Community Outreach
Our church just completed a week of outreach to our community. We began with a carnival on Saturday, August 1 from 11 AM to 4 PM. The carnival was geared to children but there was something there for everyone. Everything was free – food, games, etc. We had the inflatable jumpers for the children, volleyball, a radar speed gun for judging the speed of pitches. That was a real hit. We had a gospel sing that lasted for an hour. We had over 150 attendees and most of the children who came were not part of our church family. We distributed tickets the two weeks before the carnival and that seemed to be an effective way to reach people.
Then on Sunday, August 2, at 6.30 PM we began our Vacation Bible School and it continued through Thursday night. We registered over 90 students with a high of 68 on Thursday night. We invited the parents to come on Thursday night and we extended the program an additional 30 minutes. We had the largest turn out of parents ever – about 40. There were ten children who prayed to receive Christ. On the last night we did a pictorial review of the week so the parents could see what the children had been doing all week. That was a real hit with the parents and children.
We praise God for the desire of our church body to invest time and money into such outreaches. Only eternity will reveal the impact of these events on our community.
Editor's Note:
Dr. Jerry Burton and the members of Calvary Baptist Church, Rittman, Ohio, were responsible for the outreach program you are reading about. Way to go, Jerry.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Friday, August 7, 2009
Dr. Armie Jesalva's Philosophy of Ministry
WHAT I BELIEVE ABOUT THE MINISTRY
By: DR. ARMIE F. JESALVA
Acts 2: 41 – 47
The Ministry is my life touching another life for the sake of the gospel.
* Every Christian is always on duty:
- To win souls.
- To follow them up for baptism and added to the church membership.
- Members must be steadfast – in the apostle’s doctrine.
- They ought to be given opportunity to fellowship and pray with other Christians.
- They ought to be in one accord and to strengthen one another.
I praise God for the people that are added to our ministry and the opportunities to expand our outreach or enlarge our spiritual influence. We ought to discover in our ministry the places where we can have more harvest of souls.
I have been pastor of Bible Baptist Church, Cebu City for 40 years, and the more I stay, the more I see the harvest field further away that I must conquer. Orison Marden said, “Go as far as you can and when you get there you can see further.”
When Bob Hughes came to Cebu City in 1957 there were already Southern Baptists and Canadian Baptists. There were other groups but he took it upon himself the responsibility to capture all of Cebu City.
He worked with other Baptists. He partnered with them. He had good fellowship with them. He prayed with them. He was part of the team. He knew that teamwork divides the effort but multiplies the effect. But his motivation was to reach Cebu City for Christ. He stood one day on Beverly Hills, looked over Cebu City with tears in his eyes and said “LORD, HELP ME CAPTURE CEBU CITY. Give me 1,000,000 Bibles to give to the people.” God gave him one and a half million.
I am glad to have a little part in that journey of faith that Bob Hughes initiated many years back. But I believe that if I have to strengthen my ministry and do more to pursue what God has began, I believe three things about the ministry.
I. The Ministry Is A Marathon. It is not a 100 meter dash thing. It is a long distance race.
You cannot have a strong, growing church if you stay in one place for five or ten years. It takes more than desire or even dedication. – It takes insight, it takes patience, it takes vision, it takes strong faith, and it takes skill to attain it.
Dr. Don Tackett of the Rawlings Foundation said, “Our ministry is suffering because there is no continuity.” I Cor. 3:6 “I have planted, Apollos watered but God gave the increase.” The ministry is a marathon.
a) It is a marathon of work. Not Proselyting but working. II Tim 2:3 “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” From the time of watering new believers in discipleship it takes a lot of hard work.
- Memorizing verses
- Daily in the word
- Preaching messages intended to make them grow and be involved in missions.
- Teaching them ways to live the Christian life. It takes hard work, consistent hard work, courageous hard work, and continuous hard work.
Dr. Jack Hyles pastored First Baptist Church in Hammond, Indiana for over 50 years and had a big day of over 26,000 in Sunday School, the biggest Sunday School in the world. He is our example of hard work.
Dr. Jerry Falwell had a high day of 18,000 in Sunday School at Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Virginia. He has been pastor of the church for 49 years. Just imagine how hard he worked.
Dr. Lee Roberson built the Highland Park Baptist Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee for 47 years through – a marathon of soulwinning, - a marathon of teaching, - a marathon of discipleship. A hireling will not do that. A hireling will keep changing flocks but the true shepherd does not.
The ministry is not a 100-meter dash. It is a 10,000 – meter run. It takes a long time to accomplish something big for Jesus Christ. You’ve to stay on the road a long time. It is a marathon of work.
b) It is a marathon of stay. When you pastor a church or be a missionary, you orchestrate your work with a single-minded attitude.
- Of building up lives
- Building up standards
- Equipping them
- Organizing your Sunday School Department .
- And training believers.
Eph. 4:11- 12 “And he gave some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelist, and some pastors and teachers. For the perfecting of saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”
You must have a long term ministry. Nobody has done anything meaningful for the Lord by staying in one place for two years. The ministry is a marathon of stay. You stay in the will of God. You stay in the purpose of God, you stay focused. Once you establish the fact that God has called you in a specific area, then, stay there. Claim that area for Christ. The ministry is a marathon.
II. The Ministry is Multitudes. Matt 4:25 “And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis and from Jerusalem, and from Judea, and from beyond Jordan.” Multitude of people was coming from all directions. They were coming from the north, from the south, from the east, and from the west. Great crowds were coming. Huge crowds, enormous crowds. People were attracted to his ministry that one time the Bible says in Luke 8:42 “. . . the people thronged Him”.
