Spring 2000 Newsletter
A
Word from the President
Lucien Behar's Activities
Project Barnabas
MMI President's Activities
II Timothy 2:2
Craftsmen for Christ
I just returned from attending a PROMISE KEEPER'S Conference, and as in the past, the experience of 14,000 men, anointed messengers of God's Word, and the "music," have re-kindled and re-charged the fire in my heart to follow Jesus. We, men of God, have been challenged to go the distance, and to finish the race that has been set before us. I don't know about you, but I am ready to run for Jesus and His Promised Kingdom. Tony Evans (well-known speaker and pastor) advised us to focus our efforts on three things:
• Focus on the Winners, who have finished the race.(Hebrews 11)
• Focus on the future, and forget the past. (Hebrews 12: 1) Don't let any one or any thing keep you from finishing the race.
• Focus on Jesus. He isthe beginnerand finisher ofthe race.(Hebrews 12:2) No one can see the finish line, but Jesus can! He will help us run the race and go the distance.
In addition, we were challenged to fulfill the prophecy in Malachi 4:6. "He will turn the hearts of the Father to their children and the hearts of the children to their father. " On October4,1997, millions of men responded to the call to "Stand in the Gap" Fast and Prayer Conference on the Mall in Washington, DC. On September 2,2000, the children and their parents are being called to fast, pray, worship, reconcile, and be commissioned to turn to their fathers. Call DC is calling the children to the Mall in Washington, to pray for our nation from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. 'A broken-hearted generation is crying, are the hearts of the fathers going to turn to their children? Can change really happen in a country where nearly half of the children are born with no name listed under the word father' on their birth certificate?" The youth of America are being summoned to appear before the Lord in prayer to turn our nation back to God. Praise the Lord for PROMISE KEEPERS and Call DC for their efforts to restore our nation to God. We need that kind of encouragement and challenge.
The real test, however, is after we return to our homes and churches, and accept the challenge of being a true disciple of Christ. That is where your local men's ministries group comes in. We need each other to stay the course, go the distance, and finish the race. (HEBREWS 10:24-25); PROVERBS 27: 17) Jesus gave us the model for a successful men's ministries when he commissioned a small group of men to help Him carry out His Great Commission. He told us to "make disciples." Do you have a Men's Group willing to accept the challenge? MMI is standing ready to assist any men's group in meeting their challenges in ministering to men in their area.
MMI is a self-supporting ministry and does not receive financial support from our denomination's UMC Budget. We depend totally on the willingness of those who are faithful in financially supporting our around the world ministries. Our annual partnership is $25.00, and our Share Partners commit to $15.00 per month. Members of the President's Club generally send gifts ranging from $250.00 to$ 1000.00 annually. We want to personally thank everyone, first for your prayers, and then for helping us minister to needy men and their families in a hurting nation.
Jim Stetler, MMI President
To schedule a School of Evangelism, contact: Lucien Behar, Instructor Kenneth A. Walls, Instuctor-ln-Training (727) 546-4716 john812@juno.com
Lucien continues to be very active in Men's Ministries and Evangelism throughout the world. He has ministered in36 churches in the past 18 months, in addition to holding 24 SCHOOLS OF EVANGELISM. He has traveled to five countries,which included four mission trips. He returned from Egypt on June 27th. He provided teaching for young adults at a camp north of Cairo, and ministered in several churches in that area.
Lucien has scheduled SCHOOLS OF EVANGELISM in New York at West Seneca, Batavia, and Liberty Free Methodist churches during September. Another SCHOOL OF EVANGELISM at the Passaic First Spanish Free Methodist Church in New Jersey is scheduled during October. Lucien is planning to continue to hold SCHOOLS OF EVANGELISM during 2001, even though he has agreed to serve as interim pastor of the Layhill Free Methodist Church in Silver Springs, MD beginning this fall.
Containerized shipments to mission fields
Robert Couch, Director (765) 963-5224, bnscouch@netus1.net
Project Barnabas has been able to assist the American Indian Bible Ministries in Farmington NM in receiving outdated Sunday School materials, and Malawi Bible School in receiveing it's first 4 mail bags of literature donated by Light and Life Communications.
Bob Couch and Beth Kilgore were able to meet with Dr. Frank and Carol Ogden in Indianapolis in preparation for a container to be sent to Kibuye Hospital via World Vision's supervision and assistance. It was encouraging to know that the containers are making an impact. The process is much slower since it is necessary to go through all boxes now and redistribute the contents to be all medical or all humanitarian.
Contact the MMI or WMI office for newly revised Packing Instructions.
For many years Project Barnabas has been a means of sending educational and medical supplies into countries where the needs are tremendous. To date, 15 containers have been sent. We have always asked that any churches or individuals sending boxes to be included in the container also send a donation of $15.00 per cubic foot to cover the huge cost of this endeavor. Due to the probability of expanding the use of Project Barnabas (watch for upcoming announcements) and the rising cost of shipping, we are asking that the donation be increased to $20.00 per cubic foot. We do not want to work a hardship on anyone, but feel this is a necessary step in order for this ministry to continue. Thank you for all you do to expand God's kingdom around the world.
