Ministry Spotlight - Strong Point Ministries

Bro. J.T. Strong left for Kenya today. He will return in November. God has opened up so many doors for ministry in this part of the world. Here is an exert from the site that will inform you of the work that is taking place: 

Strong Point Ministries is currently working in the Western Province of Kenya, leading personal evangelistic efforts, equipping the church to do evangelism, and caring for fatherless and needy children. We have a burden to go into very remote villages where the gospel has not reached and lead those precious souls to the Lord Jesus Christ.  We also desire to help the local pastors and leaders become equipped to do the work of the Lord and preach the gospel. We are so thankful for the mighty ways God is moving in the hearts of people in the tropical, green hills of Western Kenya. Many are coming to Christ through the power of the gospel, and countless lives have been and are being changed. We have passed out tens of thousands of gospel tracts in this area and brought thousands of Bibles into this area where many cannot afford to buy a Bible due to the endemic poverty in Africa. Many have been saved through these efforts, and we expect to see many more brought to the Saviour. Pastors have also been taught many things about evangelism through conferences and personal discipleship that have increased their knowledge and zeal for sharing the gospel. We believe that personal discipleship to pastors is one of the most powerful ways to see a lasting change in Western Kenya. The Holy Spirit has put a burning desire in our hearts for the native people become equipped to do personal evangelism. Jesus said "GO YE into all the world and preach the gospel" so we desire to equip our brothers and sisters to carry out the great commission. There is a strong spirit of dependency in Africa, and this is a powerful stronghold of the devil to keep the church in Africa from being what God has called it to be. However, we believe through teaching these people and showing them the love and humility of Christ this nation can be changed, one person at a time.

The Bible teaches us that pure religion before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and the widows in their affliction, that God is a father to the fatherless, and we are to defend the poor and needy (James 1:27, Psa. 68:5, Psa. 82:3-4). Therefore Strong Point Ministries has a true burden to care for the fatherless children of Africa. We have a children's home called Hand of Mercy Children's home in Mungatsi, Kenya where we house children who come from various backgrounds of poverty, suffering, and hopelessness. However, now they have been given hope physically, mentally, and spiritually. Our faithful and godly brother Pastor Morgan Otundo lives at Hand of Mercy Children's home, and is the spiritual father to our children. The children love him so much that they refer to him as "daddy." Hand of Mercy Children's home is not an "orphanage" but a loving family. We have taken children off the streets where they were daily surrounded with harsh conditions along with the terrible realities of drugs, alcohol, prostitution, which lead certain death. We have taken others who have been neglected or mistreated by their families. We have also taken children whose parents have died, and were left lonely, heartbroken, and confused.  However, through Hand of Mercy Children's home our children now have a loving family, a safe place to sleep, and plenty of wholesome food. Children we have taken in who had no opportunity to receive an education are now some of the brightest students in their classes. Children who knew nothing about the love of Jesus Christ have now experienced His saving grace and are even leading others to Jesus. Our Hand of Mercy children are very fine preachers who go through the local villages sharing the love of Christ with many people, and many have received Christ through seeing the witness and testimony of these wonderful children along with the mighty miracles that God has done through Hand of Mercy Children's home. Our children attend church services each Sunday where they often lead worship, and every morning before school and every night before bed they have a Bible study, praise and worship songs, and prayer. These children are truly being raised up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Hand of Mercy Children's home is a very special place that God has His hand of mercy upon!

Bro. J.T told me that a door has opened for prison ministry, also. Please keep him and other brothers that will be joining him later. Be sure to visit the website @ http://strongpointministries.com/

Gospel Tract Spotlight - Are You A Good American?

The Fourth Of July is just around the corner. The "Are You A Good American?" is a great tract for this time of the year. This one is in the Bezeugen Tract Club for July. I have gave this one to several people, wishing them a Happy Fourth. I'll say "Here's your Fourth of July Gospel tract!". I will ask "Did you get your Fourth of July tract?". 