It does not matter if they have to travel a great distance; people came because they were attracted to the ministry of the Lord Jesus. In Matt. 14:21 Jesus fed 5000 men and if you count the women and children, there may have been probably more than 15,000 people attending that service. That was many years back when transportation was slow and few. And remember, the church of Jesus Christ is still attracting crowds of people today.
- You don’t need to use gimmicks to attract people.
- You don’t need to compromise your convictions of music to gather them.
- In fact, you don’t need to have a beautiful building to make them come.
How can we attract people to the ministry?
1. We should love unbelievers. When Bro. Gerry Nable of Bethany Baptist, Makati was just a few years into the pastorate, he asked what would be my advice for him in the ministry. I said “love the people.” Matthew 9:36 “But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them because they fainted and were scattered abroad as sheep having no shepherd.”
Jesus loved lost people and he spent some time with them. Jesus enjoyed being with people who are seeking the truth far more than with religious leaders who oppose the truth. He was called “a friend of sinners”. People could feel his love for them.
Even little children enjoyed being around Him. We should love unbelievers. They are your potential members.
This is probably the most overlooked key to a growing church. Without compassion, we will never be willing to make the sacrifice necessary to reach people. The ministry is multitude. If we don’t love people nothing else matters. This is why, as church members, our love should be focused towards visitors and first timers not just towards each other. You’ll never attract unbelievers if you don’t love them. Jesus loved unbelievers.
How can we show our love for unbelievers?
a). We should have an atmosphere of acceptance. While plants need to have the right climate to grow, it's the same way with our ministry. The right climate for ministry growth is an atmosphere of love and acceptance. Dr. Rick Warren said, “Growing ministries are loving ministries and loving ministries are growing ministries. This seems very simple but many times we overlook it. If your ministry is going to grow, have an atmosphere of acceptance. If a church does not rescue sinners, that church must be rescued.
b) Be nice when people come. Smile and be friendly. Make them feel welcome. Long before the pastor stands to preach, the people are already deciding whether they’ll come back or not depending on how you welcome them. Be nice when people come.
c) The pastor must be loving. If you are the pastor, you set the tone and atmosphere on the congregation. I have visited many churches and the main reason the church is not growing is because the love of the pastor is lacking in the atmosphere. The pastor hides in his office.
d) Remember names. It shows you are interested in people. Nothing sounds sweeter to the second- time visitor than hearing the use of his name. You say, but I don’t have the gift of remembering names. Well, just work at it.
e) Greet people personally before the services. You can warm up the crowd by meeting as many people as you can before the Sunday school or services. Get out among the crowd and talk to people and encourage them.
f) Touch people. How? Give them a look, a word, a smile or a pat on the back. There’s a lot of lonely people in the world. A pat on the back may be the only thing that will make a difference in their lives.
g) Accept people without approving them. As Christians we are called to accept and love unbelievers without approving their sinful lifestyles.
- Think of the Samaritan woman at the well of Sychar. Jesus accepted her without approving of her licentious lifestyle.
- Think of Zachaeus. Jesus dined with him without approving his dishonesty.
- Think of the woman who was caught in the very act of adultery. Jesus defended her dignity without approving her immorality.
h). We should meet people needs. – Physical needs, - relational needs of those rejected by parents, - spiritual needs, - financial needs
Our Lord would open a door for evangelizing a person’s by meeting a felt need. They’ll pay attention to the good news of salvation if you discover the key to his heart.
- Medical & Dental Evangelism
- Feeding Program in very depressed areas.
Sometimes I would drive around Cebu City and find myself behind the wheels praying, Lord, there are so many people. They are potential members of my church, potential missionaries or potential Bible students that can be trained and equipped to carry the gospel of Jesus Christ. How can I reach them for you?” Many times we think that the answer to every need is a sermon or a verse of scripture. It is meeting people needs. James 2:14–17. Read.
I never believed in advertising our school in the newspapers. If parents decide to enroll their children in Bob Hughes Christian Academy or in Bible Baptist College, they’ll do so when they see one of our graduates. Changed lives are our greatest advertisements. The ministry should meet people needs. The ministry is multitudes...
III. The Ministry is Missions. Missions is reaching our world for Jesus Christ. This is our ultimate goal. The health of the church is measured not by its seating capacity but by its sending capacity.
How many missionaries have you sent out from your church? Jesus said, “As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.” Acts 13:3 “And when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.” V. 5 “… and they preached the word of God.” How many missionaries have you sent out?
How many missionaries do you support locally and globally? The way we answer this question depends upon how strong is our missions program.
A weak missions program cannot help propagate the gospel of Jesus Christ. Eph. 5:21. It cannot fulfill the great commission. The ministry is missions.
If you have to start supporting missionaries in small amounts don’t be ashamed of it. The journey of a thousand miles starts with the first step. The devil tries to put all kinds of roadblocks to discourage you in your missions outreach. But if you determine that with God’s help you will obey God’s command, the Lord will strengthen your faith and bless your work.
THE MINISTRY IS A MARATHON
THE MINISTRY IS A MULTITUDES OF PEOPLE
THE MINISTRY IS MISSIONS
This is what I believe about the ministry.
By: DR. ARMIE F. JESALVA
Acts 2: 41 – 47
The Ministry is my life touching another life for the sake of the gospel.
* Every Christian is always on duty:
- To win souls.
- To follow them up for baptism and added to the church membership.
- Members must be steadfast – in the apostle’s doctrine.
- They ought to be given opportunity to fellowship and pray with other Christians.
- They ought to be in one accord and to strengthen one another.
I praise God for the people that are added to our ministry and the opportunities to expand our outreach or enlarge our spiritual influence. We ought to discover in our ministry the places where we can have more harvest of souls.
