With four kids and feeding half of Fort McMurray, we accumulate allot of trash.
Normally this is a stinky problem, on Monday it proved to be an effective ministry tool when I was dumping our trash at the city landfill.I had a divine appointment with a heavy hauler driver/guitar player named Mike at the dump.
I met Mike around Christmas when I was at the local mall wrapping gifts for a fundraiser at my daughters' school. Mike hated wrapping gifts and let me wrap all 32 gifts that he had bought. I am slow at wrapping gifts, and really not that good at it. So around gift number 14 Mike started asking me questions about why I came to Fort McMurray. He was blown over by the fact that I was the only person that he had met that did not come to the Fort to try to make more money. We really connected and laughed a great deal from gift number 14 to 32.
Since then Mike and I have been working on building a relationship. I have seen Mike play guitar and sing with his band and had a few other conversations with him, but something spiritual happened the other day at the dump.
Mike just had a baby with his girlfriend nine days ago, and now realizes that he needs to change some things in his life. He asked if I would give him some advice on how to be a family man. I said that I would be glad to help him become the man that God wants him to be. It was then that we went over to his truck and prayed for his girlfriend and new baby girl at the dump.
Please pray that Mike will continue to seek out God's plan for his life and that I will get a chance to see Mike and his girlfriend, Colleen come to faith in Christ.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Justin Comes To Christ!: Canada church plant update
At 11:43PM (Mountain Time) on March 22nd Justin Somers gave his life to Christ while on the phone with me.
I met Justin when I came up a month before moving to Fort McMurray while a part of a mission team from Sevier Heights Baptist Church in Knoxville. Justin was drunk/high when Mike Newman and I met him last July and offered him some free coffee. He took the coffee and got to hear that Christ died for him and had a plan for his life. He didn't say much that day, but enjoyed the coffee.
I met him the next day while we were painting over graffiti at a city park. Graffiti that he now admits to having a hand at creating. I reiterated the Good News that I shared with him the day before and told him that I would be praying for him. I then left Fort McMurray to get ready to move up from Texas. The day after I arrived in Texas he called me and left a message, with no phone number to call him back.
I hoped and prayed that I would run into him after moving here, but after a few months of living here could not locate him. I saw him a month ago while serving him food at the soup kitchen. I again shared with him God's plan for his life. He listened but did not respond. After hurting a friend deeply one night, he called me on the phone and asked me if I knew of a way that he could deal with his anger and change his life. It was then that I shared with him again the saving grace of Jesus Christ. This time he responded to Christ.
Please double your efforts in praying for Justin. My desire is for him to grow in his faith and win many of his friends to Christ.Thank you for partnering with us to reach Justin for Christ.
I met Justin when I came up a month before moving to Fort McMurray while a part of a mission team from Sevier Heights Baptist Church in Knoxville. Justin was drunk/high when Mike Newman and I met him last July and offered him some free coffee. He took the coffee and got to hear that Christ died for him and had a plan for his life. He didn't say much that day, but enjoyed the coffee.
I met him the next day while we were painting over graffiti at a city park. Graffiti that he now admits to having a hand at creating. I reiterated the Good News that I shared with him the day before and told him that I would be praying for him. I then left Fort McMurray to get ready to move up from Texas. The day after I arrived in Texas he called me and left a message, with no phone number to call him back.
I hoped and prayed that I would run into him after moving here, but after a few months of living here could not locate him. I saw him a month ago while serving him food at the soup kitchen. I again shared with him God's plan for his life. He listened but did not respond. After hurting a friend deeply one night, he called me on the phone and asked me if I knew of a way that he could deal with his anger and change his life. It was then that I shared with him again the saving grace of Jesus Christ. This time he responded to Christ.
Please double your efforts in praying for Justin. My desire is for him to grow in his faith and win many of his friends to Christ.Thank you for partnering with us to reach Justin for Christ.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Off The Clock: Canada church plant update
I like lunch time when I am teaching at the college.
