TIME FOR A COMMERCIAL BREAK FROM OUR SPONSERS......

Who is that you may ask?  Well, none other than THE Trinity – Father, Son, & Holy Spirit!  It is He who is behind the work designed for His people.  Now, for that commercial……

 

Our focus this week, leading up to the Largest Offering challenge of our denomination, is ASIA-PACIFIC.  Remember, God wants to do this thru us!  So, let's equip & prepare ourselves with knowledge & power through prayer & fasting.  Below is information from Engage, a global mission magazine of the Church of the Nazarene.

 

The Asia-Pacific Region includes 24 countries and areas, which are organized into seven fields. It reports more than 100,000 members in nearly 1,500 active churches.

 

Making the most of every opportunity...or obstacle

By

http://engagemagazine.com/getmedia/faf708bd-be96-4175-b2f1-c2ff621cbc72/Real-estate-stock-image.aspx?width=250&height=166

The church on the Asia-Pacific Region continues to see God at work building His church as everyday people intentionally look for ways to share Christ in the office, the marketplace, school or community.A recent letter from a medical professional working in an area of the Asia-Pacific Region illustrates this desire to turn even obstacles into opportunities.

Dear Friends,
 
Pam found an apartment that we both love.  The closing of the sale was at 1:30 on Wednesday afternoon.  When the seller had not shown up at 1:40 the [real estate agent] called him.  He said that he had sold the apartment at noon that day through a different real estate company.  I was upset, but my wife was not.  Pam reminded me that we had been praying for God's will to be done.  In fact, on the way to our appointment she had been praying that if God did not want us to buy the apartment, then the sale would be blocked.  ("Thanks, Pam!" was my first thought.)
 
The staff at the real estate office, accustomed to impatient clients, were prepared for us to explode in anger.  Instead our calm response opened the door for us to witness to them about Pam's prayer and how we believe that God is leading us. After that the office manager showed us more apartments and asked Pam more questions about our faith.
 
The Kingdom coincidences continued. The next day another one of the [staff] from that same office nearly fainted, so her colleagues brought her to the hospital where I work. God had opened another golden opportunity to serve them when they all came to the emergency room.
 
This all began with someone's search for an apartment. They still haven't found a home, but God is turning obstacles into opportunities.

 
What about you?  What Kingdom opportunities – disguised as obstacles – does God have in store for you today?  In your going, continue to make Christlike disciples in the nations.

Let's TALK!  

*       When you have been thwarted in something you were trying to accomplish, how did you react?

*       Why was this couple's calm and forgiving reaction a witness to the real estate agents?

*       What role did Pam's prayer play in the events and the couple's attitude?

*       How can you be open to the Holy Spirit's work in everyday situations?

*        

Your last question, that can be found on the mission board, is:  What country is nick-named "land of a thousand hills"?  Remember, responding will earn you points & the one with the most points will receive a prize on Nov 30th

**FINE PRINT:  Members of my immediate family & ordained Pastors are not eligible for prizes.

 

Breaking News!! Thanksgiving is November 25th!

Were you surprised?!  Just as sure as special days come & go, so does opportunities.  Without planning or thought, either is just another day.  Where are you eating Thanksgiving Dinner?  What are you bringing?  You probably already know, and if not it won’t be long before you do.  Our offering for the World Evangelism Fund is 6 weeks from Sunday.  If we don’t think about it the day will be a ‘whatever’ day & we will give whatever extra we have that day.  The District has issued goals, one of which we have responded to (#6 below) with our 10/10/10 offering which was $150.00!  (Those who did not participate know that you still can!) 

So I challenge you to meet each of the goals!  This Sunday, our focus is Africa. For 6 days of this week plan to pray one minute specifically for Africa and FAST one meal.  There are 6 prayer points in our focus: evangelism, disciple-making, leadership development, church development, missionary call/care, AND compassion.   