I have been pastor of Bible Baptist Church, Cebu City for 40 years, and the more I stay, the more I see the harvest field further away that I must conquer. Orison Marden said, “Go as far as you can and when you get there you can see further.”
When Bob Hughes came to Cebu City in 1957 there were already Southern Baptists and Canadian Baptists. There were other groups but he took it upon himself the responsibility to capture all of Cebu City.
He worked with other Baptists. He partnered with them. He had good fellowship with them. He prayed with them. He was part of the team. He knew that teamwork divides the effort but multiplies the effect. But his motivation was to reach Cebu City for Christ. He stood one day on Beverly Hills, looked over Cebu City with tears in his eyes and said “LORD, HELP ME CAPTURE CEBU CITY. Give me 1,000,000 Bibles to give to the people.” God gave him one and a half million.
I am glad to have a little part in that journey of faith that Bob Hughes initiated many years back. But I believe that if I have to strengthen my ministry and do more to pursue what God has began, I believe three things about the ministry.
I. The Ministry Is A Marathon. It is not a 100 meter dash thing. It is a long distance race.
You cannot have a strong, growing church if you stay in one place for five or ten years. It takes more than desire or even dedication. – It takes insight, it takes patience, it takes vision, it takes strong faith, and it takes skill to attain it.
Dr. Don Tackett of the Rawlings Foundation said, “Our ministry is suffering because there is no continuity.” I Cor. 3:6 “I have planted, Apollos watered but God gave the increase.” The ministry is a marathon.
a) It is a marathon of work. Not Proselyting but working. II Tim 2:3 “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” From the time of watering new believers in discipleship it takes a lot of hard work.
- Memorizing verses
- Daily in the word
- Preaching messages intended to make them grow and be involved in missions.
- Teaching them ways to live the Christian life. It takes hard work, consistent hard work, courageous hard work, and continuous hard work.
Dr. Jack Hyles pastored First Baptist Church in Hammond, Indiana for over 50 years and had a big day of over 26,000 in Sunday School, the biggest Sunday School in the world. He is our example of hard work.
Dr. Jerry Falwell had a high day of 18,000 in Sunday School at Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Virginia. He has been pastor of the church for 49 years. Just imagine how hard he worked.
Dr. Lee Roberson built the Highland Park Baptist Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee for 47 years through – a marathon of soulwinning, - a marathon of teaching, - a marathon of discipleship. A hireling will not do that. A hireling will keep changing flocks but the true shepherd does not.
The ministry is not a 100-meter dash. It is a 10,000 – meter run. It takes a long time to accomplish something big for Jesus Christ. You’ve to stay on the road a long time. It is a marathon of work.
b) It is a marathon of stay. When you pastor a church or be a missionary, you orchestrate your work with a single-minded attitude.
- Of building up lives
- Building up standards
- Equipping them
- Organizing your Sunday School Department .
- And training believers.
Eph. 4:11- 12 “And he gave some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelist, and some pastors and teachers. For the perfecting of saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”
You must have a long term ministry. Nobody has done anything meaningful for the Lord by staying in one place for two years. The ministry is a marathon of stay. You stay in the will of God. You stay in the purpose of God, you stay focused. Once you establish the fact that God has called you in a specific area, then, stay there. Claim that area for Christ. The ministry is a marathon.
II. The Ministry is Multitudes. Matt 4:25 “And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis and from Jerusalem, and from Judea, and from beyond Jordan.” Multitude of people was coming from all directions. They were coming from the north, from the south, from the east, and from the west. Great crowds were coming. Huge crowds, enormous crowds. People were attracted to his ministry that one time the Bible says in Luke 8:42 “. . . the people thronged Him”.
It does not matter if they have to travel a great distance; people came because they were attracted to the ministry of the Lord Jesus. In Matt. 14:21 Jesus fed 5000 men and if you count the women and children, there may have been probably more than 15,000 people attending that service. That was many years back when transportation was slow and few. And remember, the church of Jesus Christ is still attracting crowds of people today.
- You don’t need to use gimmicks to attract people.
- You don’t need to compromise your convictions of music to gather them.
- In fact, you don’t need to have a beautiful building to make them come.
How can we attract people to the ministry?
1. We should love unbelievers. When Bro. Gerry Nable of Bethany Baptist, Makati was just a few years into the pastorate, he asked what would be my advice for him in the ministry. I said “love the people.” Matthew 9:36 “But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them because they fainted and were scattered abroad as sheep having no shepherd.”
Jesus loved lost people and he spent some time with them. Jesus enjoyed being with people who are seeking the truth far more than with religious leaders who oppose the truth. He was called “a friend of sinners”. People could feel his love for them.
Even little children enjoyed being around Him. We should love unbelievers. They are your potential members.
This is probably the most overlooked key to a growing church. Without compassion, we will never be willing to make the sacrifice necessary to reach people. The ministry is multitude. If we don’t love people nothing else matters. This is why, as church members, our love should be focused towards visitors and first timers not just towards each other. You’ll never attract unbelievers if you don’t love them. Jesus loved unbelievers.