This tract blends in with any display that has the American flag. I gave one to a Vietnamese man the other night at Fred's when I saw him with Fourth of July decorations. Keep a watch on the As You Go blog  @ http://www.bezeugen.org/asyougo

as I post about places  where I leave this one. Firework stands and displays welcome this one with ease. It can be ordered through onemilliontracts.com Here is the message on the tract: 

America is a wonderful country, but what does it mean to be a good American? Is it someone who loves baseball? Football? Beer? How about this question, are you a good person? The Bible says in Proverbs 20:6 "Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness." Let's see if you qualify as being a good person. Have you ever told a lie? Have you ever stolen anything, irrespective of its value? Jesus said, "I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart" (Matthew 5:28). Have you ever looked at someone with lust? The Bible says that if someone hates another person they are a murderer (I John 3:15). Have you ever hated anyone? If you have answered "Yes" to the previous questions, then you have admitted that you are a liar, a thief, an adulterer and a murderer and we've only looked at 4 of the 10 Commandments. If God were to judge you by this standard would you be innocent or guilty? You know you are guilty and deserving of an eternity in Hell. Do you still think you are a good person or do you now understand that you are a sinner (Romans 3:23, I John 3:4) and deserve the wrath of God? Jesus Christ came to earth and died a criminal's death not because He had broken the Law, but because we had. Romans 5:8 "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." What should you do? Repent, turn from your sins and put your complete faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. 

Friday Night Evangelism - June 7, 2013

Bro. Gary, Bro. J.J., and I met up to go to our hot spot, the Trial Bar, for preaching and witnessing. We usually meet at the Monroe Walmart parking lot at 9:30. From there, we go to the Cracker Barrel convenience store to load up a few beer cases with tracts and get water. Before we go to the bars, we have our prayer walk where we pray while we walk to a set of railroad tracks. On the way to the tracks, i offered a "Get Out Of Hell Free" tract to a man that was walking by us. He didn't take it.
Two bands were playing at the Trial. I brought our cross with "Are you Ready? on it. I've been wanting to do this for a while. I bought a pack of 4" adhesive letters from Office Depot at lunch time Friday. This was inspired by Tony Miano, Paul Latour, and Vernon Costello. They use one that is smaller. I want to get one like theirs soon. Bro Gary held it up for most of the night. I preached first. Our first conversation was with a man named Jack. He was interested in what we were doing. He said that he family was not religious. We talked about the Gospel and how Jesus took our place. I gave him a tract before he left. We pray that Jack gets saved soon! Kenny came out to ask us if we were protesting. He is from Southern California where he said he had never seen what we were doing. Bro. Gary and Bro. J.J. told him that we were talking about the Gospel. He seemed to have his own brand of Christianity. He took a tract from all three of us. Bro. J.J. was able to preach for a little time before the first band played. Jerry came out and talked with Bro. J.J. for a long time. He, too, had his own way with God. A troubled young man came over to tell us that we weren't helping anyone and he was aggravated about what we were doing. He suggested that we pick up trash or wash someone's feet. He picked up some trash around us and some in front of the bar so we could see him helping out. I think he may have been on something. A another young man showed me his Jesus tattoo as he was going toward the bar. He had been drinking a few. After Jerry and Bro. J.J. finished their conversation, we called it a night. Where will you share the Gospel this week?

Gospel Tract Spotlight: A New One From Bezeugen Ministries

This is posted by Carl Kalbfliesh on the Bezeugen Ministries Tract Club website: 

The story of the On a Scale of 0 to 100 tract

While some friends and I were out witnessing at the mall  during lunch one day, we were talking about different ways to transition a conversation from the natural to the spiritual. We often do this by asking people questions. One friend suggested the question "On a scale of 1 to 100, how sure are you that you would go to Heaven when you die?" The question is right to the point and covers a number of scenarios. Even professing Christians that go to church every Sunday might answer less than 100. And the unbelievers most certainly would answer less than 100. Regardless of the persons answer there is always a follow-up question to consider. Let's look at the possibilities.

If the person answers 100%, then we can follow up with something like "WOW! You really sound confident. What makes you so sure that you will go to Heaven?" Now at this point the person can profess their faith in Jesus. If so, great, we are talking to a brother (or sister) in Christ. I like to ask some follow-up questions like if they are reading their Bible regularly, what church they attend, how they got saved, etc. Most true believers will be encouraged by these types of questions.

If they answered 100%, but then when we ask them why they come up with something about religion, or anything other than repentance and faith in Jesus, then it leads to a Gospel presentation. Similarly, if someone answers anything less than 100%, then you can ask them if they'd like to be sure and you can share the Gospel with them.

We have found that this question is a good conversation starter. We have been using it effectively for some time now, so, we printed the question on the front of a new tract which is in the July 2013 mailing.

Chris, Daniel, and The Man Who Doesn't Believe There Is A Heaven

I originally posted this in the As You Go Blog at http://www.bezeugen.org/asyougo

Friday night at Walmart, I gave out several tracts as we went through the store. I spotted a young man walking with his attention on his iPhone. I slipped him “Name 10 Things On Your Bucket List” as he walked by. A few minutes later, he came back to ask “What is a bucket list?”. He had never heard the phrase “kick the bucket”. His name is Chris and is 18 years old. I explained that it was used to talk about when someone dies. He said that he wasn’t saved. I took him through 4 of the 10 commandments. He said that he would be guilty and would go to hell. We talked for several more minutes. I encouraged him to repent and put his trust in Jesus. There are a lot more young people out there like Chris. We need to be prepared to witness at all times.Take tracts with you “As You Go”!

