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Edition Issue 28 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 the Let’s Fish link.
Greetings from Allentown!
3. Nelson’s Short-Term Nuggets 4. Trips in the works (updated weekly)
If you are a regular reader of Let’s Fish, you know that I have been advocating journal writing while on a missions trip. God teaches you so many lessons, you see so much, you meet so many people, and you would never be able to keep all of this information in your memory. It is after you get home that your journal takes on a special significance as you reread all that you learned and saw. There is however a tremendous value in taking the time to process a day on paper prior to going to bed.
Here is this week’s entry from Brianne Riley:
Greetings, everyone! My name is Brianne Riley and I am currently a senior at Penn State University. I a writing to share a little about Good News in the Park, a children’s ministry that was run this summer at Grace Bible Fellowship Church in Reading, PA. The Lord not only worked in the hearts of children that came but also in my heart as I ministered to them!
We were given the privilege of going to three parks this summer in the city of Reading during July. When we arrived at the parks, we had different groups work on setting up the puppet stage, walking through the neighborhoods to invite children, and setting up a table for face painting and balloons. There were always a handful of children there when we arrived and many more came after receiving the invitation. Many parents were there, which was a great opportunity to present the Gospel message to them as well! The kids were naturally very excited about the face painting and balloon animals; they really put our team to work! After face painting and balloons, we called the kids over to the puppet stage where we would present the message. Our puppeteers performed 4 songs for the children that had familiar tunes but with Christian lyrics. There were many giggles and smiles as they preformed. Within these songs, I tied in the song’s message with the Gospel message for the children.
I asked the children lots of questions throughout my talk and was encouraged to find that many children had heard of Jesus and about his gift of love. I was also encouraged to see that the parents were attentive as well and brought their children to hear the message. After the puppet and message were done, church members met with a small handful of children as well as parents to talk with them more personally about what they had heard.
Praise the Lord, we had several children make a profession of faith and we were able to send every child and parent home with tracks in their language (there were many Spanish-speaking families). Many of our church members commented on the vulnerability of those they talked with and how they were open to the message. I think many of us did not expect to be so welcomed in the parks. At one park, a woman begged us to come back and told us that parents and children love to have church groups come to their community. There is clearly a spiritual hunger there!
I thank God that He called me to be involved in this ministry this summer and that He used us for His glory to bring the little children unto Him. I was personally touched in seeing the spiritual hunger of the people in our city. Both children and parents are searching for the fulfillment that is not found on this earth. God definitely used this experience to open my eyes to the need for city ministry, and I am planning to use my teaching degree as my mission field in an inner city school as a result.
Dana,
I just rec'd an email this morning that one of our college students is considering going to Urbana. I know that you had sent out some information about the BFC taking a group out or something like that. Please give me whatever info you think I would need to give to this student.
Thanks, Andy C
Hi Andy,
We are not at this point organizing anything from the BFC for Urbana because I could not get an adult driver. We are unable to borrow or rent a van without an adult usually over 25 to drive because of insurance. I am encouraging young people to see if there is any transportation provided by their college student group. I will also provide any leads I may receive here in the office on the Let’s Fish site. I encorage any students looking for rides to post their needs on the Let’t Fish site. Or use the Board of Missions website forum that has a section for Urbana discussion. Go to www.bfcbom.org then click "Missions Events" then "Missions Forum". Press the button to enter the forum, register and you can post your thoughts or suggestions there.
Thanks Dana
Dear Dana,
Welcome Susan all of us greet you! DEW
Write me. I love e-mail!
3. Nelson’s Short-Term Nuggets
Live It’s Saturday Night, No It’s Minnesota and Morocco!!!!!!
Well August was the month to visit the M spots!! In early August I traveled with a group of teens and adults from Cedar Crest Bible Fellowship to Minnesota to visit the Pollocks. During the week we provided a Vacation Bible School program to a group of about twenty children and were involved in several work projec5ts such as painting, cutting of firewood, weed whacking, distribution of gravel and general cleanup stuff. Please continue to pray for the Pollocks and their ministry on the Red Lake Indian Reservation. The people I met, both adults and children, were very unmotivated. As a result, they expect everything to be done for them. Pray specifically that God would send men to the church that provide the supportive leadership needed for the church to grow.
In late August I led a small team of four to Azrou, Morocco to visit the Children’s Haven. During our stay we provided a Vacation Bible School program (I see a trend here) for the children. We were also involved in a few small work projects and provided games for the children each evening before dinner. Please pray that God would send more couples to the Haven that would be interested in taking in the many babies that are offered to them each week, and pray that the Haven staff would continue to be a light in a very, very, very dark land. Please also pray for the graduates of the Haven as they find work in Morocco and find a place to worship!!!!!!!!!!!!
