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This is the Sixth issue of Let’s Fish. Bible Fellowship Churches sharing resources to evangelize the world. A place for the exchange of ideas on short term missions projects and local outreach. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." All responses can be sent to office@bfcbom.org Current and past issues can be found on the web at: www.bfcbom.org look in “Mission Events” then Let’s Fish Greetings from Allentown! We are beginning to get responses back from you the readers! This is very exciting to read the mail of such an energetic and enthusiastic group of mission minded people. Our youngest readers are in Jr. High School, and our oldest readers are pushing thirty-nine (really pushing it!!!) I will include some lines from these letters.
I am seriously trying to get all of our BFC missions trips recorded. If there is a trip either individually or a group going from your church please let me know. The list below will be updated weekly. 2. Here is a Book for Your Toolbox Title:
Speaking of Jesus: How to tell your friends the best news
they will ever hear Author:
Mack Stiles
Downers Grove,
Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1996 "Following God is a strange business, filled with wonder," (pg 28) says Mack Stiles in his book, Speaking of Jesus. Through lively, humorous and often moving stories about everyday people sharing their faith in everyday situations, Mack shows how we can talk about Jesus so people will listen. Mack knows it’s not easy being a witness in the real world. For instance, when he was a student, one spring break he decided to join InterVarsity’s Fort Lauderdale beach evangelism project. “The beach itself was a zoo - all those almost-naked people ... Everyone’s sound system roared loudly enough to drown out the noise of the surf ... Then it dawned on me: “I’m supposed to share the gospel with them!” I felt I was trying to invade Normandy in a rowboat with a squirt gun. I felt daunted, then ill” (pg 44-5). He could have turned around and gone home. But he didn’t. Mack hung out where the action was, made friends with total strangers and found numerous opportunities to talk about Jesus! He had expected to “do evangelism”; instead he learned to love and pray for people, be equipped to tell the truth about Jesus, and to seize opportunities to share the Gospel naturally and relevantly with others. Mack helps us see evangelism differently—that God works through people who are available, not only those with the weighty seminary degrees. He says, “I can be a positive evangelist today not because I’ve hypnotized myself in front of a mirror, but because I came to believe what the Bible says about me is true” (pg 105). Speaking of Jesus is a book that every Christian who has ever struggled with being a witness should read. It gives a healthy, biblical perspective on how Christians can “go physically and mentally into all the world: to Africa and non-Christian cubicles at work, to Congress and smoking sections of restaurants, even to Florida beaches” (pg 45) to tell others about Jesus. It takes courage to tell people why you are a Christian and why you believe Jesus is the only way through which we can have a relationship with God. As you tell your story, remember these elements that Robbie outlined:
3. Sexual Abstinence Before Marriage becoming a Worldwide Theme Sexual abstinence before marriage, especially among young people, was the theme of a series of concerts in Ecuador this month led by Abner Pérez, a graduate of the HCJB World Radio's Christian Center of Communications (CCC), and his younger brother, Daniel. Missionaries Michio Ozaki and Ty Stakes joined the two brothers and three other Ecuadorian musicians as part of a seven-man band that presented contemporary Christian music in three cities -- Quito, Ambato and Manta. "The response was great," Ozaki said. "More than 600 high school students attended the three concerts. We sang a several songs with styles ranging from rock to pop and jazz. Then we showed some videos with the same title of our theme song, 'El Verdadero Amor Espera' (True Love Waits). These were mini-dramas showing how sex before marriage destroys the relationship rather than building it." The Pérez brothers wrote the music, while the videos were produced by Abner as part of his final CCC project to make four 60-second TV spots, urging young people to wait for sex until marriage. "It was a great theme to present in the month of February with Valentine's Day," said Ozaki, adding that the brothers have produced two Christian music CDs. A couple from Medical Assistance Program International, a Christian-based organization involved in community development worldwide, accompanied the team, giving their Christ-centered presentation of abstinence as God's choice rather than "safe sex." The couple is involved an AIDS awareness and prevention program in Ecuador. Note: As all of you who have attended a Board of Missions RWR know, there is nothing that will side track your desire to serve the Lord like sexual impurity. Please read, I Thessalonians 4:3 and Romans 12:1-2. Please send to Let’s Fish teen promoted abstinence events that were a success in your youth group. It is an idea that works! Know why? God said it! Response to an open door for ministry “I am soooooo excited and I really feel as if this is a major answer to prayer. God is behind this all the way and I am really excited. Thanks so much for all your prayer, love and encouragement!!!” ..Rebecca Inquiry on Urbana Hello Mr. Weller, I was wondering if there is a deadline for registering for Urbana, and what the cost is. Also, will a group of BFC youth and young adults be going that I can tie in with? Thanks, Caryn Keep looking for announcements in Let's fish. We will probably be gearing up for his in August. If you want information and prices you can go to: We will attempt to get a group together and provide transportation. Last one I was at was absolutely awesome! Blessings, Dana
Response to the article on persecution in Viet Nam: Dana, I sent the paragraph on persecution of Vietnamese Christians to the Vietnam embassy (e-mail) I'll let you know their response. dave Letter from a H.S. student: I guess I'm one of those people saying, "Please, please call me to be a missionary if You would possibly be willing to." I don't know if I've always wanted it for the right reasons, but I have found, or I should say I have been found, by a God worth sharing. He has promised that He has foreordained good works for us to do, and I would love it if He would have it in a foreign country where people haven't heard about Him that He wanted to use me. I have started learning Russian this year; I would like to go on one of the Operation Carelift trips when I finish high school.
