2009_v4_fall - International Ministerial Fellowship
Transcription
2009_v4_fall - International Ministerial Fellowship
® SEASONS Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit. Leviticus 26:4 Dr. Mark Rutland elected third President of Oral Roberts University. “International Ministerial Fellowship” and the IMF Cross Logo are Federally registered service marks of International Ministerial Fellowship. © 2009 International Ministerial Fellowship. All rights reserved. Fall 2009 contents... co on n tteennTS ts... C Notes from the general secretary 2Notes from the General Secretary 3The Changing Seasons 4Wisdom, Power and Mystery 5Governor of Yucatan Visits Bridge of Love Home Property 6A Heart for Evangelism 8Taming the Tongue 9Christmas in September - How Can That Be? 10Touring the Holy Land 10Networking 11Experiencing God Together in Worship 12Your IMF Area Pastor Representatives 12 Know Your IMF Staff 13Project Christmas Stocking 13IMF Military Chaplain Policy 14 Engaging the Evangelical Atheists 15Embracing Change with Faith 16New Credits/Special Tax Break 17Reaching the World with the Gospel and Bicycles 18Look Unto Me - The Devotions of Charles Spurgeon 19 Consider Carefully How You Listen 20Play Your Cards Right: Debit vs. Credit 21Welcome to the Family/Missionaries/Living Memorials 22Living in "Bible Times" 24Board of Directors The official magazine of International Ministerial Fellowship, Fall 2009 International Ministerial Fellowship ® Serving Those Who Serve Others ® P ublisher International Ministerial Fellowship Executive Editor Rev. Frank Masserano M anaging Editor Becky Tracey ® PO Box 32366 • Minneapolis, MN 55432-0366 Phone (763) 571.5967 • Fax (763) 571.6835 www.i-m-f.org A Gathering of Godly Affection (otherwise known as the Gathering) is a magazine published periodically by International Ministerial Fellowship, Mpls, MN 55432-0366. POSTMASTER: For address changes and name removals, please send Design & P roduction the entire address panel and mailing label from the Gathering to Gathering Magazine, International Ministerial Fellowship, Sandi Holmgren PO Box 32366, Mpls, MN 55432-0366. C ontributors Rev. Paul Anderson Rev. Reuben David Rev. Paul Engstrom Rev. John Ferret, Jr. Tracey Finck Rev. Steve Fletcher Rev. Ron Keller Pastor Fred Kelly Rev. Frank Masserano Terrell Mayton Rev. James Reimann Julie Saffrin Barb Schahn Pastor Paul Sundell Becky Tracey Tama Westman Ad Rates: 68 cents per character (each space and punctuation counts as a character); average 45 characters per line. Minimum $68 (100 characters). Displayed ad rates available upon request. Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or personal checks accepted: Fax 763-571-6835. Ads placed in first available issue. Deadline for reservation or cancellation is five weeks before scheduled issue date. Address correspondence to Christian Marketplace, IMF, PO Box 32366 Mpls, MN 55432-0366. If you are interested in submitting an article to be published in the Gathering, please mail or fax a copy of your article (no more than 500 words) to Editor, Gathering Magazine, IMF (address above). Submissions are subject to review by the IMF Editorial Committee. Committee decisions are final. The contents of this publication and other Fellowship bulletins, publications or announcements are subject to change without notice. A safe place… a place of healing… A Place of Restoration… and a future… …Oral Roberts University Rev. Frank & Carol Masserano Founders & General Secretaries The ORU community celebrated in style over two days with five formal receptions: Board Members, faculty, administration, political leaders and pastors, followed by a formal dinner with Dr. Paul Walker speaking to special guests, family and friends. The inauguration service the next day was electric with welcomes from the Board of Trustees, faculty, Alumni Association and the student body (represented by several thousand very enthusiastic students), Tulsa mayor Kathy Taylor who pronounced the day ORU Inauguration Day, and a video greeting from the state Governor Brad Henry who proclaimed the day Dr. Mark Rutland Day in Oklahoma. Last, but not least, Dr. Oral Roberts (age 91), founder and Chancellor of the University, laid his hands upon Dr. Rutland’s head as he knelt before Dr. Roberts (who had to sit due to his age and health) and prayed a powerful prayer of blessing and prophecy, saying, “I see the University growing, multiplying and doing God’s work in a very special way.” It has been months of miraculous workings of the Holy Spirit that has brought Dr. Rutland to this new place of leadership. Just a few months ago, ORU was in turmoil, facing debt of over $50 million and without a President. Dr. Roberts had nominated Dr. Rutland as a candidate to serve as President, but Mark had declined. The Green family (owners of Hobby Lobby, a privately held company) stepped forward with a gift of $70 million and Mart Green, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, asked Dr. Rutland again to apply. Dr. Rutland had prayed about it, but was himself in a capital campaign at his own university, Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida. He again declined. Mart Green and the Search Committee initially had 130 applicants which they narrowed down to 3. Mart spoke by phone to Dr. Rutland once more, and once more Mark declined. Finally, Mark Green called Dr. Rutland and said the Trustees had declined all of the applicants, and what would it take for Dr. Rutland to come? Allison, Mark’s wife, had suggested to Mark he put out “International Ministerial Fellowship” and the IMF Cross Logo Design are Federally registered service marks. © 2009 International Ministerial Fellowship. All rights reserved. Congratulations to Dr. Mark and Allison Rutland on his inauguration as the third President of Oral Roberts University. It is the beginning of a new season for ORU of growth, healing and increasing world influence, and a new season of servant leadership for Dr. Mark Rutland. Mart Green, the Chairman of the ORU Board of Trustees, announced, “The University is debt-free and the future has never looked brighter.” continued on page 7 2 | A G ath e ri n g From the Desk of the President The Changing Seasons Pastor Fred Kelly IMF President William Shakespeare made short work of describing the changing of the seasons. He wrote this about the abruptness of summer’s passing into autumn: The seasons alter; hoary-headed frosts fall in the fresh lap of the crimson rose. We are experiencing that change now, but it is a normal and anticipated event which will bring as much joy as summer ever has. The sensations are different, the obligations are perhaps greater, but autumn has a lovely sweetness. God made these changes for us as recorded in Genesis 1:14: Then God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days and years.” It was not possible for God’s creation to flourish without distinct seasons, nor is it possible for us. The glories of summer are becoming memory while the challenges of autumn are upon us; both should be objects for reflection and prayerful consideration. The summer of 2009 produced the greatest event in IMF history, with the largest crowds and the best program in our fifty year history. Credit goes to Frank Masserano who envisioned this anniversary long ago. He appreciated the work of his father and mother who in 1958 began to bring together pastors for retooling and refreshing in Memphis. Their vision became Frank’s own when he reconstituted the organization in Minneapolis and with his wife Carol at his side built what is arguably the most effective ministry in the world for independent clergy. The progress of our organization has been steady and ever-expanding, but the massive outpouring in July demonstrated that the first fifty years will soon be eclipsed by the future. Summer is the season for growing; fall and winter prepare the earth again for future new growth. Many of you participated in the MORE Conference and I know you will join in giving special recognition to our host, Pastor Bob Cottingham and his great church, North Heights Lutheran. If anyone wanted to do a study of a successful denominational leader who has embraced the Holy Spirit’s power and grown a mainline church into a powerhouse of salvation and healing, Pastor Bob would be your logical choice. Summer has some great moments, but it passes rather quickly into autumn. We enjoyed having Rev. Iris Masserano, co-founder of the original IMF at the Conference. She is in the autumn of life and ministry, but in seeing and hearing her I recognized the power that resides in experience and maturity. That is true of our churches also. A gifted pastor can make a new congregation thrive with the power of his voice and the depth of his faith. People will follow a leader who is young and vibrant. That new life and excitement prepares us for the steady growing of congregants into mature believers who learn that hope deferred will in Christ become hope fulfilled. Autumn brings into the church some difficult moments. Seeds planted in the glow of summer sometimes fail to develop. The disappointment caused could become a discouragement to any more forward movement save for the beauty of people who actually believe God continues to answer prayers in wondrous ways. When the hoary-headed frost of autumn falls on your crimson rose, remember please that the dry seasons of life do not last. Churches will succeed or fail on this one point. Success is based on seasons – plural! One summer of exultation cannot make a harvest. Autumn and even winter in a congregation’s life will pass. The spring rains will come again. Be faithful to the Father who sent us and soon enough, summer will itself return. Glorious and colorful, summer reflects all we ever hoped and prayed about. But without the intervening seasons, summer would be a sham. To know in your deepest self that God is for you and not against you, autumn and chilly winter must exist. No revival can last, no visitation program succeed, no youth conference be terrific, no marriage span several decades, no pastor teach his people for many years unless autumn and winter are understood and embraced as part of God’s plan. Their assaults on our summer mentality will be overcome with the right leadership. Steady and sure teaching, much personal ministry, lots of home visits, open and honest dialogue about failure and loss are required in the cold seasons. That is maturity and that brings ultimate success. My prayers for all of you center in this very thing. Having served as the lead pastor in churches for 41 years, 30 years in one fabulous congregation, I know how to pray for leaders. I never pray for you to have big meetings or hundreds of new converts. I pray for you to be faithful in the small meetings and rejoice in the single soul saved in your regular Sunday service. I pray you will overcome the criticism and cynicism of critics with peace in your soul. Revel in winter, dear one, because it is all the devil can do. When winter suddenly blows into your church, refuse to be afraid. Instead preach again and again on the faithfulness of the Father. Your people will come along with you and will learn to understand that winter does not belong to the enemy, it belongs to our God! We only know the joy of success when we have seen up close the ravages of failure. Your growth will happen in summer, your big meetings will materialize then, too. You will be seen as a hero and a summertime warrior, but you will actually have succeeded by surviving and thriving during winter. IMF has learned that lesson well. Our summertime conference was the result of all the work done by the great staff, the leadership of Frank and Carol, and the years of learning how to endure autumn and winter. When you learn it, too, you will see more success that you ever dreamed. That is the prayer I offer for each of you! Pastor Fred Kelly [email protected] Pastor Fred Kelly is President of IMF and serves on its Board of Directors. He is a graduate of Cincinnati Bible Seminary and the Founding Pastor of Landmark Church in Norcross, Georgia, where he pastored for 30 years. F A L L 2 0 0 9 | 3 S c r i p t u r a l T r u t h & App l i c a t i o n Wisdom, Power and Mystery Bringing Clarity to 1 Corinthians 1 and 2 Rev. Paul Engstrom, Th.D. IMF Member This is part one of a two-part article related to St. Paul’s use of the words wisdom, power and mystery in the opening two chapters of his first letter to the Corinthian church. It is important we do not forget that these words may be used differently by other authors as they address different circumstances other than those represented by the Corinthian church community. but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. (1 Corinthians 1:22-23) In this issue of The Gathering, we will introduce the topic given the Corinthian church context and address specifically the wisdom of God. Part two will follow with a discussion of Paul’s use of the words power and mystery. Conclusions will then be drawn concerning the use of all three. The apostle is appalled at the thought that some members of the Church at Corinth made the decision to follow him rather than Christ. Paul adamantly maintains that he did nothing while in their midst to take advantage of his calling or to endorse himself in any way. In fact, he deliberately kept his message very Christ-centered; refusing to employ any rhetorical techniques of this age for fear it would draw attention to him. These two chapters offer some unique challenges, especially where the apostle’s repeated use of these three words occur. This two-part article attempts to make sense of Paul’s use of these terms all the while remaining true to the dominating circumstances of the Corinthian Church. APPEAL FOR UNITY Because he was addressing a church divided into factions, the apostle Paul was careful when he wrote his first epistle to the Corinthian Church. Given the circumstances, the last thing he wanted to do was elevate himself, creating an even more factious environment. Paul’s concern is obvious as he addresses the importance of Church unity at the front end of his letter. I appeal to you, brother, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. My brothers, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul;” another, “I follow Apollos;” another, “I follow Cephas;” still another, “I follow Christ.” (1 Corinthians 1:10-12) WHO MUST THE CHURCH FOLLOW? Paul deliberately and consistently deflected attention away from himself and the other apostles, pointing always to the Lord Jesus Christ, who remains Paul’s emphasis to the end of the epistle. And why wouldn’t Christ be the focal point? For the apostle Paul, there were no other options. In fact, the reader gets the definite sense that Paul is bewildered regarding the report that Apollos, Cephas and himself are somehow involved in a controversy regarding who should be followed. For Paul, this was complete nonsense for there was only one to be followed, that person being Christ crucified. Paul asks the Corinthians three rhetorical questions in 1 Corinthians 1:13: “Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul?” Obviously, the unspoken answer is a resounding, “NO!” The apostle Paul repeatedly asserts he went to Corinth to preach Christ crucified, not to somehow promote himself or any other apostle. Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 4 | A G ath e ri n g PAUL’S SELF-DEPRECATION Paul did everything he could to place himself in the shadows, focusing his message and ministry in such a way as to spotlight no one and no thing other than Christ and him crucified. Paul even admits to feelings of mortal dread (weakness) and fear while at Corinth. In fact, he was uncertain and anxious to the point of trembling. Paul was hesitant and apprehensive, insisting his visit was not self-serving in any way. When I came to you brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. (1 Corinthians 2:1-3) PAUL’S EXALTATION OF GOD AND GOD’S WISDOM Paul focused the Corinthians on God. He didn’t attempt to impress them with anything as mundane and fleeting as persuasive words. And given that Paul was attempting to point them to the wisdom and power of God, it made no sense for him to highlight his own wisdom, persuasive speech, or any other ability he might possess. What would be the point? My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power. (1 Corinthians 2:4-5) Paul knew that if the power and wisdom of God were to be revealed to the people of Corinth, it would require more than earthly wisdom; Paul knew he would have to focus the people’s attention towards God’s power and God’s wisdom. And that is precisely what he did. This article will be concluded in the next issue of The Gathering. Dr. Paul L. is the Senior Pastor of Grace of Christ Church, an interdenominational fellowship in Stillwater, Minnesota. Earning his Doctor of Theology at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, his interests lay primarily in the Pentateuch and poetic literature of the Old Testament. Dr. Engstrom also developed expertise with representative poetic literature of the larger ancient Near Eastern environment, primarily that of Canaan and Babylon. As a college professor, Dr. Engstrom instructed pastoral students preparing themselves for the ministry. Report from Mexico Governor of Yucatan visits Bridge of Love Home Property Over the last few years during our process of building the Bridge of Love Home here in Dzan, Yucatan, Mexico, God has blessed us with a wonderful friend and ally in our town mayor, Benito Cabrera. He has been very supportive of our work and helped us get through some of the steps we needed to take to formally open our doors. Benito has assisted us in acquiring some of the government helps that might be available to us as a not-for-profit ministry. He has been all the more eager to do all that he can within his power, especially considering the fact that our work will directly benefit needy and abandoned children coming from different abuse settings, like the seven children we have already taken into our home. Rev. Steve Fletcher IMF Missionary to open up the electrical service for our property, Governor Ivonne decided to do a full inauguration service right on site! It was INCREDIBLE! The whole Governor’s protocol and paparazzi were there, including her bodyguards and protective state police, her entire cabinet, our local mayor, and about 150 people from our town. The two main newspapers and a TV station from Yucatan were also there, so the whole thing got a very nice write-up. We were also very proud of our land, as everything looked really nice and with our own road and lots of space we easily accommodated the more than 35 cars that were there. Governor Ivonne Ortega Pacheco together with Martha and Steve Fletcher and company. One of our main needs over the last two years was to have a full electrical installation brought 200 yards into our property to service the 20 acres we have including four dorm rooms, kitchen, dining hall and our offices, as well as our tool shed and well pump. We had asked Benito if it was possible for us to somehow meet the governor to present our needs before her. We have known and it has been evident to the state of Yucatan that Governor Ivonne Ortega Pacheco has a very compassionate heart. When it comes to needy children she is working very hard to bring help to all the communities. Baby Gerardo being greeted by the Governor. She was quite moved by the whole story of the children. One day back in March 2008 my wife Martha and I were with Benito in Merida, Yucatan doing some paperwork when he mentioned to us that he was going to see the governor in Valladolid at a luncheon for the state mayors and representatives. He asked us if we would like to join him. We jumped at the opportunity and prepared a photo album to share the story of the kids if the opportunity arose. When we arrived in Valladolid we were given seats at the tables with Benito and a few of the government officials and given a full lunch. When the meeting was over, the governor began to take a stroll from the front of the auditorium to the back to receive requests and petitions. A key reason we have made it this far has been our faith in God. We truly believe that God can and will move mountains when we trust in Him. On a day like this one, we knew God would have to be involved to make anything happen at all. We didn’t really feel good about trying to force our way in to see the Governor, but we really wanted to see the Lord’s hand at work making a way. We were in the aisle waiting as the Governor was coming and the unimaginable happened. Her officials came right up to Martha and asked her if she’d like to talk to the Governor! Martha shared with Yucatan Governor Ivonne Ortega Pacheco the story of the children, our progress in the building projects, and our plans for the future to start Bridge of Love Home. Martha expressed that we were well under way in our work, but there was one thing that we really needed help with—our electrical installation. What an awesome day that signals nothing but hope for our future and good relations with all the people that we will need to help us move our Bridge of Love Home forward! To God be all the glory! One of the highlights of the day was seven year old Adriana reading a Bible verse from Matthew, “For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you invited me in. Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these my brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Then she presented the governor with a beautiful women’s Bible and letters all the children had prepared in appreciation. Please pray with us for Governor Ivonne Ortega Pacheco, and her cabinet member in charge of this electrical work, Jose Novelo, that they will come to a greater knowledge of Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, and that the two Bibles we gave them would be put to good use. In Jesus’ name, Amen! For more information about the Bridge of Love Home, or to see the photo album of this event, please visit www.bridgeoflovehome.com. You can also get information about life-changing mission trip opportunities to serve not only the Bridge of Love Home, but churches and other ministries throughout the Yucatan region. Governor Ivonne immediately got her people moving. Through a series of phone calls and meetings, we had an appointment the following week for her team to come see our property. Just eight days after meeting the Governor, we had our answer. With no written petition, no delays, and no obstacles, our petition for electricity was granted, PAID IN FULL! That was a $25,000 (USD) blessing and a miracle! In September of 2009, after all the installation was done and they were ready Adriana read a Bible verse from Matthew 25, and presented the Governor with a beautiful Bible. F A L L 2 0 0 9 | 5 HI g h l i g h t i n g M e m b e r s m i n i s t r i e s A Heart for Evangelism Rev. Tony Loeffler, Sr. IMF Member IMF Ordained Minister and musician Tony Loeffler is proof that what doesn’t kill you can only make you stronger. With close to 20 musical albums under his belt, he might also attest to the fact that when it comes to ministry, those who are broken by the world are often the quickest to turn and reach out with evangelism. Wandering the streets of Chicago as a young man in 1971, Loeffler was invited into the Salvation Army shelter one day, and soon thereafter left a world where he ate from garbage cans to feed on the Bread of Life. Right after he was saved, he began to minister to the broken, the addicted, the imprisoned, and the homeless. What resulted was Solid Rock Ministries of Royal Palm Beach, Florida which generates Bible courses, discipleship programs and networking for prison inmates, using music as a platform to get in the door. Raised in a dysfunctional home where his father’s absence was a continual source of pain and anguish, Loeffler struggled to find answers to life’s questions. Feeling abandoned by a father who was imprisoned, a mother who died early from cancer, and having suffered physical abuse for years, Tony first turned to drugs, alcohol and other abuses before he turned to God. Over the years Loeffler has ministered to drug addicts, the homeless, and prisoners in the United States and in countries around the globe. He’s seen over 100,000 inmates repent and seen Satan worshippers remove their upside -down crosses from their necks and come to Christ. Recently he ministered to 500,000 bikers at the After Sturgis Gathering Motorcycle Rally in Wisconsin, performing ten concerts and giving out over 1000 CDs and gospel tracts. Prison ministry Loeffler performs over 120 concerts a year in prisons around the world; his music is the key that opens the door. “I’ll go wherever people are willing to listen.” Switzerland Uganda In Geneva, Loeffler ministered to nine language groups through two interpreters. One prisoner in particular “was a real nasty guy.” According to Loeffler, the other volunteers, including his wife, Mary Ann, left the room because of the violent nature of Danny Lou. A songwriter, Danny Lou shared a song about his search for God and his determination that He just wasn’t there. Loeffler said, “I told him his content was wrong.” When he visited Uganda with Prison Fellowship, he said 85% of the condemned men received the Lord. “In this horrible place where to die from starvation is a given, those whose souls were saved sing praises 24/7 in shifts so praises are always heard,” Loeffler said. “I shared the truth of the gospel, prayed with him, and told Danny Lou to get into the Bible.” Months later, Danny Lou called Loeffler to say, “Something’s happening to me.” After a few more phone conversations and another personal visit at Christmas, Danny Lou repented and was saved. Loeffler laughed, “It’s funny really; apparently Danny Lou was so vicious, so violent, that no one else was ever left alone with him.” Yet the Lord gifted Loeffler with the words and insight that would pull the man from darkness. India “We were warned not to try to convert anyone or we might not be allowed to leave. I could play my songs, share my testimony, even talk about my personal life, but I couldn’t ask if they’d like to become a Christian.” Instead, one of his volunteers asked, “Who wants to go to heaven?” Working around the warnings, 61 of the 62 men who attended that prison performance received Christ. England In Dartmoor Prison, a dark, dank place built in 1809 where cockroaches are the size of rats, Loeffler’s band squeezed onto an 8’ x 8’ stage and performed and ministered to prisoners so tough they showed no response. “One guy looked like he ate nails for breakfast, yet he was the first to raise his hand for prayer.” Before a year’s time, nearly half of the prisoners there had accepted Christ as Savior. Ministry to the homeless “Isaiah 58 exhorts believers to feed the hungry and clothe the naked,” Loeffler said, “It is a mandate for us as Christians to balance evangelism with social need.” Again, with music as his platform, he goes into cities to conduct press interviews, give concerts, and talk to church and civic leaders, all in an effort to unveil practical ways to help the homeless in their communities. Washington “I was standing in an alley after a performance for Homeless Awareness Week, when all of a sudden these people came toward me like zombies, with slow movements and distant expressions, closing in, like you see in the movies.” “But they just wanted to be saved. A roughneck biker joined the crowd. I made eye contact, but continued talking and praying with those nearby. While he waited, I physically tried to ‘beef up.’ I stood taller, took a more authoritative stance, even puffed my chest a bit, all the things a man does when confronted with a dangerous individual. But he only wanted prayer, like everyone else.” Homeless and Prison Ministry Combined Loeffler presents the work his team does in prisons and on the streets of Cuba to other churches in an effort to develop partnerships, providing a conduit for churches to fulfill the Great Commission. continued on NEXT page 6 | A G ath e ri n g Notes from the General Secretary continued from page 2 a fleece. Dr. Rutland has said he is not generally a fleece person, but he did. It was a big, hairy, audacious fleece, but God answered it in 10 minutes and Dr. Rutland agreed to come. The University community is thrilled. It’s a new beginning and a new season for the University and for the Rutlands. Dr. Mark and Allison have been friends of IMF for the past several years. We are so happy for them and so honored to serve them. Dr. Rutland spoke recently at our IMF 50th Year Celebration. He shared and challenged our members to greater effectiveness in preaching and servant leadership. Dr. Rutland holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Maryland (1970), a Master of Divinity degree from Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta (1972), and a Ph.D. in Church Growth from the California Graduate School of Theology (1988). He has been a missionary in Africa, is the founder of Global Servants, a missionary organization which has planted churches in West Africa, and established a home for girls in Thailand. He has been a successful pastor at Mt. Paran Church in Atlanta, Georgia and at Calvary Assembly of God Church in Orlando, Florida. Dr. Rutland comes to ORU from Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida where he served as President for ten years. There he raised the student membership from 1000 to 3000 and saw the campus expand with $50 million in renovations and new buildings. At the Pastor’s reception, Dr. Rutland said that he and the Board of Trustees had gone through the most amazing time of self-revelation and trans- parency he had ever experienced. He stated, “Everyone who comes to ORU comes with a history and a future. ORU is a safe place, a healing place, a place of restoration.” During his inauguration speech he said the future [under his leadership] will have the same vision, the same ultimate leader (Jesus Christ), the same struggles and opportunities, and the same God of healing grace and miraculous power. We honor and salute Dr. Mark Rutland and his dear wife Allison, and wish them every continuing success. It is without a doubt a new day and season for ORU and a new season of servant leadership for Dr. Rutland. I believe ORU’s best and finest hours are just ahead. May Dr. Rutland’s words prove true … a safe place … a healing place … a place of restoration and a future. Pastor Frank & Carol Masserano Founders and General Secretaries Editor’s Note: For more information on Oral Roberts University, please see their website: http://www.oru.edu. To read the full article on Dr. Rutland’s inauguration, please see: http://www.oru.edu/news/oru_news/20090925_inauguration_wrapup.php “And be ye kind one to another, Tenderhearted, Forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32 A heart for Evangelism continued from page 6 Cuba “When I first went to Cuba, I was bowled over. I’ve never seen such oppression in my life; it even surpassed that of Uganda and India.” The call to minister in Cuba hasn’t been easy for Loeffler, who has been forced to leave three times in the last ten years. But, then, God rarely calls one to a ministry of convenience. “I may have been physically thrown out, but heart and spirit never left. I continued to pray.” The need is great as there are over a million inmates housed in Cuban prisons. Finally, Loeffler has been given the green light. He’s allowed to play his gospel blues music and share his testimony in public theaters as long as he doesn’t turn concerts into church services. “With the power of Jesus’ name, we’re not afraid to go anywhere in the world.” Tony Loeffler was a homeless and suicidal drifter eating from garbage cans, a hopeless drug addict. His marriage was ending. He was someone everyone passed by—until a Salvation Army officer gave him a place to sleep one December night—and introduced him to Jesus. His life has never been the same since. Tony’s life has come full circle. His marriage was restored and his wife Mary Ann serves with him in ministry. Today Tony is President of the Solid Rock Ministry, an ordained minister of IMF, and a musician leading a powerful work throughout the world. For more information, please visit www.thesolidrock.org. You may reach Tony at 561-7845188 or [email protected]. F A L L 2 0 0 9 | 7 G u e s t Ed i t o r i a l Taming the Tongue Rev. Paul Anderson IMF Member When I was a kid, we’d say to those who called us names: “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” But words can wound far more than a piece of wood. Job asked his so-called friends, “How long will you torment me, and break me in pieces with words?” (Job l9:2) Words have launched wars. They have broken up marriages, separated life-long friends, split churches, and sent children down the lonely road of depression. But they have also healed cancer, prevented suicides, restored friendships, stopped wars from breaking out, and brought the emotionally imprisoned into liberty. When a baseball manager was fined for chewing out the commissioner, a sports writer defended the manager, arguing, “They were just words.” Solomon knew better: “There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” (Proverbs l2:l8) Words contain potential for good or evil. In fact, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue...” (Proverbs l8:2la). Taming the tongue takes us to our limit. If we finish that assignment, everything else is easy: “He who guards his lips guards his life…” (Proverbs 13:3) But with a machete in your mouth, it doesn’t take long to do damage. Maybe that is why Jesus said that “men will render account for every careless word they utter.” (Matthew l2:36) We can find several lists of deadly sins in the Bible that can keep us out of the Kingdom, among them murder and adultery (Revelation 22:l5, Galatians 5:l7, I Corinthians 6:9-l0, Romans l:30). Sins of the tongue also show up in each list. I may think, “I have a little problem with my mouth,” but what I view as in need of minor adjustment God would call in need of major overhaul. The Tongue Has Great Potential for Good James gives us two examples to show us that small can be significant. If we put bits into the mouths of horses that they may obey us, we guide their whole bodies. Look at the ships also; though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. (James 3:3-4) 8 | A G ath e ri n g A bit. A broken and bridled stallion makes a beautiful sight, and a little bit goes a long way! The flick of the wrist by the master turns the mighty beast in an instant. His will has come under the control of his rider, and a small girl can rule a great racehorse. James likewise says that a controlled tongue makes possible the direction of the whole body. If you want to obey your Master, start with the tongue. and blew one from the heap, we almost started a prairie fire. “I should have known better,” he confessed, recalling fires on the prairies of Montana where he grew up. A rudder. On a recent vacation, my wife Karen and I sat along the San Pedro harbor and watched mega-oil freighters cut their way into quiet waters and dock. The direction of these huge ships is determined by a relatively small rudder, operated by one man’s hand. Poison. A quiet and controlled lady once put her troubled daughter in our church school. The girl lasted only a few weeks. As the principal explained why she was compelled to dismiss the child, the mom listened impatiently. When she decided that she had heard enough, she stomped out of the room, spilling poison and profanity along the way. Mrs. Cool morphed into a serpent in a few seconds. Similarly, the direction of our lives is determined by the little member in our mouth. It will take us down a path of destruction or it will deliver us: “He who guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.” (Proverbs l3:3) The Tongue Also Has Potential for Evil Again, James gives us two examples. Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. (James 3:5-8) Fire. Pyromaniacs can make a crime look like an accident. James removes any doubt about the origin of fires ignited by the tongue--the pit of hell. We may say that it started with a prayer request or a little criticism. James corrects us by saying that it was fueled by the fires that will rage for an eternity. My dad and I were once cleaning up tumbleweeds around our property in the Mojave Desert. Dad decided that a shortcut would make our work easier: “I’ll set fire to this pile, and we’ll be done with them in a moment.” When a wind came up God sees all such blazes, started by a word of sarcasm, a fit of outrage, or a yearning for vengeance. They are much more than “just words.” Remember--only you can prevent forest fires! A snake exists in South America that is called the two-step. If you’re bitten by one, two steps and you’re dead. The poison works about that fast, paralyzing the nervous system. A deadly tongue poisons reputations, kills futures, and destroys relationships. In his hard-hitting letter, James does not deal with predestination or the nature of the Church. He talks about temptation, anger, and how I speak. He doesn’t let me off the hook. He wants reality and inconsistencies bother him immensely. He says, “From the same mouth come blessing and cursing.” (James 3:l0a) His friend Paul tells us that carnivorous Christians will sooner or later be eaten alive themselves: “If you bite and devour one another take heed that you are not consumed by one another.” (Galatians 5:l5) So the challenge comes to do what I am already told I can’t--tame my tongue. But Jesus can. His words were always rightly chosen, bringing grace and truth. So I must surrender this organ to the Master, trusting more than trying, believing that He can and will do this work of maturity in that moving member between the head and the heart. Paul Anderson is an ordained minister of IMF. He is a graduate of UCLA and Luther Seminary and served as a pastor in Southern California before moving to Minnesota to direct the work of Lutheran Renewal. Paul is a sought -after preacher and teacher in the Renewal Movement in the U.S. and other countries. He recently published three books, The Father’s Gift, Dare to Dream, and a Dare to Dream Workbook and co-authored Mastering Pastoral Care. He travels extensively as a conference and congregational speaker, here and abroad. A Perspective to Ponder Christmas in September How Can tHat Be? We as Christians have grown up with the understanding that Jesus was born on December 25th. However, there is no substantial evidence supporting this date as the birth of our Savior. Historians agree that the Roman Church picked December 25th with no knowledge of the real date. However, there is evidence that may give us some ideas. To understand the evidence, we need to focus on the archaeology, history, geography, culture, and customs of ancient Israel. In short, we need to put the Bible back into its historical context. We need to remember that Jesus and his parents were Jewish and very observant in terms of obeying God. For example, Mary and her baby are pictured with blonde hair or blue eyes on many modern Christmas cards. However, what did Israelites look like in Jesus’ day? They were dark haired, with dark eyes, and an olive complexion. They looked like people from the Middle East! Therefore, wouldn’t it stand to conclude that Mary and Jesus likely would have looked like the girl and her baby below? We get a more accurate picture if we put the Bible into its historical context via the archaeology and the culture of ancient Israel. Since many of the roads in Israel built at the time of Jesus were dirt roads, heavy December rains most likely made the dirt roads slippery and dangerous; many people did not travel in December due to this danger. It seems that Jesus might not have been born in December since many people did not travel in the rainy season. Farming Farming may also give us some idea of a time period when it is likely that Jesus was born. There were two main harvests in Israel during Jesus’ day. The spring grain harvest is from April to June and the fall harvest of grapes and figs from September to October. In Luke 2:8 we read about the sheep in the fields the night Jesus was born. Shepherds in those days took their flocks out into the countryside between the rains and after a harvest since the sheep would eat the grain or the new growth. So far this evidence – the weather and the agricultural cycles – suggests that Jesus’ birth took place after the spring or fall harvest. The time frame is narrowing. God had His son born in a Jewish culture, in a land He gave His people for all time with very unique features. Is there more to help us? Is there something in the culture that may help us narrow it down more? Weather Patterns Feasts of Adonai One fact about Israel that may give us a better idea when the Savior was born is the weather. Israel has two seasons – the rainy season and the dry season. The rainy season has three parts: the early rains, the season of rain, and the late rains (see James 5:7 or Deuteronomy 11:14). The rains start in late October and end in late March or early April. The rains are heaviest in December, resulting in wet, muddy, and dangerous travel conditions. See the next picture of a recent flash flood that destroyed a modern highway in the wilderness. The Jewish people have eight key feasts: Sabbath, Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, Shavuot (Pentecost), Rosh Hashannah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot (Tabernacles). The people were required to travel to Jerusalem to attend three feasts: Passover, Shavuot, and Sukkot. Bethlehem was only a few miles from the Temple, so it would make sense that people would lodge there when they attended one of the feasts. When Mary and Joseph traveled from Galilee to Bethlehem and could not find a place to stay this suggests they came to celebrate one of the feasts along with reg- Rev. John Ferret, Jr. IMF Member istering for the tax (Luke 2:1-7). But, which one? The feast of Sukkot or Tabernacles in the fall, celebrates God dwelling with His people in a Sukkah – a tent or temporary dwelling – or the Tabernacle. Shown below is the model of the Tabernacle in Israel near Eliat. Sukkot is a feast rejoicing in Immanuel meaning “God is with us.” It is also a time of