Jim Stetler, MMI President - Beth Webb, WMI President
Jim Stetler, (330) 644-7040, jhstetler@worldnet.att.net
Jim has had many opportunities to represent MMI at various training conferences since the beginning of the NeW Millennium.
MARCH 2000 - Jim led the MMI Spring Board of Directors' meetings at the Cornerstone FMC in St.Petersburg, FL on March 28-31. Some highlights are as follows:
1) Lucien announced that he will retire as the MMI Executive Director December 31. Effective January 1, 2001, Reverend Jeffrey Johnson will become the new MMI Executive Director. Pastor Jeff introduced plans for adding a School of Discipleship to the list of MMI Training ministries available to every Free Methodist church and conference. This program is still under construction at this time.
2) The MMI Board reviewed their financial needs, and recommended to increase theAnnual membership/partnership dues from $10.00 to$25.00. Also to increase the cost per cubic foot for shipping Project Barnabas materials from $15.00 to $20.00.
3) Elected Mark Whitlock as MMI Vice President to fill vacancy caused with the resignation of Dave Manke. Elected John Ellis as MMI Treasurer to fill vacancy caused by Mark moving to VR Mark will continue as Director of 2 Timothy 2:2 ministries.
4) David Gonzales was commissioned to represent MMI ministries at the FMUF-CUE 2000 Conference in Evanston, IL on April 5-7, and at the IYC Youth Conference in Fort Collins, CO on July 22-27. Dave will set up MMI Display and be available to promote men's ministries at these events.
5) MMI Board members strongly endorsed the establishment of the George Delamarter-Charles Kingley endowment fund to support MMI (formally LLMI). It was agreed to move an estate gift of $5000.00 from the MMI Operating Fund to the new endowment fund, in order to give the fund a good beginning.
6) The MMI Board regretfully accepted a resignation request from Dick Ewing due to health reasons. The Board was blessed to complete a conference call to Dick, giving us a chance to bid Dick farewell, pray for him, and thank him for his years of faithful service to MMI.
7) The next MMI Board meeting will be held at the World Ministries Center in Indianapolis on October 11 - 13,2000.
MAY - Jim attended the Ohio Annual Conference meetings at the Sugarcreek, OH Free Methodist Church on May 12- 13 with Bishop Joe James presiding. He attended the Ohio Men's Ministries Leaders meeting to help plan the Fall 2000 Men's Conference in Zanesville, OH on October 27-28. Pastor Jeff Johnson will be the conference speaker.
JUNE - June 5-6 Jim and son Jake joined Keith Ivers and the McPherson CFC work team to work on the Indianapolis First LYN House Restoration project.
Jim attended the Promise Keeper's Conference in Pittsburg on June 23 - 24th.
A sponsorship program for "national" evangelists
Mark Whitlock, Director (217) 241-2050 whitlock@eosinc.com
July 1, 2000 - Four more evangelists and church plantersjoin in Gingong City and Toril City, the Philippines. This is a very special event for two important reasons. These are two new cities for us to evangelize and start churches and these four evangelists (Phoebe Curada, Linda Dalago, Merlinda Villanueva, and Gloria Golez) are the first ladies MMI has had the honor to assist.
We are also thankful that discussions are currently being held to allow us to enter new countries in Asia with the Gospel. Operation 11 Timothy 2:2 fully intends to commission at least two more active evangelists or church planters in this same area this year. Please pray with us that the doors will swing wide open for Christ.
Volunteer ministry teams organized to use their building skills in construction
Keith Ivers, Director (316) 241-3669, keithpi@midusa.net
2000 CFC Work Sites:
• Keith Ivers met with Josh Fajardo and the Tampa Spanish FMC Pastor on March 30th, at the site of the new church, to discuss their progress on the building and on how CFC can help Tampa Spanish.
• The CFC Teams have been very active this Spring - the McPherson CFC team completed 750 hours in the Gateway Conference at the Durley Camp Retreat Center, completing a home for the Director/Caretaker.
• Ernie Fisher and the Michigan CFC work teams completed projects at Covenant Hills in May, Perry, Ml in late May, Hemans Camp in early June, and Pleasant Valley, Hillman, Ml in June.
• Roger Pratt and his CFC Team of 50 (largest team to date) completed many work projects at the Oakdale Christian High School during Easter Week 2000. Roger's team is planning to return to Oakdale on October 19-29. In the mean time, roger is visiting churches throughout Michigan requesting support for Oakdale CHS needs.
Keith and the MMI Board members are planning to arrive two days early for the Fall Board meetings to work at LYN House at the Indy First FMC, October 9th and 10th.