How can we show our love for unbelievers?
a). We should have an atmosphere of acceptance. While plants need to have the right climate to grow, it's the same way with our ministry. The right climate for ministry growth is an atmosphere of love and acceptance. Dr. Rick Warren said, “Growing ministries are loving ministries and loving ministries are growing ministries. This seems very simple but many times we overlook it. If your ministry is going to grow, have an atmosphere of acceptance. If a church does not rescue sinners, that church must be rescued.
b) Be nice when people come. Smile and be friendly. Make them feel welcome. Long before the pastor stands to preach, the people are already deciding whether they’ll come back or not depending on how you welcome them. Be nice when people come.
c) The pastor must be loving. If you are the pastor, you set the tone and atmosphere on the congregation. I have visited many churches and the main reason the church is not growing is because the love of the pastor is lacking in the atmosphere. The pastor hides in his office.
d) Remember names. It shows you are interested in people. Nothing sounds sweeter to the second- time visitor than hearing the use of his name. You say, but I don’t have the gift of remembering names. Well, just work at it.
e) Greet people personally before the services. You can warm up the crowd by meeting as many people as you can before the Sunday school or services. Get out among the crowd and talk to people and encourage them.
f) Touch people. How? Give them a look, a word, a smile or a pat on the back. There’s a lot of lonely people in the world. A pat on the back may be the only thing that will make a difference in their lives.
g) Accept people without approving them. As Christians we are called to accept and love unbelievers without approving their sinful lifestyles.
- Think of the Samaritan woman at the well of Sychar. Jesus accepted her without approving of her licentious lifestyle.
- Think of Zachaeus. Jesus dined with him without approving his dishonesty.
- Think of the woman who was caught in the very act of adultery. Jesus defended her dignity without approving her immorality.
h). We should meet people needs. – Physical needs, - relational needs of those rejected by parents, - spiritual needs, - financial needs
Our Lord would open a door for evangelizing a person’s by meeting a felt need. They’ll pay attention to the good news of salvation if you discover the key to his heart.
- Medical & Dental Evangelism
- Feeding Program in very depressed areas.
Sometimes I would drive around Cebu City and find myself behind the wheels praying, Lord, there are so many people. They are potential members of my church, potential missionaries or potential Bible students that can be trained and equipped to carry the gospel of Jesus Christ. How can I reach them for you?” Many times we think that the answer to every need is a sermon or a verse of scripture. It is meeting people needs. James 2:14–17. Read.
I never believed in advertising our school in the newspapers. If parents decide to enroll their children in Bob Hughes Christian Academy or in Bible Baptist College, they’ll do so when they see one of our graduates. Changed lives are our greatest advertisements. The ministry should meet people needs. The ministry is multitudes...
III. The Ministry is Missions. Missions is reaching our world for Jesus Christ. This is our ultimate goal. The health of the church is measured not by its seating capacity but by its sending capacity.
How many missionaries have you sent out from your church? Jesus said, “As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.” Acts 13:3 “And when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.” V. 5 “… and they preached the word of God.” How many missionaries have you sent out?
How many missionaries do you support locally and globally? The way we answer this question depends upon how strong is our missions program.
A weak missions program cannot help propagate the gospel of Jesus Christ. Eph. 5:21. It cannot fulfill the great commission. The ministry is missions.
If you have to start supporting missionaries in small amounts don’t be ashamed of it. The journey of a thousand miles starts with the first step. The devil tries to put all kinds of roadblocks to discourage you in your missions outreach. But if you determine that with God’s help you will obey God’s command, the Lord will strengthen your faith and bless your work.
THE MINISTRY IS A MARATHON
THE MINISTRY IS A MULTITUDES OF PEOPLE
THE MINISTRY IS MISSIONS
This is what I believe about the ministry.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Fantastic Plans from Tanzania
God blessed us with good meetings here at the Highlands Camp. The pastors meeting, as well as the youth leaders meeting, went well and men left with a vision for youth ministry and camp ministry that can have an impact on our churches and our nation. Twenty-one were in attendance at the Pastors and Missionaries meeting and 27 in the Youth Leaders meeting.
The Vision Casting meetings were Step One of our strategy for launching the youth camp ministry. Those of you in attendance at the annual BBMT meeting may remember we outlined 4 Strategical Steps.
Step One: Vision Casting (July 2009)
Step Two: Teaching and Training (December 2009)
Step Three: Preparing and Promoting (January-June 2010)
Step Four: Launching (June 2010)
Tentative dates were set for Step Two, the Teaching and Training camp, to be held here at the Highlands December 14th - 17th. This camp will be a training camp for leaders and youth who will serve in our first evangelistic camps. Only faithful leaders and young people from our churches will be invited to this training camp. There is a list of qualifications which must be met by all in attendance December. The qualifications are currently as follows:
1. Must be a saved, baptized member of the church
2. Must have a good testimony in the church and in the community
3. Must have a heart to do ministry in the church (either actively doing a ministry or eager to volunteer and do ministry when asked)
4. Must have a learning spirit and willing to receive instruction (either a Bible institute student or pursuing enrollment, etc)
5. Must be faithful in church services and youth meetings as well
6. Must be willing to pay the fee for the training camp (to be determined)
7. Must fulfill other qualifications (memorization verses to be issued as well as a book reading assignment)
8. Must be 15 years of age or older (unless a secondary school student of 14 years old)
Strategically, we are on schedule and on track for launching our first evangelistic camps in June of 2010. The concern is the construction and equipping of the camp. It is very unlikely that the camp will be fully ready to receive the leaders and youth for training in December. It is probable that we will have to make do with the facilities available and supplement with outside cooking, etc. I will be asking Bob to assist us by pushing for the following by December:
1. Two dorms operational with adequate running water and useable toilets and showers.
2. Enough beds and mattresses for sleeping 50 - 100 leaders and student leaders
3. Tables and chairs for meal times with the above
We will likely have to use one side of a dorm for our meetings and training, and hire cooking from outside.
All of the men were particularly excited about the development of the sports field across the ravine from the camp. This is on the original property purchased before the Rawlings came on board. It is a beautiful property and ideal location for our playing fields. It helps to expand the camp and allow breathing room for when we have hundreds of campers on the property for game times. Knowing the fanaticism of Tanzanian youth when it comes to soccer, they have ideas of using that area for sports related camps, etc. after the evangelistic camps are launched.