4. Trips in the works (updated weekly)
The Board of Missions is keeping statistics of all short term missionary trips (both by teams and individuals). As you can see the 2003 trips are quickly coming to an end. Please register your 2004 trips as soon as they materialize. WHO, WHAT, CHURCH, MISSIONARY, COUNTRY, and DATE. Contact: office@bfcbom.org
Aug. 30 - Dec. 1 Pastor Carl & Charlene Cassel in Kenya, Carl to teach at Moffat College of Bible and Charlene, hostess at Kijabe Motel. Trips highlighted need our prayer support RIGHT NOW! < ³t> September 18- 29 Royersford Barnabas Team to visit with the Moyer's in France and with Rick Erb in the Ukraine. September 19- 29 Royersford Work Team to put roof on Church building in Palowice, Poland. Sep. 26-Oct. 11 Serbia Trip Reading (spaces available) Oct. 9 - 17; work trip to Guatemala (Mi Refugio). Building skills sought. Several from the BFC mid-Hudson churches are planning to go -- elder Hans Waldvogel (Faith BFC, Holmes, NY) is the contact person hwaldvog@jhmc.org October date to be determined Cedar Crest to Kosovo Work and ministry.
Don’t forget to register your 2004 trips!!!
Mark your Calendar! Short term Missions Symposium
Purpose: To gather the leadership from all short term efforts of local BF Churches over the past months to debrief and to plan for the future.
Time: September 19th 6:00 p.m.
Place: Blandon Bible Fellowship Church
Cost: $7.00 Topics covered:
>My #1 “best idea” that I will use in every future trip. Round table. >My #1 “worst idea” that was a total flop never to be repeated. Round table. >Partnership opportunities now available with BFC missionaries. >Craftsmen mobilized and ready when needed >Long term ministry partnerships. >Preparing for your trip part 1 Bonding and Training. >Preparing for your trip Part 2 Practical ideas >Fund raiser ideas and IRS issues >Church preparation for individuals going “solo”. >BOM resources >If you can’t debrief don’t go. Getting the long term advantage
Don’t Miss It!!!
Register today office@bfcbom.org
Fallout 2003
Fallout 2003 is just days away and do we have a line up for you!!! Bands like Audio Adrenaline, Five Iron Frenzy, Skillet, Daniels Window (coming to Fallout and Sno-Glo 2004)...Sports all day with a 3 on 3 basketball tournament, 6 on 6 volleyball tournament, skatepark and bike park...acoustic cafe for your kids to come and show us their talent...youth leaders free lunch at 3:00pm sponsored by Compassion and a whole lot more!!!
Fallout 2003
is an event sponsored in part by the BFC and the date is
Saturday September 13th
from 12:00noon to
9:15pm.
Tickets for groups will be $20 for 15 or more people and $22 for individuals.
Tickets are on sale at www.itickets.com, Hackmans Bible Book Store, Provident
in Souderton or get from Billy Dunn at the Emmaus Bible Fellowship Church. (editor’s note: See You at the Pole should be a MUST for all H.S. Let’s Fishers. Standing outside your high school and praying with other believers may be a bolder step for you to take than was your missions experience this summer. BE BOLD! For your post H.S. Let’s Fishers Fallout requires a host of volunteers. Why not be involved in this great event by volunteering your time! E-mail Pastor Billy at wdunn7@aol.com. It will take 250 volunteers to work this mammoth event.)
Don't miss our 2nd
Annual College Fair
coming the weekend of October 3rd and 4th!!!!
Representatives from
Christian
Colleges will be there to answer questions, as will financial aid officers who
will also host workshops. Other seminars will deal with spiritual and
intellectual issues that may confront the new college freshman. Last year's
College Fair was a great success, even though it was our very first. If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Claude Gates via e-mail at: cgates@sunlink.net , or Dr. John Studenroth at: studenroth@juno.com.
Stop! And let me tell you what the Lord has done for me. He forgave my sins and he saved my soul, He cleansed my heart and he made me whole. Stop! And let me tell you what the Lord has done for me.
I learned this chorus when I was just a kid nearly fifty years ago! We would have a blast holding up a cardboard stop sign. In the past fifty years, I have not found a witnessing tool that more clearly teaches what it means to be a witness. Let me tell you what the Lord has done for me! That is what witnessing is all about.
There was a second verse to the chorus. Holding up a green go sign we would sing:
Go and tell the nations what the Lord has done for you!
Again I have no advice that is more profound than that! This is missions! Make it a habit in your college, high school or place of employment to always remember the little red stop sign and green go sign that was probably part of your Sunday School or Bible School experience!
Most of all, Keep Fishing!
Dana
Reminder
November 14-16 BOM Missions RWR This annual work/study weekend sponsored by the BOM is for high school and post high school young people serious about knowing God’s will for their life and the possibility of career missions. This weekend fills up quickly so register early by e-mail to office@bfcbom.org. Name, age, church, e-mail and snail mail address, and phone # required. Registrations are already coming in! Don’t miss out!
September September 19 Short Term Debriefing Round-up December 27- January 1 Urbana
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
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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