Join the next WorldReach mission team to Romania

Many people followed our blog posts on the Romania March 2008 mission teams. Through the posts and the podcasts, has God shown you that He wants you to go Romania and allow Him to work through you to reach people for Christ?

On October 27th thru November 4th, a team will once again be joining with our brothers and sisters in Jibou, Romania for a time of evangelism and discipleship focusing on enlarging, strengthening, and planting churches. Jesus said, "You will be my witnesses," and this is an opportunity to take another step in drawing closer to Him as you witness to others about what Jesus has done in your life. Whether or not you have ever shared your testimony or the gospel, or taught a Sunday School class, or led a bible study group, or preached the gospel, if God is urging you to go, He has a plan to use you.

In furtherance of our partnership with Emanuel University in Oradea, there is an opportunity for some to teach in one of their five schools: Business, Social Work, Music, Education, and Pastoral Ministry. For those who will be teaching at the university, they will be housed in the dorms. Those teaching will join the rest of the team in Jibou for the weekend ministry.

As of now, the cost of the trip leaving and returning to Athens, GA via air travel from Atlanta, is $1,395 (If there is any increase in the trip price due to airfare changes, you will be immediately notified).

Housing in Jibou will be in the homes of the Jibou Baptist Church believers. We will be flying into and out of Budapest, Hungry,and traveling via private ground transportation from Budapest to Jibou. If you want to stay over an extra day in Budapest to sightsee, this can be arranged for an extra charge; depending upon the length of stay and the activities. We can discuss this with you on an individual basis.

For the cover letter, application, and a document relating to tax deductions for trip funds, click here.

As always, feel free to contact us with any questions: email Carly Decker - admin@worldreach.us; or call her toll free 888-540-6534.

BOOK REVIEW: Quiet Strength - Tony Dungy with Nathan Whitaker

I recently finished "Quiet Strength", Tony Dungy's autobiography with Nathan Whitaker. It is an inspirational read that I recommend to anyone who enjoys football and recognizes the name Tony Dungy. I also believe every man should read this book...young men and teenagers included.

Coach Dungy relates not just his life, but how his faith in Jesus Christ makes a difference in his life. He tells of how he made the decision to not only trust Christ as Savior, but make Him Lord of his life. The influence of his father, mother, wife, freinds, players and other coaches on his life as a believer is inspirational.

Lest you think all has been easy for him, he recounts his disappointments, firings, and tragedy's (such as the suicide of his son). The way his faith in Christ brought him through these trials, and the manner in which the faith community around him responded during these times, is a lesson for all believers.

I highly recommend this book...not only is it an enjoyable read, it is a true testimony of someone who walks by faith and not by sight.

Growth continues in North Las Vegas Baptist Church

I spent this past weekend in Las Vegas...not raising money for missions, but preaching in the Sunday services at North Las Vegas Baptist Church. Pastor Kevin Apperson and his wife Elizabeth planted this church six years ago in the living room of their home.

When I visited with them five years ago they had just leased space in a nearby office park because the ministry was growing. During the past five years they have continued to grow and leased adjacent space to allow for the growth.

A few months ago God brought an opportunity for them to once again expand their facilities to accomodate the continued growth. This time it was an opportunity to purchase a facility in lieu of leasing one. They will hold the first service in the new location on April 27th.

The new facilities are across a well traveled thoroughfare from a public sports park and a middle school. It is in a neighborhood type environment within one of the fastest growing suburbs of Las Vegas.

It was great to see what God has been doing and to share time with our brothers and sisters in this growing congregation. We need to continue to pray for Kevin, Elizabeth, their three (soon to be four) children, and all of those who God is working in and through to reach the people of Las Vegas with the gospel. It is truly a God sized task.

Picture this...the church plant in Peru

The Lima, Peru church plant is moving forward and there are now ten men forming the core group. They gather for Bible study at the business of Jesus Loo, the man whom God has prepared to lead this new work. Nine of the ten are shown in the picture at left - Jesus is behind the camera.

Jesus will be coming to Athens, Georgia next week to attend training at the Bible Training Centre for Pastors (BTCP) and to attend church planter training with the Hispanic ministry of the Georgia Baptist Convention. These are exciting times to be involved in what God is doing around the world. If you want to know some of the ways in which you can join Him in what He is doing, check out opportunities at our WorldReach web site.

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Update on Pastor Teo and Cami

It's time for an update about Teo and Cami. Wednesday was another opportunity for ministry to others. They spent time with partners from Winder First Baptist Church discussing plans for the children's camp they will be partnering to conduct in Jibou this summer. It was also a day in which they met a new translator and spent time sharing about the ministry in Jibou with another church in Athens. While the pastor of that church has never been to Romania, two of the members just returned from Romania as part of the March 2008 team.