Two other witnessing encounters:

We ate at our favorite Mexican restaurant Friday night. A lot of the workers know us! I usually give out a few tracts each time we go there. I talked with Daniel, who told me that he was from Honduras. I have him the Spanish version of "Are You A Good Person". He said that he wasn't a Christian, but didn't believe in Islam, Mormons, or Jehovah's Witnesses. He seemed to have a Christian background, but is far from The Lord now.

On my Wednesday lunch break, I gave out a few tracts as I went through Walmart.I offered an "Are You A Good Person?" tract to a man that has just got out of his vehicle. He asked me what it was about. I asked if he knew if he as going to Heaven. He asked me how did I know there was a Heaven. I told him by the Bible. Then, he said that there wasn't a Heaven and that he didn't want to talk anymore. I told him that we will find out in the end. I know that there is a Heaven and a hell. I want to see people make it to Heaven. I pray that this man will see the error of his was way, repent, and believe the Gospel! Do you want others to go to Heaven. Let's rescue the perishing!

Friday Night Evangelism - May 10, 2013

We met at 9:30 pm in the Monroe Walmart parking lot. Bro Gary, Bro J.T., and I stopped at the Cracker Barrel convenience store before going to the bar. We put some tracts in several beer cases. When I went to get a water, a woman that was working in the cooler said "Boo!". I said "Here's a million dollar bill for doing that." We talked to a guy named Eric at the register. A man named Robbie thought he knew me. I gave him a tract, too. Bro J.T. talked with Ray in the parking lot.
Rain was in the the forecast, but we were praying that The Lord would hold it back! We had a great time of prayer before we preached! We do what we call "the walk". We pray while we walk to railroad tracks and back. We stopped at the tracks and The Lord was with us!
The bar that we went to is where we have been going. It used to be The Tsunami, but it closed down. The new owners named it The Trial. There were plenty of people hanging out on the porch. I brought a milk crate to stand on while we preached. I started out preaching about the Ten Commandments. Bro. J. T. reached while he preached. We didn't have much heckling and no one came over to talk to us. Bro Gary gave three men tracts when they were in the parking lot.
After it started raining, we went to the truck. It slacked up, so we went back to preach a little more till it rained more. After that, we called it a night. We can't wait till next time!!!

Gospel Tract Spotlight: Name 10 Things On Your Bucket List

The phrase "kick the bucket" means to die. 150,000 people "kick the bucket" everyday. This tract, "Name 10 Things On Your Bucket List", was in June's Bezeugen  tract club mailing. It talks about things people may want to do before they die. The #1 thing they need to do is to repent and put their trust in Christ! When I hand this one out, I say "This talks about things that you may want to do before you kick the bucket." I gave one to Chris last night at the Chevron. After taking him through the law, he said that he would probably go to hell. I pray that Chris has prayed already! Let's get the Gospel to the lost before they "kick the bucket"!

This is how the back of the tract reads:
 

Some popular choices are: skydive, trip around the world, run a marathon, take up a martial art, learn to dance, drive a race car, climb Mt. Everest, see the Seven Wonders, ride the world's fastest rollercoaster. Need some help with number 10? Find out what happens when you kick the bucket! It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment. (Hebrews 9:27) Have you ever told a lie? Stolen anything? Hated someone? Jesus calls hatred murder! Ever looked with lust? Jesus says lust is adultery. Would you be innocent or guilty? Heaven or hell? The good news is that God does not want you to go to hell. God sent his Son, Jesus, to earth 2,000 years ago. Jesus, being fully God and fully man became the only acceptable sacrifice for sin. He lived a perfect life, fulfilled God's law, died on the cross then rose from the dead. The Bible says that if you will repent (turn from sin) and believe Christ alone paid your punishment, you will have eternal life. (Mark 1:15) Do it today- make it #1 on your bucket list – you may not have tomorrow! www.AfterLifeCatalog.com or call 80-BEZEUGEN (802-393-8436)

Redeeming The Time

2 Timothy 3:1-5

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 

If we ever needed to witness more, it is now! Things aren't looking good in this great country we know as the United States of America. People are getting further away from the true and living God. Less people claim to be born again. Our young people are getting more rebellious. These scriptures in 2 Timothy describe the times that we are living in. We need to make the most of the time that we have to reach those that are lost in their sins. How many do we pass by from day to day that are without Jesus Christ in their life? They are all around us. Most people I talk to hope to go to Heaven. A lot don't even think about where they are going when they pass from this life. They are drifting dangerously without salvation through Jesus' blood! They are like a vehicle that is out of control and about to crash or go off a cliff! 

