“城造在山上，是不能隐藏的”（马太福音5：14下）。我们祈祷，求主使用小石城以马内利华语浸信会，使“这座造在山上的城”能“如日头出现、光辉烈烈”（士师记5：31），在新时代中为主发大光，照亮周围的人，使荣耀归于上帝。
我们诚挚地邀请您来参加我们教会的各项活动！让我们一同认识主，在祂的愛里彼此搀扶，共走天路。以马内利！
李春海牧师
最新信息
4/13/25牧者之言
Santi 的见证
2024年12月21日，我们教会在华人超市门口举牌传福音时，
我的名字是 Santiago Lalis，朋友们叫我 Santi。
我五岁时就已经开始帮忙下田，
在我努力把握毕业时作为毕业致词代表（
我记得，在那个贫穷的小村庄成长时，因为家境实在太差，
基督信仰与宗教之间有着极大的区别。
- 问题不在于宗教，而在于耶稣基督！
- 人若不是从水和圣灵生的，就不能进神的国（约3:5）！
- 1989年，
我在阿肯色州小石城参加葛培理布道大会时回应了呼召，从那时起， 我相信我成为了一位“重生得救的基督徒”！
我在菲律宾是一名注册律师，后来移民到美国，
后来我转为全职做房地产，同时攻读护理专业，
如今我已经81岁了。我极度自豪地夸耀我的全能神，
愿读者们能从我经历的点滴中得着一点启发。
每日灵修 ——Santi Lalis，2025年4月6日
以下是一些我们每天都可以背诵、默想并在生活中实践的经文：
- 箴言3:5-6：这节经文鼓励我们完全依靠上帝的智慧和引导，
而不是依靠自己的聪明，无论在生活的哪个方面。 - 以赛亚书41:10：这节经文给我们带来安慰和确据，提醒我们：
神总是在我们遭遇困难时扶持我们！ - 诗篇23篇：这段经文美丽地表达了神的看顾和供应，
把祂描绘成牧人，引导和保护祂的羊群。建议你慢慢地读， 并默想其中的意象与应许。 - 约翰福音3:16：这是所有基督徒的“根基经文”，
强调神的爱以及藉着信靠耶稣基督才能得着的救恩。 - 马太福音11:28：这节经文为正在受苦的人带来安慰，
指出唯有在耶稣基督里，我们才能找到真正的安息。 - 腓立比书4:6-7：这一段经文的重点包括：
- 1）用祷告取代恐惧与焦虑：当我们忧虑时，
应当祷告并向神陈明我们的需要；（2）神的平安会保守我们： 神的平安是一种能力，能够保守信徒的心怀意念；（3） 信靠基督是关键： 我们的平安来源于我们与耶稣基督之间的信心关系。 - 罗马书8:28：这节经文确保我们，即便在苦难中，
神仍为爱祂的人预备最好的。 我们必须通过顺服神的话语并让自己的意愿与神的旨意对齐， 才能真正经历这应许的丰满。 - 约书亚记1:9：这节经文鼓励我们要刚强壮胆，
因为无论我们做什么，去到哪里，神都与我们同在！ 愿你们大家都度过一个蒙福的日子！愿我们全能的神一直引导、 保守并赐福我们每一个人！
我们教会将于4月19日（周六）
Santi’s Testimony
“My name is Santiago Lalis, but my friends call me Santi. I was born of the 11 siblings of one of the poorest families in one of the remotest areas in Southern Philippines. My parents were farmers (sharecroppers). My father was orphaned from an early age. He and his 2 siblings grew up with relatives who never sent them to school. My mother grew up taking care of a blind mother who did not have resources to send her to school either. My parents were denied inheritance from both sides. My parents had to buy 1/2 acre of barren land from my mother’s uncle so we could build a little hut and to have a little space for our animals to roam around. At age 5, I was already helping in the field and at the same time trying to avail myself of the basic free public education offered in the community. I remember our family had a rough time growing up, we could hardly meet both ends meet. Despite of the hardship I encountered, however, through the help of our almighty God, I graduated on top of my class in 1958! But then, I could not enroll in high school because of extreme poverty! I had to stop 6 years trying to find help even to the extent of writing to our congressman but to no avail. And when I found out the inherent impossibility, I had to run away to Manila, the capital city of the Philippines and ended up washing dishes in a marketplace little restaurant that caters food for early shoppers. I was able to enroll at Manila high night school, but I had to wash dishes for 15 hours. My high school journey was even tougher, I could not read books or use the library because of the limited time. I had to memorize everything the teachers taught inside the classroom to stay combative! And you what? It worked for me! Our almighty God let me graduate again on top of my class in 1968! After graduating as a Valedictorian, I was free to enroll in any university of my choice and the rest was my story!