I will send several emails with some scaled down photos of our meeting. If you do not want to download them, delete those coming with "Photos" in the subject line. If you would like some full scale photos for printing, contact me with your request.
All for now. Thank you for praying,
Dave and Bonnie Jones
P.O. Box 986
Morogoro
Tanzania
For pictures and additional information about the Highlands Tanzania ministry, go to http://www.impactyouthww.com/
The Vision Casting meetings were Step One of our strategy for launching the youth camp ministry. Those of you in attendance at the annual BBMT meeting may remember we outlined 4 Strategical Steps.
Step One: Vision Casting (July 2009)
Step Two: Teaching and Training (December 2009)
Step Three: Preparing and Promoting (January-June 2010)
Step Four: Launching (June 2010)
Tentative dates were set for Step Two, the Teaching and Training camp, to be held here at the Highlands December 14th - 17th. This camp will be a training camp for leaders and youth who will serve in our first evangelistic camps. Only faithful leaders and young people from our churches will be invited to this training camp. There is a list of qualifications which must be met by all in attendance December. The qualifications are currently as follows:
1. Must be a saved, baptized member of the church
2. Must have a good testimony in the church and in the community
3. Must have a heart to do ministry in the church (either actively doing a ministry or eager to volunteer and do ministry when asked)
4. Must have a learning spirit and willing to receive instruction (either a Bible institute student or pursuing enrollment, etc)
5. Must be faithful in church services and youth meetings as well
6. Must be willing to pay the fee for the training camp (to be determined)
7. Must fulfill other qualifications (memorization verses to be issued as well as a book reading assignment)
8. Must be 15 years of age or older (unless a secondary school student of 14 years old)
Strategically, we are on schedule and on track for launching our first evangelistic camps in June of 2010. The concern is the construction and equipping of the camp. It is very unlikely that the camp will be fully ready to receive the leaders and youth for training in December. It is probable that we will have to make do with the facilities available and supplement with outside cooking, etc. I will be asking Bob to assist us by pushing for the following by December:
1. Two dorms operational with adequate running water and useable toilets and showers.
2. Enough beds and mattresses for sleeping 50 - 100 leaders and student leaders
3. Tables and chairs for meal times with the above
We will likely have to use one side of a dorm for our meetings and training, and hire cooking from outside.
All of the men were particularly excited about the development of the sports field across the ravine from the camp. This is on the original property purchased before the Rawlings came on board. It is a beautiful property and ideal location for our playing fields. It helps to expand the camp and allow breathing room for when we have hundreds of campers on the property for game times. Knowing the fanaticism of Tanzanian youth when it comes to soccer, they have ideas of using that area for sports related camps, etc. after the evangelistic camps are launched.
I will send several emails with some scaled down photos of our meeting. If you do not want to download them, delete those coming with "Photos" in the subject line. If you would like some full scale photos for printing, contact me with your request.
All for now. Thank you for praying,
Dave and Bonnie Jones
P.O. Box 986
Morogoro
Tanzania
For pictures and additional information about the Highlands Tanzania ministry, go to http://www.impactyouthww.com/
Thursday, July 16, 2009
A Day In The Life Of A Camp Director
"When Everything Goes Wrong"
It was our 2nd OSY camp. We have seen mini-riots in the dorms at 2 AM. We have confiscated shanks, knives, razor blades, narcotics, marijuana, alcohol, huffing products, pornography, cigarettes and much more. We have experience dealing with youth that arrive high and hallucinating, men and women hung-over and vomiting and even those who believe they are actually ghost people. We have separated gang members as they tried to beat up homosexuals. We have refined our schedule, our program and our staff; we are better prepared than ever before.
We felt confident going into our last camp of the month that we were going to have a great camp. Everyone was excited. We had had a great team-building staff devotion and meeting in the morning. We had spent time in prayer. We had special Christian Hip-Hop artists that were to share in the event in the evening, only adding to what we believe to be a great program and ministry for the at risk youth that arrive at these camps.
We had 462 campers present and plenty of experience. We believed God was going to do a great work in this last camp. Then it all went wrong.
The B-Boyz weren't going to show, so we changed the order of events. Then the left side of the sound went out, then the main speakers, leaving only the floor monitors. Then the B-Boyz texted and said they were coming. We changed the order of events again and began passing the changes through the chain of communication, but the chain broke and the M/C never got the message. He followed the old order. Now a glitch, with sound, lighting and stage dynamics. This was turning out to be a nightmare.
Wait the street cars were supposed to move in now, but one was out of position and we nearly ran over youth trying to get it in position for the B-Boyz, in the crowded auditorium. Oh, for crying out loud! Where is the sound? Why can't they hear the music!?! This is a disaster.
Okay we have sound now, and it looks like everyone is finally on the same page. Wow! Thank-you Lord we were able to reconnect the youth with the program. They really enjoyed the Hip-Hop lyrics and even sang the message of a new life in Christ. Now the drama - the final preparation of the soul before the preaching of God's precious Word.
What is going on now? Why is the band breaking down their instruments and the drum set now? This is crazy? Do they have to leave? Arghhh! Okay, the M/C did a good job of buying time and saving the moment from complete disaster.
Now the preaching - this is going very well, wait, what happened to the sound? He sounds like he his mouth has been duct taped by an angry gang member? Can anyone even understand what he is saying right now? Just take me home, Lord, please!
The sound is back up and clear, we can hear the message. I am going to go and get the counseling area ready for the invitation call. Oh, you have got to be kidding - we haven't had this problem in any of our previous camps. It is a torrential downpour and I think I just received an email from Noah with an attachment - "How to Build an Ark". The rain is coming down so hard on the metal roof, that even with the sound system the speaker cannot be heard, and he is giving the invitation right now.
