Seed Sown, Harvest Being Reaped
Hats off to Discipleship MAT and pastoral staff for an innovative and creative idea. The first Sunday of the year the congregation met in the sanctuary during Sunday Bible Study time. A five minute video recapped major events of 2010. Elders, deacons and all Bible teachers were presented. Teachers presented core ideas and themes for the next two months.
We also were invited to join 21 days of fasting and prayer beginning January 10. Brochures of different types of fasts, how to read the Bible through in a year, and prayer were provided.
In each of the morning services the sermon included each receiving two cards and an envelope. Individuals were asked to write on the cards prayerful dreams for the coming year, including the name of a person they wish to bring to Jesus. Sealed envelopes with names on front were brought by individuals and placed on the altar. They are now secured in a safe. They will be returned to the owner on the last Sunday of 2011.
We are determined to emphasize prayer, fasting and evangelism this year. It is the will of God. God will honor in our lives that which we need and provide blessings based on our obedience, compassion, and willingness to share the gospel.
We have worked diligently over the past year for this season of harvest. Our Bible classes have experienced growth. Youth fellowships have stabilized. We have five different fellowships now meeting weekly (Hindi, Nepalese, Burmese, African, and Spanish), in addition to the two Sunday AM services and multiple small groups.
This past Sunday was our first Nepalese fellowship. Several families met together. They selected their leaders. We believe God for a harvest among these people. Some who are not followers of Christ are committed to this fellowship. We believe God for salvation.
I am happy to report that carpet installation will be completed this week, by God’s grace. We are deeply indebted to a host of volunteers who did take-down of chairs/furniture, removed carpet, cleaned and restored after installation. Our carpet layers are friends who have worked with dedication to provide an excellent installation at a very—very good price. We are blessed.
Special gifts toward the carpet project are still coming in and are welcomed and appreciated. Please mark you check/envelope appropriately.
Keshar, our facilities person, refinished the entrance floors of the OT before new carpet was installed. If you have not seen this area please stop by and enjoy the beauty.
Our mission conference will be in March. We will be hosting the opening night banquet in the gym. An entire week will be dedicated to set-up and decorations. We will enjoy working with many volunteers for this terrific venture.
From my heart I pledge to you that there has been no time of my privilege to serve you as pastor that expectation of divine favor has been more vibrant. It is not hype. We have prayed, fasted, labored and prepared for a harvest. It is time to harvest. We see the harvest. Let us go and bring them in.
Join with Laila and me. We are asking God to help us give more toward His Kingdom work than ever in our lives. Our desire is to give far beyond our tithe. I ask you: How can you spend your money and invest in a better way than winning people to Jesus (Proverbs 11:30b …and he that winneth souls is wise).
Much love,
Pastor Bare