Late Wednesday evening, Teo and Cami had an opportunity to meet Pastor Carlos Baca, Prince Avenue Hispanic Baptist Mission, and pray for him. Like Pastor Teo, Pastor Baca has a heart to reach people with the gospel, through evangelism, discipleship, and church planting.

On Thursday, both spoke in morning chapel services at Prince Avenue Christian School. Cami spoke to the 1st - 3rd graders, and Pastor Teo spoke to the high school. Afterward, Cami spent time in one of the 4 year old kindergarten classes. Teo had a special time with a group of men who had all been to Jibou. They traveled to Atlanta to meet another brother for a time of fellowship.

Friday, Teo and Cami traveled to North Greenville University (just north of Greenville, South Carolina) to meet with a group of professors about possible partnerships with the Cluj Baptist Association. It was a very fruitful meeting.

Saturday eveing was a gathering of believers for a fellowship supper. Pastor Teo shared with the gathering what God is doing through the ministry in Jibou and provided a number of prayer requests. The ladies then surrounded Cami, and the men Teo, for a time of extended prayer for each of them.

While today was a long day for them, it was a wonderful day. They attended services at Winder First Baptist Church this morning where Pastor Teo spoke in both worship services and in the youth Sunday School. This evening, he brought a messsage at Watkinsville First Baptist Church. Both of these churches have been actively engaged in the work in Jibou.

That's all for this update. Perhaps tomorrow we will post some pictures. Please pray that God will continue to speak to His precious servants during these last days they will be spending here in the US.

Looking for just the right gift for that upcoming graduate?

It won't be long before many high school seniors will be donning their cap and gown, receiving their diploma, moving their tassel, and walking out of their high school graduation ceremony to begin a new chapter in their life. As I write this, all I must do is glance to my right and see a box of my youngest son's graduation invitations waiting to be addressed and mailed.

Thinking of a good gift to give a graduate can sometimes be troublesome. This year, I have decided to give gift cards along with a book that I believe every born again believer should consider reading.

The Covering, by Hank Hanegraaff, is a quick but cogent read about God's provision for our protection in spiritual warfare. One editorial review recaps it in this way:

"In a world where evil seems to lurk around every corner and our thoughts turn to worry about our safety and security, the armor of God is our Father's protection in the fight against evils of our temporary home. Best-selling author Hank Hanegraaff describes God's protective covering over his children by dissecting Paul's words in Ephesians 6: 10-18 commanding us to put on the armor of God and 'take our stand against the devil's schemes.' Hanegraaff moves through the passage, phrase by phrase, defining God's armor, explaining what it means to embrace God's covering, and the practical ways God delivers us from evil."

If you have not read this book, I highly recommend it. If you have family or friends who will be graduating this year, consider it as part of your gift package to them. I believe it is a gift that will have an eternal impact if it is read and applied.

Having trouble getting it from your local Christian bookstore? Try this link to purchase it via the Internet.

Keeping the passion for God after the trip is over

One of the issues many people face after a short-term mission trip is stepping back into their "world" and losing the passion for God that was birthed in their heart during the trip. I have experienced this and talked to many who experienced the same thing...especially if the trip involved evangelism and discipleship. Seeing God work to birth people into His kingdom is a unique experience. To have Him use you in the process is indescribable.

It is as if God places your heart in an incubator and "hatches" a deeper thirst for Him. This is one reason I recommend that people be obedient to go when God leads. Perhaps God knows that in the midst of our everyday entanglements we will not give Him the time and opportunity to speak to us about our relationship with Him. So He uses the trip and the experiences to do it.

During the recent trip to Romania, God spoke to the team members. It was evident as we talked among ourselves and shared testimonies, that God had done as much in us as He had through us. I don't want to lose the passion, and I don't want to see the team members lose it.

With this in mind, I asked Pastor Teo (pastor of Jibou Baptist Church in Romania) to speak to the Prince Avenue Christian School seniors about this issue during their Bible classes. Brother David Shivar (Bible teacher, interim Headmaster and Romania March 2008 team member), graciously allowed Teo to speak. [Picture above is Pastor Teo and some of the students]

It was very interesting to hear how the people in his church are given opportunities to minister every week in similar ways that they are used while on a short-term trip. He spoke first about being in love with God...and with God's Word. How God uses His word to train us for good works.

The observation was made that when we are not using our gifts and talents for God, we become miserable and our relationship with God suffers. Another part of the discussion focused on our not waiting for someone else to create a ministry opportunity, but to seek God's guidance in what He wants to do through us. We need to be looking at the opportunities around us and joining God in those...whether it is at our school, our church, our home, or our community.

The seniors were encouraged to finish strong, not coast. With only weeks left in their high school career, they can choose if the race they run will continue to be filled with passion or if they will allow the entanglements of this world to trip them up just before their race is through.