The Scriptures speak of redeeming the time twice:

And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. (Ephesians 5:2, 15-17 KJV)

Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. (Colossians 4:5, 6)

From Barnes' Notes On The Bible- Redeeming the time - The word rendered here as "redeeming," means "to purchase; to buy up" from the possession or power of anyone; and then to redeem, to set free - as from service or bondage; notes, Galatians 3:13. Here it means, to rescue or recover our time from waste; to improve it for great and important purposes.

We can't buy back the time that we have wasted in the past or the missed opportunities that we have had, but we can make the most of the time that we have now. We can redeem the time be seeing the urgency of the hour! We must start conversations with as many as we can to compel them to come to the foot of the cross by repenting of their sins and putting their trust in Jesus! We must distribute tracts everywhere we go! We must seize every opportunity that comes our way! 

Let this be the prayer of the soul-winner: "Please use me, Lord! Send me to someone that isn't saved! Please give me divine appointments! I want to make the best of every opportunity that comes my way! I want to see souls pray through till they know that You have heard their cry and have washed them in the Blood! Let our cry be "Give us souls, lest we die!"

Great Soul-Winning Testimony From Go With The Gospel

Sister Claire Goodwin has a very encouraging evangelism blog. She is a soul-winner! She taught my pastor at Full Gospel Bible Institute in Export, Pennsylvania. She is the wife of an evangelist, Bro. Bob Goodwin. Here is her latest post about a man that she led to The Lord: 

GO WITH THE GOSPEL

What are you waiting for? If you are a genuine Christian, you can go with the Gospel NOW. Opportunities abound...next door, at Walmart, in the office, sitting at the mall, jogging in the park. Everywhere there are people who need the Lord. This blog is intended to inspire and motivate others to join the ranks of witnesses for Christ. May you answer HIS call today!

THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 2013

GOD FOUND THE THRIFT STORE MAN

I AM OVERWHELMED WITH JOY AT THE BLESSING 

GOD GAVE ME TODAY!

We stopped in a little thrift store just to browse and as I was paying for a purchase I noticed a man walk in the door. He was dressed shabbily and had the appearance of a homeless person. It didn't take much to realize the man had little. 

I felt like I wanted to help him in some way, so as I put my change away I grabbed a couple of dollars and then pulled out of my purse a very good, colorful and clearly presented gospel tract, as well as a million dollar tract. I asked my husband if he would watch my cart as I headed through the store in search of that man. I went all the way through and headed back unable to see him anywhere.

A worker at the store, probably in his sixties, was seated on the side and as I passed him he asked if I found everything I was looking for. 

"No," I said. "Did you see that man who came in the store who appeared to be homeless?" 

He said, "Oh, yes. He asked if he could use the restroom."

So that's where he disappeared to! 

Walking over to this gentleman I said, "When I saw him I just felt I wanted to help him. 

When he comes out would you tell him a lady wanted to give him these couple of dollars?

And would you also give him these gospel tracts? They tell all about how we can be saved and ready to meet the Lord."

"I sure will," he replied as he looked more closely at me. "You're a holiness woman, aren't you?"

"Yes, sir, I am, all because of Jesus."

"Yes…because of Jesus. You're Pentecostal aren't you?"

"Yes, I am…."  I hardly got the words out of my mouth until I noticed his eyes begin to squint and tears begin to slip out….

"I could tell," he said, as his body began to tremble with emotion. His quivering lips spoke with a voice broken by tears: "It's all over you. I can see it." His big eyes just stared up at me.

This was amazing! I had never seen this man before and I couldn't help being awed at what God seemed to be doing right before my eyes. I had an immediate awareness of the presence of God, and of a divine moment in process. It all happened so quickly. I could feel the Spirit of God moving me as I stepped closer and put my hand on the man's shoulder.

"What you see and feel is the presence of God! Are you ready to meet Him? Is your heart right with God?"

A cloud of sadness hung over him as he shook his head from side to side and told me, "No. I drifted away."

I knew I was facing an event prepared by heaven. God was in control! It was powerful!

"Then what are you waiting for?" I urged him, "You need to pray now and get back to God. Jesus could come tonight and you wouldn't be ready. You could face eternity tonight, and where would you go?" 

I started to pray for him: "Lord, help this man to repent of his wandering and return to you right now."

He was crying and praying with me: "Yes, Lord. Yes, Lord."