great rejoicing for all nations. In Matthew 1:23 and in Luke 2:10 Jesus is called Immanuel and the angels announce the news of great joy for all peoples. This is Sukkot talk – the people in the days of Jesus would clearly understand this to imply the feast of Sukkot. Could it be that Jesus, who is Immanuel and whose birth is announced as a time of great joy for all nations, was born during the feast of Sukkot? We know Jesus’ death and resurrection are tied in with the Jewish feast of Passover, so why not the coming of the Lord to dwell with us, Immanuel? Was He then born in the fall during Sukkot? Personally, I conclude that it was likely that Jesus’ birth was during Sukkot based upon additional evidence that cannot be presented in this short article. The important point is that we need to accept God’s invitation: “Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness, who seek the LORD: look to the rock from which you were hewn and to the quarry from which you were dug. Look to Abraham your father and to Sarah who gave birth to you in pain …” (Isaiah 51:1-2) Let us return to the rock and the quarry from where the church was born. Let us return to know and learn our Hebrew heritage and then we will fall in love with Messiah Yeshua all over again. Rev. John Ferret, Jr. is a licensed minister in Bible teaching with the International Ministerial Fellowship and the co-founder of Light of Menorah Ministries. He has two Master’s degrees and is a seasoned, enthusiastic and powerful teacher. Rev. Ferret continues his studies for a 3rd Masters in the ancient Biblical history of the Middle East. He also leads Bible study tours to Israel and Turkey and is available as a speaker and workshop leader. He travels to Kenya, Uganda, and Mexico to teach pastors and ministers the Jewish roots of Christianity. His current web site is www. xanga.com/rockscrying. F A L L 2 0 0 9 | 9 Touring the holy land NETWORKING Notices will be published in four consecutive issues upon each written request to our office. Please limit notices to name, address, phone, e-mail address, and a maximum of 100 words describing your ministry. We recommend that all our ministers make their tapes, reference letters and other pertinent ministry information available to all inquirers. NOTE: Some copies of this magazine are distributed to persons who are not members of IMF (i.e., inquiries, guests of member’s church, etc.). We, therefore, cannot be responsible for non-members who contact members advertising in the Networking section. Be sure to verify that the person contacting you is a member of the Fellowship. You may do so by calling the Membership Services Department at 763-571-5967 or checking the IMF website at www.i-m-f.org. RAINS OF GRACE FELLOWSHIP, LISBON, OH Rains of Grace Fellowship is in need of a digital piano or keyboard. If you know anyone who would be willing to donate one or sell one at a reasonable price, please contact us at 330-3410632 or e-mail us at [email protected]. Thank you. Pastor Tony Pawloski (2) REV. DUDLEY DANIELSON, CLAYTON, NY Like Caleb, we’re not looking for retirement but looking for reassignment! My wife and I recently bought a motor home to actively pursue a new ministry. Interim Pastor could work well for us. We feel called to be “Encouragers”. My special gifts are in visually-oriented speaking, photography and writing as well as good counsel. My wife, with an executive secretary background, is a fine help-mate; she can organize and detail any ministry office to run smoothly. We love to pray with and anoint folks in need. Contact Rev Dudley and Diane Danielson at 315-778-0007 or email: [email protected] (1) 10 | A G ath e ri n g A n e w o u t r e a c h m i n i s t r y o f IMF Experiencing God together in Worship What if people came together solely to lift up the name of Christ? With that question posed, Matt and Sherry McPherson, recording artists and business owners, birthed a ministry of their dreams, CityPrayz. The first Friday night of each quarter (4 times per year), people from all walks of life: families with small children, teens hanging together, college students, Baby Boomers and those in the “we’re-not-tellingour-age-and-older” group, gather at the La Crosse Center in La Crosse, Wisconsin, not for church or a Bible study, but to sing praises. Old, young, rich, poor, single, married, Catholic, Methodist, Nazarene, attendees belong to an undefined demographic. Close to 1100 stand shoulder to shoulder without cause or concern for religious backgrounds. They praise, clapping their hands and shouting glory to His name in this uplifting, energized format where praise and worship excites, promotes a sense of community, and prompts people to get involved with their own churches. One man said: “Coming to CityPrayz encourages you; strengthens you in your faith.” A young boy succinctly said, “It’s awesome!” “It’s about Jesus Christ and lifting Him up, and as we do that, life is found right here,” said Matt McPherson. Matt plays the guitar, sings and evangelizes, and wife Sherry sings and is the worship leader. They are both recording artists with Autumn Records, and own and operate Matthews, Inc., a corporation that includes Matthew’s Archery and McPherson Guitars. An entrepreneur with a passion for Christ, Matt seeks God’s help in all aspects of his life. “When I do something, or make a product, I’m doing it to honor Him.” With 20 patents to his name, his bow designs made Matthew’s Archery the number one grossing bow company in the world, an Inc. 500 company. In the late ‘90s, the musician in him turned toward the guitar, thinking, “God, I know You can design one better.” After praying for wisdom, insight and direction, a new guitar form was developed. McPherson guitars are unique in the industry with a sound hole positioned above the strings. “When God is behind something, He can make things happen far above what we ever expected to happen,” he said. According to the Manager of CityPrayz Ministry, IMF minister Rev. Bill Knott, the success of Matthews, Inc. contributes to their ability to minister to the community. “God has blessed Matt financially, and he turns much of it right around into ministry.” In a video interview, Matt credited his relationship with God, saying, “If you put God first, God will honor it.” It is that passion for evangelism that later birthed the idea for CityPrayz, a full-time ministry mostly consisting of ministers and worship leaders from a variety of backgrounds and affiliations. Those involved on and off stage are banded together in a single purpose, to lead others into a relationship with Christ. Matt and Sherry lead worship, with their band (many IMF credentialed) including Craig Chapman on guitar, James Abbott on keyboards, David Ohman on drums, Matt Callaway on guitar, and Toni Groshek on vocals. No quiet hymns sung here, CityPrayz is an energetic, lively program of contemporary praise music, songs of the church, even hymns re-tuned to an up-tempo arrangement. The stage is set to experience God through engaging music and prayer. Prayer partners are stationed in the crowd, identifiable by red t-shirts and ID lanyards. Knott said, “Everyone who asks for prayer, or receives Christ, is connected to a local church.” “We hand out Salvation Poem cards,” he said. Printed on business card-sized contemporary tracts, The Salvation Poem, created by Matt McPherson, is a simple, effective way to lead people into a relationship with Christ. “Most people can remember the little poems we learned as small children,” Knott said. “Twinkle, twinkle, little star…Mary had a little lamb… The Salvation Poem comes from the idea of giving people something easy to remember, a device that sticks in their head, and leads them to the cross.” Like wildfire, the Salvation Poem took on a life of its own. Translated into more than 15 languages, it is distributed worldwide. One organization is including the poem on more than 30 million books, booklets, and other literature produced. In addition to the cards, the poem is on pens distributed via missions organizations, gift cards, a children’s book, and a soon to be released lullaby CD. “We can write reams of paper to complicate the salvation message,” said Knott, “but Jesus said you have to come to Him as a child.” Currently, CityPrayz is developing a discipleship program based on the poem. Their ministry team has boiled it down to three basic questions, followed by a line of the poem, a brief narrative, and appropriate Scriptures: What has God ever done for you? What do you do in response? What will you and God do from here on out? More than a once-a-quarter concert, CityPrayz is an active, contemporary ministry that seeks to fulfill the Great Commission by creating a sense of community, and sharing God’s love through prayer and praise. According to Knott, “It’s about the church coming together.” Check it out: www.cityprayz.com F A L L 2 0 0 9 | 11 Come, Meet the Family Your IMF area Pastor Representatives Pastor Darrell Yarbrough Ministering Heroes When one thinks of boyhood heroes, comicbook action figures come to mind. Not so for Rev. Darrell Yarbrough. His heroes were pastors. “I idolized them. I loved their stories and spending time with them,” Darrell said. Darrell grew up in the church. He was born in Tennessee and then his family moved to Arkansas. When he was 12, his family moved again, to Lake Charles, Louisiana. Both his grandfather and father are pastors. His grandfather started International Ministerial Fellowship and Darrell is Frank Masserano’s nephew. “I remember those days in Memphis. I gave up my bedroom for the ministers who would come to our house. My heroes were always preachers,” he said. But as for Darrell becoming a minister, his eyes were focused on becoming a corporate lawyer and opening jewelry stores on the side. “I wanted to make a lot of money. I’d seen my mom and dad give everything to God and I didn’t want to struggle,” he said. When Darrell was 17 a Sunday night service changed his plans. “I was slain in the Spirit. After a little while I went over to my dad and said, ‘I’ve been called into the ministry,’” Darrell said. He preached his first sermon shortly afterward and 34 received salvation. Rev. Paul Mather God Divinely Places Us as Pastors – Settle in That A squad car squawks as it drives by Paul Mather’s New Life Assembly of God office in downtown Elmira. It’s a common occurrence in this city of 40,000 situated halfway between New York and Syracuse. “Prisoners are funneled to the prison here and then the families come to live so we have a pretty intense gang population, lots of drugs and prostitution,” Paul said. But he and his wife Jennifer, who have four children ages 7 to 21 wouldn’t have it any other way. “God has kept us safe. We love being here.” Growing up as a pastor’s son, the last thing Paul wanted was to be a pastor. “It was the one thing I was not going to do because of all the stuff I saw,” he said. Though not on board as pastor when his church split, he saw one-third of the church stay, one-third start a new church, and the remaining third leave the church altogether. He became a pastor, first to the youth of New Life, and since 1997, as its Senior Pastor to the third who stayed. The church focused on outreach and set up a food pantry. Each church family adopted a block near the church to visit homes. “We get to know them, serve them, and earn the right to share the Gospel,” Paul said, “whether it’s crack houses or visiting prostitutes.” Each August, New Life puts on a huge block party where hundreds have come to Christ. The event includes a band, inflatables for children, preaching, free groceries, haircuts, and popcorn. Darrell has pastored three churches. He, along with his wife Kristen, in September 2007, started Legacy Church, their first church plant, in Orange County, California. He is entering his 25th year in ministry. “Church planting is one of the hardest avenues of ministry, and in my opinion, one of the most rewarding,” Darrell said. “To go from nothing to something, to watch your church go from nobody to several hundred believers…at times you feel like Abraham when you’re asking God to lead you and He does.” The church which split from New Life came under new leadership in 2002 and began to rent space from New Life for their Saturday evening service when something remarkable happened. “God zipped the split churches back up,” Paul said. “We had a big ceremony and married the church back together.” Hearing God’s call has taken Darrell to 11 countries to preach. In June 2008 he was part of a team that helped create and deliver a new translation of the Bible in Madagascar—the first in 68 years—to more than 20,000 pastors and their congregations. That symbol of unity has spread to 20 other Elmira churches that annually join New Life to put on a Christmas festival. Paul believes God plants the body of Christ. “We are not just here as individuals churches with our own little kingdoms,” he said. Darrell leans on words from a prophet and an apostle and offers them to pastors who feel a new leading upon their lives. “Jeremiah 29:11 says that God has thoughts towards us that are of peace and not evil. He has a future and hope for us,” he said. “Sometimes we don’t know the path we are supposed to walk, but Romans 8 says all these things work together according to His purpose. God honors faith. Don’t be afraid to step out in it.” Paul believes denominations that join together can have a greater impact on a community than if they remain alone. “God divinely places us as pastors. Settle in that. Find other pastors,” he said. “You may not sing the way they do or do things the way you do, but pray with each other, be accountable to each other. Don’t be a lone ranger and try to take the city by yourself. Rest in where God has planted you and work out the plan and purpose for the city and place you are in.” KNOW YOUR IMF STAFF Ramona Froberg had been married to her husband Bob for 35 years when he went to be home with the Lord after a 10 year illness. She has 3 daughters and 1 granddaughter, age 11. After working for several Christian ministries over the years, Ramona came to IMF to work along with Carol Masserano in Membership Services, handling our data entry, renewals, and communications with the Agnes M. Masted Intercessory Prayer Group. 