Learning the Best Ministry Tool

Tracy and Karna Steel serve in the Czech Republic with Youth for Christ:

We are so excited about our new ministry plan. We will focus primarily on developing relationships with teens from in and around our town and connecting them to our church. The connecting will be done through teaching in the English classes and helping in the physical education program at the local high school.

The weekly open gym nights, together with game-nights, movie-nights, and Club nights, are all places where we connect Czech kids with youth and youth leaders of our church. I say we because my own kids, as native speakers, are as valuable for improving English conversation skills as I am. They join me in many activities and are a key part of this ministry.

We're learning that the best ministry tool is building relationships with people and allowing the Lord to do His work as He sees fit.

On Our Doorstep

Our Global Kingdom Partners, Martin and Judy Kolczyk, work as student mobilizers with SEND International and live in Marengo, IA. Here is part of an update this week from Martin:

Looking back on our visits to other countries and some of the difficulties we faced with language, transportation, customs, etc., we are well aware of how hard it is for international students to be here, in Iowa, without family. So we are starting up a ministry that we did in the past with Friends of Internationals. We want to provide a “family” for each international student while they are here. We want reach out to the over 600 international students from over 80 different countries on the Kirkwood campus.

We also are looking for people willing to adopt a student. Over 80% of foreign students are never invited into an American home or to visit a church. The mission field has come to our doorstep.These students are hungry, both spiritually and physically and are looking for people that care.

Please pray for us as we venture into this new ministry area.

Read more about Martin & Judy's ministry on their blog, On the Road Again.

Agriculture, Africa Style

Gary and Barb Bennett, serve with WorldVenture in Rwanda:

We are already into the swing of things here in Rwanda. Gary finished planting the agricultural gardens and has started on a Tilapia fish pond project. Barb teaches music at the girls’ school. The girls are making all kinds of new friends at their school.

Every day funny things happen to remind us we aren’t in the States anymore. You know you’re in Africa when you try to download something from the Internet and you read the message, “2,773 hours remaining!”

We are currently working on precision agriculture, Africa-style. We try to maximize every seed’s potential to produce as much food as possible from a given area. The specifics of this method, Farming God’s Way, were developed in southern Africa. Significant increases in crop yields have been reported. We are hoping it will make a difference for food producers here in Rwanda.

Mackey Van Totaled

I was relieved to hear that even though the Mackey's van was totaled in an accident, Laura (who was driving) escaped without injury.

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Poverty in Perspective

I am amazed at how our church stepped up and sponsored over 155 children with Compassion. What a great demonstration of the global care.

I realize there are plenty in need here in our own backyard. But this article puts the difference into perspective:

Here at home, poverty is a single mom in Detroit trying to keep food on the table. In Africa, poverty is a 14-year-old orphaned head-of-household trying to find fresh water for himself and his siblings. The challenge isn't to choose one over the other. The task is to view two harsh realities through a common lens of compassion and assistance.

read more...

Breaking the Cycle of Poverty

Want to make a real difference in advancing God’s Kingdom to overcome poverty? Consider becoming involved with a global care opportunity by supporting a Compassion Leadership Development Program (LDP) Student. This program gives specially selected Compassion sponsored children the opportunity to attend a university and be participants rather than bystanders. Their education includes a full college curriculum, courses in Christian leadership training, and Compassion-taught seminars, workshops and retreats on the development of Christian character and leadership potential.

“LDP sponsors and donors are special instruments that the Lord uses to raise up godly leaders who will eventually break the cycle of poverty,” says Michelle, a LDP student. “You are unveiling the darkness that the enemy has placed over us by giving us dreams, hope and a future!”

Through the Leadership Development Program, hundreds of students like Michelle are energized, mentored and strengthened in their faith each year as they prepare for lives of leadership in their churches and communities. Drop by the Compassion table in the lobby this Sunday or go to their website to find out more.

Thank You!

Over the last month, Pastor Bob has led us on a journey as we considered God's Kingdom disrupted, restored, and advanced. He reminded us that one of the signs that the Kingdom of God is near is that the poor are given good news. As the Kingdom of God intersects the physical world, lives are changed and people are set free.