Sure, I am always a big fan of lunch, but I love it when I am able to let my hair down, so to speak, and be off the clock to answer spiritual questions for my students.
I do not hide at all my reason for coming to Fort McMurray when I am instructing at Keyano College. However, my boss would not appreciate nor tolerate me sharing the plan of salvation in the workshops that I teach. But lunchtime is my time, and I always have someone to share my lunchtime with. Many students lag behind in the classroom and ask me to help them out with some spiritual concept or idea or simply want me to share some insight with them on life, discouragement, love, parenting, or marriage.
Dale, a big, hairy, grown man who drives the biggest truck in the world for a living is one of these guys that lagged behind last week during lunch. Dale was crying about his loveless marriage and his many years of drunkenness. I got to share God's plan with Dale and he said that he would truly think about what I said.
Please pray that Dale does more than think about Christ's love and forgiveness. Also please pray for more "off the clock" lunchtime conversations.
The Everyday, Every Tuesday, Every Other Saturday Routine
Routines can be bad, but they can also be very good. We think that our routine for daily prayer with another believer here in Fort Mac is good.
We think our weekly Bible Study on Tuesday is a good routine.
We also know that our bi-monthly get together to play games, eat, share/evangelize, and build relationships with the Kavanaugh, Williams, and Paquette families that is also a good routine.
I need you to please pray specifically for each of these routines. In regards to our everyday routine of praying with another believer here in Fort Mac, please pray that our prayer partners, Mike and Kristin Frazier, will continue to sense God's call to partner with us to see Fort Mac won for Christ.
As for our weekly Bible Study, please pray that Roland, Ernie, and Dorothy would come to faith in Christ. Also pray that more people would want to belong to our Tuesday night group.
Our every other Saturday routine of having people over to eat, play games, and talk about life, love, God, faith, parenting, and relationships needs to be covered in prayer so that the enemy will not win the souls of those sharing a meal and life with us.
Sure, I am always a big fan of lunch, but I love it when I am able to let my hair down, so to speak, and be off the clock to answer spiritual questions for my students.
I do not hide at all my reason for coming to Fort McMurray when I am instructing at Keyano College. However, my boss would not appreciate nor tolerate me sharing the plan of salvation in the workshops that I teach. But lunchtime is my time, and I always have someone to share my lunchtime with. Many students lag behind in the classroom and ask me to help them out with some spiritual concept or idea or simply want me to share some insight with them on life, discouragement, love, parenting, or marriage.
Dale, a big, hairy, grown man who drives the biggest truck in the world for a living is one of these guys that lagged behind last week during lunch. Dale was crying about his loveless marriage and his many years of drunkenness. I got to share God's plan with Dale and he said that he would truly think about what I said.
Please pray that Dale does more than think about Christ's love and forgiveness. Also please pray for more "off the clock" lunchtime conversations.
The Everyday, Every Tuesday, Every Other Saturday Routine
Routines can be bad, but they can also be very good. We think that our routine for daily prayer with another believer here in Fort Mac is good.
We think our weekly Bible Study on Tuesday is a good routine.
We also know that our bi-monthly get together to play games, eat, share/evangelize, and build relationships with the Kavanaugh, Williams, and Paquette families that is also a good routine.
I need you to please pray specifically for each of these routines. In regards to our everyday routine of praying with another believer here in Fort Mac, please pray that our prayer partners, Mike and Kristin Frazier, will continue to sense God's call to partner with us to see Fort Mac won for Christ.
As for our weekly Bible Study, please pray that Roland, Ernie, and Dorothy would come to faith in Christ. Also pray that more people would want to belong to our Tuesday night group.