12 | A G ath e ri n g Ramona loves to collect poetry and words of encouragement, intending to make a book for her granddaughter. She also enjoys traveling and during one memorable trip was re-baptized in the Jordan River (when it was 30 degrees!) and walked on some of the streets where Jesus may have walked. She says, “People my age usually look forward to retirement, but I’m not ready for that—yet.” A WOR D FROM OUR MISSIONS D E P ARTME n T Project Christmas Stocking Pastor Paul Sundell Acting Director of Mission Ministries vidual friends to consider making this Christmas a bit brighter for the MK’s. Here are some of the responses we’ve received from our missionary families: “I thank you very much for your gift at Christmas. I have opened a bank account with it, so that it can help me with my studies in art. I prayed that the Lord would help me get into this art school and He did. Thank you for this help.” One MK wrote: I’m sure that you have noticed how quickly Christmas merchandise appears in the stores once we pass the Labor Day weekend. Well, here at IMF we are getting a running start on our annual Christmas Stocking project for missionary children. One dear soul has already sent in a contribution for this year’s Stocking Fund! You must surely be aware of how important Christmas is to children. That is no less true of our missionary kids. Having been transported to various parts of the world doesn’t really change their expectations. The reality is that most of our missionaries are doing their best to live on very tight budgets which may restrict what they can do. So we are appealing to our churches and indi- Another MK wrote: “Thanks for the money! I’m probably going to use it to buy clothes for this winter. There’s a lot of snow here, so I need some more warm clothes.” A parent writes: “Owing to the help of IMF, we can put under our tree not only toys or sweets, but things which are necessary for children. We have bought footwear, warm clothes, school supplies. All the children are very happy and thank God that Christmas was generous and joyful.” One of our families felt their boys had been missing out on Christmas, so they decided to “splurge” and order scooters from the States. They said it was worth it just to see the boy’s faces when they opened them. Then they added: “We had forgotten about the Christmas gift from IMF, so it was a nice surprise when we were told and even better when the check was exactly the amount we spent on the scooters! God is good!” I hope that from this sampling of responses you can sense what the Christmas Stocking Fund means to our missionary kids. It’s such a beautiful opportunity to make a difference for the children who are far from home and friends because mom and dad were obedient to God’s call. So, while you will be thinking about the gifts that you want to buy for family and friends, please don’t forget these little troopers who are standing strong with mom and dad in bringing Christ to a lost world. Pastor Paul Sundell is a graduate of North Central University and Alliance Francis in Brussels, Belgium. He has pastored in churches in Indiana, Michigan and Minnesota. He served on the faculty of Continental Theological School in Brussels, Belgium and North Central University in Minneapolis. Paul and his wife served as missionaries in Belgium and have taught at Bible schools in Western and Eastern Europe, Togo and South Africa in Africa, and in Mexico. They currently teach at schools in the former Soviet Union countries. Paul interviews missions candidates, evaluates training programs, services members’ quarterly reports, and keeps in touch with our missionaries on a regular basis. IMF Military Chaplain Policy IMF is very proud and honored to serve our country through the endorsement of our military chaplains. IMF is an ecclesiastical endorsing agency recognized by the Pentagon and many accredited hospital/hospice and prison facilities. We are also an Associate Member of the National Association of Evangelical Chaplains Commission (representing over 800 military chaplains), the National Conference on Ministry to the Armed Forces (NCMAF), and the Endorsers Conference for Veterans Affairs Chaplaincy (ECVAC). It is a Standing Policy of IMF that our military chaplains honor The Covenant and Code of Ethics for Chaplains of the Armed Forces (Jan. 1995) and obey the law of our land and the countries in which they serve. For more information on military or civilian chaplains, contact Rev. Ron Brovold at 763-571-5967 or email him at [email protected]. F A L L 2 0 0 9 | 13 G u e s t Ed i t o r i a l Engaging The Evangelical Atheists Rev. Reuben David IMF Member I was recently at a debate at the University of Minnesota where two interesting speakers took on the subject of “Can we be good without God”. Ever since 9/11, the subject of religion and God has come under intense public scrutiny. This debate was one such scrutiny. Dan Barker, a former evangelical pastor turned atheist apologist, argued that there is no scientific evidence for God and that God is not necessary for human morality. In his latest book, Godless: How an Evangelical Preacher Became One of America’s Leading Atheists, he shares his story of conversion to atheism and how we could live without God. Countering Barker’s points was Dinesh D’souza, author of What’s So Great about Christianity. D’Souza reminded the audience of 1,500+ students that modern day science is based on three faith-based propositions: the universe is rational, the universe is not only rational but also lawful, and the rationality of the universe mirrors the rationality within our own minds. Barker, who is also the co-president of the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), tried his best to persuade the audience to consider the bankruptcy of religion and God. There was the preacher in him coming out when he held the Bible and read a few verses pointing out the absurdities, inconsistencies and violence. Now, this is fascinating. Not many atheists of old were enthusiastic, let alone passionate, in spreading a passion for atheism. But today’s atheists—fierce, passionate and driven by missionary zeal—are proclaiming a new way of living: A life without God. A society without religion. A world without faith. But is this possible? While everybody is entitled to opinion, not everyone is entitled to facts. Barker’s idea may be appealing to the Western world where only a fraction of the world’s population resides. Believers in God around the world are plenty and the majority of them live outside the West (although God is still popular in the West). For the millions of people who share this earth, no amount of scientific evidence or reason is capable enough to shake the deeply entrenched and lively belief in God that marks their everyday life. One of the key arguments the new evangelical atheists—men like Christopher Hitchens, Daniel Dennett, Richard Dawkins, Michael Shermer, Sam Harris and others—have been raising is that religion is dangerous and poisonous to society. They are echoing the utopian world that John Lennon sang about in “Imagine”. This is a complete misunderstanding of religions across the world. Except for a small number of religious fanatics, the rest of the religious people in the world are to a greater degree living in relative calm. The technological sophistications of the 21st digital century have not dampened religious revivals across the world. Religion is growing like wildfire today as never before. Religion thrives in underground churches of China, particularly Christianity as former Time journalist David Aikman recounts in his book, Jesus in Beijing. Aikman predicts, “Within the next 30 years, one-third of China’s population could be Christian, making China one of the largest Christian nations in the world. These Christians could also be China’s leaders, guiding the largest economy in the world.” In Nigeria, both Islam and Christianity are growing rapidly. India has never witnessed a decline in religion, and it’s doubtful it ever will because religion and God are part and parcel of Indian life. This does not mean people outside the West are intellectually lacking or simply indulgent in blind faith. Or at worst delusional, as Oxford biologist and prominent atheist Richard Dawkins notes in his best-selling book, The God Delusion. But rather, believers in God worldwide have integrated God seamlessly into their lives without caving into atheism even though life is not fair, questions abound aplenty and God never seems to grant His appearance at every whim and fancy. The reason is simple: Every human being breathes air to live and yet nobody gets to see it. It is invisible. Yet, they believe the air exists. We might say, well, we can feel the air. But many feel God even though they don’t see Him. Belief in God or theism enjoys the world’s highest converts. Billions believe in God without anybody convincing them of God’s existence. Why is this so strange and yet so real and prevalent? The subject of God, contrary to what the atheists have come to believe, is refreshingly alive in the minds of millions. The church in America has a new challenge: to take it’s congregations into the deeper realities of Christ. It is sad that many churches look like graveyards with merely a Sunday attendance and no depth to the preaching. Many churches look like fivestar hotels, but what the spiritual food served is lacking is nourishment of the word of God. The Western church today is faced with a new task to respond to these militant atheists, most of who have come out of cultural Christian background. The church has to come out of its complacency and take the message of Christianity seriously. The church needs to redefine the missions of pastors and lay leaders and include training in Christian apologetics and worldviews. We need to stand up boldly and unashamedly for the gospel of Jesus Christ which is the only hope for mankind. A former visiting scholar with The Wilberforce Forum (the Christian worldview think tank founded by Charles Colson), IMF minister Rev. Reuben David has spoken in India and America. He has addressed media and religious groups, including a remarkable session entitled, “Understanding Islam: Challenges to Democracy and Diversity,” organized by the Association of Muslim Social Scientists in Washington, DC. He also has written on world religions. Born and raised in India—home to Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism—Reuben is well versed in the practical realities of comparative religions today. He is currently a professor of journalism at North Central University in Minneapolis, Minnesota. If you are interested in inviting Prof. Reuben to speak at your church or other events check his website: www.reubendavid.com. 14 | A G ath e ri n g Highlighting Members Ministries Embracing Change With Faith We all desire change of some sort. The fact is, most of us do not handle change very well. We worry, we stress, and doubt we are in the hand of God when going through the change we asked for. The problem is many of us learn to be comfortable with circumstances, good or bad, and find embracing change a frightening journey to an unknown destination. Sharon Thomas, of Maple Grove, MN, a licensed minister with IMF, Executive Director of Glorybound Ministries, Bible teacher, family counselor, and community social servant, agreed. “My husband was addicted to heroine for 22 years, along with alcohol, and crack cocaine. John was in and out of rehab all the time. He wanted to change, but, when you’re stuck in the same place, with the same people who brought you down in the first place, lasting change can be nearly impossible.” They heard of a four-month restabilization program through MN Teen Challenge, and moved from New Jersey to Minnesota. John entered the program; left home with two children, Sharon stewed. Most people don’t think about the family left behind while a person seeks rehabilitation. Bills mount, children need to be fed, and lives need tending. But there’s little or no help. “A husband goes in for treatment, and the wife wants her husband to get better, but has three kids. What does she do? This is where the struggle at home begins,” said Terry Francis, Men’s Program Director, MN Teen Challenge. “Glorybound comes in and fills the gap, [restoring] the gap of children and spouses, often forgotten.” Late Rev. John Thomas “You are happy they are getting help, but… you’re kind of mad too,” Sharon admitted. “I was bitter, not ready to receive the ‘new man’ John had become. All I wanted was my old husband back, minus the drugs. But he changed.” When John returned home, he announced: “We aren’t going to go back to the way we used to live.” They decided to go into ministry. What type of ministry could a recent addict and a wife needing an attitude adjustment have? Quite an impactful one, actually. See, they had first-hand knowledge of a hole in our society, the struggling family left behind. “Left behind is how you feel,” Sharon said. “I wasn’t getting any new knowledge. I wasn’t getting encouragement. I wasn’t getting my three squares a day. John had it all in rehab. Me and the kids, well, we had whatever we could make muster.” John and Sharon didn’t know how to go into ministry—only that they must. “Frank Masserano was such a godsend to us. He helped us establish the ministry and become a 501c3 corporation. He taught us about board development, and licensed John to minister.” “I did a lot of soul-searching in those days, and learned to rely on God.” John and Sharon were perfectly positioned to minister to a particular portion of society based on their personal experiences. “We could give people somebody to talk to. We’d walked in their shoes and survived. We could help them, and show them how to help others, creating, if you will, a ripple effect ministry.” “When you help hurting families get a leg up, with needed food or financial counseling, they are more open to listening when you talk about God,” said Sharon. Glorybound established a food pantry