Who is the lady behind the glasses?

When I first met Lisa Coetzee she was a college student at the University of Georgia and part of the College Ministry at Prince Avenue Baptist Church. Sensing God's call into missions, she joined Operation Mobilization and shipped out to Ukraine.

One of her many talents is the ability to paint pictures with words. She is an excellent writer with a passion for missions.

Having married Marnus, a native South African...he is with her in the picture...she returned to the US to join the Operation Mobilization team in Tyrone, Georgia. Using her gifts and talents - not to mention drawing on her own experiences and passion for missions - she is involved in mobilizing college students for global missions.

Please welcome Lisa to the WorldReach blog!

First baptism in Hida, Romania

God is faithful. While we have worked in partnership with Jibou Baptist Church to plant a church in Hida, Romania - a village in the Jibou area - there has not been a baptismal service held in that village.

On Sunday 18 May, one sweet sister was baptized as a testimony, to all, about her faith in Christ Jesus. We pray this will be the first of many who will not only be birthed into the kingdom, but will publicly profess Christ as their Savior through the waters of baptism.

To God be the glory, great things He has done!

Japan May 2008 mission team final report

Sarah Doss, guest correspondent and Japan May 2008 team member writes:

The Lord did great things in Tokyo, Japan. Throughout the week the WorldReach team was given the opportunity to build relationships on two Japanese University campuses, Keio and Oberlin.

Keio University is one of the most prestigious universities in the country of Japan, many of the nation's leaders are selected from its graduates. The influence these students currently have and will have in Japan makes them an important population to reach with the Gospel.

At Oberlin University (a campus that was founded on Christian principles, but has an extremely small Christian population) our group was able to speak in several different cultural classes about American life and our beliefs. With all of the classes combined, we were able to speak in front of over 300 Japanese students. The teacher who allowed us to come to her class is not a Christian, but she seems very open to hearing about the Word, which was very encouraging to our team.

We formed many relationships with students and others that we pray will continue to develop with our team over e-mail and with the International Mission Board journeymen and missionary staff on-site in Japan. We were blessed to spend time with these missionaries. Their dedication and persistence encouraged us greatly.

The WorldReach team visited a local Buddhist temple while a festival was happening. For many in the group it was the first time that we had seen literal idol worship. How this must sadden the Lord that His creation not only are not praising Him, but giving His praise to inanimate objects. It was horrible to see the sincerity of people seeking satisfaction and help from gods made of stone when only the Lord can give them any satisfaction. The children were especially sad to see, as their parents are teaching them lies.

Overall, the WorldReach team enjoyed experiencing the culture of Japan and meeting Japanese students. Thank you for lifting us up in your prayers. We ask that you join us in praying for the people of Japan. Many people in the country have never even heard the name of Jesus or heard of the Bible. Please pray that the Lord would make Himself known and continue to work in Japan, drawing people to Himself for His glory and Namesake.

Prayer Requests:

Pray that the Keio campuses would become more open to the Lord and that those students would use their influence to change the nation for Christ.

Pray that the teacher at Oberlin would come to know Christ and use her influence with the students.

Pray for strength and encouragement for the International Mission Board missionaries, journeymen, and summer interns in Japan, in building relationships and reaching people with Truth.

Pray that the people of Japan would understand the difference between tradition and a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Pray that they would not persist in idolatry, but that the Lord would open their eyes to the reality of the situation and that Satan would no longer have the power to blind them.

Who is this guy?

It is important for God's people to be informed about the ways God is working around the world. It encourages us to pray, to give, and to go...as God leads. WorldReach has the privilege of partnering with many like-minded and like-hearted people and ministries as we seek to mobilize and equip the church for global missions.

To provide you with more exciting news about these people and ministries, and how God is working through them to touch people with the gospel, we are adding to the contributing authors for our WorldReach Blog.

