Curious George and War in Syria

By Global Outreach Team Leader Heather Ward International news fascinates me. Weird, huh? I have just come to realize that as I watch what is going on around our world, I start to get an idea of where God is moving and what He is doing around the world. Unfortunately, each morning I am subjected to … Continue reading »

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india

Thank you from a missionary First Church supports…

  First Church’s Global Outreach Team sponsors more than a dozen missionaries around the globe. One missionary they support is Bharat P, a student at Gaff’s school, IGSL, in the Philippines. Here’s a little note from him thanking the church for 2011 donations, talking about finishing up his second year’s first trimester: “The benefit of … Continue reading »

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Has Anyone Ever Given Christmas Away To You?

Dear Friends, Over the past few weeks, Pastor Johnny has been encouraging us to “Give Christmas Away”.  While I’ve been taking all this in, and doing what I believe God wants me to do in this regard, I was also a recipient of “Give Christmas Away”. Two weeks ago, I went to the church pantry, to learn … Continue reading »

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Curious George and War in Syria Thank you from a missionary First Church supports… Has Anyone Ever Given Christmas Away To You?

Feb
10

Curious George and War in Syria

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By Global Outreach Team Leader Heather Ward

International news fascinates me. Weird, huh? I have just come to realize that as I watch what is going on around our world, I start to get an idea of where God is moving and what He is doing around the world. Unfortunately, each morning I am subjected to reruns of Curious George. Every. Morning. Seriously, feel sorry for me. So, I sit at the counter and drink coffee and scroll through CNN on my phone picking up tidbit stories here and there. Lately it’s been all about Syria. It’s hard to connect with a country so far away and so different from our own. But today, as I looked at the pictures and read the stories, I was struck by how much they look like me…or I look like them. And I wondered, perhaps for the umpteenth time, Why me?

CNN has connected with a young man in a Syrian village and he is feeding them personal accounts of what is going on, and they are terrifying. Here is a little of what he is experiencing (I left out the really graphic stuff):

“Look, anyone who walks the street is in a risk he might get hit by a rocket or tank shell. Anyone who goes out in the street will be hit by a sniper and rocket. Even if you sit in your house, you’re not safe. You might get hit by a tank shell or by a rocket.”

“We expect the Syrian army will be in the area and arrest lots of people. It will kill people here. We have no idea what to do. We cannot leave this area. No one can come in. No one can go out. They’ve shot all the ways.”

“The women died. Children died. We have more than 30 children dead from four days ago. We have loads of children injured. My friends are in the hospital. I hope they’ll be OK. Lots of them have been hit by fighters yesterday. Some were hit today just because of trying to cross the street. Everyone is becoming used to death here.”

I am reading this on my phone and then glancing over at my kids, still in their pj’s, watching cartoons. Some days I just cannot wrap my brain around it. I can’t understand why God has given me this life. Why there is a mother in Syria that looks like me and is huddled in the corner of her house right now, just hoping that her kids won’t randomly die today.

I think Abraham may have felt the same way when he experienced God raining down blessings on him – material wealth, family – all of the blessings that God had promised him back when he was Abram. In Genesis 12:2 the Lord says to Abram, “And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.” Did you catch that? So that…two little words that totally change the sentence. There are strings attached! Abraham was blessed in order to be a blessing to the nations. But, the purpose goes beyond the blessing of the nations – God Himself was also blessed! Kings from other nations recognized God because of Abraham’s blessings and his obedience, Abraham was a blessing to his neighbors by rescuing enslaved families – therefore making God’s name great.

So, to be honest, that makes me feel better. I don’t feel as guilty about my full stomach, safe house, and Curious George addicted kids. I can see that I have a job to do – to be a blessing to the nations and make God’s name great – piece of cake, right? I know I can’t go to Syria right now and tell people about Jesus. Let’s get real, with my not-so-smart street skills I would last about 30 seconds. What can I do? I can pray. In an article by David Wells, he calls prayer a rebellion against the status quo. He says “Accepting the status quo or “life as it is” contains a hidden, unrecognized assumption that God’s power to change the world, to overcome Evil with Good, will not be actualized. It (petitionary prayer) is the absolute and undying refusal to accept as normal what is completely abnormal.” Jesus declared “At all times, we should pray and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1). So, here’s the deal: You were blessed by God in order to bless God. Don’t be normal. Be a rebel – pray. The world needs it.