Our every other Saturday routine of having people over to eat, play games, and talk about life, love, God, faith, parenting, and relationships needs to be covered in prayer so that the enemy will not win the souls of those sharing a meal and life with us.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Hays Community Church Update:
In January we encountered some tough waters. We had four families leave our church for various reasons. All of this happened after we launched the 2nd house church. However, God has brought more folks to our church. We are now 17 families (53 people). 2/3 go to one house church and 1/3 goes to the other. This photo is a pic of about 65% of our church at a recent picnic. We have had some miraculous things happen the past 3 weeks. One couple in their fifties trusted Christ. It looks like they will be baptized soon along with a couple others. That would make 15 baptisms since HCC started. Praise the Lord! Also, we saw God rescue another marriage. On Sunday, March 1st, the husband packed his bags and left, and by Thursday, March 5th, he was back at home. Again, praise the Lord!
Prayer Requests:
We went back and read the letter we sent out in March of 2008. At that time we had 5 families (24 people). We again just praise God for His faithfulness. As you pray for us, we again ask you to praise Him for His faithfulness on our behalf. Please pray for our Easter Outreach on April 11th and pray for our Easter Sunday time on April 12th. Pray the Lord would draw new folks to us so that they would praise His name (Psalm 67). We still have many folks who come who have not trusted Christ yet. Pray God’s kindness would draw them to repentance. Like we said, please pray for Caroline’s health, and we ask you to pray for our entire family (Psalm 91). Finally, we ask you to pray that we would stay connected to Jesus (John 15).
Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!
We feel like we always run out of words to show appreciation to you guys, but there are not enough words. There will never be enough words. Our hearts overflow with gratitude towards you. You truly are our partners in the advancement of His gospel.
We went back and read the letter we sent out in March of 2008. At that time we had 5 families (24 people). We again just praise God for His faithfulness. As you pray for us, we again ask you to praise Him for His faithfulness on our behalf. Please pray for our Easter Outreach on April 11th and pray for our Easter Sunday time on April 12th. Pray the Lord would draw new folks to us so that they would praise His name (Psalm 67). We still have many folks who come who have not trusted Christ yet. Pray God’s kindness would draw them to repentance. Like we said, please pray for Caroline’s health, and we ask you to pray for our entire family (Psalm 91). Finally, we ask you to pray that we would stay connected to Jesus (John 15).
Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!
We feel like we always run out of words to show appreciation to you guys, but there are not enough words. There will never be enough words. Our hearts overflow with gratitude towards you. You truly are our partners in the advancement of His gospel.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Robert and Mary Jo Foster Update
Family, Friends & Supporters,
Have you seen the Nationwide Insurance television commercial that says: "Life comes at you fast!" Well, it is true! On February 1st, I had to go to the emergency room in severe pain and the next day I had another surgery, made necessary by a lone artery that began bleeding in the region where I had surgery on December 30th. The artery had to be cauterized. The next day I went home.
So, my recuperation from surgery has continued with what I hope will prove to be only a minor setback. I appreciate your prayers and any help** that you can provide with the mounting medical expenses.
Exciting things are happening in Rio! At the end of 2008, I received a very encouraging report from a lay evangelist who is the leader of EE training at his local church. He also is an EE volunteer representative in the large, beautiful city of Rio de Janeiro. Below is the English translation of that report. Rejoice with us as you read of how the EE ministry is resulting in New testament multiplication in his local church and beyond.
Another year is coming to an end, and the Lord gave us so many victories! I am sure that, if you look back retrospectively at your life in 2008, you will remember tremendous blessings from God, right? However, it is possible that your year was not as good as you expected: intense battles, unexpected losses, unpleasant surprises... But, if you are reading this email now, it is because the Lord has supported you up to this point. I am certain that, if this was a year of testing in your life, it is because God wants to give you greater responsibilities. In order to present ourselves to God as workers approved, we have to experience testing! There is no other way! At the end of this year, even if you don't feel like you have many reasons to be happy, celebrate God for the harvest that will come because if you go out weeping, carrying your bag of seed, you will come home singing, carrying your bundles of grain! (see Psalm 126:6)
For those of us in EVANGELISM EXPLOSION at New Life Christian Church in Vista Alegre (Rio de Janeiro), reasons to celebrate are not in short supply! Just this year in our local church training:
• We trained 32 members of our church to share the Gospel, contributing to their spiritual and personal growth.