In my quest to enjoy the free educational opportunities offered to me when I graduated Valedictorian, I was focused on serious studies without knowing that I did not enjoy having a girlfriend. My best friend in the college of law who was a Prosecutor in the city of Manila at the time, introduced me to the cousin of his wife named Rose who happened to be a Registered Nurse recruited by Baptist Medical Center in 1972, who was still single at the time. We exchanged communication by letters and eventually got married in Manila when we met for this first time, during her vacation to the Philippines in 1985! When she came back to the States, she petitioned me and 6 months later I joined her in Arkansas! Our marriage happened without a long courtship! Both of us didn’t plan about it! To me this is another miracle from God! My wife and I don’t have any children, but we are blessed to have a lot of nephews and nieces, some of them grew up in our house!
I remember, growing up in that tiny village, because of our extreme poverty, no one could expect that one of the 11 siblings could go to high school. But our almighty God is a God of Miracle! He can move mountains to show us His power! Who would ever think I could become a “Born Again Christian”? I thought all along I was already a good Christian and did not have to be “born again”, only to find out, among other things, that
1. There is a big difference between Christianity and religion.
2. That the issue is not religion but Jesus Christ!
And finally, 3. That unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he or she cannot enter the Kingdom of God (John 3:5)! I responded to the call of Evangelist Billy Graham during his crusade here in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1989 and since then, I believe I have been a “Born Again Christian”!
I began my journey as a licensed lawyer in the Philippines before immigrating to the U.S., where I started working as a server at the former Holiday Inn West in Little Rock, Arkansas. In 1986, I was honored to be voted as the First Employee of the year. At that time, I juggled three jobs: Waiter at Holiday Inn, Waiter at Little Rock Hilton, and Realtor in between shifts.
Later, I transitioned into real estate full-time while also attending nursing school. Eventually, I became a Registered Nurse at Baptist Medical Center. During this period, I was also named co-winner of the “My Everest” challenge for climbing thousands of steps—from ground to 10th floor and back—during my break times while on duty as a nurse. One special highlight: I had the opportunity to take a photo with the future 42nd President of the United States, who was then serving as Governor of Arkansas.
Now I am 81-year-old. I extremely boast my almighty God for navigating my life this far! It’s not about me, it’s all about Him! I have grown much by numbers but feel much richer and even much younger in heart and spirit! This is my story—an illustration of life watered by tears of sufferings and perseverance, a veritable saga of human survival against seemingly insurmountable odds. Summing it all up, my overcoming the hardships and successes both in schools and workplaces was designed and ordered by the Lord. I did not do it “my way” as I claimed before. It was all through God’s grace! May the readers be able to learn something of what I have been through. I am extremely grateful for all the adversities which have crossed my path for they have taught me tolerance, sympathy, self-control, perseverance, sagacity and all other virtues I might never have known!”
Thoughts of the Day—by Santi Lalis on 4/6, 2025
Some Bible Verses for all of us to Memorize, Meditate, and put into Practice all the days of our lives:
1. Proverbs 3:5-6: This verse encourages us to RELY SOLEY on GOD’S WISDOM and GUIDANCE, rather than on our own, in ALL ASPECTS of LIFE!
2. Isaiah 41:10: This verse offers comfort and assurance, reminding us that God is always present to support us, especially in times of troubles and difficulties!
3. Psalm 23: This passage is a beautiful expression of God’s care and provisions, describing Him as a shepherd who guides and protects His flocks! Consider reading this passage slowly and reflecting on the imagery and promises it contains!
4. John 3:16: This is a “foundational” verse for all Christians, emphasizing God’s love and the gift of salvation that can be obtained only through faith in Jesus Christ!
5. Matthew 11:28: This verse offers comfort and invites those who are struggling to find relief that can be found only in Jesus Christ!
