|
Dear Outreacher:
WE ARE EXCITED --you will
be too!
We always enjoy sharing the plans, progress, joys, and challenges of the
Cassette Discipleship Program (CDP)
in India, and more recently in Ghana,
Africa. We desire to do so in every issue of OUTREACH, but, we feel
constrained to share some exciting insights that can significantly effect
the
future of our activities.
Yes -- EXCITING ways for each of us to "do it"!
First,
it is always a joy for us to get pictures of villagers being
reached and even more precious, to see so many taking baptism. We have shown
samples of these -- not 1/100th of the total! Yet, this is possible
since
many of you have adopted Village Evangelists (VEs) to minister for them in
India and Ghana. You are true ENABLING-AMBASSADORS.
Second,
there is pain involved, for when we tally up our need for
Adopters -- all too often we are forced to tell our ministry partners
overseas that we don't have funds for all the Village Evangelists (VEs) we
have taken on as our Enabling responsibility. But our pain is
nothing to
their 'pain', since they directly relate to the necessity of cutting back on
the 'promised' funds for those VEs out there on the front lines of ministry
and persecution.
Third,
this is where the EXCITEMENT grows, for we have been challenged by
the scriptures in II Corinthians 5, which deals with "being ministers
of His
grace to others", and "being His ambassadors". Yes,
Ambassadors for the Lord
Jesus Christ to a lost world. Oh what a privilege is ours (yours) as we are
obedient.
Forth,
as the EXCITEMENT builds, this very scripture poignantly sets us
in place -- poised to minister -- empowered to be His ambassador. It doesn't
particularly structure the levels of ambassadorship, but we see in our
complex world a need to segment our activities to allow all of us to operate
as we are able. As such, you can choose your own 'poison' (so to
speak) --
choose the tasks that fit your giftedness and the time you can spend.
Fifth,
-- your EXCITEMENT should be peaking as we each have the
opportunity to exercise our particular ambassadorship. Yes, actually, we see
several levels of opportunity. For sure, one fits each of us, yes, one fits
me and one fits YOU; yes, as He leads, YOU can pick your own area of
service,
thus, become a key AMBASSADOR for Him. Now that is EXCITING -- an
AMBASSADOR
for the KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS! WOW!!!
Here is our shopping list of AMBASSADORSHIPS
for your consideration --
each needed in the appropriate (noted) operational quantities if the task is
to "go and grow" -- even as He directs.
1. ENABLING-AMBASSADOR to enable
VEs (Adopt one or more) --
(thousands needed) -- now have about 50.
2. LOCAL-AMBASSADOR to encourage your
local community to Enable VEs --
(hundreds needed) -- now have one 'acting'.
3. AREA-AMBASSADOR to Coordinate Area
Encouragers (ten needed) -- now
have one 'acting'.
4. NATIONAL-AMBASSADOR to
coordinate National plans and coordination
(three needed) -- now have one 'acting'.
In effect we are now limping along ('acting'), where we should be running
-- for we are manning this whole operation with a very skeleton group --
only partially manned, unfortunately.
Remember, we are only talking here about 2 or 3 hours of your service per
week, for each of these AMBASSADOR roles. -- probably at your own home via
Internet, phone, FAX or mail.
1. Many of you are already operating in the ENABLING-AMBASSADOR
role --
having faithfully extended yourself for years to Adopt one or more VEs.
Most
or all the rest of you probably best fit this role also -- for your heart is
with the the children and parents of the villages. As such, you need
to sign
up at our RESPONSE FORM. Actually, this is the lowest time-involvement role,
where you adopt and pray -- there are no other expected "duties".
For $30.00
per month you can adopt a VE who reaches out to 10,000 villagers on a
regular
basis (remember, that includes 6,000 children). Yes, become an
ENABLING-AMBASSADOR.
We try to make this as 'painless' as possible. You will be blessed!
2. Then, probably about 10% of you that are reading this missive are
uniquely equipped and talented to be a LOCAL AMBASSADOR. Yes,
you are a
people person and can make contacts easily and effectively. You can tell
others about the needed VEs and the way to Adopt them -- you are a 'closer'
when it comes to making the sale. Yes, YOU can do it, and you know you will
be blessed. You are urged to signup at our RESPONSE FORM. Although,
you are
probably already (or should be) an adopter -- you are now seeking a larger
part in the ongoing CDP activities. Yes, become a LOCAL-AMBASSADOR.
3. We are betting that there are about 1% of you reading this plan that can
coordinate others activities -- you are a proven manager -- it is easy for
you to do. You should fit nicely in an AREA-AMBASSADOR
role -- helping to
pull together all the activities in your area of responsibility (Note: this
is particularly 'easy' to do utilizing the Internet). Please don't pass up
this opportunity at our RESPONSE FORM. Yes, become an AREA-AMBASSADOR.
4. That brings us right to the 'lap' of several of you creative planners.
Each a leader who can pace the pack and provide program visibility and
challenge to others. You will see yourself in our RESPONSE FORM -- please
prayerfully respond. Yes, become a NATIONAL-AMBASSADOR.