and accepts donations of furniture, cars, and appliances, anything a family might need when one of the breadwinners is away in treatment. Ministering to close to 600 families in the Twin Cities Metro area, Glorybound accepts referrals from Teen Challenge, Metro Hope Families, and other facilities. They minister through accountability groups, Bible studies, marriage classes, and Friday night meals. There are children’s classes and events, even a summer day camp. “Think about it,” Sharon said, “Dad’s in treatment, mom’s working, what happens to the kids?” Partnering with treatment centers, churches, and local businesses such as Kemp’s Dairy, Woullet’s Bakery, and Crown Financial, they are able to stock a food pantry, and give out bus vouchers and gas cards, in addition to relationship classes, marriage counseling, and Bible studies; meeting both immediate and long-term needs. “Abuse wreaked havoc on our family,” said Craig Schuchard. His wife, Ginny, said, “My friends told me to leave him, there’s no sense in staying with him. It was hard for me to find the spiritual support I needed.” Left with a mess to deal with when her husband entered treatment, Ginny had bills she couldn’t pay, needs she couldn’t meet. Feelings of resentment and guilt shadowed her days. Glorybound helped restore their marriage, like that of many others, by providing a spiritual atmosphere, a place where they could be together as a family outside of the treatment center and be strengthened by the Word of God and relationship-building classes. “Glorybound helped me be able to accept a changed man, a spiritual man, to come back into my home. I learned to let go of resentment,” said Ginny. “To press on, together.” Though John passed away three years ago, the restoration ministry of Glorybound continues through Sharon and a slew of volunteers. Change. Through the years of ministry, Sharon has lost her daughter, her husband, her house, her credit, and more. But, as she says, “If God anoints you to do something, you’ve got to trust Him to get things done. I live in a nice apartment, drive a decent car and my son’s in college. If you take care of God’s business, He will take care of yours.” Perhaps embracing change is merely a matter of perspective and faith. For more information on Glorybound Ministries or to learn ways you can help, please visit www.gloryboundministries.org. F A L L 2 0 0 9 | 15 Tax Report New CreDits/Special Tax BReak Elizabeth A. Tinics, E.A. First-Time Homebuyer Credit First-time homebuyers may be able to take advantage of a tax credit for homes purchased in 2008 or 2009. A taxpayer is considered a first-time homebuyer if such individual had no ownership interest in a principal residence in the United States prior to the purchase of the home to which the credit applied. The Credit: Applies to purchases that close after April 8, 2008, and before December 1, 2009. Applies only to homes used as a taxpayer’s principal residence. Reduces a taxpayer’s tax bill or increases his or her refund, dollar for dollar. Is fully refundable, meaning the credit will be paid out to eligible taxpayers, even if they owe no tax or the credit is more than the tax owed. For 2008 Home Purchases: The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 established a tax credit for first-time homebuyers that can be worth up to $7,500. For homes purchased in 2008, the credit is similar to a no-interest loan and must be repaid in 15 equal, annual installments beginning with the 2010 income tax year. For 2009 Home Purchases: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 expanded the first-time homebuyer credit by increasing the credit amount to $8,000 for purchases made in 2009 before December 1 (note: this is not a full year). For home purchases in 2009, the credit does not have to be paid back unless the home ceases to be the taxpayer’s main residence within a three-year period following the purchase. First-time homebuyers who purchase a home in 2009 can claim the credit on either a 2008 or 2009 tax return. Taxpayers who have already filed their 2008 tax returns can consider filing an amended return. This will allow them to receive the money this year instead of waiting for a refund on the 2009 return. For some taxpayers, it may make more tax sense to wait and claim the homebuyer credit on the 2009 return rather than the 2008 return. Since the credit phases out, a drop in adjusted gross income from 2008 to 2009 may qualify the client for a bigger credit. The adjusted gross income phase out for both years is $75,000 to $90,000 for single filers and $150,000 to $170,000 for married filers. Making Work Pay Credit The 2009 legislation provides eligible individuals a refundable tax credit for two years (2009 and 2010). Most U.S. taxpayers are “eligible individuals.” The credit is the lesser of 6.2% of an individual’s earned income or $400 per person 16 | A G ath e ri n g ($800 in the case of a joint return). The credit is phased out between $75,000 and $95,000 ($150,000 to $190,000 married) of adjusted gross income. The legislation provided for a more accelerated delivery of the credit in 2009 through revised income tax withholding schedules. These revised schedules are designed to reduce taxpayers’ income tax withheld for the remainder of 2009. You pay less withholding now and, in theory, the credit on the tax return will offset that lesser amount. However, it is prudent to make certain that the new withholding tables are adequate for each person’s circumstances. The 2009 legislation also provides for a $250 credit to be paid to Social Security Recipients, Veterans and Railroad Retirees. This “Economic Recovery Payment” was paid in May to most of the eligible recipients. The “Making Work Pay Credit” of $400 will be reduced by the amount of the Economic Recovery Payment. Therefore individuals who are working and also receiving social security benefits will only be eligible for $150 credit on their 2009 tax return. When the new withholding tables were released, they were not only used by employers, but also pension administrators. The IRS has since produced different tables for pension recipients. But it would be a good idea to review withholding amounts soon, so they can be adjusted if necessary. Special Tax Break for New Car Purchases The IRS has announced that taxpayers who buy a new passenger vehicle in 2009 may be entitled to deduct state and local sales and excise taxes paid on the purchase on their 2009 tax returns. Although this break applies only to the tax on the first $49,500 of the cost of the vehicle purchased after February 16, 2009 and before January 1, 2010, the IRS will apply this cap to each individual car purchased. So if you buy two new cars for $30,000 apiece, the sales tax paid on both vehicles will qualify for the break. In many instances sales tax on vehicles has been deductible in past years. But the rules for 2009 are different and more lenient. If you do not itemize, you add the sales tax on the vehicle to your standard deduction. If you itemize and deduct state income taxes, you get to deduct the sales tax paid on a qualifying vehicle in addition to your other itemizations. But if you itemize and elect to deduct sales taxes in lieu of income taxes, you do not get any extra tax break, since you would already be claiming the vehicle’s sales tax. This break starts phasing out for married couples with an adjusted gross income over $250,000 and single filers with an adjusted gross income over $125,000. Liz Tinics is an enrolled agent authorized to represent clients before the IRS. She is available on a fee basis (with discounts to IMF members) for accounting services. Liz will answer short, direct questions for IMF members without charge. However, extended discussion on tax matters will have to be negotiated on a discount fee basis. Liz may be reached at 800748-6415. highlighting MemBers Ministries Reaching the World with the Gospel and Bicycles IMF minister Suzanne Pillans’ home base is Standlake Ranch, a riding school and Christian retreat center outside of a quaint English village. But she spends much of her time ministering abroad. In 2005 God gave him a vision of an Indian man heading out to evangelize on his bike, but with no books, just his bible. Some years ago, while she was praying, Suzanne found herself in a white mist. “I saw nothing, and heard nothing,” she says, “but what I felt changed my life forever. I felt one tiny drop—of the great love of the Father, mixed with sorrow for all the people who don’t know Him.” Suzanne burst into tears and said: “I’m so sorry, Father. But what can I do? I’ve spent 40 years teaching children to ride ponies!” Yet, she realized that she had hands and feet and a voice. So she committed herself to go wherever God would send her. God told Warren to translate six of Derek Prince’s books into Indian languages. Warren obeyed but had no idea how to distribute Rev. Suzanne Pillans, them. The Lord said, “The person who is to IMF Missionary distribute them will walk through your door.” Suzanne was that person. Warren mailed 1,500 manuals to the Step Out in Faith office in India, and they were distributed to graduating evangelists in April. They are going to provide a further 9,000 books this year. Indeed, God sent her far and wide, and gave her the gifts of preaching and of healing. Her Gospel crusades have recently drawn up to 160,000 people and resulted in 100,000 converts. Once while in Uganda, Suzanne heard God telling her he wanted her to reach every village. She said: “That’s impossible, Lord. Even if I lived several lifetimes, I could never get to all the tiny villages. How can it be done?” God said she would know the answer that week. Later that week, she was introduced to a group of local evangelists eager to spread the gospel to their neighbors. But again, distance was the barrier. Then the thought of bicycles came to her. With a bicycle, an evangelist could travel the 30 or 40 miles between villages where there were no roads. So Suzanne went back to her horse ranch with the goal of raising money for bicycles. Standlake Ranch ran horse shows and raised money to buy 22 bicycles at $50 each. With those bicycles, African evangelists planted 54 churches in 2005. The next year, they raised money for 100 bicycles and 184 churches were planted. Meanwhile, it became clear the evangelists were in need of biblical training. Suzanne contacted every Bible school she could find, trying to get free access for these village church planters. No doors opened. Then one day when she was in the Philippines, a bishop called her aside and said: “Thirty years ago, the Lord told me to start a Bible school. Today he told me to give it to you.” Suzanne was taken aback, but when she consulted the Lord, he said, “All is prepared and ready.” So Suzanne agreed to take charge of the school. She called it Step Out in Faith Bible School. Many branches of the school have been opened in more and more places. Currently there are 81 schools serving 17 countries in Africa, India, Pakistan, Burma, and the Philippines. Last year, 3,000 evangelists graduated and this year 9,266 evangelists are studying. 11,000 churches have been planted to date. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Suzanne’s husband, Wilfred, and a circle of trusted co-workers, run the retreat center and riding school. Horses are a central feature of this ministry in a number of ways. It was through her favorite horse, Jacky Boy, that young Suzanne became a Christian. God miraculously healed the horse, revealing His love and power. Also, it was through her work with horses that Suzanne realized the beauty of obedience. She saw that horses could reach their highest potential by obeying their master in happy surrender. In the same way, humans can only become who we were meant to be through joyful surrender and obedience to God. Obedience is a lesson Suzanne learned early. God gave her a rare gift once by allowing her to witness the consequences of not obeying instantly. God told Suzanne to give some money to a group of people. She hesitated, but a week later obeyed. Amazingly, Suzanne happened to overhear a conversation in which she learned that during that week while she wavered, that group of people had hardly anything to eat. When she learned how her delayed obedience had caused people to suffer, she determined never to hesitate again. Obeying God instantly and wholeheartedly is the principle that guides her life. Suzanne’s first book, Dare to Follow: God’s Call to Follow Him in Obedience tells her story. Suzanne has also written Dare to do Only the Father’s Will. These, along with other resources and information about Suzanne’s ministry, are available at www.standlakeranch.co.uk. Suzanne is looking for a fellow evangelist who would like to co-lead a crusade with her in India this November. You can contact her at [email protected]. Graduates are equipped with Bibles, bicycles, and megaphones. When they enter a village, they call out with the megaphone for people to bring the sick villagers to be healed. God does the healing, opening the door for the Gospel message, followed by an invitation to be saved. Christ’s living presence and power are evident, so the response is usually enthusiastic—and a church is planted. Over time, a mud church with a grass roof might be constructed. The evangelist teaches everyone in the church the curriculum he learned in Bible school. He then designates a local leader and moves on to plant a new church. The pattern is as simple as the Great Commission itself. As Suzanne continues to step out in faith, the Lord continues to open doors. In February, while in New Zealand, she visited Derek Prince’s Ministries in the Asia/Pacific Region. Warren Smith, director of the ministry, greeted her. As they talked, Suzanne shared her vision to reach every Indian village by providing bicycles for evangelists. Warren became excited. Bike distribution to evangelists. F A L L 2 0 0 9 | 17 G u e s t Ed i t o r i a l Look Unto Me - The Devotions of Charles Spurgeon Rev. James Reimann IMF Member “Sell all [the books] you have...and buy Spurgeon.” These are the words of the 20th-century German theologian