I cannot move the youth to the counseling area; they will drown before they get under the roof. Now what? Plan "B". We move the staff around those who have come forward in the invitation and have them lock hands, forming a human chain-link fence around those under conviction. We dismiss the other campers to the dorms (should have gotten on the ark with the others) and we redistribute the chairs in small circles with a counselor in each circle. Now we begin to release those who responded to the altar call in small groups to meet with a counselor.
In 10 minutes all are seated, still dry and hearing the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The rain is still pounding but now it is very obvious that this has nothing to do with us, the program, the experience, the organization, plan "A" or plan "B", this has everything to do with a Sovereign God Who loves these youth and is offering to them His forgiveness of sins and gift of eternal life.
I stand amazed that in spite of all the glitches and proverbial monkey wrenches laying around the auditorium, youth are responding, tears are flowing, hearts are changing, God's Spirit is winning...the rain stops, it is quiet...there is peace. The enemy has been beaten back.
I am so thankful that this ministry does not depend upon me or any other person, but that the factors that are most important all depend upon God, His Word and His Spirit, and the completed work of His Son Jesus Christ. Tonight we witnessed the largest single response we have ever seen in our "Out Of School Youth" evangelism camps. 142 professions of faith!
When we are weak He is strong; when we can't, He can; when we won't, He will; when we don't know, He does.
What a night! What a lesson! What a blessing! What a battle! Thank-you for your prayers and support - you made a difference this night as you stood in the gap for us.
Allen Owen, Highlands Mexico
It was our 2nd OSY camp. We have seen mini-riots in the dorms at 2 AM. We have confiscated shanks, knives, razor blades, narcotics, marijuana, alcohol, huffing products, pornography, cigarettes and much more. We have experience dealing with youth that arrive high and hallucinating, men and women hung-over and vomiting and even those who believe they are actually ghost people. We have separated gang members as they tried to beat up homosexuals. We have refined our schedule, our program and our staff; we are better prepared than ever before.
We felt confident going into our last camp of the month that we were going to have a great camp. Everyone was excited. We had had a great team-building staff devotion and meeting in the morning. We had spent time in prayer. We had special Christian Hip-Hop artists that were to share in the event in the evening, only adding to what we believe to be a great program and ministry for the at risk youth that arrive at these camps.
We had 462 campers present and plenty of experience. We believed God was going to do a great work in this last camp. Then it all went wrong.
The B-Boyz weren't going to show, so we changed the order of events. Then the left side of the sound went out, then the main speakers, leaving only the floor monitors. Then the B-Boyz texted and said they were coming. We changed the order of events again and began passing the changes through the chain of communication, but the chain broke and the M/C never got the message. He followed the old order. Now a glitch, with sound, lighting and stage dynamics. This was turning out to be a nightmare.
Wait the street cars were supposed to move in now, but one was out of position and we nearly ran over youth trying to get it in position for the B-Boyz, in the crowded auditorium. Oh, for crying out loud! Where is the sound? Why can't they hear the music!?! This is a disaster.
Okay we have sound now, and it looks like everyone is finally on the same page. Wow! Thank-you Lord we were able to reconnect the youth with the program. They really enjoyed the Hip-Hop lyrics and even sang the message of a new life in Christ. Now the drama - the final preparation of the soul before the preaching of God's precious Word.
What is going on now? Why is the band breaking down their instruments and the drum set now? This is crazy? Do they have to leave? Arghhh! Okay, the M/C did a good job of buying time and saving the moment from complete disaster.
Now the preaching - this is going very well, wait, what happened to the sound? He sounds like he his mouth has been duct taped by an angry gang member? Can anyone even understand what he is saying right now? Just take me home, Lord, please!
The sound is back up and clear, we can hear the message. I am going to go and get the counseling area ready for the invitation call. Oh, you have got to be kidding - we haven't had this problem in any of our previous camps. It is a torrential downpour and I think I just received an email from Noah with an attachment - "How to Build an Ark". The rain is coming down so hard on the metal roof, that even with the sound system the speaker cannot be heard, and he is giving the invitation right now.
I cannot move the youth to the counseling area; they will drown before they get under the roof. Now what? Plan "B". We move the staff around those who have come forward in the invitation and have them lock hands, forming a human chain-link fence around those under conviction. We dismiss the other campers to the dorms (should have gotten on the ark with the others) and we redistribute the chairs in small circles with a counselor in each circle. Now we begin to release those who responded to the altar call in small groups to meet with a counselor.
In 10 minutes all are seated, still dry and hearing the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The rain is still pounding but now it is very obvious that this has nothing to do with us, the program, the experience, the organization, plan "A" or plan "B", this has everything to do with a Sovereign God Who loves these youth and is offering to them His forgiveness of sins and gift of eternal life.
I stand amazed that in spite of all the glitches and proverbial monkey wrenches laying around the auditorium, youth are responding, tears are flowing, hearts are changing, God's Spirit is winning...the rain stops, it is quiet...there is peace. The enemy has been beaten back.
I am so thankful that this ministry does not depend upon me or any other person, but that the factors that are most important all depend upon God, His Word and His Spirit, and the completed work of His Son Jesus Christ. Tonight we witnessed the largest single response we have ever seen in our "Out Of School Youth" evangelism camps. 142 professions of faith!
When we are weak He is strong; when we can't, He can; when we won't, He will; when we don't know, He does.
What a night! What a lesson! What a blessing! What a battle! Thank-you for your prayers and support - you made a difference this night as you stood in the gap for us.
