all of the churches were repaired or rebuilt before our term was completed!
Besides working with teams and construction projects, we also taught in the Bible Schools in Santo Domingo, La Vega, Santiago and La Romana. We later served as directors of the Bible Schools in La Romana, Santiago, and in Puerto Plata where we started a new Bible School during our last term in the DR. Teaching and training young people who have answered God's call on their lives is so exciting. We love preparing them for ministry by not only teaching in the classroom, but also by encouraging them, discipling them, mentoring them, and being an example to them. It is an honor, privilege, and blessing to touch lives and influence the next generation of leaders through Bible School ministry!
We have enjoyed preaching, conducting evangelism outreaches, teaching Holy Spirit seminars and the many other ministry opportunities that God has opened up for us.
The Harris Family
Summer 1997
Uruguay (1986-1999)
In 1986, we were approved as missionaries to Uruguay. For nearly 2 years we traveled throughout Florida and several other states seeking prayer partners and monthly pledges. Finally we had completed the budget requirements and could pack our bags and get our airline tickets. Our first stop was San Jose, Costa Rica where we attended language school (1988) and began learning Spanish. In 1989, we arrived in Montevideo, Uruguay. What an emotional time!! We had arrived in the country God had placed in our hearts and we were going to meet the people to whom God had called us many years earlier. Our years in Uruguay we were 'church planters' and used a large yellow and white tent to start 'Good News Crusades'. After establishing a nucleus of believers (usually about one year), we would purchase property and then build a church with the aid of MAPS construction teams. So exciting to see the birth of a new church...lost souls being birthed into the kingdom!
Throughout our years in Uruguay, we worked with ICI, street evangelism, taught in the Bible Schools, conducted medical clinics, worked with MAPS and AIM teams, spoke at Women's and Men's conferences/retreats, etc and did WHATEVER we were called upon to do! What a joy it is to serve God by serving others!
The portion of scripture that we chose to place on our first prayer card in 1986 and all subsequent prayer cards can be found in the following passage:
"How then shall they call upon Him in whom they
have not believed? And how shall they
believe in Him whom they have not heard?
And how shall they hear without a preacher?
And how shall they preach unless they are sent?"
Romans 10:14-15
We are so thankful for each of you who have faithfully supported us with your prayers and finances and have made it possible for us to GO and PREACH so they can HEAR and BELIEVE in whom they CALL upon for such a great salvation! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Without God's 'leading' and your 'heeding' we could not be 'speeding the Light' to the world!
Calling - Sending - Going
The Tommy Harris Family
Aaron - 5 yrs old and Kimberly - 3 yrs old
Our first prayer card photo taken October 1985 while at headquarters for the final step in the appointment process. The following month we received a letter from Reverend Phillip Hogan advising us we were appointed Assemblies of God Missionaries to Uruguay!!!
The Harris Family
1992
The Tommy Harris Family
Aaron - 5 yrs old and Kimberly - 3 yrs old
Our first prayer card photo taken October 1985 while at headquarters for the final step in the appointment process. The following month we received a letter from Reverend Phillip Hogan advising us we were appointed Assemblies of God Missionaries to Uruguay!!!
The Harris Family
1992
