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Letters Archive: May 2007 Back to our Homepage May, 2007 Dear Loving Church Family and Friends, Recently someone shared a “funny” with us that illustrates how important truths can be misunderstood. “Sunday after church, a Mom asked her very young daughter what the lesson was in her class. The daughter answered, ‘Don’t be scared, you’ll get your quilt’. Needless to say, the Mom was perplexed. Later in the day, the Mom saw her daughter’s teacher in the grocery store. Mom asked her what that morning’s lesson was about. She said, ‘Be not afraid, thy comforter is coming.’” First Assembly is a great Missions Sending Church. Not only are we reaching This Valley for Jesus, we also send monthly support to missionaries around the world. Global University (formerly International Correspondence Institute) is one of the productive missions outreaches that has received thousands of dollars from our Church Family over the past 30 years. President, George Flattery, is a personal friend and has spoken at Missions Banquets, in Missions Services and taught Seminars at First Assembly. In a letter we received from him, he shares about mixed messages that are being sent regarding Iraq. Following is an excerpt from his letter.
I am sure you have heard these statements many times recently. You cannot go far without hearing someone’s opinion about the situation in Iraq. Today, I want to share with you an encouraging report on Iraq. In Iraq today, Global University is working with several Assemblies of God churches to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ in this ancient land. There are churches in four major Iraqi cities, including a congregation of about 250 people in Baghdad itself. Yes, this is the same Iraq you hear about every evening on the news. Several years ago the Iraqi church asked Global University to translate our evangelism, discipleship and training courses into Arabic so they could begin to teach young Christians about the Bible and how to witness. Because of the generosity of friends like you, we now have Baghdad Bible College! About 40 to 60 Iraqi students (depending upon the time of classes) are studying Global University courses and learning how to reach their nation for Jesus Christ. While the world media rushes to the scene when trouble arises to report bad news, our workers on the front lines of spiritual warfare are sending back encouraging reports of souls won for Christ every week and the church is rapidly growing. The same students we are training are leading the way. I don’t know how others look at this, but considering that Iraq was a completely closed door five years ago, I think this is a remarkable success and a miracle from the Lord. Iraq is a shining example of how Global University can go behind closed doors and work even when others say it is impossible. Every gift of $25 helps Global University provide one ministry training course for one evangelist living behind a “closed door” like Iraq. Dr. George Flattery, President of Global University Aren’t you happy that we have a part in establishing Baghdad Bible College? If you would like to give to provide ministry training courses for evangelists living behind a “closed door” like Iraq, please write “Iraq” on your giving envelope. We want to do more, and we will as everyone in our Church Family catches the vision. Praise Reports Repairing God’s House Report: In just a few days, work will begin to replace the roof on our church sanctuary. All of the 167 squares of shingles needed for the new roof have been purchased. Thank you to everyone who had a part in Restoring God’s House. We are continuing to stand with you, believing the seed you have sown will produce a great harvest of blessings in your life. And we are rejoicing over this great victory! Yovonne Starks was healed during Communion at the Good Friday services. Pain in her back, described as a tight knot, left suddenly and has not returned. Josh Schramm was filled with the Holy Spirit and received his Prayer Language at the Good Friday service. Christian Living Classes are experiencing God’s presence in a strong way. In one class, the presence of the Lord fell upon them during praise and worship and they spent the entire time caught up in His glory. Four-year-old, Abigal Parks, was dramatically healed from a stage 3 cancer. Barb Bacon’s sister needed surgery. Usually her blood pressure goes up dangerously high during surgery. Barb said they prayed the night before and she recalled what Heidi Garcia had said about taking authority when her child was sick. So Barb took authority over the blood pressure situation in Jesus’ Name. Her sister came through the surgery with normal BP even though she could not take her medicine as scheduled due to anesthetic. Praise God! Cheryl Dembinski’s mother was healed and didn’t have to go on dialysis as her doctor had prescribed. Casey Rapp was healed of a long-standing, very serious physical illness and was baptized in water recently. George Thomas was healed during Communion on a Sunday morning. His weak legs received strength and he is able to push himself up from a seated position, which he couldn’t do previously. Elizabeth Christenson’s four old niece, Riley, required surgery for an irregular heartbeat. Elizabeth came to Prayer Meeting and everyone prayed for a miracle for Riley. The doctors were amazed when the surgery lasted only half as long as anticipated. Riley had no pain after surgery and she was released the next day. Doctors said they have never seen a child recover this fast from heart surgery. Answers to prayer are being reported every night as we gather in the sanctuary to pray. Please make an effort to join us for at least one Prayer Meeting a week. Through believing prayer, in Jesus’ Name we are taking back everything the enemy has stolen. The best is yet to come..... your later will be greater than the rest! Missions Trip A Missions Trip is in the planning stages. A Missions Team from First Assembly will be going out near the end of the year. Start praying about being a part of this Missions Outreach. God hates the shedding of innocent blood Please read the enclosed letter from Right to Life of Michigan and pass it on to someone else. We must stay informed on the abortion issue and pray continually for protection of innocent children. Joyfully Serving the Master and His People, |
View the Pastor's
• July 2007 •
Meet Pastor Fred Words to Live By • Daily Bible Reading Guide • Better Life Course by Randal Smolchuck |
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