Allen Owen, Highlands Mexico
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Baptisten Gemeinde (Baptist Church) of Aschaffenburg, Germany
It takes a lot of courage to release the familiar and seemingly secure, to embrace the new. But there is no real security in what is no longer meaningful. There is more security in the adventurous and exciting, for in movement there is life, and in change there is power. Alan Cohen
August 15 – 17th, 2008, Al Houck, missions director of Broadway Ave. Baptist Church and I had the privilege of attending Revofest, a new approach to evangelism and church planting, hosted and facilitated by the Baptisten Gemeinde (Baptist Church) of Aschaffenburg, Germany, Keith Gandy, BBFI Missionary and Pastor.
Last year Keith and his leadership team were challenged to step out and go beyond themselves by finding a way to export and expand their approach to church planting. The seed for Revofest was planted. The idea was to host a music festival featuring German, American, and European Christian bands to attract Christian and lost youth. Through this venue they would be able to present the gospel, and enhance the value of the local church to a youth culture that hasn’t been exposed to an effective church ministry. “ Bob Hines visited our leadership team in the summer of 2007 and challenged us to export our DNA. The church has grown 15% annually for over a decade and he felt that Germany needs just this kind of church. Our burden became to bring a young demographic together and challenge/resource them in order for them to create platforms of ministry that would be effective in impacting their own generation. If we reach them at the end of schooling, but before they fully enter the workforce and begin a family, we seek to inspire them to assume responsibility for reaching their communities for Christ and plant a church.” Keith Gandy
This was a grand task for a church of 300, for it required a budget beyond their means, and a work force of at least 100. With a gift from the Rawlings Foundation and the help of two churches in the states, they set out by faith to make this event happen….AND IT HAPPENED WITH EXCELLENCE!!!
With 16 bands that included Six Pence-None the Richer, Salvador, FireFlight, and Sarah Hughes, a work staff of 130, and the Lord’s leadership, Revofest was a resounding success. With approximately 900 total teens and young adults in attendance, it was held over a three day period, Friday through Sunday, with the music starting at 5:00 P.M. on Friday and Saturday evening. Classes and seminars were held on Saturday morning and afternoon. The young adults camped on location, were fed from a well organized feeding center, had excellent restroom and shower facilities, attended classes in buildings set up for teaching, and were all exposed to the beautiful 16th century Chateau that housed the entire event. “We desire to create a new movement, so it will require targeting innovators and early adopters, rather than those that simply duplicate or model what already exists. The entrepreneurs will be the ones to take risks, which is the requirement for creating new movements. The challenge of this, to spark their interes,t requires very trendy, inspirational platforms. Anything less than creative excellence will pancake among such minds.
Our leadership team thinks that exposing young people to experienced and proven leadership in a speaking venue is where the information can be conveyed. The challenge is to attract them to that environment. To target the 20-24 year age category we selected the platform of a major music festival. This is the only tool known to us that will presently attract major numbers of young people.” Keith Gandy
There was a constant flow of teens and young adults to the counseling area and reports are still being gathered on the number that were dealt with and saved.
Everyone that attended was impressed with the wonderful spirit that was present, how well everything was organized, and the quality of the music and classes. Keith brought a good message at the Sunday morning service where the gospel was clearly presented.
This festival was a new approach to the traditional youth camp held during the summer. “We know that many of our future pastors, church planters, and missionaries come from youth camps and we just haven’t had much success in reaching German youth with the traditional model, so we wanted to try something new.” Denny Gandy.
Was it successful?…Here are some comments of some of the participants:
Derrick Webster, Missionary from Switzerland : “This impact is going to be felt for the– next five years – It is huge for believers to create this kind of Synergy for the future.”
Andra – “This is Church reaching out to the community to bring souls in.
The impact is awesome, because they are reaching young people and our generation.”
Jo Anna – Reporter for German radio station– “I think it’s very great in a Christian way. I have never heard of any festival with a Christian emphasis.”
Tim Downs BBFI Missionary – Impact – The impact on the Church is significant. Young people are being impacted that wouldn’t have been associated with the church in any way. Many young people don’t think about church, even though they may think about God, and this is a way for the church to connect with them. I think this approach is going to be a stretch for some people, but the reality is if we are going to reach them, we have to connect with them where they live.
Denny – A lot of things surprised me. It has been really great for our church but especially for church growth in the future. Our people got a vision for the importance of the church and what a church can do. Many of the people that have been saved in our church have come from State churches (Catholic) and have never seen a church that has a passion for people or passion for a project like this. I think this is a very good start for what God is wanting to do in Germany.
One teen who confessed he was not a Christian said “This is so fantastic, this has to spread”
Keith and Debby Gandy have been BBFI missionaries to Germany for 28 years and have built a great church and ministry in Aschaffenburg. All three of their children are active in the ministry, with Denny, their oldest son serving as Associate Pastor and is involved in planting a new church in the area. Their son-in-law, Christoph is their worship leader and their daughter, Lisa, and youngest son, Robert are actively involved in the ministry of the church. Keith is also aided in this ministry by Renea Thompson and Linda Fitzgerald, two BBFI missionaries. Frustrated by the inability to build a ministry that was effective in evangelism and church planting, Keith decided to change his methods and began using a more contemporary approach to worship with an emphasis on young couples and youth. The results have been a church averaging 280, a facility that the church has built valued at more the 1 million euros, and a passion for evangelism and church planting. They are committed to creating a model for evangelism and church planting in Germany that will accelerate the fulfilling of the Great Commission and make an impact on Germany and the rest of Europe.
