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May 2007 |
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 Click here to downloaad the May 2007 MBMSI Newsletter 124.22 Kb
100 YOUTH MOBILIZED IN SERVICE TO ENSENADA
Directly following Anaheim 2007, the US MB Youth Convention, MBMS International sponsored a five day mission trip to Ensenada, Mexico. Fresno based short term mission coordinator Andi Goetz, along with Joan Godard, MBMSI missionary in Guadalajara, Mexico and Craig Jost, MBMSI Regional Mobilizer based out of Wichita, KS, led the inter-generational team.
Pastor Joe Brown, who led the team from Heritage Bible Church, felt that Ensenada was a practical follow up to the conference in Anaheim. "The conference provided tremendous information and fellowship. We were encouraged to love God and each other and our time in Mexico provided us with many opportunities to put this into practice. Orientation was a crash course in cross-cultural mission work."
The group was divided into six teams and connected with a local church where they slept, ate and served. This was a valuable set up because the youth were partnered with local believers, able to see how they lived and did mission day to day. For many participants, this trip was a time to refocus on what it practically looks like to serve others and live in mission. "When I first came here [Ensenada] I didn't see the people through God's eyes," shares participant Jarred Zeek, "Now things are different. I can finally see what God sees. The people here have a special place in my heart and I will pray for them each and every day."
Near the end of the week, Andi Goetz challenged the group to commit to global missions. "We have all been given the command by Jesus to go into the world. Being mobilized isn't just about going. It is also about praying, giving and supporting others. Mission is truly a mindset and lifestyle. When God's love for others fills you-it's hard not to move!"
Katy Michelle, a youth from Heritage Bible Church, responded to Andi's challenge, "When we met together and she [Goetz] wanted us to go out on mission trips all over the world, I realized that is something I would really love to do!"
Pastor Joe Brown reflects on the overall experience, "I'm thrilled with the spiritual maturity our kids displayed. They worked hard and stayed focused on the task at hand. I'm not saying they're perfect, just that they really love Jesus and the children that God placed in front of them. It was good to watch God work in and through the kids."
Churches involved: Reedley MB [CA], Heritage Bible [CA], Kingsburg MB [CA], Harvey MB [ND] and Good News Fellowship [WA].
COUNTING THE COST
Two hundred seventy four people launched the first CMN of 2007 April 22nd at King Road MB Church in Abbotsford, BC. The evening began with worship led by a team from King Road. Sam Dick, MBMSI Regional Mobilizer to Western Canada, hosted the event.
Randy Friesen, General Director of MBMS International, delivered passionate stories and testimonies of believers in central Asia. He described the high cost of serving Christ in this region and in many other areas of the world. His challenge to each person in attendance was a sincere account of whether they were willing to count the cost of following and sharing Christ. "Will you stand with our brothers and sisters around the world?" implored Friesen, "They must know they are not alone!"
The response was dynamic. People stood to their feet in a time of group prayer calling out to God on behalf of believers and of the lost in central Asia. A Thank You Lord offering was taken at the end of the service and many people lingered after the evening closed to enjoy the prayer wall displaying prayer requests from missionaries all over the world.
Another CMN took place April 29th at Willow Park MB in Kelowna, BC. For a list of upcoming CMN dates and locations go to www.mbmsi.org/cmn.
SO MANY SHOES!
By Elton DaSilva, Pastor of Christian Family Centre, host church of SOAR Heartland'07
It is hard to believe that it is over. The serenity and quietness of normal church business seems wrong somehow. For ten days, I was greeted by loud music, shouting youth, drums and guitars; not to mention the shoes. To many the sight of 200 people rummaging through your church and filling rooms with luggage and sleeping bags may seem terrifying.
While society tells us that this generation has a "look at me" mindset, SOAR Heartland participants painted a different picture. This was a group willing to give. I can attest that there is no sweeter sound than a room full of young people earnestly singing praises to God, listening to His voice and developing a future in service.
It's true that after everyone leaves you will find things out of place but those things can be moved back. You will probably find starches on the walls but those can be patched. The smell of feet may take a week or two to fully clear out but the reward is seeing God work in the lives of our future pastors, missionaries, business people and politicians. This will stay with you forever. Hosting Soar Heartland was not an obligation, a duty or even a service; it was a privilege.
REV. DANIEL WIRSCHE, FAITHFUL SERVANT
Harlingen, TX - Rev. Daniel Wirsche peacefully answered his Lord's call home Saturday, April 21, 2007. Rev. Wirsche was born in Saskatchewan, Canada, December 4, 1909 to August and Katrina Wirsche. His life's passion was serving the Lord, spreading the Gospel of forgiveness and eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. His missionary work with MBMS International took him and his family to Colombia, Uruguay, Mexico, California and Texas where he pastured the La Joya MB Church for 10 years. He and his wife, Elsie (Fiedler), retired to Harlingen, Texas in January, 1994.
GRANDMAS ARE COMING TO JESUS!
Dave & Louise Sinclair-Peters [MBMSI Missionaries in Thailand]
I was running out of the coffee shop with my iced coffee in hand when Khun Ellie said to me, "I have been praying for my one month old grandbaby who was severely beaten by her nanny. We don't know whether he will live or die. Today I prayed to your God but I don't know if I did it right."
Hearing Khun Elle's cry for help, I came to a rapid halt and said, Khun Elle, we are all praying at church for your grandbaby's healing. Would it be alright if some Christians came and helped you pray to God for your grandbaby tonight? "Yes, please come!" she said.
That night, after our church service, about fifteen believers from The Life Centre [TLC] walked down to the coffee shop together.
As we sat in front of her large Chinese shrine filled with incense, food and idols, Pastor Burathat explained to Khun Elle how much God loves her and her family. The Monks had told her that this evil had happened because the baby had sinned in his past life. These words left Khun Elle without hope.
We encouraged her that the Bible says that God has a special plan and good purpose for her grandbaby's life. Baby MJ is unique and his life is precious to God.
Then we asked Khun Elle if we could pray for her. We gently laid our hands on her and prayed Thai style-out loud and all at the same time.
The next day, the workers and family at the coffee shop greeted us warmly and gave us the good news: Baby MJ was much improved. A few days later, Khun Elle ran to hug us and tell us that her grandbaby was going home from the hospital! She said, "I would like to come to church this Sunday to thank God and everyone for praying for my grandbaby."
We encouraged her that the Bible says that God has a special plan and good purpose for her grandbaby's life. Baby MJ is unique and his life is precious to God.
Then we asked Khun Elle if we could pray for her. We gently laid our hands on her and prayed Thai style-out loud and all at the same time.
The next day, the workers and family at the coffee shop greeted us warmly and gave us the good news: Baby MJ was much improved. A few days later, Khun Elle ran to hug us and tell us that her grandbaby was going home from the hospital! She said, "I would like to come to church this Sunday to thank God and everyone for praying for my grandbaby."
The next day, Khun Elle came to TLC just as she promised. She stood up in front of everyone and thanked Jesus Christ for the miracle of healing they experienced as a family. She said, "When I prayed to God, He answered me. None of my gods helped me. I believe in Jesus and I want to become a member of this church now."
Khun Elle wasn't the only Grandma whose heart was being touched by God that Sunday. Taay, a young girl in our kid's choir, also came to church with her grandma for the first time. As soon as Khun Yai heard the message of Christ's love, promise of forgiveness and hope of Eternal Life, she wanted to surrender her life to Christ in front of the whole church!
Praise the Lord!!
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