Syria: Located in Asia between Turkey, Iraq, Lebanon, Israel, and Jordan. Capital is Damascus. Home to at least 1.8 million Iraqi refugees. Language: Arabic. Income/person: $2,768 (6% of USA). Religion: 90% Islam, 6.3% Christian, 1.4% non-religious. Christianity is growing at 5.5% annually. (Operation World)

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Jan
25

Thank you from a missionary First Church supports…

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First Church’s Global Outreach Team sponsors more than a dozen missionaries around the globe. One missionary they support is Bharat P, a student at Gaff’s school, IGSL, in the Philippines. Here’s a little note from him thanking the church for 2011 donations, talking about finishing up his second year’s first trimester:

“The benefit of learning the Greek language…I found is so…helpful to know the original context of the word of God and to present it among the people with a meaningful method. Having an opportunity to walk with God closely and learning the subjects systematically in God’s accurate timing, has given me an assurance of God’s hand upon His ministry for me. You have contributed a lot for God’s kingdom work by preparing me to be a messenger of the good news of Christ. I am preparing myself for church planting ministry through producing movement mind set leaders/church planters in my place called Himalayan region of Northern India, who will help fulfill the Great Commission of Christ in this generation by doing the same through evangelism and planting the churches in their respective areas.”

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Dec
19

Has Anyone Ever Given Christmas Away To You?

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Dear Friends,

Over the past few weeks, Pastor Johnny has been encouraging us to “Give Christmas Away”.  While I’ve been taking all this in, and doing what I believe God wants me to do in this regard, I was also a recipient of “Give Christmas Away”.

Two weeks ago, I went to the church pantry, to learn the ropes, so I could do the work the next week.  It was a long two hours, with many, many  families seeking and receiving help. Near the end of the time, the door opened, and in walked a Stepping Stones children’s worker, with a 4 year old girl in hand.  The worker delivered the child to her Grandma, who was working in the pantry, also.  After a few minutes, the little girl dug into  her school bag, took out a smaller plastic bag, held it high before me and said, “Here, this is for you. I made it for you.”

I looked at her and said, “Honey, are you sure this isn’t for someone else?”

Grandma asked her, “Are you sure?”

The little girl looked at me, bag still held high, and said, “No, It’s for her. I “made it just for her.”

I accepted the plastic bag and looked inside.  There was a beautiful snow globe, made by this precious child, which she gave to me.  Now, some of you may be wondering what is so special about a child giving me a baby food jar filled with glitter, water and a picture of a Christmas tree…  I shall tell you…I did not know this child…I had never even seen her before …and yet, she chose to Give Christmas Away…to me.

You see, Giving Christmas Away, isn’t just in the giving…it is also in the receiving….I am very blessed to have received a true Christmas gift from a
little child.  The snow globe now occupies a place on honor in our home, and shall continue to rest there, as a reminder to…..Give Christmas Away….

Respectfully,

Pat Heinbaugh

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Nov
24

Give Thanks

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The Midwest Conference is located in Columbia City and serves Indiana, Illinois and Iowa Churches of God. I got this note from them today. Click here to view their email updates as an RSS feed.

In All Things, Give Thanks

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks;for this is the will
of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16

This Thanksgiving, as we get together with family and friends to share our blessings, let’s remember:

  • the person who sits and waits for visitors, and has no one to share a meal with
  • the father or mother who were just told that their job will be closing
  • the children caught in the crossfire of family situations
  • the homeless, the cold and hungry, the sick and suffering
  • soldiers who are away from their home and families, and in harms way
  • families spending the first holiday without that special loved one
  • people who are less thankful and have lost their joy due of adverse circumstances
  • the person who does not have a relationship with Jesus Christ

With prayer at the top of the list, here are just a few ways we can help to bring joy:

  • Visit a homebound person and share a meal with them. Come along side them in their life.
  • Give someone a job, or refer someone to an employer. Supply gift cards for food, gas, clothing. Donate to a local food bank and clothing pantry. Donate winter clothing at local merchants. Pick a child’s name off of the “Angel Tree” or other similar venues.
  • Volunteer at soup kitchens and homeless shelters, provide blankets and supplies.
  • Write to a soldier, send care packages throughout the year and minister to their families. http://www.operationgratitude.com/ is one
    of many websites where you can find information.
  • Call, or send a special rememberance card, gift, or flowers to those who have lost loved ones.
  • Reach out and be Jesus, build a relationship, show love, kindness and compassion.