Helmut Thielicke. Including Charles Spurgeon’s 140 books and 25,000 sermons, he has 25 million words in print, more than any other Christian author, living or dead. Spurgeon (1834-1892) wrote Morning by Morning (now expanded, indexed, and updated as Look Unto me) when he was only 31 years of age. By that time, however, he had been faithfully expositing God’s Word 14 years, for he was called to preach at the age of 17. Ultimately, he would die at the age of 57, having spent 40 years as a minister of the gospel. Although Spurgeon never finished college or attended seminary, it would be a mistake to consider him uneducated. His library consisted of 12,000 books, and he typically read 6 books per week. He shares his lack of seminary training with Augustine, John Calvin, Dwight L. Moody, Arthur Pink, D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Billy Graham, and many other renowned preachers. This is not intended, however, to cast aspersions on formal theological training, for Spurgeon surely supported it—as long as it was biblically sound. Nevertheless, the church should remain open to Spurgeon’s brand of training, or we may miss the next preacher with exceptional insight into God’s Word. Look unto me, and be ye saved (Isaiah 45:22 KJV) (the verse Charles Spurgeon heard preached at the age of 15 showing him the way of salvation) Spurgeon, in fact, spent much of his life training new candidates for the pastorate through The Pastor’s College, which he founded early in his career. He once described the professors of the college in these words: “The Lord has sent us tutors who are lovers of sound doctrine and zealous for the truth. Heresy in colleges means false doctrine throughout the churches, for to defile the fountain is to pollute the streams.” Why Update and Expand Spurgeon? Updating the work of Charles Spurgeon is a humbling experience. Yet my purpose in updating his language is the same as my purpose in previously updating My Utmost for His Highest (Oswald Chambers) and Streams in the Desert (Lettie Cowman)—to make these great works from the 19th and early 20th centuries more easily accessible to today’s readers. In Look Unto Me (formerly published as Morning by Morning), however, I also have added my own comments to supplement Spurgeon’s thoughts. One purpose is to shed further light on the Scriptures based on my own life-long study. The Lord called me to teach His Word 26 years ago and 10 years ago led me into a Bibleteaching ministry offering pilgrimages to Israel. Since then I have been privileged to travel there 21 times, studying and teaching. Many of my comments have come from insights gleaned in what I consider to be the world’s greatest seminary—Israel! Yet my primary purpose is to get people into the Word of God itself, not simply another devotional book, for the true power lies in His Word! You will soon discover that most of my comments consist of sharing additional verses of Scripture to consider, or giving the reader the context of Spurgeon’s Scripture text for greater understanding. Spurgeon’s Enduring Legacy Spurgeon once described his approach to preaching with these words: “I take my text and make a beeline to the cross”—making his message timeless! A personal friend of his once wrote: The work done by C.H. Spurgeon cannot die, for I once heard him say, “I beseech you to live not only for this age, but also for the next. I would fling my shadow through the eternal ages if I could.” He has done it. His work is as imperishable as the truth of God. Spurgeon has been called the greatest preacher since the apostle Paul and has come to be known as “the prince of preachers”. My prayer is that you, the reader, will gain insight into God’s Word through Spurgeon’s work, expanded, indexed, and updated in Look Unto Me, and that new generations of readers will discover the timeless truths brought together by Spurgeon—God’s uncompromising servant. Like Abel, Charles Spurgeon “offered God a better sacrifice,” and although he passed into glory 117 years ago, “by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.” (Heb. 11:4 NIV) Rev. Jim Reimann, is an ordained minister of IMF. He lives with his wife Pam in Atlanta, GA. They have 3 married children and 6 granddaughters. He has more than 5 million books in print, including the updated editions of Streams in the Desert and My Utmost for His Highest. He is the former Chief Operating Officer of Family Christian Stores and past Chairman of the Christian Booksellers Association. As an expert on Israel, he hosts teaching tours to Israel and other Bible lands, which he offers through www.JimReimann.com. For devotional samples from Look Unto Me visit www.LookUntoMe.com. Jim can be reached at [email protected]. 18 | A G ath e ri n g Highlighting Members Ministries Consider Carefully How you Listen Luke 8:18 In Leopoldov, a centuries-old fortress-turned-prison in Slovakia, American Scott Boeser visited a man incarcerated for murder. The man, angry and alone, asked Scott to be his pen pal. Scott too, has lived alone—for four years in Bratislava, teaching Slovakian students and business people conversational English. He agreed to correspond with the convict and at the beginning, living alone was their commonality. Good conversations often begin with someone being a great listener. And conversation, whether in person or on lined paper, is something in which Scott excels. But it wasn’t always that way. Growing up, Scott sometimes listened to those who didn’t have his best interests at heart. In Prior Lake, Minnesota, Scott was homecoming king, active in sports and partying, the latter of which caused him not to receive a high school diploma. “I was an out-of-control teenager,” he said. A friend asked him to a Campus Crusade for Christ event. He went, ready to party and escape concerned eyes at home. “The first few days I didn’t attend anything. I just wanted to party and do my own thing,” Scott said. “But thankfully, my small group leader was a patient guy. My conversion was a thunderbolt for me, because I had some serious addictions at that time. But God just acted in my life in a powerful way.” Learning how to be a student Knowing he needed to make a change in his life, Denver relatives offered Scott, in 1983, a place to live for six months. He stayed eight years. His surrogate family convinced him to get his GED and then he began college, taking remedial classes the first semester. “I had to learn how to be a student,” he said. He graduated in four years, making it on the Dean’s list. “That was huge for me. I knew that I wasn’t a dummy; I just didn’t apply myself in high school,” he said. At church he led the junior high ministry. He interned at a Level 5 facility for emotionally-disturbed kids. While volunteering, Scott began to think about being a counselor. He returned to Minnesota and finished his Master’s in social work in 1996. He worked at a psychiatric hospital and with men in trouble because of domestic violence. “Most of them came in kicking and screaming and left not wanting to leave,” he said. He worked in six prisons, one in which he had an office. “It’s where you want to be if you’re a social worker, a Christian and want to change people’s lives,” he said. “Ninety percent of these guys have father wounds—neglectful, abusive wounds—and need healing.” Eventually he formed his own counseling practice and volunteered with Young Life where he shared his own high school travails for seven years. Teaching sports, teaching English In 2005, a hockey friend introduced him to Tom Johnson, a former Twins player who conducts sports camps for Slovakian youth. Tom offered Scott a free ticket to help with the summer camp. Scott committed to a two-year stay. “I knew that before I set foot in Slovakia that God would use me in many different ways beyond baseball, because there’s such a huge need for psychologists and psychiatrists here,” Scott said. Rev. Scott Boeser IMF Missionary Today, Scott’s ministry still includes sports camps, but also includes visiting prisons and teaching English to business professionals. At first he was reluctant to simply teach English. “I thought it would take away from my ministry, but God knew this was what was needed here,” he said. “People come to me and say, ‘I just want to learn casual conversation,’ and before long, they begin to trust me. It’s just a huge open door to introduce the wisdom of the Bible. It’s fantastic that God orchestrated it this way. People just pour out their lives to me,” he said. Even the criminal in Leopoldov is beginning to have his guilt and shame lessen. “He has a Bible now and is starting to believe that God is not going to condemn him,” he said. An inch wide, a mile deep While teaching conversational English, Scott has learned something about Slovakian culture too. He has learned that Slovaks, in general, are introverted, and that faith is a sensitive matter. “They are very intellectual in their approach, even more philosophical in their ideas,” Scott said. “As Americans, we’re emotional about our ideas of faith. But sometimes (Proverbs 20:5) I think our faith is a mile wide and an inch deep. Here it’s the opposite. Their faith is an inch wide and a mile deep. Here the pastors let you wrestle with your faith and ask questions so that you have to press into God and search the Scriptures to find the answers.” He has a Slovakian mentor who is the patriarch of his church. “He told me it would take me two years to acclimate to the culture and build my ministry,” Scott said. “He’s right. I realize you have to make a long-term investment if you want to do something significant.” “and the purposes of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.” Part of that acculturation has included learning to be alone with God. “I didn’t have a clue about what it means to be in His presence. It’s so hard to learn that, especially in American culture with computers, TV and cell phones,” he said. “It’s like you’re swimming in a lake and staying dry at the same time,” Scott said. “When you live in your comfort zone it’s good, but in another way it insulates you in that it prevents God from really revealing Himself in a fuller way. I want to be sold out to Christ. I feel like I have a long way to go, but I want to press into God, press into the quiet.” If you wish to write Scott a word of encouragement or inquire about his ministry, he can be reached at [email protected]. F A L L 2 0 0 9 | 19 Managing Your Money Play your CArds Right: Debit vs. Credit The way that Americans pay is changing. Debit cards, which take funds directly from checking accounts, have overtaken credit cards as the most popular way to pay with plastic.* Why do we like debit cards? They’re as convenient as credit cards and don’t have credit card finance charges. Also, debit cards are a useful tool when trying to control spending. They are not a financial panacea, however. Here are some important facts to keep in mind: About $8.75 billion in overdraft fees are triggered by debit cards annually. Since 2003, many banks have allowed purchases and ATM withdrawals, even when the transactions will cause accounts to be overdrawn. The practice has a steep price for consumers. A $3.50 cup of coffee costs $30 or more when a non-sufficient fund (NSF) fee is included in the cost. Some transactions may drain your account unexpectedly. When a debit card is used to rent a car, pay for a hotel room or fill a car with gas, the retailer “blocks” an amount to ensure all charges will be paid. For instance, filling the tank of your car may cost $30, but the station may temporarily debit $100 from your account because they don’t know how much gas your car holds. The block may not be released until that evening or, sometimes, a few days later. If you have a large account balance, blocking may not have any effect but, if your balance is low, it may cause an overdraft and trigger NSF fees. Debit cards may not offer the same fraud protection as credit cards. If someone steals your credit card or card number, you are responsible for $50 in unauthorized purchases, under federal law. If you let the issuer know your card has been lost or stolen before purchases are made, you may not owe anything. Your liability for unauthorized use of your debit card is different. It depends on how quickly you report loss or theft. Generally, if missing cards are reported within two business days, liability is $50. If reported within 60 days of the date a bank statement showing the transaction is mailed, liability is $500. After that, liability may be unlimited. There are additional nuances to these rules, which can be reviewed at the Federal Trade Commission website (www.ftc.gov). Pros and Cons of Debit Cards Pros • Easier to acquire than a credit card • Accepted when checks may not be • No interest charges • Safer than carrying cash Cons • Greater liability for fraud than credit card • Less leverage in merchant disputes • Non-sufficient fund fees can add up • May have service fees Signing instead of using a PIN may have unexpected consequences. When you swipe a debit card, you may be asked: credit or debit? No matter which option you choose, your account will be debited. However, the transaction cost for the retailer is quite different. When you choose debit, 20 | A G ath e ri n g and use a PIN, the transaction costs the retailer about 20 cents per $100 spent. When you choose credit, the retailer pays about $1.40 per $100 spent. It’s the reason some banks offer rewards programs for credit transactions made with a debit card. One consequence is that retailers may increase prices on goods you buy every day to remain profitable. As debit cards gain popularity, it is important to understand the advantages and disadvantages of debit transactions, as well as the specific rules that guide them, so you can make informed payment decisions. To address some of the issues presented above, Envoy Financial created the Envoy Access Card, an exciting new money management tool that is revolutionizing how ministries and individuals alike manage their money! This stand-alone money management tool helps ministries reduce their administrative payroll expense, works for anyone regardless