• We held 2 EE leadership training clinics, one for child evangelism/children's leaders and the other for adult evangelism/pastors, as well as 2 informational seminars about EE.
As a result of these opportunities, we had the privilege of cooperating in the spiritual growth of approximately 50 pastors and leaders from 22 churches and 10 evangelical denominations. It was truly a “festa” (celebrative party) for the kingdom of God!
• However, the most important aspect of all of these activities is that adding up the results of all of on-the-job training visits of 2008, about 380 people were evangelized! In other words, 380 people heard the message of the cross shared in a respectful, but at the same time, a confronting way, leading them to make a decision to repent of their sins and receive Christ as their only sufficient Lord and Savior.
• It is important, too, to emphasize that of these 380 people that heard the message of the cross in a logical and comprehensive way, less than 10% demonstrated a negative attitude! And we can affirm that without a doubt hundreds of people this year will celebrate Christmas with a different perspective because Christians who were trained and equipped obeyed the Great Commission and did their part in the salvation of the lost!
To everyone who now reads this email, and especially those who participated in our training, those of us in EE at New Life Christian Church of Vista Alegre (Rio de Janeiro) desire for you that the year 2009 is full of the Lord’s blessings! Take advantage of this time of the year to share with your friends and relatives the only present that can transform their lives, the PRESENT OF ETERNAL LIFE! And, those of you who were trained to be a trainer of soul winners don’t allow the battles and difficulties of this life make you give up in moving forward in the purposes of God in your life. Train the believers in your local church and do your part so that next year and in subsequent years we can celebrate not just hundreds, but thousands and thousands of lost people reached by the message of the cross!
Together for a Changed World,
Evangelist João Luís Amaral
ICNV – Vista Alegre
Now, that is encouraging! Thank you for being a part of this multiplying ministry through your prayers and financial support!!
Blessings,
Robert & Mary Jo
EE-Brazil
Have you seen the Nationwide Insurance television commercial that says: "Life comes at you fast!" Well, it is true! On February 1st, I had to go to the emergency room in severe pain and the next day I had another surgery, made necessary by a lone artery that began bleeding in the region where I had surgery on December 30th. The artery had to be cauterized. The next day I went home.
So, my recuperation from surgery has continued with what I hope will prove to be only a minor setback. I appreciate your prayers and any help** that you can provide with the mounting medical expenses.
Exciting things are happening in Rio! At the end of 2008, I received a very encouraging report from a lay evangelist who is the leader of EE training at his local church. He also is an EE volunteer representative in the large, beautiful city of Rio de Janeiro. Below is the English translation of that report. Rejoice with us as you read of how the EE ministry is resulting in New testament multiplication in his local church and beyond.
Another year is coming to an end, and the Lord gave us so many victories! I am sure that, if you look back retrospectively at your life in 2008, you will remember tremendous blessings from God, right? However, it is possible that your year was not as good as you expected: intense battles, unexpected losses, unpleasant surprises... But, if you are reading this email now, it is because the Lord has supported you up to this point. I am certain that, if this was a year of testing in your life, it is because God wants to give you greater responsibilities. In order to present ourselves to God as workers approved, we have to experience testing! There is no other way! At the end of this year, even if you don't feel like you have many reasons to be happy, celebrate God for the harvest that will come because if you go out weeping, carrying your bag of seed, you will come home singing, carrying your bundles of grain! (see Psalm 126:6)
For those of us in EVANGELISM EXPLOSION at New Life Christian Church in Vista Alegre (Rio de Janeiro), reasons to celebrate are not in short supply! Just this year in our local church training:
• We trained 32 members of our church to share the Gospel, contributing to their spiritual and personal growth.
• We held 2 EE leadership training clinics, one for child evangelism/children's leaders and the other for adult evangelism/pastors, as well as 2 informational seminars about EE.
As a result of these opportunities, we had the privilege of cooperating in the spiritual growth of approximately 50 pastors and leaders from 22 churches and 10 evangelical denominations. It was truly a “festa” (celebrative party) for the kingdom of God!