This last Sunday we threw out a challenge: We asked all of you at New Covenant to consider sponsoring one of 76 Compassion children at our India C2C partner church. In case we were able to find sponsors for all 76, we also had 120 packets for children at two nearby church development centers.

Your response was incredible. After the first service, we already had over 20 packets gone. By the last service, you sponsored 95 kids, including 73 of our partner church children (and the other three are claimed -- just need the forms to be completed). Your generosity is overwhelming. As a church, in one Sunday alone, we have committed to giving $43,320 a year to release children from poverty in Jesus' name. And we are not done yet.

This coming Sunday, we have 100 more Compassion children available to be sponsored. We also will be sharing two other ways you can get involved. So come on Sunday and learn how you can be a part of the Kingdom Unleashed!

Why We Are Offering Compassion Children to Sponsor in India

In the last few weeks, I have been asked a great question: Why sponsor a child from our Partner Church Compassion project in India? Why not suggest people go to the Compassion website and choose a child?

Of course, there are many needy children at Compassion projects in other parts of the world. And I would celebrate each and every one that is sponsored. I have been told by Compassion workers in India that our region is one of the poorest areas Compassion works anywhere in the world. But the most important reason is not the size of the need -- it is the relationship we are building with our partner church in India. They have added new children to their program, and we are being offered the first chance to sponsor as many as 76 of these children. What a wonderful and tangible way to show global care -- to reach out and link arms with our partner church to release a child from poverty in Jesus' name.

Regardless of whether you sponsor a child or not, please join me in praying that we can find a sponsor for each and every child at our partner site. In fact, if we do, we have another 100 packets of children who are equally needy in nearby Compassion projects. My prayer is that we sponsor at least 100 Compassion children in the coming weeks.

Here is a heart wrenching article about the female infanticide that still happens in India: http://blog.compassion.com/infanticide-in-india/.

A Message of Grace

Bob and Laura Mackey family serve with World Team in PA:

Laura and I spent about 10 days in Ecuador at the end of August. I spoke at a field conference with SIM workers. The theme was Jonah: a messenger of grace who needed the message of grace. Jonah was a missionary failure who made his own agenda bigger than God’s. And yet God was very gracious with Jonah, just as He was gracious through Jonah to the Ninevites. It seems like any honest missionary can see some of Jonah in themselves. I emphasized Jesus as the true and better Jonah, our tendency toward idolatry, and our need to practice repentance.

It seemed like the talks went well. I know that people at least were thinking deeply about heart issues.

After the conference was over, Laura and I hung out in Quito celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary. Highlights were bicycling around the “Carolina Park” and visiting the equator. We had a great time!

Check out their blog at: mackeyministry.blogspot.com

Euroventure with Amy Mich

An update from Amy Mich about a youth camp called Euroventure in Grindelwald, Switzerland. She serves with YoungLife in France.

Imagine being 60-70 feet in the air, crossing a series of rope obstacles. You are in a harness, but it’s up to you to move forward and make sure you are securely clipped onto the cable. Don’t look down! If you looked down, you would realize how vulnerable you are. At camp, the students had the opportunity to experience the adventure of a ropes course. Many were scared, but by the end of the course they were having fun and feeling quite proud of their accomplishment.

As a leader, nothing beats seeing kid’s smiling faces after overcoming such a big and challenging obstacle. Stepping out of their comfort zone in the form of a ropes course helped break down barriers and provided a platform for sharing and understanding the gospel. It was a risk the kids took, much like it’s a risk to trust in Christ and be a bold witness in His name.

Pray for Safety for the Van Zoest Family

Please pray for protection us and our Nicaragua Christian Academy family. Our new 5th grade teacher, Jed, reported a couple of weeks ago that his family's guard was in a shoot-out with some men who were trying to steal his motorcycle. This resulted in the guard chasing them away. Jed has noticed several men watching their home which has been very unsettling for him and his family. Two nights ago, Jed was driving at night and came upon a group of men who were burning tires and shaking cars. The men were armed with guns and machetes. They shook Jed's car but Jed pulled forward and kept looking forward and eventually the men went on to another car. People were throwing money out their windows in effort to placate the men. Dan and Rebekah ran into the traffic jam on their way home. However, Dan turned around and found a different way home - not realizing what was really going on. We praise God for Jed and Dan and Rebekah's safety.