of whether they have a bank account, and encourages wise financial stewardship by guarding against over-spending. Here are some of the amazing features and tools of the Envoy Access Card: • The card is free and has no monthly maintenance fee • Funds are available at any ATM • Can receive direct deposit for payroll and other regularly occurring deposits without needing any other bank account • Works as a Visa debit card but doesn’t allow overspending • The Bill Pay feature lets you easily pay for regularly scheduled payments such as insurance premiums, utilities, mortgage, etc. * ConsumerReports.org: The Dark Secrets of Debit, September 2007 For more information on the Envoy Access Card, visit www.envoyfinancial.org/EnvoyAccessCard or contact Terrell Mayton at (888) 879-1376, ext. 206 or by email at [email protected]. COME , MEET THE FAMILY . . . Welcome to the Family - IMF 1250 Plus Members The IMF Board of Directors, officers, staff members and other IMF members welcome the following new members to the IMF family. Altogether these new members bring with them numerous years of ministerial experience along with a wide variety of educational backgrounds and ministry fields. Ordained Simon Sung Yop Baik, South Korea Scott Bernstein, Minnesota Jennifer Combs, Georgia Dennis Jenson, Minnesota Kenneth R. Kerstetter, Florida Jung Hoon Lee, Canada Carlos Noel Marquez, Florida Mark Rutland, Oklahoma Michael Allen Smith, Wisconsin James C. Walters, North Carolina John Charles Westby, Minnesota Licensed Victoria Ann Boeseman, Florida Stephen David Carlson, Minnesota David Damian, Minnesota Richard Hamilton, Louisiana Rachel Heine, Minnesota Stephen Robert Jonas, Wisconsin Donald Kinn, California Carl Foster Lindberg, Georgia Special Ministry License Doris Buck, Minnesota Philip Devine, California A.J. Henson, Jr., Alabama Emmanuel S. Kulor, Virginia Karen Lescher, California Jessie Mejias, Virginia Amy O’Connell, Hawaii Christopher Pitts, Minnesota Jason Steffenhagen, Tennessee James Wiles, Minnesota 108 Missionaries throughout the world Susan F. Abercrombie - USA-FL Keith Acheson - Canada William Adams - USA-NY James Paul Ahle - Fiji Is. So. Pacific Rebecca I. Albright - USA-NC Gregory Allen - USA-TX L. Naomi Ambridge - APO-Germany Brian L. Anderson - Belarus John Anthony - USA-TX Abel Aureli - Italy Arden Conrad Autry - Ireland Lee W. Baas - Philippines Edward R. Baccich - APO-TX Fay E. Badgery - Australia Simon Sung Yop Baik - S. Korea Shirley Marie Bland - So. Africa, England, USA-CO Scott Boeser - Slovakia Michael & Pamela Brands - USA-MN Rebecca Brimmer - Israel Ian Buckley - New Zealand Michael A. Buckley - New Zealand Adriano Carrera - USA-ID Jang Hyun Choi - Canada Sophocles Christodoulou - Cyprus Stephanos Christodoulou - Cyprus Steve Cochrane - India Robert M. Coronato, Jr. - South Korea William & Pauline Cowen - Canada Stella B. Creaney - USA-VA Basil de Klerk - Belize Steven C. Mendoza - South Korea John Iain Muir - Switzerland Suzanne Joy Pillans - England Brian L. Plescher - USA-TX Daniel James Pubols - Japan Daryl Gene Rahfeldt - Canada Richard Todd Rainwater - USA-GA R. Anthony Rhodes - Thailand Jolean N. Rice - Sibiu Romania Lee Anne Judith Risk - Mexico K. Syamson Roberts - India Theresa Roth - Canada Raymond Sim - Singapore Gerald Lee Skifstad - Poland Edwin Smelser - USA-WA James Solberg - USA-FL Rob & Cheryl Stearns - USA-FL Shaji Ram Stephen - India William Strickland - USA-MN Theresa Carol Taylor - USA-MN Becky H. Tighe - Romania/Austria Daniel J. Vance - USA-MN Dawn Vance - USA-FL Joseph Wehrer - USA-PA Lyn Westman - Liberia Douglas Mark Wood - USA-MN Harold M. Young - Hungary Anatoly Dmitruk - Lithuania Robert Dunfee - India Daniel A. Ellrick - Japan Jose A. Espinosa - APO-TX Stephen David Fletcher - Mexico Rosemary Forsyth - Kyrgyzstan Lois Fowler - USA-MN Carey B. Freedman - Canada Algie Gohagen - Jamaica, W Indies G. Stephen Goode - Thailand Arthur Donald Granger - USA-MN M. Guna - Japan Sibila Hanzen - Brazil Cheryl Hauer - USA-MN Jeffery M. Herringshaw - USA-MN George Hooper Italy/US-TX Patricia B. Jenson - USA-MN Robert E. Johnson - USA-MN Ross Johnston - Mexico J. Ronald Keller - USA-MN Sylvia Kierkegaard - Denmark Grzegorz Kopczyk - Canada Steven Kohagen - Switzerland Ken W. Krahn - USA-MN Randy Larson - USA-WI Jae-Yong Lee - Canada Jung Hoon Lee - Canada Robert Lee - USA-CA Phillip Mathebula Rep of South Africa The International Ministerial Fellowship (IMF) Missions Department exists to help IMF ministers fulfill the Great Commission. We serve both as a sending agency and a support agency for overseas missionaries and ministries. IMF Missions is distinct in that it serves independent ministers, while respecting their autonomy and freedom. At the same time, we provide the accountability and support service that overseas workers need. IMF Missions is committed to presenting the ministries of its overseas members to churches in the United States. We are also dedicated to helping our missionaries strengthen their spiritual and organizational resources. We desire to increase the number of missionaries we serve in order that we may help increase the witness of Christ throughout the world. If you would like to have more information on any of our missionaries or would like to help support them, please contact Barb Schahn, our Manager of Missions Ministries, at 763-571-5967. Check out our web site at www.i-m-f.org. If you would like to support any of our missionaries just send a check made out to IMF (on a separate piece of paper indicate who it is for) and we will see that it is appropriately processed. Barbara Sue Wilson, Texas Certified Christian Worker Living Memorials Iris Smith, New Hampshire Upgrade from Licensed “. . . The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.” to Ordained Erik Hansen, California Sharon Denise Lewis, Virginia Jason Porter, Kansas Macie Scott Shiver, Florida NOTE: See www.i-m-f.org for complete member listing. ® The Christian flag was flown at half mast in remembrance of: Psalm 112:6 Below is a listing of those who have recently given Living Memorials to IMF in memory or honor of their friends and loved ones. Given by: In Memory of: Rev. Hugh & Doris Hunt Roger & Yvonne Engstrom Rev. Iris Masserano Rev. Frank & Carol Masserano Raymond McCray Raymond McCray Raymond McCray Raymond McCray F A L L 2 0 0 9 | 21 A view from Jerusalem Living in "Bible Times" In every way, Jerusalem is a thoroughly modern metropolis. 22 | A G ath e ri n g One of the most common statements uttered by Christians as they explore the Land of Israel is “It would have been so wonderful to have been here during Bible times.” Their minds are filled with first-century images of quaint villages in the Galilee, the mighty Temple in Jerusalem, and eager crowds gathering to listen as itinerant rabbis preach from hillsides—definitely “Bible times” images. But those images are no more “biblical” than the exciting and diverse sights and sounds that are everyday life in this remarkable nation today. Clearly, when the prophets spoke of a re-gathering of the Jewish people from the four corners of the earth, their eyes were not fixed on first-century Israel. Isaiah highlighted the first return of the Israelites from their captivity in Egypt when about 1.5 million people were relocated to the Promised Land over a 40-year period, but he said: “Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing…” (43:18–19a). Jeremiah described the “new thing” as a second exodus that would profoundly overshadow the first (16:14–16). We have seen that prophecy partially fulfilled over the past 60 years when nearly five million Jewish people have come into the Land from over 100 nations, speaking over 80 languages. And as they have done so, they have brought countless other Scriptures to life. They have rebuilt the waste places (Isaiah 61:4), caused the desert to bloom (Isaiah 35:1), and filled the streets of Jerusalem with sounds of bustling commerce (Jeremiah 33:7, 11) and children’s laughter (Zechariah 8:5). They have brought blessing to all the nations of the earth as Israel has taken first place in scientific, technological, and medical advancements that have improved the quality of life for literally billions of people the world over. A Time that Mingles Ancient with Contemporary To the western eye, there is much in modern Israel that seems untidy, disorderly, even chaotic. But even in this, God’s presence is seen. His relationship with the Jewish people has always been one of dynamic exchange, based on His miraculous leading and their obedient following—a relationship that was never quiet, never languid, never dull, but whose hallmark was action. The very nature of the Jewish people was forged within this paradigm, creating a culture today that is marked by vibrant family relationships and righteous action, with a focus on what works rather than what might look good. The Hebrew word olam means “eternity.” It appears about 440 times in the Bible and has several connotations, from “remotest time” to “simple duration of time” to “continuity Rev. Cheryl Hauer IMF Member and un-changeability”. However, when one walks about the city of Jerusalem, the “eternal” capital of the nation of Israel, the very air speaks of the deepest meaning of olam: from the most distant past time to the most distant future time, without beginning or end, ever-continuing. The streets teem with taxis, buses, private cars, and scooters; the sidewalks are filled with pedestrians and bicyclists; helicopters and airplanes buzz overhead; corner coffee shops are filled with students, shoppers, and busy executives on their way to high-rise offices. In every way, Jerusalem is a thoroughly modern metropolis. And yet, somehow, the city remains anchored in the most distant past. The sounds of contemporary life seem to mingle mysteriously with the echoes of the ancient, a constant reminder that the City of God is somehow, incomprehensibly like Him…eternal. Today, to walk the streets of Jerusalem is to become a part of images glimpsed by the prophets millennia ago. Around every corner, voices of the past echo through the streets, reminding all who will listen of the faithfulness of the God who, through unconditional and eternal covenant, promised this Land to the Jewish people. Everyday life is seasoned with indescribable excitement as the palpable presence of that same God continues to fill the highways and byways of the country. A Time to Be Responsible Many biblical scholars say that there has been more prophetic fulfillment in the past 60 years than in any other period in human history, except, say Christian scholars, during the first century AD. What a blessing it is to be alive today to see with our own eyes what the prophets could only imagine! Those prophets, by the way, would have us know that in Jewish thought there is never a blessing received without an attendant responsibility. So, as we are blessed to behold this amazing panorama that is modern Israel, as we watch the ongoing fulfillment of biblical prophecy, as we witness God’s final preparations for the redemption of all the earth, we must be mindful of our responsibilities: to pray for the peace of Jerusalem; to champion and support the nation of Israel; to love and comfort the Jewish people; to cleave to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and to be outspoken messengers to those around us, proclaiming that these exciting days in which we live are, most assuredly, Bible times. For more information on Bridges for Peace go to http://www.bridgesforpeace.com. After serving seven years as the Bridges for Peace Deputy National Director in the United States, Rev. Cheryl Hauer currently serves as the BFP International Development Director (IDD). In that capacity, Rev. Hauer is responsible to guide the development of BFP in new geographical areas and oversee National Offices in several countries as well as our International Representative Network. As IDD, she serves as Deputy to CEO Rebecca Brimmer and works closely with her to develop new materials and educational resources for the worldwide network. Cheryl is a published author and speaker who teaches on a variety of Israel-related subjects as well as the Hebraic roots of Christianity. She also has extensive experience in Jewish Christian relations and teaches on the Holocaust and related topics. Cheryl is an ordained minister with International Ministerial Fellowship and holds a doctorate in religious philosophy. She resides in Jerusalem with her husband, Steven, who also serves at Bridges for Peace as International Business Manager. F A L L 2 0 0 9 | 23 NON- PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID MINNEAPOLIS, MN PERMIT #1617 Address Service Requested To correct your name or address on our lists, place in envelope and mail to: IMF P.O. Box 32366 Minneapolis, MN 55432 Please allow six weeks for records to be corrected. INSIDE Notes from the General Secretary The Changing Seasons Wisdom, Power and Mystery Governor of Yucatan Visits Bridge of Love Home Property A Heart for Evangelism Taming the Tongue Christmas in September - How Can That Be? Touring the Holy Land Networking Experiencing God Together in Worship Your IMF Area Pastor Representatives Know Your IMF Staff Project Christmas Stocking IMF Military Chaplain Policy Engaging the Evangelical Atheists Embracing Change with Faith New Credits/Special Tax Break Reaching the World with the Gospel and Bicycles Look Unto Me - The Devotions of Charles Spurgeon Consider Carefully How You Listen Play Your Cards Right: Debit vs. Credit Welcome to the Family/Missionaries/Living Memorials Living in "Bible Times" 24 | A G ath e ri n g DIRECTORS BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chet Masserano Chairman of the Board Plymouth, MN Rev. Fred Kelly President Norcross, GA Robert Rampi, CPA Secretary Brooklyn Center, MN Fred Stelter Treasurer Minneapolis, MN Rev. Benton M. Tippett, Jr. Chairman, Board of Elders East Palatka, FL Rev. Frank Masserano Founder & General Secretary Fridley, MN Rev. David A. Clark Buffalo, MN Sandra Hiller St. Paul, MN Rev. Londa Lundstrom Ramsey Lakeville, MN Rev. Charles (Chasz) Parker, Jr. Syracuse, NY