If you would like for Keith and Debby to come to your church and share the vision and opportunity this ministry presents, please contact him at the following address:
Keith Gandy
Schweinheimerstr. 13
63743 Aschaffenburg
Germany
Church Phone – 001 49 6021 218415
Bob Hines
iMap
August 15 – 17th, 2008, Al Houck, missions director of Broadway Ave. Baptist Church and I had the privilege of attending Revofest, a new approach to evangelism and church planting, hosted and facilitated by the Baptisten Gemeinde (Baptist Church) of Aschaffenburg, Germany, Keith Gandy, BBFI Missionary and Pastor.
Last year Keith and his leadership team were challenged to step out and go beyond themselves by finding a way to export and expand their approach to church planting. The seed for Revofest was planted. The idea was to host a music festival featuring German, American, and European Christian bands to attract Christian and lost youth. Through this venue they would be able to present the gospel, and enhance the value of the local church to a youth culture that hasn’t been exposed to an effective church ministry. “ Bob Hines visited our leadership team in the summer of 2007 and challenged us to export our DNA. The church has grown 15% annually for over a decade and he felt that Germany needs just this kind of church. Our burden became to bring a young demographic together and challenge/resource them in order for them to create platforms of ministry that would be effective in impacting their own generation. If we reach them at the end of schooling, but before they fully enter the workforce and begin a family, we seek to inspire them to assume responsibility for reaching their communities for Christ and plant a church.” Keith Gandy
This was a grand task for a church of 300, for it required a budget beyond their means, and a work force of at least 100. With a gift from the Rawlings Foundation and the help of two churches in the states, they set out by faith to make this event happen….AND IT HAPPENED WITH EXCELLENCE!!!
With 16 bands that included Six Pence-None the Richer, Salvador, FireFlight, and Sarah Hughes, a work staff of 130, and the Lord’s leadership, Revofest was a resounding success. With approximately 900 total teens and young adults in attendance, it was held over a three day period, Friday through Sunday, with the music starting at 5:00 P.M. on Friday and Saturday evening. Classes and seminars were held on Saturday morning and afternoon. The young adults camped on location, were fed from a well organized feeding center, had excellent restroom and shower facilities, attended classes in buildings set up for teaching, and were all exposed to the beautiful 16th century Chateau that housed the entire event. “We desire to create a new movement, so it will require targeting innovators and early adopters, rather than those that simply duplicate or model what already exists. The entrepreneurs will be the ones to take risks, which is the requirement for creating new movements. The challenge of this, to spark their interes,t requires very trendy, inspirational platforms. Anything less than creative excellence will pancake among such minds.
Our leadership team thinks that exposing young people to experienced and proven leadership in a speaking venue is where the information can be conveyed. The challenge is to attract them to that environment. To target the 20-24 year age category we selected the platform of a major music festival. This is the only tool known to us that will presently attract major numbers of young people.” Keith Gandy
There was a constant flow of teens and young adults to the counseling area and reports are still being gathered on the number that were dealt with and saved.
Everyone that attended was impressed with the wonderful spirit that was present, how well everything was organized, and the quality of the music and classes. Keith brought a good message at the Sunday morning service where the gospel was clearly presented.
This festival was a new approach to the traditional youth camp held during the summer. “We know that many of our future pastors, church planters, and missionaries come from youth camps and we just haven’t had much success in reaching German youth with the traditional model, so we wanted to try something new.” Denny Gandy.
Was it successful?…Here are some comments of some of the participants:
Derrick Webster, Missionary from Switzerland : “This impact is going to be felt for the– next five years – It is huge for believers to create this kind of Synergy for the future.”
Andra – “This is Church reaching out to the community to bring souls in.
The impact is awesome, because they are reaching young people and our generation.”
Jo Anna – Reporter for German radio station– “I think it’s very great in a Christian way. I have never heard of any festival with a Christian emphasis.”
Tim Downs BBFI Missionary – Impact – The impact on the Church is significant. Young people are being impacted that wouldn’t have been associated with the church in any way. Many young people don’t think about church, even though they may think about God, and this is a way for the church to connect with them. I think this approach is going to be a stretch for some people, but the reality is if we are going to reach them, we have to connect with them where they live.
Denny – A lot of things surprised me. It has been really great for our church but especially for church growth in the future. Our people got a vision for the importance of the church and what a church can do. Many of the people that have been saved in our church have come from State churches (Catholic) and have never seen a church that has a passion for people or passion for a project like this. I think this is a very good start for what God is wanting to do in Germany.
One teen who confessed he was not a Christian said “This is so fantastic, this has to spread”
Keith and Debby Gandy have been BBFI missionaries to Germany for 28 years and have built a great church and ministry in Aschaffenburg. All three of their children are active in the ministry, with Denny, their oldest son serving as Associate Pastor and is involved in planting a new church in the area. Their son-in-law, Christoph is their worship leader and their daughter, Lisa, and youngest son, Robert are actively involved in the ministry of the church. Keith is also aided in this ministry by Renea Thompson and Linda Fitzgerald, two BBFI missionaries. Frustrated by the inability to build a ministry that was effective in evangelism and church planting, Keith decided to change his methods and began using a more contemporary approach to worship with an emphasis on young couples and youth. The results have been a church averaging 280, a facility that the church has built valued at more the 1 million euros, and a passion for evangelism and church planting. They are committed to creating a model for evangelism and church planting in Germany that will accelerate the fulfilling of the Great Commission and make an impact on Germany and the rest of Europe.
If you would like for Keith and Debby to come to your church and share the vision and opportunity this ministry presents, please contact him at the following address:
Keith Gandy
Schweinheimerstr. 13
63743 Aschaffenburg
Germany
Church Phone – 001 49 6021 218415
Bob Hines
iMap
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