Global Care in Action

Our vision for Global Outreach at New Covenant is for every person to be actively involved in global prayer, care, and share. With that in mind, we are excited to announce we will be offering an opportunity for global care through a Compassion Sunday on September 19.

Compassion International exists to release children from poverty in Jesus' name. All of their work and ministry is through a local church. Last March, Pastor Bob and I had the opportunity to travel to India to establish a partnership with a church that hosts and runs a Compassion child development center. We saw firsthand the work that is being done and the great need for even more to be done.

On Sunday, September 19, we will make available child sponsorship packets for children ministered to through our partner church. If all of those are taken, we will also have additional packets for children at other child development centers in the region. Our goal is to transform the lives of over 100 children in East India. I hope you will prayerfully consider joining us in this global care opportunity.

30-Days of Prayer

This year Ramadan is August 11 to September 09. Will you join with Christians around the globe praying for the Muslim World?

Find out more at 30-Days of Prayer for the Muslim World. This site has articles, as well as daily prayer requests that you can download or subscribe to by email.

You can also go to 30DaysFire.net for a full multimedia experience or become a fan of 30-Days International on Facebook.

New Covenant will sponsor a special time of prayer late in August. More details coming soon.

Zimbabwe Team in Chicago - Aug 9

Just received word that the Zimbabwe Team has made it to Chicago. Their United flight to Cedar Rapids is listed as arriving at 6:15 PM in Cedar Rapids. Will update this post if anything changes.

Zimbabwe Team Headed Home - Aug 8

Good news! I have received word that the Zimbabwe team made the first leg of the trip to Kenya successfull, and are now headed to Europe. They will be coming through Chicago and are scheduled to arrive on a United flight at 6:15 PM Cedar rapids Time on Monday, August 9. Will post any other updates I receive between now and then.

Zimbabwe Team Ministry Week Update - Aug 7

We are still on the road to Harare. Thought I would take a moment to provide some updates for the week.

On Tuesday, we participated in a community boys soccer and girls netball (cross between ultimate Frisbee and basketball) tourney for the 18 schools in the area. This is sponsored by the MCDT (think FCA-like activity). A the end of the final soccer game that ended in a penalty shootout, we presented the donated AYSO jerseys and balls as prizes. Afterwards, Lance and the local ministry team shared the gospel with the approximately 800 kids and adults.

Don for the Zim Team

P.S. Pray for the revival service tonight.

You can go to this post for their schedule.

New Kingdom Partner: Robin's Song

Robin’s Song is a new Kingdom Partner of New Covenant. The purpose of this ministry is to equip and train local people to provide safe, clean drinking water for their communities in the name of Christ. Brian Perry wrote this in a recent update:

I am planning to depart August 11 for Africa. I will spend the first week in Blantyre, Malawi where we will make plans for building another group to drill more wells. Remember that every well we put in provides clean drinking water to a thousand people. We are dedicated to helping people support themselves with an income from drilling the deep wells. We want to show God’s love to the people we serve so that they may know Him as their Savior. I’m excited to have my youngest son, Blake, join me in Mozambique September 4-10.

In October, I will be traveling with my older son, Christopher. He belongs to the Christian Medical and Dental Association, who has been leading teams of doctors and surgery nurses into Mexico. Please pray for financial support for start up costs of working in new areas of Africa, as well as travel safety.

Go to www.robins-song.org to learn more.

Martin Kokczyk Blog

Wondering what our Kingdom Partners, Martin & Judy Kolczyk, are up to? Check out their blog and find out!

Bennett's Headed back to Africa

Our Kingdom Partners, Gary & Barb Bennett, leave soon for Rwanda.

Dear Friends,

Thanks to God’s faithfulness we are all set to leave for Rwanda on Wednesday morning, August 4th. We still need a little more support, but through your generosity, God has provided what we need to be able to return to the field. We are so thankful for all your gifts and help. We leave from Minneapolis, stop in New York and then fly to Brussels Belgium. After a short layover in Brussels we fly directly to Kigali Rwanda where we arrive Thursday evening.