Some days it stretches us to feel the sentiment or sing the words of a familiar Thanksgiving song. Especially when we can’t count the
change in our pockets, let alone our blessings.

This Thanksgiving and upcoming holiday season, be a friend to someone in need. Let them see Jesus in you and discern how God would have you get involved.

“Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the
Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:19b-20.

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Nov
23

Bear Lake Camp Announces Summer 2012 Dates

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 Click on the picture to view the update from BLC!

 

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Nov
17

Flooding in Thailand

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One of the missionaries we partner with in Thailand sends an update on the current flooding situation. Names are left off this communication as they are endangering their earthly lives by witnessing to a closed country. Please join us in prayer for the Thai people and God’s missionaries.

 Heather Ward, Global Outreach Team
Dear Friends,

Thank you for your prayers for us here in B City. The flood situation in our city is getting worse and we are not spared as floodwater started to creep in our area through the sewers. Despite the stressful situation we are in, we praise God for His sustenance and for His peace that keeps us calm. The government is encouraging the people to leave the city but we have more peace to stay and trust God to keep us safe.

Food and other essentials are expensive are becoming scarce now and prices have gone up as many people have gone panic- buying and hoarding. It’s also not safe to go and wade in the floodwater. Crocodiles and poisonous snakes are on the loose. No one is certain how long will this floodwater recedes or be drained to the sea. Many areas are still underwater for weeks now. Our prayer that we will only be counting days and not weeks. Praise God we still have electricity, tap water, and internet in our area at this time, though sometimes we have power interruptions and tap water doesn’t seem as clean as usual.

We really covet your prayers for us at this time as we have been through stressful weeks and we are just tired and weary.

Love,
Z & R

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Nov
04

Connect…Thailand

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When we first started praying about New Beginnings, our leadership felt called to match anything over the $450,000 needed to eliminate debt  dollar-for-dollar for missions and for improving our facility’s first impressions. We have a goal of $750,000 and to date, we’ve received $511,000 pledged over 3 years! Join us for a celebration this Sunday, November 6 at 9 or 10:30am. Get an extra hour of sleep (thanks to DST) and come a little early for a sweet treat!

Our Global Outreach Team, led by Heather Ward, felt called to split the money raised for missions into local, regional and global avenues. More to come on Connect…Local and Connect…Haiti. But here’s a little look at their vision for Global Missions!

Connect…Thailand…

As they mapped out all the possibilities, they came to see God’s vision for our church missions team globally was in Thailand:

    • A missionary that we’ve supported for years in the Philippines is sending one of their students to Thailand
    • A CGGC missionary (that’s a missionary sent from our denomination) is already stationed in Thailand
    • Individuals in our church have been partnering with a sex trafficking rescue ministry who offers short-term missions trips to Thailand
    • People in our church have been partnering with a Fort Wayne-based organization who ministers to people from all over the world and that they offer ways to get involved locally with Thai people specifically

Heather recommends this article which gives a little insight into the lantern ceremony of the Buddhist culture.

Prayer: Yee Peng Festival (widescreen) from AsiaStories on Vimeo.

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Nov
03

Change, Be Humble and Welcome Others

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Our job as Christ’s church is to dig ditches for God and try not to get in the way of the water coming through.

Matthew 18:1–5  At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” He called a little child and had him stand among them. And He said, “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.”

Jesus calls us to become childlike through CHANGE in our lives, preceded by a decision to follow Him, no matter what it may take. Once that change occurs, He will lead us into a lifestyle of HUMBLENESS, as we begin to respond by WELCOMING others into that same knowledge and hope.

 

In verse 3 of Matthew 18, Jesus calls us to CHANGE and become like a child:  And He said, ‘I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven.’

The word CHANGE comes from the Greek translation of the verb strepho (strengthened from the word origin Trope, meaning to turn) – To turn, turn around, to turn one’s self; to run one’s self from one’s course of conduct. 