6. Philippians 4:6-7: Key Takeaways on Philippians 4:6-7:
1) Replace fear and anxiety with prayer! Meaning, instead of dwelling on worries, we are encouraged to pray and express our needs to God!
2) God’s peace as a protector: God’s peace is presented as a powerful force that guards believers’ hearts and minds!
3) Trust in Christ: The assurance of our peace is tied up to our faith with Christ Jesus!
7. Romans 8:28: This verse assures believers that God is working for their good even in difficult circumstances! We need to be sure, however, that our love for God is demonstrated through obedience to His Word and aligning our will with God’s will in order to experience the fullness of this promise!
8. Joshua 1:9: This verse encourages us to be strong and courageous knowing that our God will be with us whatever we do, wherever we go! Have a blessed day everybody! May our almighty God guide, protect, and bless us all always!
This Saturday, April 19, our church will once again go to the entrance of the Chinese supermarket to hold gospel signs. We pray that the Lord will lead us to meet more brothers in Christ like Santi, so that we may encourage and serve one another. More importantly, we pray that the Lord would use us to proclaim and share His gospel with people from every nation and every people group. In the name of Christ, Amen!
4/6/25 牧者之言
H同学的见证
上周日3月30日教会主日学讨论关于传福音，
这周一3月31日下午2: 47，我收到一条老朋友（我之前的导师；我们一起同工多年）
“你还记得曾帮助H同学找房子并为他祷告吗？他已经信主，
我听到这个消息非常好奇。怎么会有这样的事呢？
我听说他受了浸礼感到非常兴奋，马上打电话给我的老朋友和H，
- 以下是他受浸礼前的文字见证：
我一直在寻找正确的生活方式，我曾经相信金钱、科学、哲学、
但最终它们都失败了，现在我明白了，那是因为这些都是人的东西，
然而，神爱我，把我带到了这里，向我展现了真理——
起初，我带着怀疑开始学习圣经，但我渴望知道真理，
我很幸运，神安排我遇到了一位朋友，他成为了我的老师，
终于，在上周六，当我躺在床上时，脑海里突然响起一个声音：“
我知道，那是耶稣在呼唤我。
那一刻，所有的怀疑都消失了，我相信了圣经中的一切。
我感受到前所未有的平安和喜乐，我感觉我的罪被完全洗净了。
我开始感谢神，并且为我的家人和朋友祷告。
我的信心正一天天地增长，我会继续读圣经，
- 周二晚进一步分享
周二晚上我和H有个Zoom 会议，听到他更多的分享；并同时给他一些鼓励和劝勉。
“首先，我5岁时奶奶带我去教会。我清楚记得当时背诵主祷文。
后来，在我上大学时选修一门课程《西方历史》。
去年10月来到美国，
- 生命的转变
他一路走过来，特别感谢老朋友的陪伴、鼓励、
- 传福音中上帝的工作
我们为H见证基督的生命而感恩，他能够信主，
Testimony of Student H
On Monday, March 31st, at 2:47 PM, I received a text message from an old friend (my former mentor; we had served together for many years):
“Do you remember helping Student H find a house and prayed for him? He came to Christ and was baptized 2 weeks ago. Amazing!!”
I was very surprised when I heard this news. How could this happen? Some people spend so much time sharing the gospel with others, yet they still don’t believe. But this student was baptized so quickly.
I vividly remember that in early October last year, H went to my university in another state that I graduated from to study music. At that time, he was struggling to find housing. Through his teacher’s introduction, he called me. I told him, “I left the city more than six years ago, and I have lost touch with most of my connections.” After talking with him for a while, I asked, “Can I pray for you? May the Lord prepare a place for you.” He said, “Okay.” After I prayed, God quickly provided for him. He later told me, “Thanks to your prayer, I rented a house close to school at a very affordable price yesterday!” Later, he testified, “Your prayer was really effective!” I responded, “Thank the Lord! It’s not that my prayer was effective—every Christian’s prayer is powerful. It’s just that God had prepared me at that moment to pray for you. If I hadn’t prayed for you, the Lord would have arranged someone else to do the same thing.”
Hearing that he had been baptized, I was extremely excited. I immediately called my old friend and H to ask where he had been baptized. My old friend told me, “In our simple house church’s swimming pool.” My friend shared that this morning, he had taken H to meet a pastor. Coincidentally, this pastor had just visited our Little Rock Immanuel Chinese Baptist Church last Friday. When the pastor mentioned my name, H immediately said, “I know him! He prayed for me.” It was amazing that the Lord arranged for me to share in the joy of H’s baptism in such a way.