This morning we experienced a wonderful worship service at our home church, First Baptist, Windom. At the close of the service people gathered around and had a prayer time for us, which was very moving. Fortunately someone found us a box of Kleenex. We explained to the girls afterwards, if we didn’t love people so much and if they didn’t love us so much, saying good bye wouldn’t nearly as hard.

We would appreciate your prayers for us as we say more goodbyes, especially to family members. It is so hard to say good bye to those we love so much and have had so many wonderful times with during this year here. Pray also that all of our luggage will make it with us to Rwanda. The girls start their new school year on Aug 17th, so pray for a quick adjustment and a special time of reuniting with friends back on the field. Finally pray that God would show us where He would have us put our main focus as we get back into ministry in Rwanda. There are so many things we could be involved in, so pray we would put our efforts into what will be most helpful to the Rwandan church.

As always thanks so much for all your prayers, love and support,

Gary, Barb, Melissa and Megan Bennett

Zimbabwe Team Sat & Sun Update - Aug 2

Sat 31 July

After a long ride from the Harare to the Mushayamunda Village we had a short night's rest before the widows conference. We shared the blessing from New Covenant the name of Jesus Christ in the form of testimonies, teachings, prayer and gifts of clothing. There were approximately 250 widows some of who had walked 20 miles. We can't wait to share the pictures and video of the widows displaying the true joy of the Lord in the midst of their suffering. Saturday night we had a mini revival at the homestead. Brother Dave Estrem shared as well as Patti Ashbacher with a testimony. Thank you for sending us.

Don for the Zim team


Sunday 1 Aug

Sunday morning we enjoyed fellowship, singing, dancing, prayer and time in God's word together. Your bothers and sisters in Christ in Zimbabwe send you greetings at New Covenant. Don shared the message with testimony from sister Dixie. We also provided fluoride treatment and basic medical care for the widows on Saturday and continued into Sunday. Heavy program to start Monday...

Don for the Zim team

Zimbabwe Team Luggage Made It!

Received this additional update from Dennis. He is from Zimbabwe and is the reason we are doing this trip. Here is his update:

I spoke to team this morning. They safely arrived in Zimbabwe. They were in Harare at my sister's house refreshing and repacking and getting ready for the 7 hour trip to the village. The bus needed some repairs so they were expecting it in about 2 hours. Everybody is in good spirits and excited about what lies ahead. WE GOT ALL THE BAGS THROUGH WITH NO LOSSES. This is the first team that went through without loss of bags en route, Praise God!

Dennis

Zimbabwe Team is in Zimbabwe - Jul 29

Here are some text messages sent by a team member at 11 PM (Iowa time) Thursday night:

Safely in Nairobi, Kenya, waiting for the last flight let to Harare. Still lacking sleep but the full day walking around London during our layover has helped flip our "body clocks."

Our team is working very well together, and ready to be used by the Lord as He so chooses.

Thanks for praying for us!

Don for the Team Zim

And then this text came in this morning:

Just landed safely in Harare, Zimbabwe.

The team will only have limited internet access in Zimbabwe, so it may be a while until we hear from them again.

Zimbabwe Team -- in London! Jul 29

Here is an update from the team. They have an 8 hour layover in London so are doing a little sight seeing while they wait.

Sleepy, but doing great. Working on storing our carry-on bags and then spend a few hours in the city before our flight to Nairobi, Kenya.

Don for team Zim

Zimbabwe Update from Chicago - Jul 28

Praise God! All of the bags made it on the first leg to Chicago. For those who are in the aviation industry imagine an EMB-145 on a summer day with our literal ton of bags, heavy carry-ons, and a full flight. I (Don) would have never imagined it, but apparently they all made it. We were asked to bring more bags on the plane since the cargo hold was full. As we understand it only one bag was left behind (not ours). Pray that gentleman gets his bag very soon.

We are headed to the next gate for our London departure.
Blessings,

Don for team Zim