As you review these various tasks, it is clear that we all should be an
ENABLING-AMBASSADOR by adopting VEs. Then, as the Lord leads
-- having
trained you for such an hour -- you see yourself in one of the other
functional areas. Please call or write to discuss your potentials for
these
ministries. We and they need you -- more importantly, God may be calling
YOU!
When we realize the power that our Father God has invested within His
Body (the CHURCH), we get excited and desire to see some of that power
harnessed to allow the CDP activities to be fully manned and
"exploited" for
Him in India and Ghana. You and I are part of that power -- may we allow Him
to harness us into His team. Yes, become His AMBASSADOR for the LOST of
India
and Ghana, Africa.
As for ourselves, Barbara and I sponsor a VE and provide for added
general support as well, making us "I ENABLING- AMBASSADORS"
and we have
about 50 of "our kind" who have also adopted and are effectively
ministering
to over a half million villagers in eight outposts with 105 VEs (note that
the other 55 VEs are nationally sponsored). Within the former group of
50,
one couple has adopted 15 VEs, and are therefore
"XV Enabling-Ambassadors". We have several that adopt two or more,
so they
are "II ENABLING-AMBASSADORS", ETC. We praise the Lord for
each of you
dedicated adopters -- may your 'tribe' increase.
===========================================================
TAMIL NADU REPORT
Dr. Jebasingh sent us his TN report by e-mail on February 11th, and we
just received the related pictures by "snail mail". The pictures
include
group shots, some at worship, many during baptisms.
Jeba notes that the CDP work was started in one area "Uthangarai"
in 1996
and has now spawned nine more remote centers in largely Gypsy and tribal
areas. This has been possible since small churches have been established in
those key villages through the CDP ministries. Small huts facilitate
church
services with Sunday Schools, Vacation Bible Schools, and some training for
livelihood through tailoring.
Jeba further notes that of the 20 VEs we had working there, 15 remain
faithful, while five have been lured to other ministries who offered them
better prospects.
PHOTO I.A. A
This photo shows the 15 VEs and our supervisor Pastor Jeyapaul and his
three children. Note that four of the VEs are ladies who are especially
adept
at "Vacation Bible School" training for the children. This
photo was taken
just this last January at their monthly prayer meeting. Typically, during
these times, the VEs all receive added training and help as needed from the
supervisor.
PHOTO II.B
Here is a picture of the 'ladies' side of the congregation at their
Christmas program at Utnangarai -- note how they are crowded into the small
meeting room. Several men are seen on the left in the photo.
Photo B
Here the congregation is shown after church services at Uthangarai --
PHOTO E
A group of eight were baptized -- are shown here with Pastor Jeyapul.
PHOTO F.5
A young lady is being baptized, -- is typical of the eight men and women
baptized that day. Note the natural surroundings -- a nearby lake
providing
the baptismal site.
Gujarat State Outreach
A new e-mail letter from Jeba promises a Gujarat report and pictures soon
-- should have that for you in our next OUTREACH.
Please continue to pray for our Village Evangelists and ministry partners
both in India and Ghana, Africa. Their needs are great -- the needs of those
they minister to are incredible! Yes, PRAY!
===========================================================
R E S P O N
S E F O R M
I/We desire more information about being a:
[ ] ENABLING-AMBASSADOR (Need thousands) $30.00/VE/Month
[ ] LOCAL-AMBASSADOR (Need hundreds) 2 to 3 hours per
week
[ ] AREA-AMBASSADOR. (Need dozens) 2 to 3 hours per week
[ ] NATIONAL-AMBASS. (Need several) 2 to 3 hours per week
===========================================================
Ghana, Africa CDP
Activities
We just had a very encouraging e-mail from Pastor Prince Paul Konu, the
director of the CDP activities in Ghana. He reports that they are
ready to
produce a quantity of the four cassette messages. He has met with key
leaders in Accra in preparation and planning to launch the CDP in Ghana. The
picture here is of this leadership group -- Pastor Paul is standing in the
middle wearing glasses.
Pastor Paul notes that God is in control and He is faithful to them.
You can see that the Ghana CDP activities are maturing fast, they have
their cassette messages in their Ewe language ready and Village Evangelists
trained -- are held back by a need for another 20 cassette players (a cost
of
about $800.00) and the duplication of the cassettes, another $200.00 .
They
have proved themselves worthy and trustworthy, vigilant, accountable and
aggressive for these ministries. Their heart is set to reach their own
-- we
seek to enable them in any way possible.
They are pressing for an early March 2001 kickoff for establishing the
first CDP Outpost in Ghana. Please pray for them and the multitude of
souls
that thirst there for the Word of our Living God! We need to do all we can
to
allow them to "do it" there in Ghana.
==============================================================
Good
$20.00/month to feed a child (a good philanthropic deed) (a
socially needful step towards salvation)
Better to
save a child (a good and righteous deed)
(a spiritual service for our Lord, important to do)
BEST
$30.00/month to reach out to 6,000 children regularly (plus
4,000 parents -- healing homes and hearts as Jesus saves and heals)
|