• However, the most important aspect of all of these activities is that adding up the results of all of on-the-job training visits of 2008, about 380 people were evangelized! In other words, 380 people heard the message of the cross shared in a respectful, but at the same time, a confronting way, leading them to make a decision to repent of their sins and receive Christ as their only sufficient Lord and Savior.
• It is important, too, to emphasize that of these 380 people that heard the message of the cross in a logical and comprehensive way, less than 10% demonstrated a negative attitude! And we can affirm that without a doubt hundreds of people this year will celebrate Christmas with a different perspective because Christians who were trained and equipped obeyed the Great Commission and did their part in the salvation of the lost!
To everyone who now reads this email, and especially those who participated in our training, those of us in EE at New Life Christian Church of Vista Alegre (Rio de Janeiro) desire for you that the year 2009 is full of the Lord’s blessings! Take advantage of this time of the year to share with your friends and relatives the only present that can transform their lives, the PRESENT OF ETERNAL LIFE! And, those of you who were trained to be a trainer of soul winners don’t allow the battles and difficulties of this life make you give up in moving forward in the purposes of God in your life. Train the believers in your local church and do your part so that next year and in subsequent years we can celebrate not just hundreds, but thousands and thousands of lost people reached by the message of the cross!
Together for a Changed World,
Evangelist João Luís Amaral
ICNV – Vista Alegre
Now, that is encouraging! Thank you for being a part of this multiplying ministry through your prayers and financial support!!
Blessings,
Robert & Mary Jo
EE-Brazil
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
The German and I
I met Roland, my new German friend, when I came up here this Summer before moving to Fort McMurray with a mission team from Sevier Heights Baptist Church in Knoxville.
Roland has come to the last three Tuesday night Bible Studies and has tons of questions about God, the Bible, Christ followers, eternity, evil, and purpose. We hang out regularly and he says that he is glad that he met me and asks each week if he can come back to Bible study the following week.
Roland has been in Canada for 20 years and speaks and reads English fluently, however he was so excited to read the Bible in his heart language.
Please pray for Roland to come to Christ soon.
-Clay Hilton
Roland has come to the last three Tuesday night Bible Studies and has tons of questions about God, the Bible, Christ followers, eternity, evil, and purpose. We hang out regularly and he says that he is glad that he met me and asks each week if he can come back to Bible study the following week.
Roland has been in Canada for 20 years and speaks and reads English fluently, however he was so excited to read the Bible in his heart language.
Please pray for Roland to come to Christ soon.
-Clay Hilton
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Guitarist friend very excited to have new fan
I met Mike when I was volunteering for my daughters' school over Christmas break. I went down to the mall here for Christmas and wrapped Christmas gifts for school donations.
Mike hates to wrap gifts, so he was happy to have me wrap his gifts.
He had 22 gifts for me to wrap, so I spent a good 45 minutes wrapping them. During that 45 minutes a few days before Christmas, I was able to share Christ with Mike. Mike said that he would think about what I said and get back in touch with me in 2009.
He did last week. Mike emailed me and invited me to hear him play at a local Newfoundlander's pub.
Mike and I talked a good bit during the breaks during his 4 hour classic rock and Newfie rock set.
He emailed the next day to thank me for coming. Please pray that Mike and I will continue to connect and that he would respond to Christ.
-Clay Hilton
Mike hates to wrap gifts, so he was happy to have me wrap his gifts.
He had 22 gifts for me to wrap, so I spent a good 45 minutes wrapping them. During that 45 minutes a few days before Christmas, I was able to share Christ with Mike. Mike said that he would think about what I said and get back in touch with me in 2009.
He did last week. Mike emailed me and invited me to hear him play at a local Newfoundlander's pub.
Mike and I talked a good bit during the breaks during his 4 hour classic rock and Newfie rock set.
He emailed the next day to thank me for coming. Please pray that Mike and I will continue to connect and that he would respond to Christ.
-Clay Hilton
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