Why all these 6’s?  because the goal to sustain our missionaries & our global mission is $6 million!  The number 6 represents man; every one of our goals emphasize our need of our God!  This is His idea, His mission, and only His enabling will get it done.  If we do our part – He will bring the increase, thru us just because He can!  Join me in this 6 week journey & let’s get close enough to hear His heart beat AND have ours join rhythm with IT!!  Hugs!

Breakdown of goals
1. Global goal: $6 million to sustain missionaries and our global mission
2. Global prayer: 6 minutes per week for 6 weeks (one minute per day)
3. Global fasting: one meal per week for 6 weeks
4. Global focus: 6 prayer points in evangelism, disciple-making, leadership development, church development, missionary call/care, and compassion
5. Global regions: praying for one region per week for 6 weeks as follows:

*       Africa: week of October 17

*       Asia Pacific: week of October 24

*       Eurasia: week of October 31

*       Mexico/Central America/Caribbean: week of November 7

*       South America: week of November 14

*       USA/Canada: week of November 21

6. Global participation: each regular attendee giving at least $10 (adjusted to reflect national parity) beyond regular mission offerings such as WEF, faith promise or Thanksgiving offerings. Some have decided to give one day’s earnings for WEF PLUS.

Challenge 2010 prioritizes rescue for lost persons around the world. Fanny Crosby, the famous songwriter, penned powerfully:

“Rescue the perishing, care for the dying, snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;
Weep o’er the erring ones, lift up the fallen; tell them of Jesus, the mighty to save.”

The Thanksgiving/Harvest offering is crucial to reach a lost world for Christ. With all of us doing our part generously, we can sustain the global outreach of our church and the abundant spiritual harvest God is providing. We deeply appreciate your help!

-- Daniel Ketchum is director of Nazarene Missions International (NMI), the church relations heart of Global Mission in every local church globally.

 

HELP! SOS! AYUDA ME!

I am in need of volunteers!  I have been trying to count coins ever since we received our Alabaster offering.  The Coin-star charges .10 on every dollar!!!   So, we carried the chest back to the office to be locked up.  The more volunteers, the faster this job will go.  The change has to be counted and rolled to take to the bank.  All counters meet us at the church Saturday morning @ 10:30 we will have this done and ALL will be used for the purpose intended!!  Drop me a note & let me know I can count J on you!

Links, chains, rescues.....

Dear Feller Co-Missioner,

 

A story was told of a large man who fell into a lake. He flailed in water over his head and hollered for help. He could not swim! A man jumped into the water to help, but the larger man quickly pulled him under the water and nearly drowned his would-be rescuer. A second man dived into the water to help, but also nearly drowned while trying to pull him out.

 

A third observer decided to form a human chain. Men and women on shore locked hands and then clasped the hands of those in the water. Finally, one person in the water grasped the hand of the drowning man. As the human chain pulled together, they rescued the man from death.

 

EACH person in the chain was vital to the rescue. Some tasks are impossible without assistance from others. Some challenges are so great they require a team of helpers.  Did you know YOU are a link in a chain? 

 

Our general superintendents are challenging Nazarenes globally to give the largest offering in the history of the denomination!  

When you ask?  ….during the Thanksgiving/Harvest time for the World Evangelism Fund (WEF)! Challenge 2010, (10-10-10), a special WEF PLUS Offering, provides all of us an opportunity to present a love offering beyond our normal WEF giving or Thanksgiving Offering. The WEF PLUS Offering will help keep missionaries on their fields and even MORE exciting - will reap an abundant harvest of souls worldwide! 

How you ask? ….just by each individual giving $10.00!  This Sunday is 10-10-10 and Nazarenes everywhere are bringing the equivalent of $10 for this special offering!  Together this will be a historical rescue effort AND you are needed!!!   

 

REMEMBER BRING YOUR 10 DOLLARS THIS SUNDAY!!!!!

 

Hugs!