Once that CHANGE occurs in our lives, Christ will begin to lead us in a lifestyle of HUMBLENESS. We see this verse 4:  Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.

The word “Therefore” represents humbleness as the key ingredient of becoming childlike.

The word HUMBLE comes from the Greek translation of the verb tapeinoo (from word origin Tapeinos, meaning not rising far from the ground) – to make low, bring low; to assign a lower place; to be ranked below others who are honored or rewarded; to bring down one’s pride.

After we make the decision to CHANGE, and embrace the humbleness Jesus requires, the next step is found in our response. We see in verse 5 that Jesus calls us to WELCOME others as if they, in fact, are Jesus:  And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.

The word WELCOME comes from the Greek Translation of the verb dechomai – To take with the hand; to take hold of; to take up; to receive or grant access to, a visitor; to receive into one’s family; give ear to, embrace, make one’s own, approve, not to reject

As we consider what it means to live a life pleasing to the Lord, let us remember the steps, in not only changing and becoming someone focused on Him, but also a Christian bent on humbleness and a welcoming spirit. May we change and get our hands dirty with the job entrusted to all of us, but then be humble enough to allow God to work, all the while possessing a welcoming spirit… bringing others to a place where Jesus can instigate change in their lives.

~ Adam Sidler

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Nov
02

Heroic

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Proverbs 14:1 The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.

So I went to see Courageous last weekend with my husband and another couple after Luke gave us a great review (and devotional based on it) at staff meeting. I highly recommend the movie and the resources on its website and it fit so nicely with Pastor Johnny’s message about being strong and courageous, that I just had to share. I know that the movie was about and directed at men (Matt thought it was amazingly relevant), but it was a huge inspiration to me too!

Why?

I figure that if I’m praying for and expecting my husband to be a courageous father and husband, I better be signed up too. That got me thinking…how can I encourage him? How can I really help him be the spiritual leader of my home? I found the answer…and allow me to break the suspense…the answer does not include the letters N, A or G.

I started reading a book from the list of resources on the official resource page from the movie. In Finding the Hero in Your Husband: Surrendering the Way God Intended, Julianna Slattery writes that “A woman never marries the man of her dreams. She helps the man she marries to become the man of his dreams.” I love the idea that my job as a wife is finding everyday moments in my marriage that make my husband a hero. Do I think it’s possible? YES, I do!

Matt and I have been married ten years…we got married 4 days after the twin towers fell. He made a sacrifice that day by not re-enlisting with his Marine Corps reserve unit and he’s made sacrifices for his family every day since. I’m not saying we don’t have our days…or months…or years! We’ve had huge obstacles to overcome (the biggest obstacle being that Jesus was not a part of our life before 2005)! I realize though, that I have a choice in what I focus on. I can choose to focus on the obstacles or I can choose to focus on the fact that he’s still here.

Just being grateful for my husband’s presence may seem trivial…but some women would find it heroic.

~Rebekah Wineland

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Nov
01

3 Reasons I want to be Bald

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Elisha was bald.

Elisha followed God wholeheartedly.

God did INCREDIBLE things through Elisha.

Ever heard of a guy named Elisha? 

Did You Know… Through God, Elisha split the Jordan River in half with a coat, received a double portion of Elijah’s spirit, cleansed a city’s water supply, brought a boy back to life, fed 100 men with 20 pieces of bread, got an iron axe head to float, and more!

I want to be a 21st Century Elisha!  I want to trust so deeply in Our Lord that the only place I can turn in rough times, in easy times, in times of need, and in times of plenty is to Christ! 

Well, where do I start? 

Get inspired and read through Elisha’s story in II Kings—God can and will move in us in even greater ways than this!

Challenge for New Beginnings:

Commit to daily… Pray for your city.  For this continent.  For this world. 

Commit over this next year to read through the entire Word of God.

Commit to sacrifice for Christ:  your time, your money, your energy (sacrifices are not sacrifices unless they change us)

Commit to spend time serving in ministry in another context (missions—whether in Fort Wayne or across the globe)

Commit my life to a community where you can grow (a small group, a life group, an accountability group, a group that encourages and inspires you to live like Christ)

I want to be bald.  

~ Luke Diehl

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