The first addition is Dr. Sam Cash! Sam is a long time friend and ministry partner with me and WorldReach. He is the Vice President, Chief Financial Officer for Bible Training Centre for Pastors located in Tucker, GA. We partner with this ministry in a number of ways in order to train Great Commission Christians. WorldReach Bible Institute uses the BTCP materials, as well as ministry partners in Honduras, Peru, and Romania.

Sam's first post was Monday May 26, 2008 and you can read it below. Be sure to pass along your comments for Sam and any other contributing author by using the COMMENTS link beneath each article. We appreciate your support as we move forward in completing the task to which we have been called.

A Great Commitment to the Great Commission Includes Training

There seems to be a resurgence today of churches who are expressing their commitment to the Great Commission. Praise the Lord for this! It is exciting to see churches and believers returning to this primary task of the church, a task that indicates the pre-eminence of Jesus Christ in the life of a body of believers. These churches involve their members in personal evangelism, in short-term mission trips, in helping plant churches, and in birthing souls into the Kingdom.

There is a concern, however, that this commitment to the Great Commission includes the essential task of training leaders--in God’s Word, to equip them for “every good work” (2 Timothy 3:17). An examination of the Great Commission reveals the Lord’s mandate to include training: “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20). Oftentimes a mission agency, church, or ministry focuses on the important tasks of evangelization and church planting, but fails to maintain the longer-term involvement in training and equipping leaders.

Some mission leaders have recognized this oversight. One denomination expressed their concern for training in this manner: “Theological training is a key instrument for church planting. We aren’t able to plant churches with a multiplication and missionary mindset if we don’t train leaders first.” Also, the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention recently appointed a consultant for global theological education in an effort to get solid theological training to grass-roots leaders. Their spokesman shared this comment: “We want to help produce churches overseas that are grounded in the Word and theologically strong, and they can reach out beyond themselves and reach others.”

This concern for training comes at a time when statistics reveal a high failure rate for church plants. Lifeway research consultant Ed Stetzer shares in a current study that the survival rate for new church plants after 4 years in the U.S. is down near 60%. One of the key factors for a church’s survival success, according to this study, is the training of leaders. This may be even more pronounced in church plants in other countries as shown in research provided through the U.S. Center for World Missions.

So, what should we do? First, pray that the Lord will help those with a Great Commitment to the Great Commission to see how training produces fruit in the long run. Also, support those ministries that are involved in providing theological training to pastors and church leaders. Finally, ask the Lord how you might get involved in going deeper in your own training, seeking out resources in your own community such as the WorldReach Bible Institute that provide in-depth Bible training. It is time that we share a concern for sound doctrine in the church and perhaps seek ways to enhance our westernized institutional models of theological education.

"Revival in the Streets" - Athens, GA

Tonight, Grace Through Faith Ministries, led by international evangelist Joe Campbell, will be in downtown Athens, GA at the top of the hill on College Street for an evening of prayer, praise, and the proclamation of the Word...known as Revival in the Streets!

The focus of these open air meetings that began in 2003 is for born again believers in the Athens, GA area to come together as the body of Christ and spark revival in our city.

From 8:00 to 11:000 P.M. there will be live praise music, testimonies, prayer, and the sharing of the gospel. Everyone is invited. If you cannot be there in person, you can be there through prayer. Pray that the Spirit of God would lead in all that is done, and that Christ will be lifted up as the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Pray for all those who will hear the gospel, that they may repent and believe the good news. Pray for those who will be leading the music, the time of prayer, giving their testimonies, and preaching God's Word.

No matter where you may be, God can use you in what He will do through this ministry event tonight.

Japan May 2008 pix

The team has the opportunity to build relationships with Japanese university students during meals on campuses and in the many local parks around the city.

Please continue to pray for them as they push toward the end of their ministry and begin traveling home on Wednesday.

Japan May 2008 team update

Guest correspondent Sarah Doss, a member of the Japan May 2008 mission team, writes:

Konnichiwa from Tokyo!