Keep those letters rolling in!!! 5. A Great Place to get Involved! Dear Dana, Please list as a short term mission project: Paris Prayer Conference 2003 June 7-13, 2003. Contact: David Riddell at: www.david.riddell@wanadoo.fr or call World Team (215-491-4900) and ask for Tim Smith to receive a brochure. In His grace, David David & Rebecca RIDDELL France V.I.E. (World Team France) 4, Val de la Raviniere 95520 Osny FRANCE 6. Trips in the works (updated weekly) The Board of Missions is keeping statistics of all short term missionary trips (both by teams and individuals). Please let us know all the important information about your trip. WHO, WHAT, CHURCH, MISSIONARY, COUNTRY, and DATE. Contact: office@bfcbom.org To Date the following ministries being done by BFC’ers have been registered with Let’s Fish. Feb. 4-12 - Coopersburg, York, and Blandon doing renovation work in Guadalupe. (See item 1 above) Feb.19-22 - Frances Sears to stay with the Lawrence children. Feb. 21-March 2 - Coopersburg Kenya Trip. March 14-24 - LBC trip to Morocco including team members from BFC churches in Lebanon, Newark, York and Emmaus. (See item 7) March (Date not established) - Cedar Crest work team to Newark N.J. with missionaries Toto Felecia Baran. May 10 - One day ministry blitz through out the tri-state area as part of Emmaus Mission Conference. May 14-28 - Cedar Crest & Quakertown Tanzania Trip Building Dispensary. Skilled builders may still be needed! June 7-13 - Paris Prayer Conference 2003 www.david.riddell@wanadoo.fr June 11 - Rebecca Zubrick Costa Rica with Lillian Solt July date to be determined Cedar Crest to Morocco. Work team and ministry. August 2-18 - Emmaus Ukraine Trip doing puppet shows, drama, music and coffee house ministry as well as a morning camp program with Push-the-Rock each morning. August 10-24 - Cedar Crest trip to Pollocks. Team of 25 for work and ministry August 16-23 - Emmaus going to Wissinoming BFC for VBS and evangelistic puppet shows.
October date to be determined Cedar Crest to Kosovo Work and ministry. 7. Youth Group Looking for another Youth Group for Ministry Grace BFC in Quakertown is looking for another small youth group to partner with for a one week service/missions observation trip this summer. We are looking to go on a trip in early August or late July. Contact: Dave Peters primum99@yahoo.com to discuss the opportunities. We have contact with a few ministries that are currently working on possibilities. We would also appreciate input from missionaries and/or ministries who would be willing to partner with us. Thanks, Dave David Peters Grace Bible Fellowship Church Quakertown, PA David Peters [primum99@yahoo.com]
Editor’s Note This is one of the main purposes of Let’s Fish. Dave’s request will go out to all of our missionary family this Friday morning. I hope you find both a ministry AND another youth group! 8. Outreach Project for your Church or Youth Group Subject: Help put our door hangers We are looking for churches to help distribute door hangers on Saturday April 12th 2003 from 10am-2pm. Youth and adults wanted. Lunch will be provided by Lighthouse Church. It will be for our Easter Service. Contact John Pello at 610-437-4657 or jnjdygr4277@msn.com Thanks -John Pello. Editor’s Note: Never overlook the city as a place of ministry. The following just happened last evening in the Lighthouse neighborhood: ¡Hola Everyone! I just found out that the lifeless body of one of our young neighbors has been found. She disappear about 5:30pm last night. A police officer woke us up this morning (4:45am) when they were asking the neighbors if they had seen Danny. She was 12 years old. Danny was also was a playmate and schoolmate of Damairam and Elliot. This morning I visited with the family and was informed of the horrendous news. It has been a disturbing news to us. Please keep the Reese family in your prayers. I am asking for pointers to how to minister to this needed family. Let me know. In Xristos, ELLIOT (Elliot Ramos is pastor of Lighthouse BFC.)
There is excitement in the air as we approach the time when so many of you will be doing a service or ministry for the Lord cross-culturally. I leave you with three statements that Paul gave to Timothy. Apply them at school, at work, and certainly in your ministry for Christ: -Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. -No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs--he wants to please his commanding officer. - Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules. Forwards! Forwards! The bright trumpets flare. Forwards! Forwards! Youth knows no dangers. Is the goal still so high? Youth is up to it, though! Young people can do so much! However they can also die for wrong causes. The words of the above song were not sung by a BFC youth group but rather it is the German Hitler Youth Theme Song - Vorwärts! Vorwärts! Schmettern die hellen Fanfaren. Thousands of teens would sing: We march for Hitler through night and through hardship With the flag of youth for freedom and sustenance. Our flag flutters before us. Our flag represents the new era. And the flag carries us into eternity! Yes, the flag is greater than death! If you have a passion to follow, a passion to serve, a passion to give of your life, THEN focus on the Lord! Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. See you next week! A cooperative effort of the churches of the BFC to win the world for Christ Your response is always welcome at: office@bfcbom.org 610 398-8776
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