I kept praying. "Ask the Lord to forgive you and cleanse you from all sin." 

I felt His power and knew that He was at work in this man's life.  

"God brought me here, just for you. What is your name?"

"James," he replied.

"Now, James, are you ready to meet the Lord? You prayed with me. Did you repent? If Jesus came tonight would you be ready to go with Him?"

He hung his head and said, "No."

"Then, we need to pray again, James. Whatever stands in the way, whatever you are holding on to that will keep you out of heaven, whatever is still sin in your heart…has to go. Are you willing to turn away from all sin and let Jesus come in and give you a new beginning right now?"

As he positively responded, we prayed some more until he acknowledged that he had surrendered it all, and was ready to live for God again.

His background was in good churches, and I urged him to come to the church where we were presently holding a month long seminar on "Commissioned to Discipleship; Commissioned to Ministry; and Commissioned to Evangelism."

What great thrill filled my heart as I left that store and realized what God had done! 

And the story isn't over yet. What about that homeless man! Wouldn't it be an ironic twist if James gave those tracts to that homeless man, and then gave him his newfound testimony, and won him to the Lord!!

How many more are out there, just like James, away from God and ready to come to the Lord at the urging of someone who cares, someone who has a burden to see the lost get saved. Will you let the Lord lead you and use you today?

Psalm 126:6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

The Call Of The Harvest

Matthew 9: 36 - 38

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. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

Every Christian should be involved in soul-winning. We are given the ministry of reconciliation when we are born again. Christians begat Christians. We must answer the call of the harvest. The laborers are few in our day. I am thankful for the ones who have heard the call and have been obedient to answer, past and present. There are still those who haven't responded, though. It has been said that evangelism is not for every
Christian, but we are commanded to be witnesses. 2 Corinthians 5:17 -21 speaks of us as being ambassadors for Christ:

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

God has entrusted us to represent the Gospel in this dark world. We are reflections of the Light of the world. We reflect light to the darkness of mens' hearts. We are saved to see that others hear and know of this wonderful news of redemption. We are justified so that others can be justified.
We walk by the unsaved everyday in our daily routine. There are many opportunities that await us at the grocery stores, convenience stores, malls, or wherever there are people. The harvest calls for labourers. The harvest calls for help to get to the Savior. The man at the pool of Bethesda in John 5:1-9 "had no man" to put him in the pool to get his healing. So many are trying to get to Heaven on what they have been taught or raised on. Some are waiting for someone to show them the true way. They need help getting to the "pool" of salvation. The Christian is the one to be used to get them to the fountain that is filled with the cleansing blood of Jesus. I talked with a man from India at Walmart one night as I gave him a tract. He said that he had been in America for a year. Was I the first Christian to reach out to him? I hope not. A Spanish man by the name of Pedro told me that he was going back to Mexico that weekend. I gave him a tract to read. Was I the only one to witness to him while he was in this country? I pray not. Many come here to find truth. We don't have to go to other countries to experience the mission field. The mission field has come to us. How many have not heard from a Christian when they first come to our country? We can reach them with the Gospel! We must have our eyes open to all the opportunities that are before us. Our ears must be in tune to the call of the harvest. The harvest says "Please lead us to the truth." They cry "We are lost and need to be found!" They are trying to get to the "pool". We walk by the lost everyday. We must hear the call of the harvest in their lives. They cry out with their tattoos and piercings. They cry out with the trends and fashions that they are following. Their alcohol and drug use yell "I need help!". We must not let them get by us without witnessing to them. I have walked by many in stores with another opportunity to give them a tract or speaking to them. Some appreciate the fact that I have stopped to give them attention. Some have looked at me like I was crazy, but took a tract anyway. I haven't had many rejections lately. At Christmas, one man threw a tract down in front of me when I gave it to him. Another didn't take a tract when he heard the word "Gospel". A man at the mall told me to stop following him when I was trying to give him a million dollar bill. Did all these rejections discourage me? No! For every rejection, there are about 50 other people who will take a tract. There are others who will listen to someone reaching out to them.
There are still millions who are "spiritually lame". They need to be reconciled to God through Jesus Christ.
John 14:6 - Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Do we believe this scripture? Does this mean Jesus is the only way to be saved? Yes! We must be busy about the business of winning the lost! Thank the Lord for our pastors, evangelist, and missionaries! They have obeyed there calling, but we still have been called to do the same: to rescue the perishing around us! So many are going to hell. We must do something about it!
The call of the harvest is great! The laborers are few! Are you one of the few? Let's not let the call of the harvest fall on deaf ears! Have you heard the call of the harvest today?