H told me that he plans to return to China in two weeks. He has decided to become a pastor (or an evangelist). He said, “Music cannot save people—only the gospel can. What the Chinese people need most right now is Jesus.” He further explained, “The Lord will still allow me to use my music to praise Him or to earn a small income, but my main goal will be to preach the gospel to others.”
Below is his written testimony before his baptism:
I’ve been trying to find the right way to live my life all the time, I have believed in many ways such as money, science, philosophy, music and so on.
But they all ended up failing, now I know it’s because they are all human stuff which are not solid or reliable, they have inadequate foundation, but God loves me and brought me here, and showed me the truth that Jesus Christ is the only path.
I started learning the Bible with suspicion, but I want to know the truth so I’ve always been seeking, I am so lucky that God arranged me to meet a friend who became my teacher and always answers my questions with patience and love.
Finally on last Saturday, a voice came out of my mind while I was lying on my bed, “Jesus I believe you, Jesus I want to follow you”, I knew that was Jesus calling me. Then all the suspicions were gone and I believed in all the things in Bible. I felt so much peace and joy, I felt all my sin was washed to clean, I started to thank God and I started to pray for my family and my friends.
My faith is growing stronger and stronger day by day, I will keep reading the Bible in the future and try to send the gospel to more people.
Further Sharing on Tuesday Night
On Tuesday evening, I had a Zoom meeting with H, where he shared more of his story. I also gave him some encouragement and counsel. I invited him to share his faith journey, and he said:
“First of all, when I was five years old, my grandma took me to a church. I clearly remember reciting the Lord’s Prayer. One time, my grandma prayed for me, asking the Lord to give me wisdom and understanding. Since then, for all these years, I have been seeking wisdom in my heart.
Later, when I was in college, I took a course on ‘Western History.’ When we studied the religious section, the professor played a video about ‘The Life of Jesus.’ As I watched, I was moved to tears. At that time, I had a bit of faith and even attended two or three church gatherings. However, I did not continue.
Last October, when I arrived in USA, a senior schoolmate introduced me to the Baptist Collegiate Ministry (BCM) on campus, where I met Sister A. She introduced me to a friend. In January this year, this friend invited me to join a study group called ‘Bible Discovery Group,’ which met every Tuesday night. One thing I really appreciated about this group was that the study method was not about being indoctrinated. Instead, we read the Bible together and were encouraged to discover the truth on our own. After eight weeks of study, as I read the Bible myself, the Lord gradually opened my heart. He allowed me to see clearly that the Bible is truly full of wisdom—it is absolutely not something humans could have made up. One night, I listened to the book of Ephesians. The impact was so powerful that it overwhelmed me. That night, I heard Jesus calling me, and I decided to fully commit myself to Him and follow Him completely.”
A Life Transformed
Looking back on his journey, H is especially grateful for that old friend’s companionship, encouragement, patience in answering his questions, inviting him for tea, and showing him care.
He also shared that his parents divorced when he was two years old. He had a very poor relationship with his grandma, father, and mother, and he had not spoken to them for a long time. He did not even call his biological mother “Mom” but instead referred to her as “Old Lady.” However, the second day after he became a Christian, he reconciled with his grandma, father, and mother. He also started calling his mother “Mom.” Praise the Lord! It was the Holy Spirit that changed his life and taught him to forgive.
The Lord’s Work in Evangelism
We are grateful for H’s testimony of Christ’s transformative power. Along the way, many people shared the gospel with him—his grandmother, his teacher, and my old friend. Those who came before were sowers, and my old friend was the one who nurtured and harvested. When it comes to evangelism, it is not about what we can do—it is about what God can do. God Himself calls people and does the work. He arranges everything so that one sows, another waters, and another reaps the harvest.
“Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well.” (Ecclesiastes 11:6)
Let us give all the glory to the Lord, for though we labor, it is He who produces the fruit! Hallelujah! The Lord’s work is marvelous, wonderful, and truly amazing! Let us continue to pray for C’s faith and his future ministry plans. May the Lord continue to guide and protect him. In the name of Christ, Amen!