Just a short update from the WorldReach Japan May 2008 team.  Since our arrival in Japan on Monday evening, we have been busy training and prayer walking through the city of Tokyo.  Working along side the International Mission Board missionaries in the city, on Tuesday the team talked to Japanese in a forum called "5-minute English."  Busy passers-by are asked if they would like to stop for a few minutes to practice their English skills.  Many Japanese learn English in school and even take private English lessons.  Those that stop are engaged in a conversation with the goal of turning the conversation to spiritual matters.  Wednesday, the WorldReach team split, with several members going to participate in an all-Japanese college course on culture. The remainder of the team went to Keio University, one of Japan's most prestigious schools, to build relationships with students.  We have seen the Lord create friendships where there were none and spur us on to proclaim His greatness to all nations.  We are excited to continue our work in Tokyo and continue with faith that the Lord has great things planned for Japan.

Please pray for:

• Renewed strength for the full-time missionary staff in Tokyo.
  
• Unstopping of the ears and opening of the eyes of Japanese to the Gospel.
  
• Boldness in sharing and sensitivity to the Spirit (for both Japanese and American believers).
  

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Enroll now in the WorldReach Bible Institute

In 2007, WorldReach partnered with Bible Training Centre for Pastors to form WorldReach Bible Institute in order to thoroughly equip the saints for service. This is part of the WorldReach vision to mobilize and equip the church for global missions. Biblical illiteracy is widespread throughout the churches in America and around the world. The training of God’s people to properly handle His Word will strengthen the saints for the spiritual battles confronting us when advancing the gospel around the world.

WorldReach Bible Institute offers a Certificate Program consisting of six in-depth College Bible level, core courses. These specific courses have been selected to provide the essential training that will benefit anyone who desires to participate on short-term mission trips, lead bible studies, spend extended time on the mission field, called into full-time Christian service, or want to make sure they continue to grow in the knowledge and handling of God’s word.

On June 2nd, the next semester for the WorldReach Bible Institute will begin. We will offer two courses – New Testament Survey and Bible Doctrine Survey. Each course is 60 hours. Classes are held on the campus of Prince Avenue Christian School in Bogart, GA.

The cost for the course is $60. This includes all course materials.

WorldReach Bible Institute is a conservative, evangelical bible institute open to born again believers from any religious denomination. More information about WorldReach Bible Institute and applications for enrollment can be accessed through the WorldReach Bible Institute web site at www.wbionline.us.

WorldReach team heading to Japan

For the next one and a half weeks, WorldReach will have a team in Tokyo, Japan working with Southern Baptist Convention International Mission Board missionaries to reach university students with the gospel. They will be spending time on campuses developing relationships with the students, inviting them to off campus gatherings, and sharing the truth about a Creator God who loves them and desires to have a personal relationship with them. This is a foreign concept to most Japanese people. They believe in millions of gods, and have no idea about the one true God.

Please pray for this team as they travel and minister in the land of the rising sun with the message of the risen Son. We will be receiving updates that will be posted here on our blog. You can subscribe to our RSS feed and receive each update automatically. As always, we appreciate your comments.

Report on local National Day of Prayer events

Yesterday I attended two National Day of Prayer events in the Athens, Georgia area. It was great to see the community of believers who gathered to pray for our nation, our leaders, our military and various state and local governmental servants. Many prayed for our churches, pastors, and spiritual leaders. Others petitioned God to bring revival to His people.

One of the events was on the steps of the Athens-Clarke county courthouse. It was encouraging to know that prayers proclaimed in the name of Jesus were being heard throughout the streets as the public address system broadcast every word.

Our partner, WMSL 88.9FM, broadcast two prayer breakfasts and the gathering on the courthouse steps. People all over northeast Georgia - and around the world via streaming - heard the many prayers and words of encouragement spoken at each.

What a privilege it was to be part of this annual event. We want to post some of your testimonies about how God spoke to you through this years National Day of Prayer. Please email them to us at worldreach.us@gmail.com. We will compile them and use them in futre blog posts.