3/30/25 牧者之言
葡萄树
我们或许可以为小石城以马内利华语浸信会2025版更新的电子相
耶稣说：“我是真葡萄树，我父是栽培的人。
葡萄树没有棕树的四季常青，没有松树的傲骨耐寒，
这果子是圣灵的果子，是生命的流露， 是得人如得渔的事工，是虔诚祈祷所发出的力量，是天国的影响力。
天父有美好的计划。
耶稣是真葡萄树，天父是栽培的人。耶稣道成肉身，
圣灵供应葡萄树的养分，并适时修剪。圣灵如一把锋利的剪刀，
主给这颗葡萄树唯一的命令是：要常住在主里面——
感恩，这颗葡萄树的标语是：“见证基督，影响世界！”
感恩，这颗葡萄树的异象是：“但圣灵降临在我们身上，
感恩，这颗葡萄树的使命宣言是：“忠于圣约、敬虔崇拜、
感恩，这颗葡萄树的核心价值是：“家庭、下一代、祈祷、
感恩，这颗葡萄树正在以前所未有的活力继续传扬福音、建立教会，
我们有信心、我们有愛心、我们有盼望，因为我们是天父所栽种、
约瑟是多结果子的枝子，是泉旁多结果子的枝子，
小石城以马内利华语浸信会是多结果子的葡萄树，
The Vine
Perhaps we could name the 2025 updated digital album of Little Rock Immanuel Chinese Baptist Church “The Vine.”
Jesus said, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful” (John 15:1-2).
The vine does not have the evergreen nature of the palm tree, nor the proud resilience of the pine, nor the opportunity to become the beams of the temple like the cedar. With its intertwining roots and sprawling branches, the vine grows under the lush shade with only one purpose—to bear fruit.
This fruit is the fruit of the Spirit—it is the outflow of life, the work of winning souls like fishers of men, the power of devout prayers, and the impact of the kingdom of heaven.
The Father has a wonderful plan. In 1998, He planted this vine at Immanuel Baptist Church, establishing it as a “Mission Church.” On November 14, 2021, she officially became an autonomous church under the full name Little Rock Immanuel Chinese Baptist Church. On July 3, 2022, the church moved to Markham Street for worship.
Jesus is the true vine, and the Father is the gardener. Jesus became flesh, accomplished salvation on the cross, and rose from the dead on the third day, becoming the foundation of the vine. The Great Commission—to preach the gospel and make disciples of all nations— is the goal that the Church strives to pursue. The Lord’s return is our motivation and source of encouragement to remain watchful in prayer, diligent in preparation, loving one another, and exhorting each other.
The Spirit provides nourishment to the vine and prunes it at the right time. The Spirit is like a sharp pair of shears—He lovingly yet firmly prunes us so that we may bear even more fruit. He removes our self-righteousness, weakness, pride, arrogance, greed, and impurity. When we sin, He convicts us; when we are lost, He enlightens us; when we grieve, He comforts us; when we stumble, He upholds us—all so that we may glorify the name of the Lord.
The Lord gives only one command to this vine: Remain in Him, that is, to remain in His Word, and remain in His love.
With gratitude, we proclaim that this vine’s motto: Witness Christ & Impact the World!
With gratitude, we uphold this vine’s vision: But we will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on us; we will be the Lord’s witnesses in Little Rock, and in Arkansas and the United States, and to the world!
With gratitude, we embrace this vine’s mission statement: Keeping the Covenant Faithfully, Worshipping the Lord Sincerely, Having Fellowship Harmoniously, Loving Each Other Genuinely, Making Disciples Continuously, and Sharing the Gospel Passionately.
With gratitude, we cherish this vine’s core values: Family, Next Generation, Prayer,
Love Caring, Service, Godliness, Holiness, and Truth
With gratitude, we witness this vine moving forward with unprecedented vitality—spreading the gospel, building up the church, magnifying the Lord’s name, and preparing to take next step boldly into the future.
We have faith, we have love, and we have hope, because we are a vine planted by the Father, established by Jesus, and nurtured by the Spirit. Spring has come to Little Rock—the flowers are blooming, the white birds are singing, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. The fig tree ripens with its early fruit, and the vine blossoms, spreading its fragrance. The time of great opportunity has arrived!
Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine near a spring, whose branches climbed over the wall.
LRICBC is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine near a well, and its branches extend beyond the walls, bearing abundant fruit!